HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Choi, I. H. Articles by Moore, P. A. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Choi, I. H. Articles by Moore, P. A., Jr.

Effect of Various Litter Amendments on Ammonia Volatilization and Nitrogen Content of Poultry Litter¹

I. H. Choi^* and P. A. Moore, Jr.^,2

^* Probiotic Korea Inc., Daegu University, Gyong San, 712-714, South Korea; and USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Plant Science 115, University of Arkansas, Fayettville 72701

Correspondence: ² Corresponding author: philipm{at}uark.edu

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 [Al₂(SO₄)₃·14H₂O], liquid alum, high acid alum (A7), aluminum chloride (AlCl₃·6H₂O), fly ash, Poultry Litter Treatment (PLT), and Poultry Guard (PG) litter amendments on NH₃ 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 AlCl₃/100 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 NH₃ 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 NH₃ volatilization by 76 and 87% for experiment 1 and 2, respectively. Aluminum chloride decreased NH₃ volatilization by 48 and 92% for experiment 1 and 2, respectively. Litter treated with alum, liquid alum, A7, PLT, and AlCl₃ 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 NH₃ volatilization and increasing N contents in experiment 1. However, in experiment 2, PG was effective in reducting NH₃ loss. In this study, the decreased NH₃ volatilization was chiefly associated with reduction in litter pH.

Key Words: alum • liquid alum • high acid alum • Poultry Litter Treatment • aluminum chloride • Poultry Guard • fly ash • ammonia volatilization

¹ Mention of a trade name, proprietary product, or specific equipment does not constitute a guarantee or warranty by the USDA and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may be suitable.