ABSTRACT

Mississippi broiler industry produces about one million tons of broiler litter annually. Producers are responsible for disposing of the litter in an environmentally safe manner. Most of the litter is disposed of through land application that must comply with federal, state, and local laws. The upland soils of Mississippi need annual applications of N, P, and K for cotton production. A study comparing litter with inorganic nitrogen was started in 2001 at the North Mississippi Branch Station. The soils were silty loam having less than one-percent organic matter. Nitrogen rates of 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 lbs N/A and broiler litter rates of 2, 4, and 6 tons/A were compared in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Litter rates of 2, 4, and 6 ton/A represents approximately 40, 80, and 120 lb N/A. Results suggest broiler litter of four tons/A provided the needed nitrogen requirement for cotton production in the upland soils.