Poultry Compost Research Articles

Effect of Composted Animal Manure as Fertilizer on Productivity of Azolla Pinnata Grown in Earthen Ponds

Azolla pinnata contains a high nutritional value with a high protein content of 25%, so it can be used as an alternative to animal feed. The low production of Azolla is caused by the suboptimal use of fertilizers. This study aims were to determine the type of manure (composted manure from poultry, goats, and rabbit) which was the most optimal in producing Azolla. Azolla pinnata was planted at 50×50×10 cm (W×L×H) soil pools coated with plastic sheets. To maintain the acidity of the media, 10% (2 kg) of sludge fields was added to each pond. Water and animal waste compost (5 g/L) were added to each pond as a treatment. The treatments were: paddy mud (K0), paddy mud + poultry composts (K1), paddy mud + compost rabbit manure (K2) and paddy mud + compost goat manure (K3). Each treatment was repeated 5 times. Measurements made were pH of the media, area of cover, yield (g weight of dry matter) and crude protein content of Azolla. Harvesting was done every 14 days. The results showed that the Azolla dry matter production of K1, K2 and K3 treatments were greater (p<0.01) than K0 (20.80, 18.20, and 19.00 vs. 10.40 g/2,500 cm2; respectively). Among the compost treatments, the crude protein content of K1 and K2 were higher than K0 and K3 (25.34 and 26.25 vs. 13.11 and 22.96%, respectively; p<0.01). Fertilizing with rabbit or poultry compost was the best in improving Azolla production and crude protein content.

Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica in animal waste‐based composts as influenced by compost type, storage condition and inoculum level

Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica in animal waste-based composts was studied with different compost types, storage conditions and inoculum levels. A cocktail of three E.coli O157:H7 or S. enterica strains was inoculated into dairy manure-based composts (A and B) or poultry litter-based composts (C and D), respectively, at final concentrations of c.5 or 2 log CFU per gram. Composts were then stored at 5 and 22°C, and under greenhouse condition. Both pathogens survived better at 5 than 22°C and under greenhouse conditions. Escherichia coli O157:H7 at both inoculation levels survived for >168days in composts A and B under at 5°C, whereas the longest survival of S. enterica at both inoculation levels was observed to be >168days in compost C at 5°C. Overall, composts A and C provided better survival conditions for E.coli O157:H7 and S. enterica, respectively, and both pathogens at the high inoculum level survived better as compared to the low inoculum level. Escherichia coli O157:H7 and S. enterica could potentially survive for long periods of time in dairy and poultry composts. Some factors influencing the pathogen survival included compost type, storage condition and inoculum level. Our results have provided scientific data on the pathogen survival in dairy and poultry composts, which could be used for the risk assessment of using animal waste-based composts as biological soil amendments.

Assessment of the compost made of poultry post-slaughter waste on a background of commercial preparations applying the phytotoxkit analysis

One of the problems in the development of the agro-food industry is the production of enormous quantities of organic waste. In recent years, in order to minimize the negative impact of waste on the environment, emphasis is put on their recycling. Organic matter derived from poultry industry waste can be processed into other products, including compost. The aim of the study was to evaluate the phytoremediation of selected plant species on the compost substrate obtained from the poultry waste as compared to other commercial composts available on the market. Analyses used the Phytotoxkit containing three test species: sorghum (Sorghum saccharatum), bittercress (Lepidium sativum) and white mustard (Sinapis alba). The test plants were placed on four different substrates: control soil, poultry compost, vermicompost and Compo Sana®. Phyto-reactivity of plants tested on compost prepared from poultry waste on a background of other commercial products was dependent on the plant species and the type of substrate. Poultry waste compost exhibited equally good nutritional properties in the composition of macro and micronutrients, which determined the growth and development of seedlings. It particularly refers to the stimulation of the growth of underground parts of mustard and bittercress, respectively 65% and 86% of the control value, and the aboveground parts, that were higher by 46% and 38%, respectively.

Growth Performance and Survival of Common Carp ( Cyprinus Carpio,Linnaeus 1785) Fingerlings Under Different Fertilizers

A fertilizer experiment was conducted outdoor plastic tanks to study the effect of different fertilizers on survival and growth of common carp (Cyprinus carpio. L) fingerlings (0.88 ± 0.09 g) divided into 9 treatment groups of 3 replicates for 60 days, Individual weight gain and survival rates were compared among a control system. Three treatments were manured at every 7 days with cow dung, poultry manure, and compost at 0.26 kg/ m3, 0.39 kg/ m3 and 0.52 kg/ m3 dose. The survival rates were observed in all treatments, ranging from 60 %, 44.43 %, and 22.23% in poultry manure, cow dung, and compost respectively. The nutrients contents in manures were higher in poultry manure and lower in cow dung and compost. Weight gain of common carp stocked in poultry manured system was reported the significantly higher growth (2.06±0.33 g) than other treatments. The highest SGR (1.66%) was recorded in poultry manured system. The lowest SGR was observed in cow dung fertilized system (0.22%) while it was 0.50% in compost system. The results suggest that application rate of 0.52 kg/ m3 at every 7 days seems to be the most suitable for common carp manured with poultry litter, through maintenance of better water quality to enhance the greater abundance of plankton biomass in the system.

Production and Characterization of Keratinolytic Proteases by a Chicken Feather-Degrading Thermophilic Strain, Thermoactinomyces sp. YT06.

Thermoactinomyces sp. strain YT06 was isolated from poultry compost and observed to degrade integral chicken feathers completely at 60°C, resulting in the formation of 3.24 mg/ml of free amino acids from 50 ml of culture containing 10 g/l chicken feathers. Strain YT06 could grow and secrete keratinase using feather as the only carbon and nitrogen sources without other supplement, but complementation of 10 g/l sucrose and 4 g/l NaNO₃ increased the production of the keratinolytic enzyme. The maximum protease activity obtained was 110 U/ml and for keratinase was 42 U/ml. The keratinase maintained active status over a broad pH (pH 8-11) and temperature (60-75°C). It was inhibited by serine protease inhibitors and most metal ions; however, it could be stimulated by Mn²⁺ and the surfactant Tween-20. A reductive agent (β-mercaptoethanol) was observed to cleave the disulfide bond of keratin and improve the access of the enzyme to the keratinaceous substrate. Zymogram analysis showed that strain YT06 primarily secreted keratinase with a molecular mass of approximately 35 kDa. The active band was assessed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and was observed to be completely identical to an alkaline serine protease from Thermoactinomyces sp. Gus2-1. Thermoactinomyces sp. strain YT06 shows great potential as a novel candidate in enzymatic processing of hard-to-degrade proteins into high-value products, such as keratinous wastes.

Crop Yield and Soil Organic Carbon in Conventional and No‐till Organic Systems on a Claypan Soil

Core Ideas Soybean in organic no‐till yielded as well as conventional organic. Corn in organic no‐till had lower yield than conventional organic. A crimped cover crop can cause N immobilization and reduced corn yield. Organic crop production is dependent on tillage for weed control, but because tillage can lead to decreased levels of soil organic carbon (SOC) alternative management needs to be explored. This study was conducted in Boone County, Missouri, in 2012 to 2014 to determine the effects of three organic production systems and four poultry compost rates on crop yield and SOC on a claypan soil. The production systems included tillage with no cover crop, tillage with a mowed and incorporated cover crop, and no‐till with a crimped cover crop in a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean (Glycine max L.) rotation. Cover crops included cereal rye (Secale cereale L) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa L.). Compost rates were 0, half the recommended rate, the recommended rate, and 1.5 times the recommended rate. Achieving cover crop biomass sufficient for weed suppression was a challenge when soil fertility declined during the study. Corn yield was reduced 30% in 2013 in no‐till plots compared to tilled although plant populations were nearly equal, indicating that N immobilization may be significant in crimped cover crops. When there was adequate soil moisture and weed control from the cover crop, soybean grown under organic no‐till was competitive with tilled treatments. Optimum timing of cover crop crimping for acceptable weed control was more successful in a soybean system compared with corn. Organic no‐till in this study was more successful in soybean and wheat than in corn, when the cover crop biomass was sufficient to suppress weeds.

Anaerobic soil disinfestation impact on soil nutrients dynamics and nitrous oxide emissions in fresh-market tomato

Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) is proposed as a pre-plant, non-chemical soil disinfestation technique to control several soilborne phytosanitary issues. Limited information is available on the impact of ASD on soil fertility, plant growth, and potential nutrient loss. The objectives of the current study were to evaluate the effects of ASD applied using composted poultry litter (CPL) and molasses as amendments, on soil redox potential, pH, temperature, soil nutrient content, plant biomass and nutrient accumulation, and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. A field study was conducted on fresh-market tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) at two sites, Immokalee and Citra, FL, comparing ASD applied using a mix of CPL at the rate of 22Mgha−1 and two rates of molasses [13.9 (ASD1) and 27.7m3ha−1 (ASD2)] as a carbon-source to chemical soil fumigation (CSF). ASD treatment had a significant impact on soil redox potential, but did not affect soil pH or temperature. Soil treatment did not affect nitrous oxide emissions from intact polyethylene mulched beds at either location. Emissions ranged from 0 to 0.378μgm−2h−1 and from 8.8 to 39.8μgm−2h−1 in Immokalee and Citra, respectively. However, on day 21 after punching holes in the polyethylene film to transplant, N2O emissions ranged from 1.56 to 4.83 and from 303.4 to 1480.1μgm−2h−1 in Immokalee and Citra, respectively. Emissions were higher in ASD than in CSF plots in Citra, but not in Immokalee. Molasses and CPL used in ASD treatments increased soil nutrients content, and particularly the availability of P and K. Results show no clear evidence of an increased risk of N loss with ASD compared to CSF. However, pre- and post-planting nutrient management should be adjusted to take into account the nutrients provided through the molasses and CLP application.

Effectiveness of a Lytic Phage SRG1 against Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis in Compost and Soil.

Nosocomial infections caused by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus have become a major problem. Bacteriophage therapy is proposed as a potential alternative therapy. Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and are ubiquitous in nature. Lytic bacteriophage was isolated from sewage water that infects VREF, the causative agent of endocarditis, bacteraemia, and urinary tract infections (UTIs). The phage produced clear plaques with unique clear morphology and well-defined boundaries. TEM results of phage revealed it to be 108 ± 0.2 nm long and 90 ± 0.5 nm wide. The characterization of bacteriophage revealed that infection process of phage was calcium and magnesium dependent and phage titers were highest under optimum conditions for VREF, with an optimal temperature range of 37–50°C. The maximum growth was observed at 37°C, hence having 100% viability. The latent period for phage was small with a burst size of 512 viral particles per bacterial cell. The phage was tested against various clinical strains and results proved it to be host specific. It can be used as a potential therapeutic agent for VREF infections. The phage efficiently eradicated VREF inoculated in cattle compost, poultry compost, and a soil sample which makes it a potential agent for clearing compost and soil sample.

Direct and Residual Effects of Different Poultry Compost and NPK Fertilizer Applications on Drought-Tolerant Maize Production

&lt;p&gt;This study investigated the direct and residual effects of different poultry compost and NPK fertilizer applications on the growth components of drought-tolerant maize (&lt;em&gt;Zea mays&lt;/em&gt; L.) in a derived savanna agroecology of southwestern Nigeria. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with six treatments, each replicated thrice. The treatments which were applied at planting, consisted of 100% cockerel manure (CM), 100% broiler manure (BM), 100% layers manure (LM), 33.3% cockerel manure + 33.3% Broiler manure + 33.3% Layers manure (CBLM) at 4.50 kg plot&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;sub&gt;,&lt;/sub&gt;inorganic NPK 20-20-10 fertilizer at 0.30 kg plot&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; and zero manure application as control (CT). The apparent efficiency of N recovery (AENR), N and P ear-leaf (NPEL) contents of maize with poultry manures were higher when compared to inorganic NPK fertilizer applications. The highest mean grain yield 1.30 t ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; of maize was obtained with BM treatment that had the highest AENR and NPEL values. This however, was not significantly (p &amp;gt; 0.05) different from the mean grain yield obtained with other treatments during the dry season. Comparable but higher mean grain yield, but also not significantly (p &amp;gt; 0.05) different were obtained during the wet season in all the treatments.&lt;/p&gt;

Farklı Organik Gübrelerin Tohumluk Patates (Solanum tuberosum L.) Çeşitlerinde Verim ve Kalite Üzerine Etkileri

This study was conducted to determine the effects of use organo-mineral fertilizers and poultry manure on yield and quality of seed tubers different potatoes varieties (Solanum tuberosum L.). The study was designed in three replicated completely randomized block factorial design with eight potato cultivars (Madaline, Provento, Marfona, Agata, Arizona, Mustang, Rumba and Saviola) and including three different fertilizer as Hexaferm organo-mineral (%20 organics, 8-21-0+Zn), compost (1 t da-1) and fermented poultry manure (1 t da-1). In order to determine the effect of fertilizer forms on the yield and quality characteristics of different varieties of potatoes were examined features like output time of the tuber, output rates, plant height, stem number per hill, tuber yield per hill, total tuber yield, cracks tuber yield, dry matter content, starch content and specific gravity. Used fertilizers have no significant effect on output time of the tuber, output rates, plant height, stem number per hill, total tuber yield, dry matter content, starch content and specific gravity of varieties. The difference observed in terms of output time of the tuber, output rates, plant height, stem number per hill between the varieties was insignificant. The difference between the average tuber yield per hill, total tuber yield, cracks tuber yield, dry matter content, starch content and specific gravity of varieties were significant. Similarly, the fertilizers had a significant effect on the average tuber yield per hill of varieties . The significant interactions were found on traits average tuber yield per hill and average specific gravity between Fertilizer x Varieties. As a result, considered economically the fermented and compost poultry manure can be used instead of organo-mineral fertilizers in the production of seed potatoes.

English

Nutritional food content of seed and effect of five different growing media: Top forest soil (TS), sawdust (SD), 2:1 mixture of; TS+SD, TS+composted poultry manure (TS+PM) and 2:1:1 mixture of TS+SD+PM on the seed germination and seedling growth of Afzelia Africana SM Caesalpiniaceae were investigated. Thirteen chemical food nutrients were detected in the species seed. These occurred in varying percentages. The mixed growing media (2:1:1 mixture of TS+SD+PM, 2:1 mixture of TS+SD and TS+PM) consistently had: higher percentages of: water holding capacity and nitrogen than the single media (TS and SD). Shorter periods of initial and final seed germination were achieved when seeds were sown in the mixed growing media than in the single growing media. The highest percentage seed germination (87.4%) was achieved when seeds were sown in 2:1:1 mixture of TS+SD+PM growing medium, while the poorest percentage seed germination (30.5%) was obtained when seeds were sown in the TS growing medium, the control. Comparatively, the mixed media induced higher percentage seed germination responses than the single growing media. After four weeks growth in the nursery, values of seedling growth parameters showed that seedlings grown in the mixed growing media had better growth attributes than seedlings grown for the same period in the single media. The results also showed that the best growth attributes were developed by seedlings grown in 2:1:1 mixture of TS+SD+PM (mean: Seedling height 22.4cm., number of leaves, 22 and mean leaf area 120.6cm2). Key words: Afzelia Africana, seed nutrient content, growing media, seed germination, and seedling growth attributes.

Relationship between soil erodibility and modeled infiltration rate in different soils

The relationship between soil erodibility, which is hard to measure, and modeled infiltration rate were rarely researched. Here, the soil erodibility factors (K and Ke in the USLE, Ki and K1 in the WEPP) were calculated and the infiltration rates were modeled based on the designed laboratory simulation experiments and proposed infiltration model, in order to build their relationship. The impacts of compost amendment on the soil erosion characteristics and relationship were also studied. Two contrasting agricultural soils (bare and cultivated fluvo-aquic soils) were used, and different poultry compost contents (control, low and high) were applied to both soils. The results indicated that the runoff rate, sediment yield rate and soil erodibility of the bare soil treatments were generally higher than those of the corresponding cultivated soil treatments. The application of composts generally decreased sediment yield and soil erodibility but did not always decrease runoff. The comparison of measured and modeled infiltration rates indicated that the model represented the infiltration processes well with an N–S coefficient of 0.84 for overall treatments. Significant negative logarithmic correlations have been found between final infiltration rate (FIR) and the four soil erodibility factors, and the relationship between USLE-K and FIR demonstrated the best correlation. The application of poultry composts would not influence the logarithmic relationship between FIR and soil erodibility. Our study provided a useful tool to estimate soil erodibility.

Evaluation of biochemical changes during the storage of poultry composts for effective land application

An incubation experiment was conducted to assess the storability of poultry droppings compost for effective utilization and field application. In general, the nutrient content of the compost will vary depending upon the quantity and nutrient content of the manure, age of the compost and the method of storage. In our present study, we found that the storage of poultry droppings under normal condition did not influence the pH of the compost in the first 30 days but a slight reduction in pH (0.1 to 0.2) was observed between 30 th day and 45 th day. The Electrical Conductivity (EC) of the stored compost was increased but the level of increase was not exceeded 0.02 dS m -1 . A slight increase in total nitrogen content was recorded during storage of poultry compost and this might be due to moisture loss and reduction in volume. A slight decrease in total phosphorus and total potassium was also recorded in the stored compost during 75 th and 90 th day of storage. The microbial population was high between 30th and 45th day of storage. Compost contained a relatively large amount of micro-organisms associated to organic nitrogen mineralization which might have altered the chemical properties. There was no much variation in the nutrient status of the compost during first 45 days of storage and hence the poultry compost can be applied to land within 45 days after its maturity to derive maximum benefits.

Pemanfaatan Bahan Organik dalam Perbaikan Beberapa Sifat Tanah Pasir Pantai Selatan Kulon Progo

An experiment about the utilization of organic matter to improve some properties of sandy soils of south beach of Kulon Progo was conducted in Green House, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta. The research was carried out in experimental method which arranged in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 5 treatments. The treatments were P0 = without compost application (Control), P1 = 30 ton per hectare of cow dung compost, P2 = 30 ton per of hectare of poultry compost, P3 = 30 ton per hectare of Angsana leaves compost, P4 = 30 ton per hectare of gamal leaves compost, each treatment were replicated 5 times. The result showed that utilization of organic matter could improve the properties of sandy soils of south beach of Kulon Progo. Angsana leaves were the best organic matter sources in improving the physical and chemical of soil properties, such as water content, bulk density, soil porosity, and soil C-Organic content.

Influence of poultry composts on growth and yield attributes of sunflower

A field trial was conducted with twelve treatments to test the effectiveness of poultry - carbonaceous wastes compost on the soil properties, growth and yield attributes of sunflower (Var - CO1). Application of compost improved the soil fertility by adding humus and nutrients. Compost along with 100% (60: 45: 45 kg NPK ha -1 ) and 75% (45: 33: 33kg NPK ha -1 ) recommended NPK increased the growth and yield of sunflower. Among the composts (Poultry droppings and coir pith, poultry droppings and paddy straw, poultry droppings and coir pith with rock phosphate), the coir pith, rock phosphate mixed poultry compost performed well. The coir pith and rock phosphate added poultry compost along with recommended levels of NPK recorded higher yield which was at par with the results of coir pith mixed poultry compost along with 75 per cent levels of recommended N, P and K. Compost application improved the crop yield, soil fertility status and saved 25 per cent of fertilizer.

Effects of Application of Different Sources of Zn and Composts on Zn Concentration and Uptake by Upland Rice

Global efforts are under way to improve the Zn concentrations in rice to increase Zn in human diets. Therefore, this pot experiment was conducted to examine the effects of Zn sources and different composts on two upland rice varieties. This study was a 3 factors experiment with 3 replications arrange in RCBD. Experimental units include: 2 selected upland rice varieties with highest and lowest Zn uptake, 12 treatments, including 3 types of composts (oil palm compost, vermicompost and poultry compost) and 2 different sources of Zn (ZnS04 and Zn-EDTA). Soil samples were analyzed before and after harvest. The plants were harvested 16-20 weeks after planting and analysed. All types of composts showed positive effects on Zn concentration and uptake in all parts of rice. Vermicompost is the most effective compost among these three composts. Both inorganic Zn sources used showed almost the same Zn concentration and uptake by rice in this experiment. The magnitude of Zn uptake response was magnified when zinc sulphate was applied along with organic compost. Application of Zn-amended organic composts increased the percentage distribution of Zn in grain more than the application of ZnSO4 or Zn-EDTA alone.

Influence of poultry wastes composts on the growth and yield attributes of maize

A field experiment was conducted with twelve treatments to test the effectiveness of different poultry - carbonaceous wastes compost on the soil properties, growth and yield attributes of maize (Hybrid - Samrat). The application of compost improved the soil fertility by adding humus and available plant nutrients. Compost application along with 100 per cent and 75 per cent level of recommended NPK increased the growth and yield of maize. Among the different compost (Poultry droppings and coir pith, poultry droppings and paddy straw, poultry droppings and coir pith with rock phosphate), the compost prepared by mixing poultry droppings, coir pith and rock phosphate performed superior over others. The maize crop recorded high yield when grown using coir pith and rock phosphate added poultry compost along with recommended levels of NPK which was at par with the results of coir pith mixed poultry compost along with 75 per cent levels of recommended N, P and K. The present study confirmed that the compost application not only improved the maize yield but also the fertility status of soil and saved 25 per cent of fertilizer.

Sorption of Lead in Animal Manure Compost: Contributions of Inorganic and Organic Fractions

This study investigated lead (Pb) sorption by inorganic and acid-non-soluble organic fractions, which were physicochemically fractionated from cattle, swine, and poultry composts, to understand how Pb is immobilized by animal manure compost and to evaluate the contribution of each fraction in Pb immobilization. Pb was predominantly sorbed on humic acid in the acid-non-soluble organic fraction; on the other hand, Pb sorption by the inorganic fraction could be attributed to the precipitation of Pb compound minerals such as lead phosphate and lead sulfate. The amounts of Pb sorbed on the inorganic fraction were 4.1–8.1 times higher than that sorbed on the acid-non-soluble organic fraction. The amount of Pb sorbed on the inorganic fraction and acid-non-soluble organic fractions was 37–60 and 19–43 %, respectively, of the total Pb sorbed. The results of this study clearly show that the inorganic fraction in the composts effectively immobilizes Pb. Furthermore, the high content of the inorganic components, particularly phosphorus, is important in Pb immobilization.

Effect of different intermediate amendments on pH and ammonia emissions of composted poultry mortalities

SUMMARY The study of ammonia emissions from composting poultry mortalities has been a topic of interest due to concerns about air quality effects from agricultural facilities. In previous poultry mortality composting research, it was reported that ammonia emissions are strongly affected by increasing the pH of the compost pile above 8. To verify these findings, a project was initiated to examine composting poultry mortalities while using different amendments within the pile and observing the effects on the gaseous emissions. Each pile was constructed using 2 layers of spent hen carcasses, with one layer below and one layer above the intermediate amendment. Each pile design was constructed in triplicate to assist in data verification and statistical analysis. All piles were constructed using fresh woodchips for the base and cap material. The intermediate amendments were chosen based on their availability, applicability for mortality composting, and pH buffering. The control pile had woodchips as the intermediate amendment, as it had a pH closest to neutral (7.4). The 2 additional pile designs consisted of intermediate amendment layers with either poultry compost, a lower pH material of 5.5, or poultry litter, a slightly higher pH material of 7.5. Air samples were collected using a dynamic flux chamber drawing fresh air across the pile face at a known volumetric flow rate of approximately 370 m 3 /h. Based on the results of this experiment, using poultry litter for composting may not be

Amending Subsoil with Composted Poultry Litter-II: Effects on Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) Establishment, Root Growth, and Weed Populations

Turfgrasses established on a soil deprived of the topsoil during construction disturbance often have low levels of density and uniformity making them susceptible to weeds. Field experiments evaluated composted poultry litter incorporation into subsoil on Kentucky bluegrass growth attributes and subsequent effects on weed populations. Top 20 cm of topsoil was removed and composted poultry litter was incorporated at 0.1, or 0.2, or 0.4 cm/cm-soil into the exposed subsoil to a depth of 12.7 cm before seeding or sodding, and was compared to N-fertilized (50 × 10−4 kg m−2) and control plots. A greenhouse experiment was also conducted to determine the effect of compost incorporation rates on turfgrass rooting depth. Turfgrass yield from seeded plots with compost incorporation rates of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 cm/cm-soil, were 200%, 300%, and 500% more, respectively, compared to control plots. Composted poultry litter incorporated at 0.1 cm/cm-soil resulted in at least 70 seedlings in 7.6 cm−2, which was sufficient to attain 100% turf cover. Higher incorporation rates in seeded plots maintained lower numbers of buckhorn plantain and red clover than untreated plots. Rooting depth also increased linearly with compost rates. Overall, compost treatments were able to maintain superior turf cover and quality compared to conventionally fertilized or control plots.