An Integrated Approach to Understanding the Dynamics of Poultry Litter Use in Corn-Soybean Production systems

The primary goals of this research are to improve the profitability of soybean and corn production systems by improving nutrient supply, soil physical properties, and subsequently crop yields through the use of poultry litter (PL) additions. Specifically, this research will allow us to gain a better understanding of how PL additions in corn-soybean production systems contribute/alter the nutrient content and physical properties of the soil, soybean cyst nematode (SCN) numbers and plant responses, and weed growth patterns. This understanding will be useful to producers and others as a whole to improve the profitability of production systems by improving yield and soil resources. A major goal associated with this project is to determine how long a field must receive PL additions before the “additional benefits” of improved soil structure, water infiltration, plant available water (PAW) and soil organic matter (OM) content are realized. The overall goal of this experiment is to document the positive influences of PL additions to corn and soybean cropping systems (Soil OM content, soil nutrient content, while maintaining comparable yields) and to document any detrimental aspects of PL additions that might be encountered. A major goal is to show that the use of PL in corn-soybean rotations makes both good agronomic and economic alternative as compared to a fertilizer program that relies solely on commercial fertilizers. This study will provide insight to all aspects of utilizing PL as a nutrient source, whether good or bad.