Jemrest




Home \| Instructions to Authors \|SASE\| Editorial Board \| Articles \| Subscriptions \| Conference \| Conference Program

Abstract

Glancey, J. L., D. Snyder, and J. T. Sims. 2007. Agronomic and environmental implications of sidedressed poultry manure as a nitrogen source for crops. JEMREST 3:205-221.

DOI: 10.4029/2007jemrest3no110

A prototype applicator for sidedressing row crops with solid waste materials, such poultry litter, was developed and field tested. As configured, the applicator can meter and deliver animal manures and other raw solid waste materials between rows of a growing crop without the material contacting the crop. Results from a three-year field study clearly indicate that new poultry litter management strategies, using this litter sidedressing equipment and improved soil and plant nitrogen tests, should improve the agronomic and environmental efficiency of corn production in the mid-Atlantic region. Economically optimum yields were obtained with starter fertilizers and moderate sidedress N rates, and poultry litter as a sidedress material was found to be as effective as sidedressing with commercial fertilizer. Comparison of total application costs revealed that sidedressing with poultry litter is about $10/ha higher compared to conventional methods, and can be attributed to the lower concentrations of N in poultry litter, thus requiring significantly more applicator trips and operator time per hectare.