Abstract
The application of pultry litter to cropland is based on the nitrogen needs of the crop, and such practice has resulted in excess buildup of soil phosphorus (P). Water‐extractable phosphorus (WEP) concentrations in runoff from these fields are above the EPA drinking water limit of 0.1 mg kg−1. Runoff studies have been conducted on poultry litter‐amended soils to determine the effect of aluminum (Al) on WEP and iron oxide‐adsorbable phosphorus (FeO‐P). The drinking water treatment residue (DWTR) used in this experiment is an Al‐rich‐byproduct that is produced during drinking water purification. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of DWTR to reduce WEP and FeO‐P concentrations in runoff from poultry litter by using a laboratory rainfall simulator. Poultry litter was collected from three poultry farms on Maryland Eastern Shore, air dried and crushed to less than 2 mm, treated with DWTR at rates of 0, 50, and 100 g kg−1 (dry weight basis), and incubated for 2 weeks at 25°C. Water‐extractable P and FeO‐P in the runoff decreased with increase DWTR application. The total P released in runoff from the 50 and 100 g kg−1 DWTR treatments were 79% and 91% lower than the no‐DWTR treatment, respectively. There was a strong correlation between WEP and FeO‐P in the runoff samples. The results of this study demonstrated that the addition of DWTR to poultry litter effectively reduced phosphorus in runoff.
Published Version
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