Abstract
: The interaction of natural reactive phosphate with poultry litter may increase the production of forage grasses as a result of phosphorus (P) uptake. This study’s goal was to analyze growth, production and P concentration of diagnostic leaves of forage grasses fertilized by an Arad reactive phosphate + poultry litter association. The experiment employed a 23 factorial, with the following factors: forage grasses (Urochloa brizantha and Panicum maximum), Arad rates (0 and 50 mg dm-3 P2O5), and poultry litter (0 and 7.5 g dm-3). At the first harvest, the highest dry-matter production of leaves, sheaths + stems and shoots occurred in the interaction P. maximum × Arad × poultry litter. P concentrations in diagnostic leaves as well as number of leaves were similar between forage grasses, but higher in the interaction between Arad + poultry litter when compared to isolated fertilizers. At the second harvest, dry-matter production of shoots and sheaths + stems was higher in the U. brizantha + poultry litter interaction than in other interactions. Compared to the other fertilizers, P concentration in the diagnostic leaves at second harvest was higher in grasses fertilized with poultry litter. At second harvest, the number of leaves and tillers was highest in the U. brizantha + Arad + poultry litter interaction, followed by the Arad + poultry litter interaction. The association of Arad and poultry litter promotes adequate P nutrition and biomass production of forage grasses, and can therefore be considered an important instrument for the establishment of these grasses.
Highlights
The worldwide production of poultry meat is 92.7 million tons per year
This study aimed to analyze changes of growth, production, and P concentration in diagnostic leaves of Urochloa brizantha and Panicum maximum fertilized with Arad phosphate and poultry litter in an Eastern Amazonian Oxisol
The Arad phosphate × poultry litter interaction was significant for number of leaves (Table 2)
Summary
Brazil is the third largest producer, with an output of 11.6 million tons per year, and the main poultry meat exporter, selling 3.7 million tons of the product to other countries every year (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2014) This activity has increased in Brazil and in the state of Pará (Amazonia region), generating many tons of organic waste. Its nutritional composition varies according to the type of poultry bed, but it is potentially a good source of phosphorus (P) (Ranatunga et al, 2013) This nutrient is mineralized by the action of bacteria and fungi which decompose the organic matter, releasing P to the soil solution (Pratt & Tewolde, 2009). This nutrient is mineralized by the action of bacteria and fungi which decompose the organic matter, releasing P to the soil solution (Pratt & Tewolde, 2009). Pitta et al (2012) verified a P concentration of 17 g kg-1 in poultry litter fertilizer
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