Effect of magnesium sulphate addition to broiler litter on the ammonia, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide and methane emissions from housing

Abstract

Poultry production is a significant source of gaseous emissions and will require economical and simple mitigation techniques that can be used by farmers. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of magnesium sulphate (MgSO4.7H2O) addition to broiler litter on ammonia (NH3), nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emission rates from housing under Mediterranean climate conditions. Two identical broiler houses located in a Portuguese commercial farm were used for this study: one house was a control and the other was treated with magnesium sulphate as litter additive. Data were collected during two fattening cycles of a whole year; first in the cold season (11.8 ± 1.9 °C) and second in the hot season (20.4 ± 1.0 °C). Results showed that the application of magnesium sulphate was a good mitigation technique to reduce NH3 and N2O emissions from broiler houses. The annual average emission rates of untreated house were reduced (p < 0.05) by 45% for NH3 and 25% for N2O by the application of magnesium sulphate whereas CO2 and CH4 emission rates were increased (p < 0.05) in about 20%. Furthermore, the global warming potential was increased (p < 0.05) till 20% by the litter additive.