Effects of Soil Type on Bermudagrass Response to Broiler Litter Application

A greenhouse study was conducted to determine the effects of soil type on the response of ‘Russell’ bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] to broiler litter applications. Soils included Leeper clay loam (fine, smectitic, nonacid, thermic Vertic Epiaquept), Marietta silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, active, thermic Oxyaquic Fraglossudalf), and Ruston sandy loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, semiactive, thermic Typic Paleudult). The experimental design was a randomized complete block with a split plot arrangement of treatments replicated three times. Soil was used as main plot factor and broiler litter rates of 0, 4.6, 9.2, and 13.8 Mg ha equivalent to approximately 0, 175, 350, and 525 kg total N ha yr were considered as subplot. The changes in dry matter yield (DMY) decreased in the order of Ruston . Leeper . Marietta. Regardless of soil type, broiler litter rates . 350 kg total N ha did not increase DMY yield and nutrient uptake. Bermudagrass N concentration increased as broiler litter rate increased and the greatest value was recorded for Marietta soil, 24.2 g kg. The large DMY observed in Ruston soil diluted plant N concentration to about 23.7 g kg despite high percentage N recovery. Bermudagrass P concentration was not affected by either broiler litter rate or soil type. Bermudagrass K concentration increased as broiler litter rate increased and was greatest on Ruston soil (23.5 g kg). Recovery efficiency for N and K was approximately 60% greater in Ruston than in Marietta and Leeper soils and was reflected in residual soil NO3–N and P concentrations that decreased in the order of Marietta. Leeper. Ruston. Application of broiler litter to bermudagrass grown on the Ruston soil appears to be