Reduction of Phosphorus in Runoff from Field‐Applied Poultry Litter Using Chemical Amendments

Abstract

Field applications of poultry litter at rates to meet forage N requirements normally result in an over‐application of P. Chemical amendments have the potential to reduce the solubility of manure P through precipitation and/or adsorption reactions. This study was conducted to determine the effects of two chemical amendments, alum (Al2 (SO4)3 · 14H2O) and ferrous sulfate (FeSO4 · 7H2O), on P concentrations and load in runoff and to evaluate the effects of amended litter on forage production. Litter was broadcast applied to fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) plots at 11.2 Mg ha−1 alone and in combination with alum or ferrous sulfate (1:5 amendment/litter). Rainfall simulators were used to produce three runoff events at 2, 9, and 16 d after litter application. Alum reduced the P concentrations in runoff by 87 and 63% of that from litter alone for the first and second runoff events, respectively, whereas ferrous sulfate decreased runoff P concentration by 77 and 48%, respectively. Both chemical amendments resulted in significant reductions (P < 0.05) in total P load for the first runoff event. Litter application significantly increased fescue yields, with total forage yield having the greatest response to alum‐amended litter. Mean forage yield with alum amended litter was 2358 kg ha−1, compared with a mean yield of 1847 kg ha−1 with litter alone. This was probably due to decreased NH3 volatilization with the alum treatment. The combination of decreased P loss and increased forage yields suggest that alum‐amended litter has substantial promise for use as an environmental and economic management tool in the poultry industry.

Correlation of Quantitative PCR for a Poultry-Specific Brevibacterium Marker Gene with Bacterial and Chemical Indicators of Water Pollution in a Watershed Impacted by Land Application of Poultry Litter

“…When the marker was detected, the average total Cu, P, and Zn concentrations in field runoff samples were within the ranges reported in the literature (0.13 to 0.93 mg Cu liter Ϫ1 , 2 to 89 mg P liter Ϫ1 , and 0.13 to 0.44 mg Zn liter Ϫ1 ) for runoff from poultry litteramended fields (31,36,38,42,44). In contrast, the inorganic analytes in samples in which LA35 was not detected were, on average, an order of magnitude lower than the ranges reported in the literature.…”

“…The correlations between the LA35 marker and FIB remained significant (P Ͻ 0.001) when data from all river, groundwater, and runoff samples that were tested for the LA35 marker (and contained measurable levels of FIB) were analyzed. In cases where the marker concentration was below our analytical detection limit, one-half the analytical detection limit was substituted (14,42). Furthermore, mean concentrations of E. coli, Enterococcus sp., and fecal coliforms were significantly higher (Mann-Whitney rank sum, P Ͻ 0.05) in field runoff samples in which the marker gene was also detected by nested or quantitative PCR, as shown in Fig.…”

Prince Edward Island growers can reduce soil phosphorus buildup while maintaining carrot crop yield

“…This may be attributed to a dilution of P tissue levels due to enhanced plant growth associated with the higher rates of applied P. Shreve et al (1995) reported a decline in P tissue level in fescue due .0800(± 0.0160) kg P ha -1 -0.0004657(± 0.000116) kg P 2 ha -1 (r 2 = 88), Marketable yield (19-44 mm diam. ): Yield (t ha -1 ) = 52.6(± 0.65) + 0.0968(± 0.0232) kg P ha -1 -0.000492 (± 0.000169) kg P 2 ha -1 (r 2 = 88), Total yield: Yield (t ha -1 ) = 59.5(± 0.82) + 0.137(± 0.0294) kg P ha -1 -0.0006297 (± 0.000213) kg P 2 ha -1 (r 2 = 92).…”

Comparison between pine bark and coconut husk sorption capacity of metals and nitrate when mixed with sewage sludge

“…Excessive application rates, or inappropriate timing of application, can cause a significant threat to water quality (Shreve et al, 1995;Sharpley and Menzel, 1997). Nitrate is readily soluble and easily leached from soils (Kessavalou et al, 1996).…”