Kun Han, Linquan Wang, John Schmidt, Curtis Dell
College of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Northwest A&F University

College of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Northwest A&F University
Application of poultry litter in agricultural management is a concern for nutrients losses and water quality. This study was to compare subsurface application against conventional surface-broadcast application with dry poultry litter to evaluate effects on maize yield, water quality and nutrient loss in runoff from simulated rainfall as well as NH3 volatilization at no-till land in mountainous areas in Pennsylvania, the United States. This study found that compared to broadcast, subsurface application reduced runoff depth, runoff sediment loss, P and DIN (NO3-N and NH4-N) losses and litter NH3 volatilization. Runoff depth was a primary determine on soil erosion and nutrients losses, as runoff depths had strong co-relationship with sediment loss, P loads and DIN losses. Compared to broadcasting litter, subsurface application decreased N loss and increased PSNT at V6 significantly, which was positively related to maize grain yield. Therefore, subsurface application could have a potential to enhance maize grain yield by nutrients conservation, although no differences between broadcast and subsurface application with both fall and spring application of litter were detected statistically.