Effect of poultry wastewater irrigation on nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon contents in farmland soil

Abstract

Abstract The goal of this study was to assess the suitability of poultry wastewater for the irrigation of farmland soil as a possible substitute for regular water and fertilizers. The vertical and spatial variability of soil total nitrogen (STN), soil total phosphorus (STP) and soil organic carbon (SOC) was analyzed during the growing season of summer maize in two types of soil: an experimental group (EG) soil, irrigated once only with poultry wastewater, and a control group (CG) soil, irrigated once only with regular water. Results revealed no difference in STP concentration, SOC concentration, nitrogen storage and phosphorus storage between EG and CG soils (all p>0.05); STN concentration in the 5–15 cm layer and carbon storage were higher in EG soil (p<0.05) while remaining within safety limits. Overall, single-time irrigation by poultry wastewater enhances nitrogen and carbon content of soil and does not pose a serious risk of pollution for ground water.