Progress 08/01/01 to 07/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The goal of this project was to demonstrate that currently existing conservation agriculture technology could be successfully used to manage nutrient applications in reduced tillage grain production systems, preserving surface residue and soil conservation conditions, while reducing nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) losses compared to conventional production systems. Our global objectives were to evaluate the agronomic response of grain corn to manures applied in a no-tillage production system versus manures incorporated with commercially available conservation tillage implements; quantify the effect of incorporating broiler litter with conservation tillage practices on N, P, and sediment loads in surface runoff water and ammonia volatilization compared to applications to no-tillage systems; and demonstrate at multiple locations and on multiple soil types that conservation-tillage technology can be successfully used to reduce N and P losses from manure fertilized grain production fields. Replicated plots were evaluated for three cropping seasons. These plots were used to quantify the effects of the various tillage systems on nutrient cycling and nutrient losses in runoff. The design of these plots allowed for statistical comparisons to be made between treatments. Tillage systems evaluated included: no-till, vertical-till, zone-till, and chisel-disc. Conservation tillage techniques were demonstrated on producer farms across Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. There were 12 different tillage plots distributed across the three states in each year. In the second year Great Plains, Inc., manufacturer of the Turbo Till vertical tillage machine, donated the use of a Turbo Till implement and therefore we were able to evaluate vertical tillage at every site. Soil, runoff water, broiler litter, and plant tissue samples were collected at all sites. However, the on-farm plots were for demonstration purposes only and as such were not designed to allow statistical comparisons of the available data. In addition to the on-farm demonstration sites, field days were held in conjunction with Maryland's Commodity Classic. Results were also presented at the Mid-Atlantic Crop Management School in 2008 (approximately 100 participants) and at the 2009 National No-Till Conference. The project was featured on RFD-TV and the US Farm Report, which are both nationally televised programs geared towards the agricultural community. In addition, the results were presented through numerous local extension programs. The results of this study also impacted Maryland cost-share programs and University of Maryland Extension nutrient recommendations. PARTICIPANTS: Frank J. Coale Stanley Schlosnagle Joshua McGrath J. Thomas Sims TARGET AUDIENCES: Conservation tillage techniques were demonstrated on producer farms across Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. There were 12 different tillage plots distributed across the three states in each year. In the second year Great Plains, Inc., manufacturer of the Turbo Till vertical tillage machine, donated the use of a Turbo Till implement and therefore we were able to evaluate vertical tillage at every site. Soil, runoff water, broiler litter, and plant tissue samples were collected at all sites. However, the on-farm plots were for demonstration purposes only and as such were not designed to allow statistical comparisons of the available data. In addition to the on-farm demonstration sites, field days were held in conjunction with Maryland's Commodity Classic. Results were also presented at the Mid-Atlantic Crop Management School in 2008 (approximately 100 participants) and at the 2009 National No-Till Conference. The project was featured on RFD-TV and the US Farm Report, which are both nationally televised programs geared towards the agricultural community. In addition, the results were presented through numerous local extension programs. The results of this study also impacted Maryland cost-share programs and University of Maryland Extension nutrient recommendations. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The goal of this project was to demonstrate that currently existing conservation agriculture technology could be successfully used to manage nutrient applications in reduced tillage grain production systems, preserving surface residue and soil conservation conditions, while reducing nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) losses compared to conventional production systems. Our global objectives were to evaluate the agronomic response of grain corn to manures applied in a no-tillage production system versus manures incorporated with commercially available conservation tillage implements; quantify the effect of incorporating broiler litter with conservation tillage practices on N, P, and sediment loads in surface runoff water and ammonia volatilization compared to applications to no-tillage systems; and demonstrate at multiple locations and on multiple soil types that conservation-tillage technology can be successfully used to reduce N and P losses from manure fertilized grain production fields. Replicated plots were evaluated for three cropping seasons. These plots were used to quantify the effects of the various tillage systems on nutrient cycling and nutrient losses in runoff. The design of these plots allowed for statistical comparisons to be made between treatments. Tillage systems evaluated included: no-till, vertical-till, zone-till, and chisel-disc. Minimal tillage systems (vertical-till and zone-till) reduced nutrient losses in runoff relative to no-till in some instances. In addition, nutrient accumulation at the soil surface, where it would most likely contribute to nutrient losses, was most evident in the no-till system. Soil nitrate (NO3) -N concentrations were highest in the chisel-disc system likely due to higher organic N mineralization and reduced N volatilization.
Publications
- Heckman, J. R., W. Jokela, T. Morris, D. B. Beegle, T. Sims, F. J. Coale, S. Herbert, T. Griffin, B. Hoskins, J. Jemison, W. M. Sullivan, D. Bhumbla, G. Estes, and W. S. Reid. 2005. Soil test calibration for predicting corn response to phosphorus in the northeast USA. Agronomy J. 98:280-288.
- White, J. W., F. J. Coale, J. T. Sims, and A.L. Shober. 2010. Phosphorus runoff from waste water treatment biosolids and poultry litter applied to agricultural soils. J. Environ. Qual. 39:314-323.
- Cooperband, L., G. Bollero, and F. Coale. 2002. Effect of poultry litter and composts on soil nitrogen and phosphorus availability and corn production. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 62:185-194.
- Heckman, J. R., J. T. Sims, D. B. Beegle, F. J. Coale, S. J. Herbert, T. W. Bruulsema, and W. J. Bamka. 2003. Nutrient removal by corn grain harvest. Agron. J. 95:587-591.
- Leytem, A. B., J. T. Sims, and F. J. Coale. 2003. On-farm evaluation of a phosphorus site index for Delaware. J. Soil Water Conserv. 58:89-97.
- Leytem, A. B., J. T. Sims, and F. J. Coale. 2004. Determination of phosphorus source coefficients for organic phosphorus sources: laboratory studies. J. Environ. Qual. 33: 380-388.
- Butler, J. S. and F. J. Coale. 2005. Phosphorus leaching in manure amended Atlantic Coastal Plain soils. J. Environ. Qual. 34: 370-381.
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