Abstract
Broiler (Gallus gallus) litter fertility regimes and nutrient removal by sorghum–sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] are not well defined. The objective of this study was to determine broiler litter fertility regimes for sorghum–sudangrass that would maximize nutrient removal and produce comparable forage nutritive value compared with inorganic fertilizers while reducing potential soil nutrient accumulation. A randomized, complete‐block experiment with four replications and four treatments (litter applied at recommended nitrogen [N] rate [Litter‐N], recommended phosphorus [P] rate plus supplemental inorganic N [Litter‐P+N], recommended P rate [Litter‐P], and inorganic fertilizer [INORG]) was established. Acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), crude protein (CP), P, Cu, Fe, and Zn were determined. Treatments did not affect ADF, NDF, Cu, or Fe in 2001, whereas ADF and NDF were similar for INORG and Litter‐N in 2002. Greatest P concentrations were observed in Litter‐N and Litter‐P plots. Crude protein was greatest for INORG plots, similar for Litter‐P+N and Litter‐N treatments, and lowest for Litter‐P plots. Treatments affected Cu and Zn: Forage from Litter‐N plots contained 44% greater forage Cu than those from Litter‐P plots in 2003. Iron concentration for 2003 was 60% higher than for 2001 in Litter‐N plots, and there were 22% and 30% increases in P uptake in 2003 compared with 2001 for the Litter‐N and Litter‐P+N plots, respectively. Lower rates of broiler litter, applied based on the P requirement and supplemented with inorganic N, can produce similar forage nutritive value to that fertilized with inorganic fertilizer only or broiler litter applied to meet crop N requirements.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
