Use of a variety of fertilizer sources is common among Arkansas and southeastern U.S. bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) hay producers. Sources often include one of more of the following: poultry litter, urea, ammonium nitrate, diammonium phosphate, potash, bulk blended fertilizers, and/or foliar applied amendments. To lower fertilizer input costs, producers often rely on these foliarly applied amendments or poultry litter of an unknown nutrient value used alone or in conjunction with an existing fertilizer program that may or may not be based upon soil test recommendations. The purpose of this research was to measure bermudagrass yield response using a variety of commonly used fertilization practices and to include treatments paired with Q2 Plus® liquid fertilizer, one such foliar product that is available in north central Arkansas. The research was conducted at two bermudagrass hay field sites, located in Baxter and Fulton Counties, with 9 treatments, replicated 4 times. Applications were made following the first cutting in late May 2019. Treatments included: commercial fertilizer N-P2O5-K2O applied according to soil test recommendations with and without sulfur, 17-17-17, poultry litter, Q2 Plus®, combinations of Q2 Plus® with the other treatments. Plots were cut and yield measured 43 days after treatment.

Forage yield response between the two sites varied among the various treatments. Forage yield showed no difference in those plots that were treated with Q2 Plus® only and those that didn’t receive any treatment (control). In both locations, when Q2 Plus® was coupled with a treatment, such as 17-17-17, poultry litter, or commercial fertilizer at soil test recommended rates, the forage yields did not differ from those treatments by themselves. Additionally, where soil test sulfur was below a yield limiting threshold, the use of ammonium sulfate as a sulfur (and partial nitrogen) source increased forage yield.