Poultry litter effects on unmanaged pasture yield, nitrogen and phosphorus uptakes, and botanical composition

Abstract

The poultry industry must dispose vast amounts of waste, mainly litter (PL), generated during production processes. This study was conducted to investigate the short‐term effects of various rates of PL application, i.e., cumulative 2‐year totals of 9.9, 19.4, 29.3, 39.0, and 48.9 mt ha^‐1, to unmanaged pasture on a Starr clay loam (fine‐loamy mixed thermic Fluventic Dystrochrepts). Dry matter yield, N and P concentrations, and changes in botanical composition were measured on a mixed species, tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) pasture. Dry matter yields (r² = 0.99*), N uptake (r² = 0.99*), and P uptake (r² = 0.99*) increased curvilinearly with rate of PL application in both years. Yield increase was attributed to correction of N deficiency in pasture by the PL application. Lower levels of PL increased forage yields in 1992 compared with 1991, due to the residual effect of unmineralized N from PL applied in 1991. Nitrogen concentration in tissue increased with levels of PL application but P tissue concentration was not similarly affected. Based on environmental and economic considerations, the PL application rate of 11.4 mt ha^‐1 in 1991 followed by 8.0 mt ha^‐1 in 1992 was the most effective for pasture renovation when compared with the recommended inorganic N and P fertilizer rate. Forage yields on this treatment were 21.5 mt ha^‐1 versus 21.7 mt ha^‐1 for the inorganic N and P fertilizer treatment. All rates of applied PL increased the percentage of tall fescue (from approximately 50 percent to > 80 percent) and decreased the percentage of bluegrass in this mixed pasture. Rates of PL application of 22.9 mt ha^‐1 and above temporarily depressed plant growth. This research indicates that PL properly tested and applied at appropriate rates is a suitable source of fertilizer for pasture renovation and production.