ASA Southern Branch 2008 Annual Meeting
February 3-5, 2008
Dallas, TX
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Nutrient Changes in Densified Broiler Litter.
Laura E. Sturgeon, C. W. Wood, J. P. Fulton, and B. H. Wood. Agronomy and Soils, Auburn University, Auburn University, 201 Funchess Hall, Auburn, AL 36849
Broiler chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) litter is a valuable manure fertilizer. Studies have shown broiler litter improves soil organic matter, reduces erosion and increases pasture productivity. As broiler production continues to increase in the southeastern U.S. , frequent over-application of poultry litter results in high soil phosphorus (P) values. When transportation costs are considered, densified poultry litter could be transported further than raw poultry litter, thus alleviating over application of litter in close proximity to broiler production areas. This study determined temporal changes in densified broiler litter. Broiler litter was subjected to 193 MPa of pressure and compacted into 30.5 x 30.5 x 20 cm bricks. Samples were placed under a Quonset hut for up to one year for storage. Samples were collected at various times over the one year period to determine differences in mass and nutrient content. Additional moisture added to litter prior to the densification process significantly increases pH (P > F = 0.0798) and decreases electrical conductivity (P > F = 0.0479), copper concentration (P > F = 0.0304) and iron concentration (P > F = 0.0304). Densification also increases nitrate-nitrogen concentration (P > F = 0.0103), total nitrogen (P > F = 0.0026), and carbon (P > F = 0.0001), but decreases concentrations of calcium (P > F = 0.0475), phosphorus (P > F = 0.0297), and sodium (P > F = 0.0641). Though densification affects nutrient contents of litter, compacted litter could be a good alternative to loose litter when transportation costs are considered. While changes in nutrient value should be considered, densification makes possible the transport of litter to areas further from production sites.