Peat Litter Research Articles

Geochemical Peculiarities of the Peat Litter’s Morphometric Fractions in the Swamp Birch Forests of Western Siberia’s Southern Taiga

Peat litter of moss-woody composition was studied in swamp birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) forests of the grass-mossy forest types in the northern part of the Ob and Tom interfluve (geographical coordinates N 56°23′186″, E 084°32′519″). The litter samples are characterized by a low base saturation of 35.6%; an acidic reaction (\({\text{p}}{{{\text{H}}}_{{{{{\text{H}}}_{2}}{\text{O}}}}}\) 4.0); and an ash content of 8.9%. The average content of macro- and microelements forms the following descending series, mg/kg: Ca5105 Fe4201 Al3614 K986 Mg893 Mn468 Sr230 Na153 Zn51 Pb13 Cu6.8 Ni5 Cr4.6 Co2.9 Cd0.2. According to the factor analysis, the mineral component composition of the litter during the plant residues destruction is 57% determined by the variability of the heavy metals content, 37% by the content of alkali, alkaline earth, Zn and Cd. Using the tree clustering method, the morphometric fractions of plant fragments (derivatives) were organized as follows: 10 mm, [(10–5) + + (5–3) + (3–2) + (2–1)] and [(1–0.5) + (0.5–0.25) + 0.25] mm. Discriminant analysis showed 100% fit in the corresponding group. Al and Ca make the greatest contribution to the prediction. As plant fragments decompose, heavy metals and aluminium gradually accumulate while alkali and alkaline earth metals get washed away, the processes being most active at the fermentation stage. The distribution of mineral components in litter derivatives is consistent with their humus state. In small morphometric fractions, compared to large fragments, the ratio (∑HA + ∑FA)/polysaccharides expands, the C/N value gets lower, humic and fulvic acids accumulation occurs mainly for the 1st fraction ones. Peat litter is characterized by an average, moderately dangerous level of pollution: the total pollution index (Zc) is 18. The toxicants composition is dominated by Pb and Zn – chemical elements of the hazard class I.

A buffet of litters – Broiler chickens behave differently according to litter type and freshness

Poultry are usually provided with a single litter type that may not satisfy all litter-directed behavioural functions and may lose functional value over time due to soiling and degradation. We investigated this hypothesis in two commercial broiler flocks reared to 34 days of age on peat litter. We provided “litter buffets” comprising seven adjacent 1-m2 litter trays, each containing a different litter type (peat, peat mixed with sawdust, wood shavings, finely-chopped bark, oat straw pellets, coarsely-crushed rape straw, and finely-ground rape straw), in two different locations of the house. We observed the number of chickens performing different behaviours, and total number present, in each litter tray once weekly for four weeks, before and after adding 5 L of fresh material. The litter types varied in attractiveness for ground scratching (an exploratory component of foraging behaviour; P < 0.001), with the most ground scratching occurring in peat, mixed peat, wood shavings, and fine straw (in order of preference). More ground scratching also occurred in fresh than used litter (P < 0.001). Dustbathing varied according to the interaction between litter type and freshness (P = 0.029), with mixed peat, peat, fine straw, and wood shavings being preferred when fresh, and fine straw best retaining dustbathing attractiveness when used. Lying resting varied between litter types (P < 0.001), being highest in wood shavings, mixed peat, and fine straw regardless of freshness and, because lying resting was the most common activity, the total chickens present followed the same pattern. The proportion of small particles (≤1.0 mm diameter) increased to varying extents between litter types as litter degraded from fresh to used. Ground scratching was not associated with particle size distribution. However, chickens preferred to dustbathe in fresh litter with more small particles (P < 0.001), and in used litter with fewer large particles (>3.6 mm; P = 0.023). They also tended to avoid lying resting in fresh litter with a high proportion of large particles (P < 0.001). Consistent with our hypothesis, different litter materials stimulated different behavioural responses and top dressing with fresh litter increased litter attractiveness for ground scratching and dustbathing. We conclude that broiler welfare can be improved by providing a choice of litter materials to address different motivational priorities. Although chickens were attracted to peat and mixed peat for ground scratching and dustbathing, to avoid loss of peatlands (an environmental sustainability concern), wood shavings can be the main litter type, supplemented by patches of fine rape straw, with periodic top dressing of both.

Growth of broiler chickens, and physical features of the digestive system, and leg bones after aluminosilicates used

The assessment of aluminosilicates’ impact on the production of chickens, the physical features of the intestines, and leg bones was done. 500 Ross 308 chickens were used and divided into 5 groups. The control group was I. Groups II, III, IV, and V were fed with halloysite and zeolite (1:3 ratio) at 0,5% (1–35 days; starter, grower 1 and 2) and 1% (36–42 days; finisher) levels. Aluminosilicates were also used for the peat litter: II—500 g of halloysite/m2; III—250 g of halloysite/m2 and 250 g of zeolite/m2; IV—500 g of zeolite/m2; V—130 g halloysite/m2, 370 g zeolite/m2. During 42 days, growth and feed indicators were recorded. 10 birds from each group were selected for slaughter. The digestive tract, femur, and tibia bones were sampled, and physical features were analyzed (weight, length, and strength). A lower feed conversion ratio on days 23–35 was found in the groups with the aluminosilicates addition. In group V a lower weight of the gizzard was found than in group I. A liver weight was higher in group V than in group III. A higher strength of the femurs was demonstrated in group IV. The tibia bones were characterized by higher strength than the femurs of broiler chickens. The aluminosilicates to feed and litter had no adverse effect.

Research Note: Growth and meat features of broiler chicken with the use of halloysite as a technological additive to feed and peat litter

The current trends in the production of broiler chickens indicate the need to look for natural solutions that affect the efficiency of production and the quality of meat. The aim of the study was to evaluate the growth performance and quality of broiler chicken meat with the addition of halloysite in feed and litter. Two hundred Ross 308 were used and divided into 2 groups (10 replicates each). The control group (C) did not have any additive, while in the experimental group (H) 0.5% halloysite was used in feed and 0.500 kg/m2 in peat litter. The production results and litter traits were checked. The presence of footpad dermatitis (FPD) was assessed. After 42 d, 20 birds were randomly selected and slaughtered. Dissection was performed. The slaughter yield and the percentage of carcass elements were calculated, including offal. Breast and leg muscles were analysed qualitatively (pH, colour, water-holding capacity, drip loss, chemical composition). In group H there were no changes to FPD, and in group C there were 6 cases of benign lesions and 1 with severe damage and scabs on the soles of the feet. Significantly higher preslaughter body weight was shown, as well as carcass and wings weight in group H. The H group had a higher pH24 than the C group, as well as higher protein and water content, and lower intramuscular fat and salt, both in the breast and leg muscles. No significant differences were found in growth performance carcass, meat’ colour or water-holding capacity features. The litter with halloysite was characterized by a lower pH but without statistical confirmation. Addition of halloysite to feed and litter reduced the occurrence of skin lesions and had a positive effect on higher protein content and lower intramuscular fat in the breast and leg muscles. This demonstrates the potential for the practical use of halloysite in the production of broiler chickens, both as a feed and peat litter additive.

Prospects for the use of peat in biotechnology and for production products of its processing

The article summarizes information on the use of peat - a natural substrate in agro-industrial production, maintaining the cleanliness of the soil and maintaining the cleanliness of the environment. Intensive anthropological activity in modern conditions often leads to the deterioration of the ecological situation of the environment, disruption of the interaction between living organisms and the environment. Biological destruction of the ecological system inherent in a given area can occur under the influence of excessive use of agrochemicals, pesticides, microorganisms with altered characteristics due to interaction with infectious agents or parasites, as well as due to changes in the gene pool of living under the influence of genetic engineering. At the present stage in world development, importance is attached to the approximation of agricultural technologies to the natural conditions of operation. Cleaning the environment, preserving and increasing soil fertility, obtaining high-quality and environmentally friendly agricultural products is a vital but at the same time costly process, which involves significant economic costs. Therefore, there is a need to find cheap ways to solve this problem, replace expensive fertilizers with alternative means, the rational use of biological factors that increase the effectiveness of chemicals. For this purpose, biosubstrates, peat, natural fertilizers and preparations are widely used in world, especially organic agriculture, which are created by the method of selection of effective compositions of microorganism strains in order to activate regenerative processes in soils and ensure their potential. Peat is a natural raw material, an important agro-industrial resource with great potential, which has a multifaceted application. The most reactive part of peat is the population of microorganisms. With the participation of symbiotic microorganisms, the mineralization of peat components occurs, as a result of which nutrients become available to plants. The practice of using peat in agriculture shows its effectiveness as an organic fertilizer, peat-based composts increase soil fertility, agricultural productivity in general, improve environmental cleanliness. Peat has long been used in livestock facilities for bedding. Peat litter has advantages over straw litter due to its high absorption and moisture retention capacity, antibiotic properties. Waste litter is used for composting, as a valuable organic fertilizer to improve soil fertility. Peat is an important source of humic substances in the world, so it is used to produce humic preparations.

Lameness and its relationship with health and production measures in broiler chickens

The aim of this study was to explore lameness and the associations between lameness and health/production measures of animal welfare in commercial broiler production, using the Welfare Quality® protocol for broilers. A total of 50 flocks were included in the sample and farm visits were conducted for lameness scoring at a mean age of 28.9 days. The percentage of animals (n=7500) in the six different gait score (GS) categories were GS0: 2.53%, GS1: 44.19%, GS2: 33.84%, GS3: 16.32%, GS4: 2.36% and GS5: 0.53%. Production and other welfare data were collected for each flock after slaughter. Higher gait scores were associated with increased hock burn score (P<0.02), increased footpad dermatitis score (P<0.01), reduced bird cleanliness score (P<0.01) and peat litter (P<0.01). Although not statistically significant, there was a tendency for increased flock gait score being associated with wet litter (P=0.07). In addition, condemnations at postmortem inspection were associated with increasing gait scores (P<0.05), indicating that at least a portion of the lameness cases display pathological changes on the carcasses. In conclusion, 19%of the birds showed moderate-to-severe lameness, which was associated with several production or health and welfare observations including feather cleanliness and condemnations as unfit for human consumption at slaughter. Although stocking density and growth rate are already known key factors for lameness, associations of lameness with hock burns, footpad dermatitis and cleanliness of the birds suggest that a suboptimal physical environment (e.g. litter- and air quality) may be detrimental to leg health. Further studies are needed to explore these associations in more detail.

Photo-exposure affects subsequent peat litter decomposition

Exposure to sunshine is known to play a role in litter decomposition in some semi-arid areas. The aim of this study was to find out if it also plays a role in higher latitude environments in peat litter decomposition and could contribute to an explanation to the patchy nature of peat litter decomposition.Peat litter from 5 microenvironments (top of slope, bottom of slope, ridge, ryam and hollow) and put out and exposed to the sun or shaded over a summer in Western Siberia, 26km west of the town of Khanty-Mansiysk. Afterwards the peat litter was incubated in the laboratory - at field capacity or submerged in peat water - and CO2 and methane emission measured. Chemical composition of exposed and control peat litter was also investigated using stepwise extraction.The results indicate that exposure to sunlight does increase subsequent decomposition rate in most peat litters when incubated at field capacity, but the difference between the treatments levelled off at the end of the 2weeks incubation in most peat litter types. The total extra carbon loss was calculated to be up to about 2mg C m−2 over a season. When incubated submerged previous photo-exposure had less effect on CO2 evolution then when incubated at field capacity. No methane emission was recorded in any treatment. Some differences in chemical composition between exposed and shaded peat litters were found that could help explain the differences in subsequent decomposition rate. The results indicate that photodegradation could play a role in peat litter decomposition at higher latitudes when peat is disturbed and exposed to sunshine. However, the effect of photo-exposure in these areas is much smaller than observed in semi-arid areas at lower latitudes.

Thermal Conductivity of External Contaminants of Air-Cooled Heat Exchangers

The results of experimental studies of thermal conductivity of the dominant types of external contaminants of air coolers are given. Reed down, peat litter, leaves, sand, pine needles, and ash were investigated, as well as mixtures: sand with ash, sand with reed down, peat litter with leaves. The results are presented as the dependence of thermal conductivity on the density of contaminants. A linear approximation generalizing the found dependences is recommended. It is shown that thermal conductivity is significantly dependent on the pollutant porosity.

Processing of 13C glucose in mineral soil from aspen, spruce and novel ecosystems in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region

Microbial composition is known, on similar soil types, to vary based on differing organic matter inputs, or stand composition. Fine-textured luvisolic soils, which dominate the upland boreal forests of Western Canada, support a canopy cover of aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) or a mixture of the two. These soils then reflect different belowground biogeochemical processing of organic matter. Novel, anthropogenic soils formed from a combination of peat litter and fine textured mineral soil, are now also a part of the landscape in the western boreal. This study set out to determine if a simple labeled compound (13C glucose) was processed differently by soils from the two dominant stand types (aspen and spruce) and from an anthropogenic (newly reclaimed) site. Results indicate that while all three soils rapidly incorporated and respired the labeled carbon, each maintained a distinct microbial community structure (as evidenced by phospholipid fatty acid analysis) throughout the 300hour experiment. Therefore soils with different microbial communities from varied organic matter inputs decompose organic carbon by different processes, even in the case of simple labile compounds.

Effect of grass litter on seedling recruitment of the critically endangered Cistus heterophyllus in Spain

Cistus heterophyllus Desf. is an Iberian-north African endemic plant species with only one wild population left in Spain. A sowing experiment under controlled conditions was designed to assess both the seedling emergence rate and the growth fitness of C. heterophyllus on a litter layer of Brachypodium retusum (Pers.) Beau., which forms dense carpets around the remnant population of C. heterophyllus. In order to test the physical effects of B. retusum litter on Cistus seedling recruitment, six sowing treatments in pots were compared that combined three doses of litter (0, 0.6 and 1.1 kg m −2) and different physical locations of the seeds (above, below the litter layer or within a litter–peat mixture). B. retusum litter interfered with the seedling recruitment of C. heterophyllus, negatively affecting both seedling emergence and their early growth. Such an effect was more severe when the seeds were located above a 0.6 kg m −2 litter layer, although seedlings from seeds sown under the litter showed a growth reduction ranging from 58% to 100% compared to the no-litter treatment. A significant negative effect of the litter–peat mixture on the number of leaves, leaf size and number of branches of seedlings was also inferred. These data provide experimental evidence on the serious threat that B. retusum litter represents for the conservation and regeneration of the last population of C. heterophyllus in Spain.

Are enchytraeid worms (Oligochaeta) sensitive indicators of ammonia-N impacts on an ombrotrophic bog?

Enchytraeid worms (Oligochaeta) are the dominant mesofauna in wet acidic habitats. They have key roles in biogeochemical cycling, and can be used as biological indicators. Here we report the response of these worms to in situ ammonia-N (NH 3-N) deposition on an ombrotrophic bog. Three years of NH 3-N fumigation from an automated release system has created a gradient of NH 3-N concentrations downwind of the release pipe ranging from 83 μg m −3 (near source) to 4.5 μg m −3 NH 3-N (60 m from release pipe); the ambient NH 3-N concentration is 0.56 μg m −3 NH 3-N. Peat pH and mineral N content have increased near the ammonia release pipe. We hypothesised that enhanced N deposition at the site would have improved litter quality and thus, enchytraeid distribution would be increased along the transect compared to ambient. However, neither litter quality nor enchytraeid abundance and diversity were affected by NH 3-N despite increases in peat pH and mineral N. This suggests that three years of ammonia fumigation was not enough time for plant matter exposed to ammonia to become incorporated into the peat litter layer. Enchytraeids appear not to be sensitive indicators of NH 3 fumigation because there was no effect below-ground of peat chemistry on litter quality.

High nitrogen availability reduces polyphenol content in Sphagnum peat

Peat mosses of the genus Sphagnum constitute the bulk of living and dead biomass in bogs. These plants contain peculiar polyphenols which hamper litter peat decomposition through their inhibitory activity on microbial breakdown. In the light of the increasing availability of biologically active nitrogen in natural ecosystems, litter derived from Sphagnum mosses is an ideal substrate to test the potential effects of increased atmospheric nitrogen deposition on polyphenol content in litter peat. To this aim, we measured total nitrogen and soluble polyphenol concentration in Sphagnum litter peat collected in 11 European bogs under a chronic gradient of atmospheric nitrogen deposition. Our results demonstrate that increasing nitrogen concentration in Sphagnum litter, as a consequence of increased exogenous nitrogen availability, is accompanied by a decreasing concentration of polyphenols. This inverse relationship is consistent with reports that in Sphagnum mosses, polyphenol and protein biosynthesis compete for the same precursor. Our observation of modified Sphagnum litter chemistry under chronic nitrogen eutrophication has implications in the context of the global carbon balance, because a lower content of decay-inhibiting polyphenols would accelerate litter peat decomposition.

Initial seedling emergence of hairy birch and silver birch on abandoned fields following different site preparation regimes

Experiments were carried out at four sites in Sweden to investigate the possibility of establishing hairy birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) and silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) on abandoned fields using natural regeneration and (or) direct seeding. The effects of six soil preparation methods (no preparation, ordinary ploughing, rotary cultivation, deep ploughing, inverted ground, removal of top-soil) and five additional treatments (no treatment, herbicide, peat litter, wood-ashes, slaked lime) on seedling emergence percentages (SEP) and vegetation cover percentages (VCP) were studied. SEP-values were estimated in June (SEP(J)) and October (SEP(O)). The experimental designs used were: 1) split-plot design with whole plots in a randomized complete block design (RCBD); 2) RCBD. The SEP-values observed with no preparation were close to 0% while the SEP-values obtained with mechanical soil preparation methods mostly were much higher (p≤0.014). Seedbeds with top-soil in the surface, created by ordinary ploughing or rotary cultivation, and seedbeds with mainly bare mineral soil in the surface, created by deep ploughing, inverted ground or removal of top-soil, obtained SEP-values of equal merit on silty soils, reaching SEP(O)-values up to 15%. The latter seedbeds obtained the best results on sandy soil, with as high SEP(O)-values as 47% after removal of top-soil. Seedbeds with top-soil in the surface were quickly colonized by ground vegetation, reaching VCP-values between 70% and 100%. Herbicide spraying with glyphosate and application of peat litter to the seedbed surface promoted seedling emergence. However, herbicide spraying before soil preparation was of little effect when followed by mechanical soil preparation.

Research Note: Comparison of Reed-Sedge Peat with Wood Shavings as Bedding for Turkeys

Three peat sizes and wood shavings were compared as litter for market turkeys. Body weights for male and female turkeys raised on the small size peat (1 to 4 cm3) and wood shavings litters were similar throughout the study. Turkeys (males) raised on large-sized peat litter (4 to 7 cm3) were nonsignificantly lighter at 20 weeks of age (P = .13) and showed increased incidence of swollen foot pads (P<.05) in comparison to those raised on small peat and wood shavings litter. Litter moisture content, turkey necropsy findings, and mortality were similar among treatments.

Use of Peat as a Bedding Material and Dietary Component for Tom Turkeys

In a study of turkeys over the period 0 to 3 wk of age, body weights of birds fed 5 or 15% dietary peat or carrier-type feed byproducts (rice hulls, sunflower hulls, peanut hulls, soybean mill feed, wood flour, and corn cobs) were compared to those of turkeys fed a diet composed primarily of corn and soybean meal. Turkeys fed 15% dietary peat or carriers showed a greater growth depression than those fed the diluents at the 5% dietary level. At the 5% peat or carrier level, growth was not significantly (P>.05) depressed when birds were fed rice hulls (body weight was 98.5% of control), peat (97.1%), sunflower hulls (96.9%), and peanut hulls (95.8%); growth was significantly depressed (P<.05) when birds were fed corn cobs (93.1%), soybean mill feed (92.9%), and wood flour (92.8%). Peat, when used as a drying agent for liquid agricultural byproducts, would account for 2 to 4% of the diet. Results of this study suggest that peat as a carrier fed at the 5% level would minimally affect growth.In a market study male turkeys were raised on floor pens containing peat or wood shavings and fed 0, 5, or 10% reed-sedge peat as a diluent of a typical corn-soybean meal mash diet. Body weights of turkeys fed 5 or 10% dietary peat showed a slight growth depression on both litter materials, compared with control. Higher body weights (nonsignificant) were observed for turkeys on wood shavings compared with those on peat litter after 12 wk of age. This possible weight difference may be due to the observed higher incidence of swollen foot pads in peat pens, thought to be caused by variable large peat sizes. Necropsy, organ weight, bone mineral, and taste panel studies revealed no significant differences due to peat feeding or type of bedding.