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.