Assessing corn response to nitrogen after poultry litter application

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer recommendations for corn (Zea mays L.) should provide adequate rates of N to ensure high yields but should not recommend more than is economical and environmentally sound. The objective of this study was to evaluate the rate of inorganic N fertilization (INF) using the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (standard recommendation), and the spectrum technology recommendations (app-method) at situations where poultry litter (PL) was applied. Experiments were performed in 2013 and 2014, on a silt loam soil with high residual nitrate-N to evaluate the standard and the app-method. In both years, results showed no significant differences in yield between treatments receiving 0 kg N ha⁻¹ and treatments receiving the standard and the app recommendations at V6, V8, V10 and V12. Although results showed that there was no need for N after PL amendment, the app recommendations averaged 177 kg N ha⁻¹ over the V6 to V12 growth stages versus 246 kg N ha⁻¹ for the standard recommendation. The data collected in this study determined no need for inorganic N when PL is applied. Future research should further evaluate the PL management under a wide range of environmental conditions.

Keywords:

• corn
• fertilization
• nitrogen
• poultry litter

Acknowledgments

The authors very are grateful to Dr. Purcell and Dr. Roberts from the University of Arkansas for hosting this research.

Disclosure statement

This is to acknowledge there is no financial interest or benefit that has arisen from the direct applications of this research.

Intellectual property

The author confirms having respected regulations of my institutions concerning intellectual property.

Additional information

Funding

All the sources of funding for the work described in this publication are acknowledged below are from the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Board.