ABSTRACT
Alabama is a major poultry producing state. In north Alabama, high density poultry production has resulted in excessive application of poultry litter on some farms. The alternative could be to utilize poultry litter on crops and grasslands as N and P source. Urea, fresh and composted poultry litter at 40, 80, and 120 kg N ha-1, as well treated with and without nitrification inhibitor, Craboxymethyl Pyrazole were compared on a decatur silt loam soil at Belle Mina, Alabama. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Nitrogen sources did not significantly affect plant height but rate of application did; increase of N rate from 40 to 80 kg N ha-1 and 80 to 120 kg N ha-1 had significantly increased plant height. The two forms of poultry litter did not differ in their effects on cotton lint yield but they both improved lint yield significantly compared to urea. Highest lint yield was recorded at 80 kg N ha-1 which was not significantly different from 120 kg N ha-1; 80 and 120 kg N ha-1 was significantly better than 40 kg N ha-1. The nitrification inhibitor, Craboxymethyl Pyrazole had no significant effect on height or lint yield of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). The results suggest that poultry litter could be used as an alternative source of plant nutrient and thus can decrease the problem of poultry litter disposal in Alabama and SE USA.
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