Applied Poultry Manure Research Articles

Influence of Manures on Some Soil Fertility Properties, Yield and Agronomic Efficiencies of Soybean (Glycine max) on Degraded Acid Soil

Aluminum toxicity is a major limitation to leguminous crop production in acidic soils but mineral and organic fertilizer applications could ameliorate the condition. Thus, the focus of this study was to evaluate the influence of manures on post-harvest soil fertility quality, yield and agronomic efficiencies of soybean (Glycine max). The study had six fertilizer treatments: poultry manures, rabbit manures, pig manures, sheep manures, cattle manures, single super phosphate and the control (no soil additive) laid in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), with four replicates. The experiment was conducted at the greenhouse of the Wesley University, Ondo, Nigeria. The treatments were applied at the rate of 40 kg P205ha-1 and the effects of treatments on yield parameters (biomass, grain yield and total dry weight), relative agronomic efficiencies, as well as soil fertility status were observed. Data analysis using ANOVA at 5% level of probability showed the application of poultry manure to have enhanced soybean grain yield and yield component. Poultry manure treatment had the highest mean total dry weight of 11.5 g while SSP resulted in the lowest yield (4.7g). The efficiency of available P released from the applied poultry manure was 2 times higher than the referenced single super phosphate fertilizer in Ondo. Poultry manure application again had higher RAEDSW than to chemical fertilizer. Thus, applications of poultry or pig manures at 40 kg P205ha-1 could be excellent materials as alternatives to mineral fertilizer (single super phosphate) for improving soil fertility, yield of soybean and its agronomic efficiencies.

Distribution Characteristics of Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Manure and Surrounding Soil of Poultry Farm in Ningxia

Antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in livestock and poultry manure pose potential ecological risks. In order to understand the distribution characteristic of antibiotics and ARGs in manure and surrounding soils of poultry farms in Ningxia, the poultry manure and relative soil samples were collected from 12 layers of different poultry breeding farms. The compositions of antibiotics and ARGs in the samples were analyzed using UPLC-MS/MS and HT-qPCR. The results showed that:① tetracycline, aminoglycoside, and sulfonamide were the dominant antibiotics in poultry manure. The types and contents of antibiotics in poultry manure were different in different breeding periods. There were more types of antibiotics in the brooding period, the average content was high, and the initial stage showed the opposite trend. ② A small amount of antibiotics was detected in the surrounding soil only 20 m away from the poultry farm, and the poultry farm had little effect on the distribution of antibiotics in the surrounding soil. The content of quinolone in the soils with poultry manure application was significantly higher than that in the control and surrounding soil. ③ We detected 132-168 ARGs in poultry manure, and the number of aminoglycosides and tetracycline was higher. The relative abundance of ARGs in the rearing period was highest, and the initial stage showed the opposite trend. The total relative abundance of ARGs in the brooding period was highest, but the terminal period showed the opposite. There were 110 ARGs in poultry manure during all breeding periods. ④ There were 23-105 ARGs in the soils, and the number of aminoglycoside was highest, followed by multidrug ARGs. The poultry farm had a great effect on the number and relative abundance of ARGs in the surrounding soil. For example, the number and relative abundance of ARGs in the surrounding soil of poultry farms gradually decreased with the increase in the distance from the poultry farms. The number and relative abundance of ARGs in the soil with applied poultry manure were significantly increased; however, these values were lower than those in the soil 20 m away from the poultry farm. ⑤ β-lactamases, aminoglycosides, and macrolide lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLSB) ARGs were all at risk of horizontal movement in manure, and chloramphenicol ARGs were at risk of horizontal movement in soil. Correlation analysis showed that the relative abundance of aminoglycoside, tetracycline, sulfonamide, β-lactamase, and MLSB were not significantly correlated with their contents. ⑥ Different types of ARGs had related co-occurrence phenomena, such as the positive correlation between the relative abundance of ARGs in poultry manure, and aminoglycoside and β-lactamases, MGEs, multidrugs and vancomycins. The relative abundances of ARGs in soil, aminoglycoside and tetracyclines, vancomycins, sulfonamides, and MLSBs; tetracyclines and MLSBs; etc., all showed a significant positive correlation. In short, the co-occurrence among the relative abundance of ARGs in soil was significantly stronger than that in poultry manure. These results could provide the theoretical basis for the site selection of poultry farms, the selection of antibiotic types and dosages for large-scale breeding of laying hens, and the application of poultry manure.

Influence of Variety and Poultry Manure Rates on Growth, Yield, Incidence and Severity of Fusarium Wilt Disease on Three Pepper (Capsicum annum) Varieties

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of different rates of poultry manure on growth, yield, incidence and severity of fusarium wilt on three varieties of pepper (Capsicum annuum). The research was carried out at the Crop Science and Horticulture research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State-06⁰15ˈ2ˈˈN,7⁰6ˈ59ˈˈand 51m above sea level. The experiment lasted from June to August 2019 wet season planting. The pepper varieties used include: California wonder (green), Efia red and Nsukka yellow. The three pepper varieties received 0tons/ha, 8tons/ha and 16tons/ha of poultry manure. It was a 3 x 3 factorial experiment laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated thrice. Variety influenced (P<0.05) plant height where the Nsukka yellow pepper gave the tallest plants (46.60cm) while the shortest was the green variety (27.0cm) at 8WAT. Highest number of leaves were obtained in red variety (167.9) which was significantly different (P<0.05) from the other varieties. No significant difference was observed in the leaf area of the three varieties (P>0.05) at the second and fourth WAT though Nsukka yellow had the largest leaf area at 4WAT and, Efia red was largest at 6WAT. Poultry manure application influenced leaf area (P<0.05) at 2nd, 4th and 6WAT. Poultry manure at 16 tons/ha gave the largest leaf area at 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8WAT. There was a significant (P<0.05) varietal effect on incidence and severity of diseases where the green variety had the highest incidence and severity of wilt. Poultry manure also influenced incidence and severity of Fusarium wilt disease where highest incidence and severity was obtained at 0tons/ha. There was a significant interaction (P<0.05) effect of variety and poultry manure rates which was observed on plant height at 2nd,4th ,6th and 8WAT. Yellow x 8tons/ha gave the tallest plants at 8WAT. Effect poultry manure rates on the number of fruits, weight gain, fruit length, fruit diameter, number of locus and fruit girth were not significantly different (P>0.05), though the highest (5.70) number of fruits was obtained at 8ton/ha poultry manure application This was followed by 4.93 at 16ton/ha, while the least number of fruits was produced when 0ton/ha was applied Poultry manure at 8tons/ha also produced the highest pepper fruit weight with a mean value of (5.700g) though not statistically different from the other two varieties. It is therefore that farmers should adopt the application of 8tons/ha poultry manure, as this was most suitable in terms of yield and increase beyond this level may not lead to appreciable marginal increase in yield as observed in this investigation.

Applying poultry manure and irrigation in cultivating potatoes in the southern forest-steppe of the Bashkortostan Republic

The goal of this research is to determine the effect of poultry manure and irrigation on the yield and quality of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) grown in fields located on the southern steppe of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Before the poultry manure was added, it was treated with a microbiological fertilizer to suppress pathogenic microflora. Potato tubers were pretreated with an insectofungicide to avoid infestation. During vegetation, potato leaves and tubers were studied at the stage of the full blossom, leaves’ decay and potato harvest. The results showed tuber yields with the application of pretreated poultry manure to be 120 t/ha, both on the rainfed and irrigated plots (from 0.23 to 0.82 kg/plant and from 0.24 to 1.02 kg/plant, respectively). On the rainfed and irrigated plots where poultry manure was not applied (control fields), the tubers’ weight ranged from 0.08 to 0.31 kg/plant and from 0.16 to 0.5 kg/plant, respectively. Along with this, poultry manure utilization also affected the starch content of potatoes—it ranged from 12.9% (for irrigated plots with 80 t/ha poultry manure applied) to 19.2% (for rainfed plots without fertilizers). Laboratory analyses revealed that the nitrate content increased from 171.80 to 232.98 mg/kg on rainfed plots (depending on the introduced amount of poultry manure) and by 7.91%–15.19% on irrigated plots. Upon application of 40 t/ha of manure, under irrigation, the highest marketable value of tubers was 78%. On the rainfed plots, the same value was 72% when applying poultry manure at a dose of 120 t/ha.

Utilization of poultry manure when cultivating potatoes in the southern steppe of the Republic of Bashkortostan

The goal of the research is to determine the effect of pretreated poultry manure and irrigation on the yield and quality of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) grown in fields located on the southern steppe of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Field experiments were repeated every three years. During vegetation, potato leaves and tubers were studied at the full blossom, leaves’ decay, and potato harvest. The results showed that applying pretreated poultry manure at the rate of 120 t/ha favored higher tuber weight both on the rainfed and irrigated plots (from 0.23 to 0.82 kg/plant and from 0.24 to 1.02 kg/plant, respectively). On the rainfed and irrigated plots where poultry mature was not applied (control fields) the tubers’ weight ranged from 0.08 to 0.31 kg/plant and from 0.16 to 0.50 kg/plant, respectively. Upon application of 40 t/ha of manure, under irrigation, the highest marketable value of tubers was 78%. On the rainfed plots the same value was 72% when applying poultry manure at a dose of 120 t/ha. Soil moisture monitoring showed that the potatoes did not get adequate water during the growing season. When the soil moisture on irrigated plots was 70% less than its minimum water capacity, potato plantings were watered.

Economics of poultry manure utilization in land quality improvement among integrated poultry-maize-farmers in South western Nigeria

The rapid growth of Nigerian's poultry has made it more advantageous in terms of providing the essential raw material for soil fertility enhancement than other livestock. This paper evaluates the benefits of poultry manure use among integrated poultry-maize farmers in Ekiti and Osun States of Nigeria for improved land quality and continuous food production. Data were collected using Structured survey questionnaires administered on 500 randomly selected respondents in the two States. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics and costs and returns techniques. Respondents were small holders, with land area grown to mazie varying between 0.01 and 3.00 hectare. Majority of the respondents have personal farms but applied poultry manure only on small portions (25%) of the total cropped area of their farmlands. On the average, 53% of the respondents used poultry manure on their farms. Respondents were fairly literate with a mean age of 43 years. Major constraints to poultry manure use include odour, transportation, scarcity, wetness, bulkiness and time wastage in descending order of importance. While odour and transportation were identified as common problems among poultry manure users in Ekiti and Osun States, bulkiness was an additional constraint for non-user respondents in both states. Poultry manure material constituted about 91% of the total cost of inputs; transportation cost was 8% while labour cost averaged 2%. The mean net income earned per annum by poultry manure users was 1.40 times higher than that for non-users. The difference in mean net income users and non-users of poultry manure constitutes an important land improvement technique capable of enhancing farm production and income levels. Thus, technologies aimed at packaging it in such a way as to remove the associated social constraints to its use by farmers need be put in place.

Heavy Metal Contents in Animal Manure in China and the Related Soil Accumulation Risks

The environmental risks posed by heavy metals (HMs) in animal manure are increasing because of the use of trace metals as additives in feedstuffs. Manure samples were collected, and published literature was reviewed in this study to systematically analyze the HMs content in animal manure and compare the results to different sources of animal manures. Results show that the distribution of HMs content in animal manure was skewed. The ranges were between not detected (ND)-147 mg·kg-1 for Cd, ND-1919 mg·kg-1 for Pb, 0.003-2278 mg·kg-1 for Cr, ND-978 mg·kg-1 for As, ND-103 mg·kg-1 for Hg, ND-1747 mg·kg-1 for Cu, ND-11547 mg·kg-1 for Zn, and 1.22-1140 mg·kg-1 for Ni. The means (medians) of those elements were 2.31(0.72) mg·kg-1, 13.5(8.96) mg·kg-1, 36.3(12.0) mg·kg-1, 14.0(3.52) mg·kg-1, 0.97(0.07) mg·kg-1, 282(115) mg·kg-1, 656(366) mg·kg-1, and 21.8 (13.1) mg·kg-1 for Cd, Pb, Cr, As, Hg, Cu, Zn, and Ni, respectively. Means were significantly higher (1-13 times) than the medians. According to maximum limits of Cd, Pb, Cr, As, and Hg for organic fertilizers NY 525-2012, about 12.3% (for Cd), 2.58% (for Pb), 2.76% (for Cr), 20.6% (for As), and 3.69% (for Hg) of the data were above the limits. According to the composting regulations of Germany, about 53.9% (for Cu), 45.7% (for Zn), and 0.59% (for Ni) exceeded the maximum limits. The heavy metal contents in animal manure of different regions differs significantly. As and Cd contents in animal manure in the Shandong Province tend to be higher with their average values at 1.7 times and 10.1 times of the mean contents for national scale, respectively; the heavy metal contents in eastern China tend to be higher. Cd and As contents in animal manure tend to be higher in Northeast and Eastern China, while Cu and Zn contents were higher in Eastern and South China. After comparing HMs content in different sources of manures, we found that Cd, As, Hg, Cu, Zn, and Ni mean contents in pig manure were 1.0-3.0 times, 1.8-6.8 times, 1.1-15.8 times, 4.9-17.5 times, 2.7-12.0 times, and 1.7-2.1 times that of cattle manure, sheep manure, and poultry manure. The Pb content in poultry manure was the highest, with the mean being 2.8, 2.5, and 2.2 times higher than pig manure, cattle manure, and sheep manure, respectively. When recycling animal manure into the crop field, the accumulation rates for Cd were under 0.02 mg·(kg·a)-1 in over 90% of the circumstances and the accumulation rates for Pb were all below 0.15 mg·(kg·a)-1. When applying poultry manure, Cr in soil is easily accumulated with the maximum accumulation rate of 0.28 mg·(kg·a)-1.

Improving Wheat Productivity by Application Types Different of Fertilizer under Newly Reclaimed Soil Conditions

TWO FIELD experiments were carried out at the Experimental Farm (Demo) of the Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University, during 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 seasons, to study the effect of organic and mineral nitrogen fertilizers under foliar application of micronutrients treatments on yield and its components of wheat plants. The experimental design was split-split plot arrangement in randomized complete blocks design with four replications where organic fertilizers were considered in the main plot, nitrogen levels arranged in the sub plot and the sub-sub plot was foliar application treatments. Results indicated that significant differences between organic fertilizers. Applying poultry manure at the rate of 10m3/fad. gave the highest values of all studied characters. Addition, mineral nitrogen fertilizer at 80kg N/fad led to significantly increased in the all studied characters as compared to using (60kg N/fad and 40kg N/fad). Significant differences were observed among the foliar spraying treatments. Spraying in the mixture micronutrients (Fe, Mn and Zn at 100g/200L water/fad) recorded the highest values for all studied characters. From the above results it could be recommended that fertilizing wheat plants by poultry manure at the rate of 10m3/fad and foliar spraying with mixture micronutrients (Fe, Mn and Zn at 100g/200L water/fad) as well as addition 80kg N/fad, to improve the productivity of wheat yield under newly reclaimed soil conditions in Fayoum Governorate.

Mathematical Model of Antibiotic Residues after Applying Poultry Manure to Soil Water

Mathematical Model of Antibiotic Residues after Applying Poultry Manure to Soil Water

Cadmium adsorption as influenced by poultry manure addition in soils of South-Western Nigeria

ABSTRACTSoil contamination with heavy metals is of great concern worldwide because of its negative effects on human health and environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of poultry manure on cadmium (Cd) adsorption characteristics in soils from ten different land uses and to determine the effects of Cd adsorption on soil properties. Laboratory experiments were carried out using Cd concentrations ranging from 0 to 160 mg Cd L−1 and poultry manure rates ranging from 0 to 8% w/w basis. Results showed that all the soils exhibited varying capacity to adsorb Cd with values ranging from 28.78 to 130.2 mgkg−1; 126.2 to 153.5 mgkg−1 and 126.2 to 156.1 mgkg−1 for 0%, 4% and 8% poultry manure at 160 mgkg−1 initial Cd concentrations, respectively. Lowest Cd adsorbed (28.78 mgkg−1) was recorded in samples from 6 months fallow and highest (156.1 mgkg−1) from vegetable field. On the average, capacity to adsorb Cd was 72.1%, 99.7% and 95.3% with 0%, 4% and 8% applied poultry manure, respectively. Organic carbon, CEC, pH were significantly correlated with Cd adsorption. Poultry manure use will increase Cd adsorption and decrease Cd in the environment.

Effect of organic manures, micronutrients and AM on crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR) and yield under residual effect of maize-sunflower cropping system

Field experiments were conducted to find out the influence of organic manures, micronutrients and arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) on the crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR) and yield of maize-sunflower cropping system at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during 2011-12 and 2012-13. The experiment was laid out in Split Plot Design and replicated thrice for maize during winter 2011-12 and 2012-13 and the same experiment after dividing each plot into two was laid out in Split-split Plot Design and replicated thrice for sunflower during summer 2012 and 2013 to find out the crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR) and yield in the residual organic manures as well as micronutrients and arbuscular mycorhiza in the experiment field. During 2011-12, application of poultry manure @ 5 t ha -1 recorded higher crop growth rate (CGR) viz., 24.29 to 24.58 g -2 day -1 (between 30-60 DAS and 60-90 DAS, respectively). Among the micronutrients and AM, ZnSO 4 37.5 kg ha -1 recorded larger crop growth rate (CGR) of 22.25 and 23.37 g -2 day -1 (between 30-60 DAS and 60-90 DAS, respectively). The residual effect of applied poultry manure @ 5 t ha -1 to previous maize crop registered highest crop growth rate of sunflower viz., 13.06 to 5.48 g -2 day -1 (between 30-60 DAS and 60-90 DAS, respectively) regarding the organic manures, higher RGR (0.076 and 0.042 mg g -1 day -1 between 30-60 and 60-90 DAS, respectively) was recorded under poultry manure 5 t ha -1 followed by sericulture waste compost 5 t ha -1 , goatmanure 5t ha -1 and FYM 12.5 t ha -1 . Among the micronutrients and AM treatments, ZnSO 4 37.5 kg ha -1 recorded higher RGR of 0.070 and 0.036 mg g -1 day -1 between 30-60 and 60-90 DAS, respectively. In 2012, regarding the organic manures, higher RGR (0.058 and 0.029 mg g -1 day -1 between 30-60 and 60-90 DAS, respectively) was recorded under poultry manure 5 t ha -1 to preceding maize followed by sericulture waste 5 t ha -1 . In the first crop during 2011-12, among the organic manures, poultry manure 5 t ha -1 recorded the highest grain yield of 7230 kg ha 1 . Micronutrients and AM had a positive influence on grain yield of maize. Among the micronutrients, ZnSO 4 37.5 kg ha -1 recorded the highest grain yield (7271 kg ha -1 ). Higher seed yield of sunflower (2086 kg ha -1 ) was recorded under poultry manure 5 t ha -1 applied to preceding maize followed by sericulture waste 5 t ha -1 .

Aggregation and clay dispersion of an oxisol treated with swine and poultry manures

Fertilisation using animal manure can improve soil structure. However, the positive and negative effects of this practice remain inconclusive, and manure application can change the superficial electric potential, thereby increasing the dispersible clay content, disaggregation and susceptibility of soil to erosion and contamination of surface water. The objective of this study was to evaluate a water-dispersible clay and the aggregation of an oxisol over time with the application of different doses of swine and poultry manure. The experiment was conducted in a very clayey dystroferric red latosol, and the treatments consisted of the superficial application of 33 and 66m3ha−1 swine manure and 1920 and 3840kgha−1 poultry manure for corn production. A treatment without fertiliser (mineral or organic) was used as a reference. Soil samples from 0.00 to 0.10m layer were collected at 0, 15, 30 and 60 days after manure application to determine the soil aggregate classes, weighted mean diameter (WMD), aggregate stability index, dispersible clay content, pHH2O and pHKCl. The ΔpH was also determined. The application of swine manure led to rapid and dynamic changes in the dispersible clay content as well as the aggregation process compared to the application of poultry manure. The effects of the application of 33 or 66m3ha−1 swine manure can be divided into three phases: (i) immediate increases in the pHH2O resulting in an increase in dispersible clay content and the mass of aggregates <0.250mm immediately after the application of the manure at 0 days after application (DAA); (ii) a decrease in the pHH2O as well as flocculation and restructuring of the soil between 15 and 30 DAA; and (iii) a further increase in the mass of aggregates <0.250mm between 30 and 60 DAA. In contrast to the swine manure applications, a cementation effect of organic carbon was observed in the poultry manure applications, and clay flocculation and soil aggregation occurred after the application of 1920kgha−1 or 3840kgha−1 poultry manure, thereby increasing the WMD at 15 DAA. However, the aggregation effect was ephemeral, and at 30 and 60 DAA, decreases in the WMD and aggregates >2.00mm were observed independent of the doses of applied poultry manure.

Evaluation of legumes and poultry manure for the early protection of burnt soils .

Organic amendments combined with the sowing of gramineous grasses are effective for the early protection of burnt soils (BS) but cannot restore soil N status to pre-fire level; this has led to interest in combining their use with N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; fixer legumes. The effectiveness of applying poultry manure (PM; 2 Mg ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;) and sowing legumes (&lt;em&gt;Lotus corniculatus, Lupinus polyphyllus &lt;/em&gt;and &lt;em&gt;Trifolium repens&lt;/em&gt;) for the early protection of BS was compared with that of applying PM + &lt;em&gt;Lolium perenne&lt;/em&gt; and growing these four species without PM in a 3-month pot experiment, which also included a control consisting of an unburnt soil (US). In US, the shoot and root biomass increased as follows: &lt;em&gt;Trifolium &lt;/em&gt;~&lt;em&gt; Lotus &lt;/em&gt;&amp;lt;&amp;lt; &lt;em&gt;Lolium &lt;/em&gt;&amp;lt; &lt;em&gt;Lupinus.&lt;/em&gt; Compared with those grown in US, plants grown in BS were smaller and weaker in three species (&lt;em&gt;Lupinus, Lolium&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;Trifolium&lt;/em&gt;). The reverse was true for the four species grown in BS+PM, which showed the benefits of PM addition. In all the treatments, plant N uptake, which prevents soil-N losses, increased as follows: &lt;em&gt;Trifolium &lt;/em&gt;~ &lt;em&gt;Lotus&lt;/em&gt; &amp;lt; &lt;em&gt;Lupinus &lt;/em&gt;&amp;lt; &lt;em&gt;Lolium.&lt;/em&gt; The lack of nodules observed suggested that none of the legumes fixed atmospheric-N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;.

ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF PEPPER PLANTS FERTILIZED WITH PELLETIZED POULTRY MANURE

Poultry manure (PM) has been traditionally applied to crops for decades as an organic fertilizer, because it is a good and balanced source of plant nutrients. Its effect on plant growth and yield has been widely investigated and is well known. However, there has been little effort to relate elemental compositions of the manure applied to their concentrations in the plants. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of PM on the growth, and essential and non-essential element composition of pepper (Capsicum annuum) leaves and also fruits. Pepper plants were grown in soil with 0, 10, 20, and 40 g kg−1 PM under greenhouse conditions. Concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), silicon (Si), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), chloride (Cl), nickel (Ni), bromine (Br), rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), lanthanum (La), and cerium (Ce) in leaves at the flowering stage and in fruits were determined by polarized energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (PEDXRF). Poultry manure fertilization significantly improved pepper shoot growth and also fruit yield, and increased leaf and fruit P concentrations but not N, K, Mg, Si, Al, Ni, and Fe. Leaf Ca was significantly reduced by increased rate of PM application. Applied PM increased the concentrations of leaf and fruit Zn and Cl. Poultry manure applications had a positive effect on the concentrations of leaf Cu, and fruit Mn. The concentrations of Rb and Ce in fruits and Br in fruit and leaves were increased by PM treatments. Applied PM levels had no clear effect on the concentrations of Ba and La in pepper leaves. The leaf Ba was the highest with 10 g kg−1 PM, and leaf La was higher in 20 and 40 g kg−1 PM treatments than in the control.

Long-Term Effects of Poultry Manure Application on Nitrate Leaching in Tile Drain Water

A long-term study (1998 to 2009) was initiated on eleven tile-drained field plots, ranging in size from 0.19 to 0.47 ha, to investigate the effects of poultry manure application on subsurface drainage water quality in Iowa under a corn-soybean rotation system. The experimental treatments included poultry manure at rates of 168 kg N ha-1 (PM) and 336 kg N ha-1 (PM2), each with three replications; nitrogen application from chemical fertilizer, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN), at a rate of 168 kg N ha-1 with four replications; and a control treatment that received 0 kg N ha-1. Subsurface drainage (tile) flow volume was monitored, and drainage samples were collected and analyzed for nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N). The results from this 12-year study show that NO3-N losses with tile drainage were more likely to occur during the early stages of crop production (April to June) and were more related to the monthly distribution of precipitation than the total rainfall amount. The overall results of this study indicate that applying poultry manure at 168 kg N ha-1 resulted in significantly lower flow-weighted nitrate concentrations (PM < UAN < PM2) and the lowest nitrogen losses to subsurface drain water compared to UAN and PM2 application(PM < UAN < PM2), as well as higher crop yields compared to UAN application. Therefore, it can be concluded that poultry manure application at a rate of 168 kg N ha-1 is an environmentally sound N application practice with good yield potential for corn and soybean production systems with poorly drained soils in the upper Midwest. Future work is recommended to identify new practices and technologies to reduce nitrate loss to water systems.

Utilization of Poultry Manure Phosphorus for Corn Production

There is uncertainty about the need for supplemental P fertilization after applying poultry manure for corn (Zea mays L.). This study evaluated the effects of manure and fertilizer P on corn by establishing 17 on‐farm trials in Iowa. Manure from broilers, egg layers (Gallus gallus domesticus), or turkeys (Melleagris gollopavo) was used at each site. Replicated treatments were the combinations of three manure rates (0, 53, and 104 kg P ha−1 on average across sites) and four triple superphosphate rates (0–75 kg P ha−1). Initial Olsen P (15‐cm depth) was 5 to 23 mg P kg−1 across sites. Uniform rates of 168 kg N ha−1 and 56 to 112 kg K ha−1 were applied. Measurements were early plant dry weight (DW); P concentration and P uptake (V5–V6 stage); and grain yield, P concentration, and P removal. Increases in plant DW and P uptake were unrelated to soil‐test P, were more frequent for manure, and only one site that was responsive (P ≤ 0.10) to fertilizer was not responsive to manure. Phosphorus fertilization in addition to manure increased plant DW at four sites and P uptake at eight sites. Both P sources increased grain yield at eight sites with &lt;15 mg Olsen P kg−1, only manure increased it at another site, and supplemental fertilization did not increase yield at any site. The results provided no evidence for lower P availability of poultry manure P than fertilizer P for corn yield and showed no need for supplemental P fertilization at prevailing manure rates used by farmers.

Essential and non-essential element composition of tomato plants fertilized with poultry manure

Poultry manure (PM) must be disposed of from poultry farms, but is a potentially valuable source of macro- and micronutrients for plant growth. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of poultry manure on the growth of tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum) plants. Yields of fruits and vegetative material of plants grown in soil with 0, 10, 20 and 40 g kg −1 PM added were measured. Concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Mo, Cl, Si, Br, Rb, Sr and Ba in leaves at flowering and at final harvest and in fruits were determined by polarized energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (PEDXRF). Poultry manure fertilization improved tomato shoot growth and also fruit yield and increased leaf N concentrations at the harvest stage. In addition, P concentrations of the leaves and fruits were increased as the application rate of PM was increased. Fruit Ca and Mg were significantly reduced by increased rate of PM application, but not to the extent to cause the calcium deficiency disorder blossom end rot. Applied high levels of PM slightly increased the concentrations of leaf Mo and Br at the harvest stage. Poultry manure applications had a positive effect on the concentrations of leaf Zn, Cu, Cl and Rb at both sampling stages, but leaf Si concentration was reduced by PM treatments. The concentrations of Zn and Rb were increased in the fruits by PM treatments, but the concentrations of Br were decreased. Applied PM levels had no significant effects on the concentrations of K, S, Fe, Sr or Ba in tomato plants. It is concluded that the increased fruit yield, and the increased concentration of Zn (an element required in the human diet) and the lowered concentration of potentially harmful Br in the fruit make poultry manure a valuable growing medium for tomato production.

Nitrogen use efficiency of poultry manure by maize

Nitrogen use efficiency is a measure of the extent to which a crop transforms available N to economic yield. Poultry manure is often reported to have lower N use efficiency than mineral fertilizer in the first year of application. However, under certain conditions such as rate of application, N mineralization rate, type of soil and crop, the converse may be the case. Will a farmer be better off in applying poultry manure at a particular rate than mineral fertilizer? A study was conducted on a forest acrisol to determine the physiological and apparent N efficiencies of poultry manure (PM) applied at various rates and mineral fertilizer to maize. Poultry manure rates of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 2 x 2 t ha-1 (i.e. split application) showed higher physiological N use efficiencies than the mineral fertilizer rate of 60-40-40 kg NPK ha-1 and 2 t PM ha-1 + 30-20-20 kg NPK ha-1. However, the mineral fertilizers (including combined half rate plus 2 t poultry manure) had the highest apparent N use efficiencies of 58% and 40% respectively, but low physiological N use efficiency. Among the poultry manure treatments, 4 t ha-1 with the highest N content of 2.17% in the maize ear leaves and grain N content of 12.56 g kg-1, had the highest physiological N use efficiency of 60 kg ha-1 making it the most efficient rate in the transformation of N into grain yield. Journal of Science and Technology (Ghana) Vol. 27 (2) 2007: pp. 71-79

Effect of Organic Manure Application and Solarization on Soil Microbial Biomass and Enzyme Activities Under Greenhouse Conditions

ABSTRACT The temporal behaviour of soil microbial biomass C (SMBC) and the protease, urease, phosphatase and dehydrogenase activities were measured in the organic production of tomato and cucumber crops under greenhouse conditions. Soil was fertilized with either farmyard manure or poultry manure. Manures were applied either alone or with two biological preparations, E2001 and Allgrow Bioplasma. The effect of solarization on microbial activity was also studied. Soil samples were taken three times in each growing season. Activities of protease, urease and phosphatase decreased by 26% and dehydrogenase by 50% after solarization. In both crops, the highest amounts of organic C and SMBC were determined in soils with applied poultry manure. Protease and urease activities showed a strong increase after the first manure application. After the second manure application, enzyme activities stabilized at lower levels than in the first 6 months. Low temperature in the winter season may have limited phosphatase activity. Dehydrogenase activity was very low in all treatments, probably because the greenhouse soils were intensively fertilized with nitrogenous fertilizers before the experiment. Among the organic sources used, poultry manure had a long-term effect on enzyme activity.

Economics of Poultry Manure Utilization in Land Quality Improvement Among Integrated Poultry-Maize-Farmers in Southwestern Nigeria

ABSTRACT The rapid growth of Nigeria's poultry industry has made it more advantageous in terms of providing the essential raw material for alternative soil fertility and land quality enhancement than other livestock. This paper centres on the use and non-use of poultry manure as a land improvement technique for sustainable food production. This is achieved by comparing the economic benefits accruable to users and non-users of poultry manure among maize farmers in two agroecological zones (Guinea Savannah and Rain Forest) in Southwestern Nigeria. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire on a sample of 250 randomly selected maize farmers in each of the agroecological zones. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and partial budget approach of costs and returns analysis. Results showed that farmers in the two ecological zones are smallholders, with land area grown to maize varying between 0.01 and 3.00 hectares. Users of poultry manure are mainly integrated poultry-maize farm operators who applied poultry manure only on small portions (23% and 27%, respectively, in the Guinea savannah and rain forest zones) of the total cropped area of their farmlands. Respondents were fairly literate with a mean age of 43 years for the study area. Poultry manure material constituted about 91% (90% in the savannah and 91% in the forest zone) of the total variable cost of inputs in the study area. This is attributed to the bulkiness of manure and the distance travelled for its collection. Yield levels (kg/ha) and mean net income earnings (/ha) per annum were significantly higher for users of poultry manure. Users recorded 1.35 times and 1.45 times, respectively, of non-users' earnings in the savannah and forest zones. Major constraints to poultry manure use include: odor, transportation, insufficient quantity (scarcity), wetness, bulkiness and not readily accessible (hence its search is time consuming), in descending order of importance. While odor and transportation were identified as common problems among poultry manure users in the guinea savannah and rain forest zones, bulkiness was an additional constraint for non-user respondents in both zones. These imply that use of poultry manure results in higher yield levels per unit of land, and is more profitable than its non-use. Poultry manure therefore constitutes an important land improvement technique capable of enhancing farm production and income levels as results generally show that higher profitability is associated with use of poultry manure, and this has implications for increased poultry production. Thus, farmers and farm operators in the study area should be encouraged to keep more birds as integrated enterprises to provide, apart from table eggs and chickens, sufficient quantity of poultry manure for soil quality improvement and for enhanced crop productivity. Technologies aimed at packaging poultry manure in such a way as to remove the associated social constraints to its use by farmers also need be put in place.