Vol. 54—2000 - NorthEastern Weed Science Society

with commercial fertilizer. In general. Mehlich 1 acid-soluble P did not differ among the litterandfertilizer-treated
plots (averaging 45 ug P per g soil). However, it was lowest in control
plots (averaging 21 ug P per g soil).
Although four times more N was applied with the high rate poultry litter thao with
commercial fertilizer. mineralization was low. indicating that poultry litter could be usedas a
weed suppressant without adversely affecting nitrogen release to the environment. In fact, large
quantities of composted poultry litter may not provide sufficient nitrogen for fruit tree production
andgreater mineralization may be necessary. However. P mineralization may beproblematic
and requires further investigation. Finally, in this experiment only the higher rate of composted
poultry litter provided partial weed control in a peach orchard.
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