Effect of Various Litter Amendments on Ammonia Volatilization and Nitrogen Content of Poultry Litter

Abstract

Ammonia volatilization from poultry manure contributes to atmospheric N pollution, negatively affects poultry performance, and decreases the fertilizer value of manure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of alum [Al 2 (SO 4 ) 3 ·14H 2 O], liquid alum, high acid alum (A7), aluminum chloride (AlCl 3 ·6H 2 O), fly ash, Poultry Litter Treatment (PLT), and Poultry Guard (PG) litter amendments on NH 3 volatilization and N contents in litter. Two laboratory studies were conducted for 42 d each. The treatments in experiment 1, which were mixed in the upper 1 cm of litter, were 4 g of alum, 8 g of alum, 8.66 g of liquid alum, 17.3 g of liquid alum, 11.2 g of A7, 22.4 g of A7, 4 g of PG, 4 g of PLT, 4 g of fly ash, and 4 g of AlCl 3 /100 g of litter. The treatments for experiment 2 were identical to experiment 1, except the fly ash treatment was dropped and an additional 4 g of alum/100 g of litter treatment was added, which was incorporated totally within the litter. The various rates of dry alum, liquid alum, and A7 significantly decreased NH 3 volatilization compared with the controls, with reductions ranging from 77 to 96% for experiment 1 and from 78 to 96% for experiment 2, respectively. Poultry Litter Treatment decreased NH 3 volatilization by 76 and 87% for experiment 1 and 2, respectively. Aluminum chloride decreased NH 3 volatilization by 48 and 92% for experiment 1 and 2, respectively. Litter treated with alum, liquid alum, A7, PLT, and AlCl 3 had a lower pH and a greater N content than the controls in experiment 1 and 2. In contrast, PG and fly ash resulted in a greater pH and were ineffective in decreasing NH 3 volatilization and increasing N contents in experiment 1. However, in experiment 2, PG was effective in reducting NH 3 loss. In this study, the decreased NH 3 volatilization was chiefly associated with reduction in litter pH.

Using Anhydrous Aluminum Chloride with Calcium Carbonate to Reduce Ammonia Volatilization and Increase Nitrogen Content from Poultry Litter

“…As a result, alum is commonly used as a litter additive that can suppress the production of NH 3 and is available in both a dry and liquid form. Previous studies have shown that adding alum or liquid alum to poultry litter reduced NH 3 emissions by over 75% under commercial and laboratory conditions (Choi and Moore, 2008a;Moore et al, 2000). In addition, the reduced atmospheric ammonia resulted in improved poultry production and produced benefits to cost-effective best management practices (Moore et al, 2000).…”

Effect of Yucca schidigera Spraying in Different Litter Materials on Some Litter Traits and Breast Burn of Broilers at the Fifth Week of Production

“…Choi and Moore [31] also reported that ammonia nitrogen was about 1.3-2.3 g/kg in control litter and was about 1.0-7.1 g/kg in the litters with various amendments. One of the most important factors that can affect ammonia volatilization is litter pH [31] .…”

“…Choi and Moore [31] also reported that ammonia nitrogen was about 1.3-2.3 g/kg in control litter and was about 1.0-7.1 g/kg in the litters with various amendments. One of the most important factors that can affect ammonia volatilization is litter pH [31] . Reece et al [32] suggested that very little ammonia was released from litter having pH below 7, whereas more ammonia was rapidly released from litter having pH above 8.…”

“…Choi and Moore [31] reported that some litter amendments resulted in the greatest reduction in NH 3 emissions and the greatest litter nitrogen contents. Choi and Moore [31] also reported that ammonia nitrogen was about 1.3-2.3 g/kg in control litter and was about 1.0-7.1 g/kg in the litters with various amendments.…”

Effects of Yucca schidigera on gas mitigation in livestock production: A review

“…But these conversions (solid urea dissolution and urea hydrolysis) need to be finished prior to ammonia emission 77 . Higher pH levels (above 7.0) which can be observed with YSE inclusion 52 , is favorable for ammonia release since ammonia is a major form of gas emitted under this condition [78][79][80] . Factors such as different collection time correspond with varying degrees of manure moisture 52 , which need to be noticed to minimize the inaccuracy of experiment as well.…”