U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Food Animal Environmental Systems Research: Bowling Green, KY
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                                    Software
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    Careers


        


                    Models & Software
                        Sorption Isotherm Spreadsheets
                                    Annual Phosphorus Loss Estimator (APLE) Model
                                    Modified Arcsine Log Calibration Curve (ALCC)Search small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Midwest Area Bowling Green, Kentucky Food Animal Environmental Systems Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Sistani, Karamatitem
                                            Torbert, Henry

                                                         - *Allen*item
                                            Way, Thomas

                                                         - *Tom*item
                                            Bolster, Carlitem
                                            Pote, Danielitem
                                            Warren, Jason
  Submitted to: Journal of Environmental Quality
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 10/22/2008
                                    Publication  Date: 5/1/2009
                                    Citation: Sistani, K.R., Torbert III, H.A., Way, T.R., Bolster, C.H., Pote, D.H., Warren, J.G. 2009. Broiler Litter Application Method and Runoff Timing Effects on Nutrient and Escherichia coli Losses from Tall Fescue Pasture. Journal of Environmental Quality. 38(3):1216-1223Interpretive Summary: Over two-thirds of the total U.S. Broiler chicken production is located in the southeastern United States, which is a major segment of the farm economy in the region. Poultry litter is generally surface applied to pastures and hay fields year-round to supply plant nutrients, particularly nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Runoff from litter-applied land has the potential to transport nutrients and pathogenic microorganisms to nearby surface water. Proper land application of animal manure is critical to water quality in watersheds with significant livestock numbers. With regard to permanent pasture systems, inability to incorporate waste materials leads to increased nutrient concentration such as phosphorus, nitrogen, copper, and zinc and pathogenic microorganisms near the soil surface.  Currently, broadcasting is a common method of litter application on soil in many parts of U.S.  The objectives of this study were (i) to compare the effect of broiler litter application method on nutrient and E. coli losses in runoff from tall fescue pasture in the Appalachian Plateau, and (ii) to determine the impact of antecedent time (time between litter application and the first runoff event) on nutrient and E. coli losses. Inorganic N and E. coli concentrations in runoff were significantly greater from broadcast litter application than subsurface litter application, while fertilizer treatment had runoff with greater NH4-N but smaller NO3-N than litter application treatments. The loss of total phosphorus, NO3-N, and total suspended solids from broadcast litter application was 83.5%, 64%, and 68% greater than subsurface litter application, respectively. About 81% of the runoff total phosphorus concentration was in the form of dissolved reactive phosphorus for both litter-application methods.
                                Technical Abstract: More than 85% of broiler (chicken, Gallus gallus domesticus) litter applied in the U.S. is being applied to pasture lands year-round. Runoff from litter-applied land has the potential to transport nutrients and pathogenic microorganisms to nearby surface water. Many studies have indicated the advantages of manure incorporation into soil in contrast to broadcast application to reduce nutrient losses; however, incorporation of poultry litter through injection banding into a perennial forage system has not been evaluated. Also, few studies have looked at the effect of manure incorporation on bacterial losses. In this study, we used rainfall simulations to examine the effect of broiler litter application method on nutrient and E. coli losses in runoff from tall fescue pasture in the Appalachian Plateau, to determine the impact of antecedent time on nutrient and E. coli losses in runoff, and to determine the longevity of nutrient losses by successive runoff events from the same plots. Runoff plots were constructed on Hartselle fine sandy loam (Typic Hapludults) soil with permanent ‘Kentucky 31’ tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea)  pasture in Crossville, AL. Broiler litter was applied at a rate of 8.97 Mg ha-1 by either broadcast application or by subsurface banding. Additional plots were included which received a broadcast application of commercial fertilizer (19-19-19) applied at a rate of 269 kg N ha-1 corresponding to the N applied with the broiler litter treatment, and the control plots that receive no nutrient additions.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov