2017
An integrated approach to understanidnt thye dynamics of poultry litter in corn-soybean production systems
Contributor/Checkoff:
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Field management Soil healthTillage
Lead Principal Investigator:
Edwin Ritchey, University of Kentucky
Co-Principal Investigators:
Carl Bradley, University of Kentucky
Erin Haramoto, University of Kentucky
+1 More
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Institution Funded:
Brief Project Summary:

The primary goals of this research are to improve the profitability of soybean and corn production systems by improving nutrient supply, soil physical properties, and subsequently crop yields through the use of poultry litter (PL) additions. Specifically, this research will allow us to gain a better understanding of how PL additions in corn-soybean production systems contribute/alter the nutrient content and physical properties of the soil, soybean cyst nematode (SCN) numbers and plant responses, and weed growth patterns. This understanding will be useful to producers and others as a whole to improve the profitability of production systems by improving yield and soil resources. A major goal...

Unique Keywords:
#poultry liter, #soil and tillage management
Information And Results
Project Deliverables

The outcomes of this experiment are dependent upon the environmental conditions present at each location. By spreading the experimental locations across several western KY counties and beginning the rotation with soybean for half of the locations and corn with the other half, we have spread the risk of experimental failure. We aim to provide KY producers with a better understanding of the complex interactions associated with the use of PL as a nutrient source for corn and soybean production systems. It is well known that animal manures improve the soil. The extent and consequences of these improvements are often not well documented. For example, does the use of PL alter weed, insect, or disease activity or growth stages and thus alter pesticide applications. How long or how many applications of PL must be applied prior to seeing an improvement in infiltration or plant available water. If PL does prove to reduce SCN nematode numbers and severity while providing plant nutrients and improving the overall soil, then specific fields with known problems could be targeted to reduce these numbers. This exhaustive research plans to document the benefits of using PL in a corn-soybean rotation and fully disclose any potential detriments that could negatively influence crop yields (weed and disease pressure). These answers would be a great benefit to producers that have access to PL and that have soils that are in “need of repair”.

Final Project Results

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.