c-litter and weeds II

Preston Sullivan (prestons@ncatfyv.uark.edu)
Fri, 13 Sep 1996 11:37:31 -0500 (CDT)

Here is a hypothetical experiment. If we apply 3 tons
of broiler litter per acre and the same equivalent
of nitrogen fertilizer to plots of bermuda grass
we will see more weeds in the littered plots
than we see under commercial fertilizer plots
6 weeks following the application. Why?

I've heard a number of farmers say chicken litter
brings on the weeds in pastures. I have observed
the same myself. Just this summer I saw a bermuda
pastured littered at a 3-ton rate which had abundant
spiny amaranth (not a traditional pasture weed).
Another bermuda pasture which had 300 pounds of
17-17-17 and there was no spiny amaranth. In a
garden located in the same pasture where the
commercial fertilizer was applied, there were
mega spiny amaranth plants growing in sweet
corn under conventional tillage. Why?