Poultry Litter as a Fertilizer for Bermudagrass

Utilizing poultry litter as a fertilizer for bermudagrass (Cyndon dactyion (L.) Pen.) hay production may be an environrnentally desirable disposal method, especially if yield and quality of the hay is maintained. A study was conducted on a Wynnville fine sandy loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, thennic Glossic Fragiudult), near Snead, AL, to determine the impact of poultry litter on bermudagrass yield and quality. Treatments included three rates of poultry litter (5.6, 11.2, and 22.4 Mg ha-1), three rates of ammonium-nitrate (1 12,224, or 336 kg ha-1 in a split application), and a control. Hay was harvested in six cuttings over a two-year period. At the highest rates, no significant difference between poultry litter and ammonium-nitrate was observed with respect to average forage quality (mean of six cuttings) and two-year total yield. When examined by cutting, forage yield and quality were equal or greater with poultry litter than ammonium- nitrate at the first cutting each year, but were less at the second cutting. Apparent residual effects of poultry litter application resulted in increased yields and crude protein content in the second year of the study. It appears that fertilizing bermudagrass hay fields with poultry litter is an excellent sustainable agricultural practice.