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Year-round poultry litter decomposition and N, P, K and Ca release

Decomposição e liberação de nutrientes (N, P, K, Ca) da cama de aviário

Abstracts

Poultry litter is an important nutrient source in agriculture, although little information is available regarding its decomposition rate and nutrient release. To evaluate these processes, poultry litter (PL) was applied to the soil to supply 100, 200 and 300 kg ha-1 N contained in 4,953, 9,907 and 14,860 kg ha-1 PL, respectively. The litter bag technique was used to monitor the process of decomposition and nutrient release from the litter. These bags were left on the soil surface and collected periodically (after 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270, 300, 330, and 365 days). The dry matter (DM) loss was highest (35 %) after the first 30 days of field incubation. The highest nutrient release occurred in the first 60 days on the field, when 40, 34, 91, and 39 %, respectively, of N, P, K, and Ca of the initial PL dry matter (4,860 kg ha-1) was already released to the soil. In absolute terms, these percentages represent 40, 23, 134, and 69 kg ha-1 of N, P, K, and Ca and these values doubled and tripled as the PL fertilization rates increased to 9,907 and 14,860 kg ha-1, respectively. After one year of field incubation, the residual contents in the litter were 27, 15, 18 and 30 % of the initial DM , and N, P and Ca, respectively. The release rate of K was the fastest and 91 % of the K had been released from the PL after 30 days of field incubation.

Litter bag; filed incubation; organic fertilizer; residual contents


Cama de aviário é uma importante fonte de nutrientes para a agricultura, porém existem poucas informações em relação à sua taxa de decomposição e liberação de nutrientes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a taxa de decomposição e liberação de nutrientes da cama de aviário. A adubação foi realizada a fim de suprir 100, 200 e 300 kg ha-1 de N; para isso, foram aplicados ao solo 4.953, 9.907 e 14.860 kg ha-1 de cama. Para monitorar o processo de decomposição e liberação de nutrientes da cama, utilizou-se a técnica dos sacos de decomposição, os quais foram deixados na superfície do solo e recolhidos após 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270, 300, 330 e 365 dias. As maiores perdas de matéria seca (MS) (35 %) foram verificadas nos primeiros 30 dias de incubação em campo. As maiores taxas de liberação de nutrientes ocorreram nos primeiros 60 dias de incubação em campo. Nesse período, 40, 34, 91 e 39 % do N, P, K e Ca encontrados na matéria seca inicial da cama (4.860 kg ha-1) já haviam sido liberados ao solo. Em valores absolutos, essas porcentagens representam 40, 23, 134 e 69 kg ha-1 de N, P, K e Ca, que duplicaram e triplicaram à medida que a adubação com cama de aviário passou de 4.953 kg ha-1 para 9.907 e 14.860 kg ha-1. Após um ano de incubação em campo, a cama apresentou residual de 27, 15,7, 18 e 30 % do valor inicial de MS e teor de N, P e Ca, respectivamente. O K apresentou a taxa de liberação mais rápida: após 30 dias de incubação em campo, 91 % do K encontrado na cama já havia sido liberado ao solo.

sacos de decomposição; incubação a campo; adubação orgânica; teor residual


DIVISÃO 3 - USO E MANEJO DO SOLO

COMISSÃO 3.5 - POLUIÇÃO, REMEDIAÇÃO DO SOLO E RECUPERAÇÃO DE ÁREAS DEGRADADAS

Year-round poultry litter decomposition and N, P, K and Ca release1 1 Received for publication in August 28, 2011 and approved in April 11, 2012.

Decomposição e liberação de nutrientes (N, P, K, Ca) da cama de aviário

Christiano Santos Rocha PittaI; Paulo Fernando AdamiI; Adelino PelissariI; Tangriani Simioni AssmannII; Marcia Fernanda FranchinII; Luís César CassolII; Laércio Ricardo SartorI

IPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Agronomia, Departamento de Fitossanidade, Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR. Rua dos Funcionários 1540, Juvevê, CEP 80035-050 Curitiba (PR). E-mails: christiano.pitta@ifpr.edu.br; paulo.adami@ifpr.edu.br; linopeli@hotmail.com; laerciosartor@hotmail.com

IIPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Agronomia, UTFPR. Via do Conhecimento, km 1, CEP 85501-290 Pato Branco (PR). E-mails: tangriani@utfpr.edu.br; marciafranc@hotmail.com; cassol@utfpr.edu.br

SUMMARY

Poultry litter is an important nutrient source in agriculture, although little information is available regarding its decomposition rate and nutrient release. To evaluate these processes, poultry litter (PL) was applied to the soil to supply 100, 200 and 300 kg ha-1 N contained in 4,953, 9,907 and 14,860 kg ha-1 PL, respectively. The litter bag technique was used to monitor the process of decomposition and nutrient release from the litter. These bags were left on the soil surface and collected periodically (after 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270, 300, 330, and 365 days). The dry matter (DM) loss was highest (35 %) after the first 30 days of field incubation. The highest nutrient release occurred in the first 60 days on the field, when 40, 34, 91, and 39 %, respectively, of N, P, K, and Ca of the initial PL dry matter (4,860 kg ha-1) was already released to the soil. In absolute terms, these percentages represent 40, 23, 134, and 69 kg ha-1 of N, P, K, and Ca and these values doubled and tripled as the PL fertilization rates increased to 9,907 and 14,860 kg ha-1, respectively. After one year of field incubation, the residual contents in the litter were 27, 15, 18 and 30 % of the initial DM , and N, P and Ca, respectively. The release rate of K was the fastest and 91 % of the K had been released from the PL after 30 days of field incubation.

Index terms: Litter bag, filed incubation, organic fertilizer, residual contents.

RESUMO

Cama de aviário é uma importante fonte de nutrientes para a agricultura, porém existem poucas informações em relação à sua taxa de decomposição e liberação de nutrientes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a taxa de decomposição e liberação de nutrientes da cama de aviário. A adubação foi realizada a fim de suprir 100, 200 e 300 kg ha-1 de N; para isso, foram aplicados ao solo 4.953, 9.907 e 14.860 kg ha-1 de cama. Para monitorar o processo de decomposição e liberação de nutrientes da cama, utilizou-se a técnica dos sacos de decomposição, os quais foram deixados na superfície do solo e recolhidos após 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270, 300, 330 e 365 dias. As maiores perdas de matéria seca (MS) (35 %) foram verificadas nos primeiros 30 dias de incubação em campo. As maiores taxas de liberação de nutrientes ocorreram nos primeiros 60 dias de incubação em campo. Nesse período, 40, 34, 91 e 39 % do N, P, K e Ca encontrados na matéria seca inicial da cama (4.860 kg ha-1) já haviam sido liberados ao solo. Em valores absolutos, essas porcentagens representam 40, 23, 134 e 69 kg ha-1 de N, P, K e Ca, que duplicaram e triplicaram à medida que a adubação com cama de aviário passou de 4.953 kg ha-1 para 9.907 e 14.860 kg ha-1. Após um ano de incubação em campo, a cama apresentou residual de 27, 15,7, 18 e 30 % do valor inicial de MS e teor de N, P e Ca, respectivamente. O K apresentou a taxa de liberação mais rápida: após 30 dias de incubação em campo, 91 % do K encontrado na cama já havia sido liberado ao solo.

Termos de indexação: sacos de decomposição, incubação a campo, adubação orgânica, teor residual.

INTRODUCTION

Poultry production is becoming increasingly important as a major income source for many farmers in southern Brazil, where Paraná is leading in poultry production and export. The southwest region of the state accounts for 22 % of poultry production (Zanchet, 2008). With the concentrated, rapid growth of the sector, waste production and its consequent problems are on the rise, since poultry production operations (feed mills and poultry and slaughter houses) are often regionally concentrated, so litter production may exceed the crop nutrient requirements of the producing and surrounding farms and jeopardize the environment.

The application of poultry litter to crop lands is on the one hand important as an environmentally-friendly means of waste disposal and on the other hand as a valuable source of plant nutrients to maintain or restore soil fertility. However, for environmentally and economically sound applications of poultry litter (PL), it is crucial to know the decomposition rate of and nutrient release from the litter. This information allows a better management of levels and timing of litter application to synchronize plant requirements and litter nutrient release in order to avoid any environmental hazard, to enhance soil fertility and to use this manure resource optimally. Moreover, based on PL decomposition dynamics and nutrient release rates it is possible to evaluate residual effects of poultry litter and accordingly, to fine-tune recommendations of fertilizer levels for the subsequent crops.

A substantial number of studies have been conducted to determine PL effects on agriculture and environment. Some of these studies show advantages such as: high nutrient concentration (Zhang et al., 2002), increase in total soil carbon and organic matter content (Adeli et al., 2008; Singh et al., 2009), increased soil water retention and infiltration (Kingery et al., 1994), increased soil pH (Zhang, 1998), improved soil physical, chemical and biological properties (Nyakatawa et al., 2001; Friend et al., 2006; McGrath et al., 2009), and improved crop yields of, e.g., corn, soybean, cotton, and pastures (Wood et al., 1996; Sistani et al., 2004; Adeli et al., 2005; Mitchell & Tu, 2005).

However, little is known about the PL decomposition rate and nutrient release to the soil and the data available are mostly from abroad, complicating data comparison, mainly because these parameters are strongly influenced by climatic conditions (temperature, humidity, pH, and soil nutrients), substrate quality, and by soil biological processes (Paul & Clark, 1996). According to the CQFSRS/SC, (2004), the availability of N, P and K for the first crop is around 50, 80 and 100 %, respectively, and 20 % of the N and P initial nutrient contents in the poultry litter is available for the second crop, although the PL dynamics and nutrient release over time are not detailed in this work.

The objective of this study was to monitor the poultry litter decomposition and release rates of the nutrients N, P, K, and Ca in the field for one year.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The experiment was carried out in 2009/10 on a farm in Coronel Vivida, PR (25º 07' S and 52º 41' W, 730 m asl). The regional climate is subtropical humid, according to the Köppen classification (Maak, 1968), and the soil at the experimental site was classified as Oxisol. The experiment was arranged in a complete randomized block design with three replications.

During the experiment, weather data (average monthly temperature and rainfall) were recorded (Figure 1) (IAPAR, 2011).


The poultry litter used in this experiment was from a poultry house, after the 11th flock cycle, from a broiler farm near the experimental field. The compost samples from the poultry house were dried (55 °C) to constant weight and ground (< 1 mm) for chemical analysis. The poultry litter dry matter (DM) content was 80.5 % and N, P, K and Ca contents were 25; 17.6; 37.3; and 44.1 g kg-1 DM, respectively.

Poultry litter levels were defined to ensure a supply of 0, 100, 200 and 300 kg ha-1 N. Based on the poultry litter DM percentage and N content, the amount of PL necessary to supply these amounts of N was calculated (Table 1).

Sub-samples of the dried material (75 g) were placed in 20 x 20 cm litter bags of 0.1 mm mesh. Three replications of litter bags per period were evaluated, resulting in a total of 39 litter bags of the entire experiment (13 incubation periods x 3 replications). The litter bags were hemmed on a sewing machine, placed on the soil surface on October 18th and collected after field incubation (periods of 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270, 300, 330 and 365 days).

After each incubation period, three litter bags were collected, oven-dried (55 ºC) and weighed. After DM weighing, the remaining PL biomass was ground in a laboratory knife mill (Thomas-Wiley laboratory mill, < 40 mesh) and sulfur-digested to determine the total N by the Kjeldahl method (Tedesco et al., 1995). Then, the total P, K and Ca levels of a sub-sample obtained in the digestion were determined by spectrophotometry, flame spectrophotometry and atomic absorption spectrophotometry, respectively.

The percentage of remaining biomass and nutrients was calculated on the basis of the total biomass and total nutrient concentration at the beginning and end of the incubation periods. From the differences between DM weight and nutrient contents between incubation periods, the decomposition rate and nutrient release were determined and converted to percentage.

To describe the decomposition and nutrient release rates, the percentage of the remaining dry biomass and N, P, K and Ca contents were adjusted to nonlinear models, used to fit the decay curves by the statistical program Statgraphics Plus 4.1. Single and double exponential models are described by equations 1 and 2 (Wieder & Lang, 1982).

where RDM is the remaining dry matter and RN the remaining nutrients after time t (days), and ka and kb are the decay constants of the easily decomposable compartment (A) and of the more recalcitrant compartment (100 - A), respectively. The exponential model with the highest coefficient of determination (R2) was chosen, indicating the degree of association between the fitted model and the observed values.

Both models assume that the litter DM and nutrients can be divided into two compartments. In the asymptotic model (equation 1), only the most easily decomposable compartment (A) is transformed, decreasing exponentially with time at a constant rate. The DM and nutrients of the second compartment (100 - A) are considered more recalcitrant and therefore, not transformed in the considered time period. In the double exponential model (equation 2), the DM and nutrients of both compartments decrease exponentially at constant rates. The first compartment (A) is converted at higher rates than the second (100 - A), which is more resistant to decomposition.

From the DM and nutrient decay constant values for each compartment, its half-life (t1/2) was calculated, or in other words, the time until 50 % of the compartment is decomposed. An equation proposed by Paul & Clark (1996) was used for this purpose:

Based on the model adjusted for the remaining amounts of N, P, K and Ca, the accumulative nutrient release during the evaluation period was estimated by multiplying the percentage of nutrient release of each period by the initial amount (kg ha-1) added to the soil.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The N, P, K and Ca contents in the poultry litter (PL) DM were, respectively, 25; 17.6; 37.2; 44.1, and 10.7 g kg-1. These levels were lower than the N and P levels reported by CQFSRS/SC. (2004), of 38 and 40 g kg-1, respectively. Zhang et al. (2002) evaluated 240 PL samples and found average values of 28.5, 27.6 and 23 g kg-1 for N, P and K. The authors also reported a moisture content of 23 % and a pH of 7.1. These differences in litter quality or nutrient concentration are explained by the different number of poultry flocks grown on the same litter, substrate quality (material used as bed for the birds such as wood shavings, rice hulls or sawdust) and by differences in climatic conditions.

The PL dry matter decomposition and nutrient release followed a double exponential model (equation 2), so both ka and kb decay constants were evaluated. Decomposition in the initial periods was rapid followed by a slower phase. The DM mass loss rates were highest in the first 30 days, when 35 % of the litter DM was decomposed (Figure 2). Gale & Gilmour (1986) reported that 40 % of the PL dry matter was decomposed within 35 days.


Organic matter decomposition is influenced by the chemical composition of the decomposing material and soil characteristics (Douglas & Magdoff, 1991), ratios of chemical components such as C to N (Gordillo & Cabrera, 1997) and hemicellulose to N (Lupway & Haque, 1998) and N concentration (Gordillo & Cabrera, 1997). These parameters were all correlated with rates of organic C or N mineralization.

In the short term, decomposition rates were high due to the high content of readily decomposable components such as sugars, aminoacids and proteins. In the later stages, decomposition rates tended to decrease due to the accumulation of recalcitrant components such as lignin, tannins and cellulose (Heal et al., 1997; Giacomini et al., 2003; Lupwayi et al., 2007). Associated with microbial decomposition, the rainfall (203 mm) of the first 30 days after litter incubation in the field may have increased the decomposition rate (Figure 1).

The remaining dry matter (RDM) of 27.5 % after 365 days of litter bag incubation in the field confirmed the long-term residual effect of PL in the soil (Figure 2).

The easily decomposable compartment of PL dry matter (A) represented 37.7 % of the total and consequently, the recalcitrant compartment represented 62.3 % of the litter; the ka and kb decay constants were 0.0416 and 0.0023 d-1 and the half-life 16.6 and 299 days, respectively (Table 2).

The half-life of the labile N compartment (A=17.8 %) was 9.7 days, i.e., 50 % of this compartment was released in this period. Considering the litter application to supply 100 kg ha-1 N, 17.8 % of this total amount is present in the labile compartment (A) and 8.9 kg N will be available 9.7 days after litter application. The remaining 82.2 kg N will be available at slower rates, and after 166 days of field incubation, another 41.1 kg will be released to the soil. It is important to highlight that in the case of K, the percentage of the labile compartment (80.9 %) is greater and the constant release is also higher, accelerating its release. Considering the same previous simulation for K, it is possible to infer that 60 and 180 kg K had been released to the soil within the first three days after PL application of 4.953 and 14.860 kg ha-1 to the field, respectively.

The cycle of K is simpler and faster than of N and P, mainly because K is not part of any organic compound (Marschner, 1995). Furthermore, the K decay rate is mainly determined by rainfall (Giacomini et al., 2003) during the decomposition process. Giacomini et al. (2003) evaluated the K release from vetch and radish residues and reported that 90 and 85 % of K had already been released at the time of the first litter bag sampling, 15 days after distribution in the field, demonstrating the rapid release to the soil. The same was observed for PL, since 84 and 91 % of K litter content had been released 15 and 30 days after placing the litter bags in the field (Figure 3). Rainfall occurred shortly after the litter bag incubation in the field and concentrated rainfall in the first 15 (130 mm) and 30 days (203 mm) may have increased the K release rate to the soil.


Exchangeable K is very mobile in the soil and prone to leaching, but Ayarza (1988) found K losses in tropical pastures at high application rates (300 kg ha-1 K) only, even under high rainfall. Thus, it is suggested that K in tropical soils is almost solely retained by cation exchange reactions.

Nitrogen and P in poultry litter is mainly available in organic forms (> 90 and 60 % respectively) and therefore, much of the P and N is not immediately available to plants (Edwards & Daniel, 1992). Inorganic N and P can be easily extracted and measured, but organic N and P undergo a mineralization process, which is more difficult to measure. In 60 samples of broiler litter, Qafoku et al. (2001) reported N concentrations from 23.8 to 47 g kg-1 N, and inorganic N concentrations ranging from 1.38 to 13.4 g kg-1 N. Expressed as percentage of the organic N present in the litter, potential mineralizable N varied from 24.5 to 78.6 % (mean = 52.5 %). Kpomblekou (2006) showed that inorganic N represents a small part of total N in PL samples and Adeli et al. (2005) stated that 98 % of the inorganic N of the litter was ammonium with 2 % nitrate N.

At the first sampling 15 days after the distribution of litter bags on the field, 16.2 % of the poultry N had been released to the soil, and 39.5 % after 30 days. Gale & Gilmour (1986) observed about 10 % net N mineralization for PL after 28 days of field incubation. Castellanos & Pratt (1981) observed a N release of about 48 % from PL incubated for 10 weeks. Singh et al. (2009) reported that about 46 % of the N from PL was released after 60 days of incubation. In another study, Qafoku et al. (2001) reported a mean value of 51 % net N mineralization (range 24-74 %) for 60 PL samples incubated for 112 days. Evers (1999) estimated that about 60 % of N in PL would be available in the first year and the rest would increase residual fertility. In all cases there was an initial, fast release of N followed by a slower rate of mineralization. The heterogeneity in chemical composition (number of bird flocks, material used as litter) of the PL and the differences in climatic conditions may help explain the different nutrient mineralization rates among experiments.

After 365 days, the N released corresponded to 85 % of the initial content, showing the long-term residual effect of poultry litter. Gordillo & Cabrera (1997) reported an N mineralization rate of 90 % from PL after a year of assessment. Bitzer & Sims (1988) claimed that 67 % of organic N in the litter was mineralized in the first year. Evers (1999) estimated that only 60 % of the poultry litter N would be available in the first year.

Phosphorus release is much more related to P content and soluble P in the residues and to the effective action of microorganisms on the organic fractions than to the rainfall amounts (Giacomini et al., 2003). The easily decomposable P compartment was 14.1 % and the half-life 8.1 and 179 days, respectively, of the labile and recalcitrant compartments (Table 1). After 30 days of bag incubation in the field, 23 % of P had been released and this amount increased to 33.5 and 38.5 % after 60 and 90 days of field incubation, respectively. For Singh et al. (2009), the release of P from PL occurred mainly during the first 20 days after incubation, accounting for 15-17 % of the total P. Furthermore, these authors reported a residual effect of PL in an order of 30 kg ha-1 N and 13 kg ha-1 P for the crop (wheat) following the 5 Mg ha-1 PL fertilization of the prior crop (rice). Inorganic P is rapidly released to the soil after residue application, although in the later stages of decomposition, P is released more slowly from residues by mineralization of organic forms. After 90 days, the P release rate decreased, probably due to exhaustion of the inorganic P and labile organic P fractions, leaving only non-labile organic P fractions.

In relation to Ca, few studies address the dynamics of its release. Despite showing a higher concentration in the labile compartment than P and N and a release rate similar to these nutrients, the release rates of Ca from the recalcitrant compartment was slower and the half-life 300 days. Its release was faster in the initial phase and tended to stabilize. After 365 days, 70 % of the initial Ca content had been released. Almeida (2009) evaluated the Ca release rate from Crotalaria + corn residues and reported that the single decay model fitted best and a long half-life of this nutrient (139 days). The author also reported that the release rate of Ca was the slowest of the nutrients assessed.

In southern Brazil, few studies have addressed PL dynamics and nutrient release, and the available studies are not detailed in terms of nutrient release over time. However, according to CQFSRS/SC. (2004), the availability of N, P and K for the first crop is around 50, 80 and 100 % and around 20 % of the initial content for N and P for the second crop.

After a period of 150 days, the data demonstrated a release rate of 54, 51 and 100 %, respectively, for N, P and K, which increased to 84.3 and 82 %, respectively, for N and P after 365 days of field incubation. This allows the conclusion that the residual effect of PL lasts longer than a year. Litter surface application in no-tillage systems may be responsible for the slow mineralization throughout the year. For Eghball et al. (2004), PL application can increase the soil concentrations of nutrients and organic matter and its residual effects on crop production and soil properties can last for several years after PL applications ceases, providing nutrients and liming effects for the following growing seasons. It is therefore suggested that the fertilizer recommendation based on soil analysis should consider the residual effects of PL, possibly indicating a reduction in fertilizer application rates in the year after PL application.

Traditionally, the application of PL has been based on crop target yields and on crop N requirements. To meet these objectives, high PL levels (10-15 Mg ha-1) are applied, which can cause nutritional imbalance, nutrient losses and environmental problems. On the other hand, high PL levels applied as fertilizer tend to provide nutrients to the soil gradually, generating a residual effect for subsequent crops. For this reason, 4,953, 9,907 and 14,860 kg ha-1 PL were applied to the soil to supply 100, 200 and 300 kg ha-1 N and considering the release rates, the nutrients are accumulated over time (Figure 4).


Considering the accumulated nutrient release from PL in absolute values, it was observed that after 15 days of PL field incubation, 16.3, 10.1, 123.6 and 37.3 kg ha-1 of N, P, K and Ca had already been released to the soil, and 24.9, 16.2, 134 and 50.6 kg ha-1, respectively, after 30 days, from a PL amount of 4.953 kg ha-1. After 180 days, these values increased to 57.5; 40.2; 148 and 96.4 kg ha-1 of N, P, K and Ca, respectively and to 84.3; 57.3; 148 and 121 kg ha-1 after 365 days, at the PL level of 4.953 kg ha-1. These values doubled and tripled at PL fertilization rates of 9,907 and 14,860 kg ha-1, respectively (Figure 4).

In comparison, the recommended fertilization levels according to CQFSRS/SC. (2004) (considering a soil with average nutrient levels) to produce 10 t ha-1 of corn and 3 t ha-1 of soybean grain is 150, 70 and 100 kg ha-1 N, P and K for corn and 35 and 85 kg ha-1 P and K for soybean, respectively. Accordingly, the values of N, P and K released within 180 days after the PL application of 4.953 kg ha-1 is sufficient to meet the soybean demand and part of the corn nutrient requirement, while higher N levels are needed for a 10 t ha-1 grain yield. If 9.907 or 14.860 kg ha-1 PL is applied to corn, P and K levels exceed the crop demand by 10 and 196 kg ha-1 for P and 50 and 346 kg ha-1 for K, respectively, whereas the N demand is only supplied by the highest PL level. This mismanagement will always occur since the manure N/P ratios are lower than the crop N/P requirement ratio, leading to a P buildup in soils (Kingery et al., 1994).

Considering the data of this work, it is possible to observe that the N/P ratio is 1.42, in other words, for each kg N, the PL contains 0.42 kg P. For Adeli et al. (2005), the N/P ratio of broiler litter averaged 1.8. Moreover, Adeli et al. (2005) reported that soybean accumulates N and P at a ratio of 10:1 and Von Pinho et al. (2009) reported that to produce 1 t of corn grain, 22.3 and 5.3 kg N and P is necessary, respectively, corresponding to a N/P ratio of 4.2:1. Considering the soybean and corn N/P demand according to the authors, it is possible to infer that when poultry litter is used as the only N fertilizer source, aiming to supply N demand of corn, an excess application of P is predictable.

It is well-known that the soil P levels in Brazilian soils are low, frequently limiting crop yields. In this way, poultry management aimed to supply corn N demand could increase soil P content, although, PL corn fertilization should consider the P and K plant requirements while the N demand could be supplied by N mineral fertilizer once recent studies in the USA (Robinson & sharpley, 1995; Sistani et al., 2004) have reported a buildup of P in the soil surface and environmental problems resulting from continuous PL applications, so in Brazil, a correct PL management could avoid problems like this in the future..

It is also suggested to introduce pastures in the areas that receive repeated PL applications at high levels, due to its high potential to absorb nutrients from the soil. Evaluating PL fertilization of Tifton 85, Sistani et al. (2004) observed a nutrient accumulation (average of 2 years) of 344, 58 and 472 kg ha-1 of N, P and K from the 471, 328, and 414 kg ha-1 of N, P and K applied to the soil in PL (15.75 t ha-1). The removal efficiency of these nutrients by the pasture was 73, 18, and 114 %, respectively. Although, despite its advantages as organic fertilizer, current restrictions established by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply in a regulation of July 2009 (Brasil, 2009) on the use of poultry litter on pastures (requirement of incorporation and fallow period of 40 days) have hampered and restricted PL application to pasture in view of the difficulty of incorporating the litter, especially in no-tillage pasture areas.

Furthermore, production costs continue to increase because of the high demand for commercial fertilizers. Therefore, when farmers choose a mineral or organic fertilizer, it is important that the long-term effect of poultry litter be taken into account. Considering the nutrient amounts provided along the year by a PL application of 14,860 kg ha-1 and simulating an application of mineral fertilizer by 08-12-17 NPK, 63 bags of 50 kg ha-1 NPK would be necessary to supply the same amount of nutrients. Moreover, 922 kg KCl would have to be applied to the soil to achieve the same level of K as released by the application of 14.860 kg ha-1 poultry litter.

Robinson & Sharpley (1995) evaluated the nutrient release under simulated rainfall (5 x 50 min rainfalls of 2.54 cm h-1 with 1 h intervals between rains) from a 10 Mg ha-1 PL (pine bark shavings) application, containing an average of 360 kg ha-1 N and 158 kg ha-1 P. They reported a rapid nutrient release, where 60 % of the total N and 40 % of the total P released during the five were lost in the first rainfall. The decrease in N and P release with consecutive rainfall was rapid, although in this period, 80 kg ha-1 NH4-N (22 % of total) and 15 kg ha-1 inorganic P (10 % of total) were released from the shaving-based PL.

Under simulated rainfall, King & Torbert (2007) evaluated NO3-N losses and observed that the NO3-N loss from PL at the first rainfall was 26 %. of the total loss measured in a 10-week study. The losses generally decreased with subsequent rainfall events. Easton & Petrovic (2004) assessed the nutrient recovered in the first runoff from turf systems also reported that the greatest loss of applied nutrients was measured in the first runoff event following application.

These high values demonstrate the rapid N and P release rate from poultry litter during the first rainfall after PL application and hence the importance of using weather forecasts to avoid litter application before heavy rains since these nutrients once released may be lost in the runoff or by leaching.

Edwards & Daniel (1992) stress the importance of working with weather forecasts to avoid PL application before heavy rainfall. On the other hand, Chambers et al. (1997) reported that ammonia losses from surface-applied PL are commonly 15-45 % of ammoniacal N and most of the losses occur in the first week after litter application, and that rainfall is highly relevant to reduce N losses. According to Sharpe et al. (2004), even small rainfalls (17 mm) immediately after PL application are very important since they reduce ammonia volatilization loss significantly, probably by transporting the N from the litter into the soil.

Robinson & Sharpley (1995) evaluated the N dissolved in water after the application of 10 t ha-1 PL and reported NO3-N levels ranging from 0.2 up to 0.7 mg L-1. NH4-N was the major (95 %) form of N released allowing the conclusion that there was no NO3-N leaching. Evaluating the effect of rain (10 events) on the P runoff from a 13 t ha-1 PL application, Schroeder et al. (2004) reported that only 5.7 % of the total P applied was lost indicating that a significant portion of the applied P remained trapped in the soil profile.

Due to the rapid release from litter, N, P and K not taken up by plants will be potentially available for transport and soil infiltration or surface runoff by water during rainfall. Therefore, a careful timing of litter applications in the periods of active crop growth can maximize the agronomic benefit in crop nutrient uptake, while minimizing environmental impacts in losses of released nutrients by infiltration and runoff. Also, plant nutrient requirements and uptake vary during the growing season and organic fertilizers with continuous nutrient release best fit the crop nutrient requirements in the periods of active nutrient uptake. It is therefore suggested that if this synchrony is not possible for some reason (time of poultry house cleaning, crop growth stage), the poultry litter should be stored in a moisture-protected place (under a plastic or roof) since the ammonia losses from weather-exposed PL are high due to factors such as rain and high temperature (Cabrera & Chiang, 1994), reducing the litter quality, causing environmental hazard and reducing the profit of the producer.

CONCLUSIONS

1. The nutrient release rate was highest during the first 60 days of litter decomposition.

2. Potassium was the most rapidly released nutrient from poultry litter.

3. After 150 days of litter incubation in the field, 54, 51, 100, and 52 % of N, P, K and Ca had become available to the soil. After 365 days, these values increased to 84, 82 and 70 % respectively, of N, P and Ca.

4. The residual effects of and nutrient release from poultry litter decomposition last longer than a year.

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  • 1
    Received for publication in August 28, 2011 and approved in April 11, 2012.
  • Publication Dates

    • Publication in this collection
      25 July 2012
    • Date of issue
      June 2012

    History

    • Received
      28 Aug 2011
    • Accepted
      11 Apr 2012
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