2019
Amount and timing of nitrogen release from poultry litter in soybean production system
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Contributor/Checkoff:
Alabama Soybean Producers
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
GeneticsGenomicsSeed quality
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Rishi Prasad, Auburn University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Tim Reed, Auburn University
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Alabama Soybean Producers
$20,000
Institution Funded:
Auburn University
$20,000
Brief Project Summary:

This project focuses on the release timing of nitrogen and other nutrients from poultry litter and how that impacted soybean yield and nutrient composition. Poultry litter can increase soybean yields, but application timing is critical because of how those nutrients are released. Although responses varied based on soil types, environment and applications rates, trials showed clear advantages to using poultry litter. They compared three rates of poultry litter application to control plots. Littler was applied at specific timings to understand exactly when and how much of the organic nutrients in the litter were mineralized and made available to plants in the soil.

Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, Extension agents

Information And Results
Project Deliverables

Fields plots at E.V Smith Research center and Wiregrass Research and Extension center will be established in a field with a history of soybean production to which litter has not been applied. Litter bags will be prepared using screen mesh and filled with poultry litter according to the treatment rates. The treatments will be a control (no litter) and three rates of litter (5, 2.5 and 1.0 tons/acre) replicated four times in a field under dryland condition. The litter bags will be removed at 1, 3, 5 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 120 days after litter application. The bags will be transported to the lab and analyzed for total nitrogen and total carbon using standard methods. The net N mineralized over time will be calculated for each treatment by subtracting the control from treatments.Soil temperature and soil moisture content at 15 cm depth from designated cylinders will also be monitored using Stevens Hydra Probes.

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.