Grain Yield and Mineral Element Composition of Maize Grown on High Phosphorus Soils Amended with Water Treatment Residual

ABSTRACT

The potential for phosphorus (P) movement from poultry-litter amended soils into surface waters heightens the need to manage elevated P concentrations. Amending high P soils with aluminum (Al) rich drinking water treatment residue in a greenhouse study reduced water extractable P levels and induced P deficiency in container grown wheat. Objectives of the current investigation were to determine the effect of water treatment residue on grain yield, leaf and grain mineral nutrient concentrations in corn (Zea mays L.) grown under field conditions and to examine pH, water and Mehlich 3-extractable P, and 0.01 M calcium chloride extractable Al in the amended soils at two sites. Poultry litter was amended with 0, 5.6, and 11.2 Mg ha^{− 1} of water treatment residual and applied to two sites prior to planting with corn in 1998. Additional rates (16.8 and 33.6 Mg ha^{− 1}) of water treatment residue were applied directly to half of each plot on site I in 1999. Results indicated that water treatment residue application did not adversely affect corn grain yields or alter concentrations of mineral nutrients in leaves and grain. Water and Mehlich 3-extractable P and calcium chloride extractable Al concentrations were unchanged with water treatment residue applications in both years on both sites. Further studies are needed concerning optimal annual dosages and long term loading rates for direct soil application of water treatment residue to reduce soluble phosphorus.

Keywords:

• drinking water treatment residue
• poultry litter

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors wish to thank Mr. Bill Siszemore for providing the Drinking Water Treatment Residue for the study. They also wish to thank Mr. L. C. Jones, Richard Thomas, and Quint Reiley for providing the sites and planting the corn.