Dynamics of Ammonia Volatilization from Turkey Manure and Urea Applied to Soil

Abstract

Field measurements of NH3 volatilization from both surface‐applied and incorporated turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) manure (20 g of N m−2, which compares with 16 Mg of manure ha−1) and urea (20 g of N m−2) were made using the forced‐draft technique for a 6‐d period in early June 1991. The soil (temperature and water potential) and atmospheric parameters (relative humidity, wind speed, and air temperature) affecting NH3 volatilization rate were also measured. Ammonia losses for manure and urea followed a diurnal pattern; maxima occurred shortly after midday (between 1200 and 1800 h), when soil temperature was nearing maximum and wind speed was highest, and minima occurred during midnight to early morning hours (between 2400 and 0600 h), when the soil temperature was lowest and relative humidity was highest. Significant positive correlations between rates of NH3 volatilization and soil temperature, atmospheric temperature, and wind speed were observed. Relative humidity was generally negatively correlated with NH3 volatilization. Ammonia volatilization from the surface‐applied manure was highest immediately after application and gradually decreased with time, whereas ammonia volatilization from surface‐applied urea did not start until Day 2 and reached a maximum on Day 6. The total NH3 loss from incorporated manure was 23 times lower than that from surface‐applied manure (0.5 vs. 11.5 kg of N ha−1), whereas NH3 loss from urea was eight times lower when incorporated (0.2 vs. 1.5 kg N ha−1) during a 6‐d period. Total N loss (6 d) from surface‐applied urea was eight times lower than an equivalent amount of inorganic N in turkey manure (1.5 vs. 11.5 kg of N ha−1). Ammonia volatilization from turkey manure and urea was found to be influenced by a combination of environmental factors and the method of application.

Ammonia Volatilization from Rice Paddy Soils Fertilized with15N-Urea Under Elevated CO2and Temperature

“…This value is considerably small as compared with other studies; e.g. 6 to 40% in upland soils 19) , 8 to 16% in calcareous soils 20) , and 40% in paddy soils 9) . The substantially low ammonia volatilization of applied urea was probably attributable to the experimental method as closed chamber method adopted in our study is likely to result in a low ammonia volatilization by preventing the wind-driving mass flow of NH3 gas 21) .…”

Water-quality effects of a mechanized subsurface-banding technique for applying poultry litter to perennial grassland

“…However, this common practice of applying litter on the surface of pastures has raised serious water-quality concerns and may limit the potential benefits that poultry litter can provide. Because surface-applied litter is completely exposed to the atmosphere, rainfall runoff can transport nutrients into nearby streams and lakes (Westerman et al, 1983;McLeod and Hegg, 1984;Edwards and Daniel, 1993;Shreve et al, 1995), and much of the ammonia nitrogen volatilizes before it can enter the soil (Chapman and Snyder, 1992;Nathan and Malzer, 1994). Poultry producers need improved management options that protect water quality by decreasing losses from poultry litter, while making the valuable nutrients more available to crop plants.…”

Subsurface Application of Dry Poultry Litter: Impacts on Common Bermudagrass and Other No-Till Crops

“…Litter is commonly used to fertilize hay fields, pastures, and other no-till cropping systems where the only available application method has been to broadcast it on the soil surface. Unfortunately, this method leaves the litter exposed to the atmosphere, allowing valuable nutrients to be carried by storm runoff into nearby streams and lakes (McLeod and Hegg, 1984;Edwards and Daniel, 1993;Shreve et al, 1995;Sharpley et al, 2001) and causing substantial nitrogen losses as the ammonia volatilizes (Brady, 1990;Chapman and Snyder, 1992;Nathan and Malzer, 1994;Sharpe et al, 2004). To help address these problems, a research team at the USDA Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) has developed a mechanized technique for applying dry poultry litter in shallow parallel bands beneath the surface of no-till agricultural systems .…”