Land Disposal of Broiler Litter—Changes in Soil Potassium, Calcium, and Magnesium

Small plots of Cecil soil established in Kentucky-31 tall fescue were surface applied semi-annually with 0, 22.4, 44.8, 89.6, and 134.4 metric tons/ha of broiler litter for 2 years. Potassium and magnesium were more completely leached from the litter, 99% and 88% respectively, than calcium. At the end of two years at the highest rate, 80% of the calcium remained in the litter. After each year, chemical analysis of depth-incremented soil samples, showed the extent of movement and redistribution of water soluble and exchangeable potassium, calcium, and magnesium. The results indicate that land disposal of broiler litter greatly enhances exchangeable K while reducing the exchangeable Ca and Mg.