Abstract
ABSTRACT The application of organic composts derived from animal husbandry or agro-industry is a promising option to improve nutrient cycling and supply of soils and, consequently, forage production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the soil chemical properties and the nutritional state of elephant grass in response to rates of organic fertilizer composted from the waste of small ruminant production and slaughter systems. The experiment was conducted on a Fluvisol of a forage field with elephant grass var. [...]
Highlights
On a global scale, Brazil has herds of around 8.8 and 17.6 million heads of sheep and goats, respectively
The increasing rates of organic compost increased the concentrations of organic matter (OM), NH4+, NO3, NH4+ + NO3, P and base saturation, while the H+Al values decreased and the N and P contents increased in the plants
In response to the application of organic compost, the leaf contents of all studied nutrients remained adequate in all studied periods, except for the macronutrient N and micronutrient Mn
Summary
Brazil has herds of around 8.8 and 17.6 million heads of sheep and goats, respectively. Along with the increase in agricultural and agro-industrial activities of the last decades, a substantial amount of organic waste has been generated. Composting has come into use in many regions around the world, for being considered a reasonable option for the destination of dead animals, for contributing to meeting the increasing demand for organic fertilizers, at low production costs and with a high economic return for animal husbandry (Misselbrook et al, 2012). The number of poultry and pig farms using composting in Brazil has increased in the last few years, and researchers have investigated this form of treatment of remains of dead animals from cattle (Otenio et al, 2010), fish (Araújo et al, 2011), and sheep and goat farming (Souza et al, 2016). Most livestock farms have areas destined for forage fields, where elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) is frequently planted in Brazil because of its high dry matter yield, acceptability, forage quality, photosynthetic efficiency, and good response to nitrogen and phosphate fertilization (Pereira et al, 2010)
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