Field‐Scale Evaluation of Poultry Manure as a Combined Nutrient Resource for Corn Production

Abstract

An on‐farm study was conducted in Iowa from 2004 to 2006 at 18 sites to evaluate corn (Zea mays L.) grain yield (GY) and soil‐ and plant‐test responses to poultry manure (PM) nutrient application at the field scale. A control and two target PM rates based on total N (PM‐N) were applied in randomized field‐length strips with three replications. Corn GY responded positively to PM applications. While N, P, and K plant and soil tests were related to PM nutrient rates, there was considerable variation, and relationships were probably influenced by the multiple applied nutrients. Soil‐test P and soil‐test K across sites increased linearly with increasing PM total P and K rates and with large increases from the high rates. This confirms high P and K crop availability. Grain yield responses to PM decreased linearly with increasing leaf chlorophyll meter (CM) and late spring soil NO3–N test (LSNT) values but were not related to end‐of‐season lower corn stalk NO3–N test values. No N test had a plateau relationship with GY, suggesting no excess N supply despite large PM‐N rates. This confirms low first‐year PM‐N availability. The relationship between CM and LSNT indicated a critical LSNT value at 24 mg kg−1, similar to that from previous small‐plot research. This field‐scale study showed that PM is a valuable nutrient resource. However, due to PM multinutrient content and differences in availability, the nutrient causing GY and plant‐ or soil‐test results often cannot be clearly identified and results need careful interpretation for reliable use.

INTEGRATING THE ORGANIC AMENDMENT WITH IRON FERTILIZATION FOR IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY AND Fe BIOFORTIFICATION IN RICE UNDER ACIDIFIED CALCAREOUS SOIL

“…Also it could help in improving water contents needed for plants (Watts et al, 2010). Our results are in accordance to the Woli et al (2015) and Ruiz Diaz et al (2011) where grain yield was improved by the application of PM. Metal analysis (Fe, Zn) of effects of BC on agronomic crops (i.e.…”

Dynamic Model Improves Agronomic and Environmental Outcomes for Maize Nitrogen Management over Static Approach

“…Altogether, there is a pressing need to increase the sustainability of agricultural production and reduce the losses of N fertilizer into the environment (Tilman et al, 2011;Norse and Ju, 2015;Zhang et al, 2015). Soil N availability varies in time and space (van Es et al, 2007b) and is affected (among others) by soil type and texture (St. Luce et al, 2011), soil mineralization and N availability from previous cropping seasons (Gentry et al, 2001(Gentry et al, , 2013Ferguson et al, 2002), organic amendments such as manure applications (Eghball et al, 2004;Woli et al, 2015), and weather effects that drive N losses and availability (Kahabka et al, 2004;Kay et al, 2006;Xie et al, 2013;Deen et al, 2015). To address this variability and help growers fertilize at the Economically Optimum N Rate (EONR), several N recommendation methods have been developed over the years.…”