Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-skm99 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-25T18:19:03.364Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Soil fertility and crop growth under poultry/crop integration

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 June 2012

Kathleen Hilimire ,
Stephen R. Gliessman  and
Joji Muramoto
Kathleen Hilimire*
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Studies, University of California, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA.
Stephen R. Gliessman
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Studies, University of California, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA.
Joji Muramoto
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Studies, University of California, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA.
*
*Corresponding author: kathy@newrootsinstitute.org
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Innovative sources of soil fertility are of utmost importance to growers in light of rising fertilizer costs and environmental concerns. Integrating livestock and crop production is one channel by which agricultural practitioners can enhance soil fertility. For this research, soil fertility was analyzed in pastured poultry/crop agroecosystems to determine whether free-ranging birds and pasture could be used to replace or supplement non-manure-based fertilizers. Soils from adjacent cropped areas were compared to plots with a recent history of pastured poultry use on two farms, and crop plants were grown in each type of soil in a replicated greenhouse experiment. Spatial variation in soil fertility was also assessed relative to location of poultry coops. Pastured poultry plots had elevated soil total C, total N, NH4+–N, NO3−–N, Olsen P, exchangeable K, organic matter, cation exchange capacity and electrical conductivity relative to the control of typically managed organic farm soils without pastured animal inputs. These soil fertility changes conferred greater biomass and height to sunflowers and beans grown in these soils relative to control soils for most treatments. Results suggest that pastured poultry can effectively fertilize soil for certain crops but that a need exists for more research into (1) phosphorus management and (2) ensuring a spatially uniform distribution of manure.

Keywords

crop/livestock systemsintegrated agriculturemanurepasture
Type
Research Papers
Information
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems , Volume 28 , Issue 2 , June 2013 , pp. 173 - 182
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Adeli, A., Tewolde, H., Sistani, K., and Rowe, D. 2010. Comparison of broiler litter and commercial fertilizer at equivalent N rates on soil properties. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 41(20):2432–2447.Google Scholar
2Watson, C.A., Atkinson, D., Gosling, P., Jackson, L.R., and Rayns, F.W. 2002. Managing soil fertility in organic farming systems. Soil Use and Management 18:239–247.Google Scholar
3Acosta-Martinez, V., Zobeck, T.M., and Allen, V. 2004. Soil microbial, chemical and physical properties in continuous cotton and integrated crop–livestock systems. Soil Science Society of America Journal 68(6):1875–1884.Google Scholar
4Fliessbach, A., Oberholzer, H.R., Gunst, L., and Mader, P. 2007. Soil organic matter and biological soil quality indicators after 21 years of organic and conventional farming. Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment 118(1–4):273–284.Google Scholar
5Hilimire, K. 2011. Integrated crop/livestock agriculture in the United States: a review. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 35(4):376–393.Google Scholar
6Burbaugh, B., Toro, E., and Gernat, A. 2010. Introduction to pasture-raised poultry: maximizing foraging behavior. Animal Science Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida Document No. AN237.Google Scholar
7Fanatico, A. 2002. Growing your range poultry business: an entrepreneur's toolbox. Available at Web site https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=223 (accessed June 8, 2012).Google Scholar
8Hilimire, K. 2011. The grass is greener: Farmers’ experiences with pastured poultry. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems [Epub ahead of print]. doi:10.1017/S1742170511000287.Google Scholar
9Ponte, P.I.P., Prates, J.A.M., Crespo, J.P., Crespo, D.G., Mourao, J.L., Alves, S.P., Bessa, R.J.B., Chaveiro-Soares, M.A., Gama, L.T., Ferreira, L.M.A., and Fontes, C. 2008. Restricting the intake of a cereal-based feed in free-range-pastured poultry: Effects on performance and meat quality. Poultry Science 87(10):2032–2042.Google Scholar
10Karsten, H.D., Patterson, P.H., Stout, R., and Crews, G. 2010. Vitamins A, E and fatty acid composition of the eggs of caged hens and pastured hens. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 25(1):45–54.Google Scholar
11Sainju, U.M., Senwo, Z.N., Nyakatawa, E.Z., Tazisong, I.A., and Reddy, K.C. 2008. Soil carbon and nitrogen sequestration as affected by long-term tillage, cropping systems, and nitrogen fertilizer sources. Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment 127(3–4):234–240.Google Scholar
12Tewolde, H., Adeli, A., Sistani, K.R., Rowe, D.E., and Johnson, J.R. 2010. Equivalency of broiler litter to ammonium nitrate as a cotton fertilizer in an upland soil. Agronomy Journal 102(1):251–257.Google Scholar
13Edmeades, D.C. 2003. The long-term effects of manures and fertilisers on soil productivity and quality: A review. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 66(2):165–180.Google Scholar
14Sims, J.T. and Wolf, D.C. 1994. Poultry waste management- agricultural and environmental issues. Advances in Agronomy 52:1–83.Google Scholar
15Nicholson, F.A., Chambers, B.J., and Smith, K.A. 1996. Nutrient composition of poultry manures in England and Wales. Bioresource Technology 58(3):279–284.Google Scholar
16Edwards, D.R. and Daniel, T.C. 1992. Environmental impacts of on-farm poultry waste disposal – a review. Bioresource Technology 41(1):9–33.Google Scholar
17McGrath, S., Maguire, R.O., Tracy, B.F., and Fike, J.H. 2010. Improving soil nutrition with poultry litter application in low-input forage systems. Agronomy Journal 102(1):48–54.Google Scholar
18Kelleher, B.P., Leahy, J.J., Henihan, A.M., O'Dwyer, T.F., Sutton, D., and Leahy, M.J. 2002. Advances in poultry litter disposal technology – a review. Bioresource Technology 83(1):27–36.Google Scholar
19Kratz, S., Rogasik, J., and Schnug, E. 2004. Changes in soil nitrogen and phosphorus under different broiler production systems. Journal of Environmental Quality 33(5):1662–1674.Google Scholar
20Quinn, G.P. and Keough, M.J. 2007. Experimental Design and Data Analysis for Biologists. Cambridge University Press, New York.Google Scholar
21Allan, D.L. and Killorn, R. 1996. Assessing soil nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for crop nutrition and environmental risk. In Doran, J.W. and Jones, A. (eds). Methods for Assessing Soil Quality. Soil Science Society of America, Madison, WI. p. 187–203.Google Scholar
22Lachat Instruments (1993). Ammonia (Salicylate) in 2M KCl Soil Extracts, QuikChem Method 12-107-06-2-A. Lachat Instruments, Milwaukee, WI. Nitrate in 2M KCl Soil Extracts, QuikChem Method 12-107-04-1-B. Milwaukee, WI.Google Scholar
23AOAC Official Method 972.43 (1997). Microchemical Determination of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen, Automated Method. Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC International. 16th ed. AOAC International, Arlington, VA. p. 5–6.Google Scholar
24Smith, J.L. and Doran, J.W. 1996. Measurement and use of pH and electrical conductivity. In Doran, J.W. and Jones, A.J. (eds). Methods for Assessing Soil Quality. Soil Science Society of America, Madison, WI. p. 169–187.Google Scholar
25Ankerman, D. and Large, R. 2001. Agronomy Handbook: Soil and Plant Analysis. A & L Agricultural Laboratories, Modesto, CA.Google Scholar
26SAS Institute Inc. 1989–2008. JMP, Version 8. SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC.Google Scholar
27Amiri, M.E. and Fallahi, E. 2009. Impact of animal manure on soil chemistry, mineral nutrients, yield, and fruit quality in ‘Golden Delicious’ apple. Journal of Plant Nutrition 32(4):610–617.Google Scholar
28Kingery, W.L., Wood, C.W., Delaney, D.P., Williams, J.C., and Mullins, G.L. 1994. Impact of long-term land application of broiler litter on environmentally related soil properties. Journal of Environmental Quality 23(1):139–147.Google Scholar
29Mokolobate, M.S. and Haynes, R.J. 2002. Comparative liming effect of four organic residues applied to an acid soil. Biology and Fertility of Soils 35(2):79–85.Google Scholar
30Sommer, S.G. and Hutchings, N.J. 2001. Ammonia emission from field applied manure and its reduction – invited paper. European Journal of Agronomy 15(1):1–15.Google Scholar
31Bulluck, L.R., Brosius, M., Evanylo, G.K., and Ristaino, J.B. 2002. Organic and synthetic fertility amendments influence soil microbial, physical and chemical properties on organic and conventional farms. Applied Soil Ecology 19(2):147–160.Google Scholar
32Kirchmann, H. and Witter, E. 1992. Composition of fresh, aerobic, and anaerobic farm animal dung. Bioresource Technology 40(2):137–142.Google Scholar
33Haynes, R.J. and Naidu, R. 1998. Influence of lime, fertilizer and manure applications on soil organic matter content and soil physical conditions: a review. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 51(2):123–137.Google Scholar
34Goulding, K., Jarvis, S., and Whitmore, A. 2008. Optimizing nutrient management for farm systems. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B – Biological Sciences 363(1491):667–680.Google Scholar
35Maas, E.V. 1985. Crop tolerance to saline sprinkling water. Plant and Soil 89(1–3):273–284.Google Scholar
36Maguire, R.O., Mullins, G.L., and Brosius, M. 2008. Evaluating long-term nitrogen- versus phosphorus-based nutrient management of poultry litter. Journal of Environmental Quality 37(5):1810–1816.Google Scholar
37Cooperband, L.R. and Good, L.W. 2002. Biogenic phosphate minerals in manure: Implications for phosphorus loss to surface waters. Environmental Science and Technology 36(23):5075–5082.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
38Sharpley, A. and Moyer, B. 2000. Phosphorus forms in manure and compost and their release during simulated rainfall. Journal of Environmental Quality 29(5):1462–1469.Google Scholar
39Vadas, P.A., Kleinman, P.J.A., and Sharpley, A.N. 2004. A simple method to predict dissolved phosphorus in runoff from surface-applied manures. Journal of Environmental Quality 33(2):749–756.Google Scholar
40Sharpley, A.N., Chapra, S.C., Wedepohl, R., Sims, J.T., Daniel, T.C., and Reddy, K.R. 1994. Managing agricultural phosphorus for protection of surface waters – Issues and options. Journal of Environmental Quality 23(3):437–451.Google Scholar
41Maguire, R.O. and Sims, J.T. 2002. Soil testing to predict phosphorus leaching. Journal of Environmental Quality 31(5):1601–1609.Google Scholar
42Sheffield, R., Brown, B., Chahine, M., de Haro Marti, M., and Falen, C. 2008. Mitigating High-Phosphorus Soils. University of Idaho Extension [serial on the Internet].Google Scholar
43do Carmo Horta, M. 2007. The Olsen P method as an agronomic and environmental test for predicting phosphate release from acid soils. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 77:283–292.Google Scholar
44Rees, R.M., Yan, L., and Ferguson, M. 1993. The release and plant uptake of nitrogen from some plant and animal manures. Biology and Fertility of Soils 15(4):285–293.Google Scholar
45Jackson, L.E., Wyland, L.J., and Stivers, L.J. 1993. Winter cover crops to minimize nitrate losses in intensive lettuce production. Journal of Agricultural Science 121:55–62.Google Scholar
46Wyland, L.J., Jackson, L.E., Chaney, W.E., Klonsky, K., Koike, S.T., and Kimple, B. 1996. Winter cover crops in a vegetable cropping system: Impacts on nitrate leaching, soil water, crop yield, pests and management costs. Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment 59(1–2):1–17.Google Scholar
47Vadas, P.A., Meisinger, J.J., Sikora, L.J., McMurtry, J.P., and Sefton, A.E. 2004. Effect of poultry diet on phosphorus in runoff from soils amended with poultry manure and compost. Journal of Environmental Quality 33(5):1845–1854.Google Scholar
48Clark, A.E. 2004. Benefits of re-integrating livestock and forages in crop production systems. Journal of Crop Improvement 12(1/2):405–436.Google Scholar
49Cherr, C.M., Scholberg, J.M.S., and McSorley, R. 2006. Green manure approaches to crop production: A synthesis. Agronomy Journal 98(2):302–319.Google Scholar
50Cannell, R.Q., and Hawes, J.D. 1994. Trends in tillage practices in relation to sustainable crop production with special reference to temperate climates. Soil and Tillage Research 30(2–4):245–282.Google Scholar
51Fornara, D.A., and Tilman, D. 2008. Plant functional composition influences rates of soil carbon and nitrogen accumulation. Journal of Ecology 96(2):314–322.Google Scholar