Factors influencing nitrogen mineralization during poultry litter composting and calculations for available nitrogen

Abstract

This paper describes, under laboratory and/or field conditions, an approach that could be used to predict nitrogen (N) mineralization of poultry litter. Proper composting of poultry litter results in N mineralization, reducing or eliminating the environmentally harmful effects of ammonia (NH 3 ) odours and nitrate leaching. Addition of straw to poultry manure provides sufficient available carbon and increases NH 3 binding capacity, overruling any greater influence of diet composition on methane (CH 3 ) formation. C:N ratio ranges (6-25) vary in the amount of low N loss depending on substrates. Aerobic decomposition of manure results in formation of humified organic compounds and decreased nutrient availability, while anaerobic decomposition forms low molecular weight compounds (volatile fatty acids and NH 3 + -N). The differences in the size of the composted particles results in physical separation and decomposability of high and low C:N ratio substrates. Temperatures ranging from 14 to 35ºC did not affect the rate of N mineralization, but affected N loss from poultry manure pellets by decay nitrification at 14 and 35ºC compared with 25ºC. Uric acid and undigested proteins in poultry litter have optimal degradation rates at pH of 5.5 or higher, with the optimum pH for uricase being about 9. Variations in manure composition are seen between different species such as cattle, swine and poultry. The chemical composition of the manure and not the substrate N status influences the rate of decomposition or microbial availability. The N mineralization potential of some vegetable residues correlated better with the total and water soluble N contents than with their C:N ratios. Poultry manures are applied to agricultural soils at rates determined by the amount of available N that they are assumed to contribute to the crops. Many equations have been developed to calculate these application rates.

Production performance and nitrogen flow of Shaver White layers housed in enriched or conventional cage systems

“…Hence, in the current study, the analyzed manure N excretion for EC is likely to be higher than that for the CC system. In addition, manure N levels in the 2 systems may vary depending on the proportions of the different components of poultry manure, such as excreta, feed, feathers, and broken eggs (Nahm, 2005).…”

Mineralização e nitrificação do nitrogênio proveniente da cama de aves aplicada ao solo

“…A eficiência da cama de aves como fertilizante depende das condições edafoclimáticas e de características do resíduo (Nahm, 2005;Lourenço et al, 2013) que vão condicionar a capacidade de mineralização dos nutrientes contidos na fração orgânica (Gordillo & Cabrera, 1997;Hartz et al, 2000;Sistani et al, 2008) uma vez que a quantidade disponibilizada às plantas da maioria dos nutrientes é inferior ao teor total contido no resíduo (Arns, 2004;CQFS, 2004). O nitrogênio (N) presente na cama de aves tem sido objeto de estudo em várias partes do mundo haja vista que, quando este resíduo é aplicado ao solo sem critérios técnicos, este elemento apresenta grande potencial poluente (Bolan et al, 2010;Goss et al, 2013), uma vez que está presente em quantidades significativas neste resíduo e sua forma nítrica é bastante móvel no solo (Dynia et al, 2006).…”

Poultry Litter Time and Method of Application Effects on Corn Yield

“…It has been established that corn yield is maximized when N is applied in the spring during the time of greatest N uptake (Fox et al, 1986;Vetsch and Randall, 2004;Randall et al, 2003). However, temperature is also an important contributing factor to the rate and time of N availability and is therefore critical for PL application because NO 3 -N, which results from nitrification of NH 4 -N and from conversions of urea and uric acid (major components of the poultry manure), occurs readily under favorable temperatures (910-C) (Nahm, 2005;Rothrock et al, 2008). In addition, anaerobic conditions dominant during the winter month in regions of low winter temperatures and excessive wetness contribute to reductions in bacterial activities and suppression of NH 3 formation (Schefferle, 1965).…”