Broiler litter application rate effects on bermudagrass nutrient uptake and phosphorus level of soils differing in application history

The effect of broiler litter application rate on bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] yield and nutrient uptake, and on phosphorus (P) level of two associated soils was studied over three years. Five litter rates (0, 4.48, 8.96, 17.92, and 35.84 Mg ha(-1); on as-is basis) were applied each year to two geographically associated soils: a Ruston fine sandy loam with no history of litter application and a Savannah fine sandy loam with high soil P due to thirty years of application. Annual forage yield and nutrient uptake increased quadtatically in response to application rate. Apparent P recovery averaged 12% on the Ruston soil and 4% on the Savannah soil. Within three years, P levels of both soils were equivalent, indicating that without consideration of litter application rate, P level of even low-P soils can rapidly reach excessive levels.