The Effects of Zeolite on Ammonia, Nitrous Oxide Emission, and Forage Yield from Pig Slurry Applied to the Forage Corn Cropping

Abstract

Pig slurry (PS) is the most applicable recycling option as an alternative organic fertilizer. The application of pig slurry has the risk of air pollution via atmospheric ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emission. The zeolite has a porous structure that can accommodate a wide variety of cations, thus utilizing for the potential additive of deodorization and gas adsorption. This study aimed to investigate the possible roles of zeolite in mitigating NH3 and N2O emission from the pig slurry applied to the maize cropping. The experiment was composed of three treatments: 1) non-N fertilized control, 2) pig slurry (PS) and 3) pig slurry mixed with natural zeolite (PZ). Both of NH3 and N2O emission from applied pig slurry highly increased by more than 3-fold compared to non-N fertilized control. The NH3 emission from the pig slurry was dominant during early 14 days after application and 20.1% of reduction by zeolite application was estimated in this period. Total NH3 emission through whole period of measurement was 0.31, 1.33, and 1.14 kg ha-1. Nitrous oxide emission in the plot applied with pig slurry was also reduced by zeolite treatment by 16.3%. Significant increases in forage and ear yield, as well as nutrient values were obtained by pig slurry application, while no significant effects of zeolite were observed. These results indicate that the application of zeolite and pig slurry efficiently reduces the emission of ammonia and nitrous oxide without negative effects on maize crop production.