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Ammonia Volatilization from Surface‐Applied Poultry Litter under Conservation Tillage Management Practices
Author(s) -
Sharpe R. R.,
Schomberg H. H.,
Harper L. A.,
Endale D. M.,
Jenkins M. B.,
Franzluebbers A. J.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq2004.1183
Subject(s) - volatilisation , poultry litter , environmental science , ammonia volatilization from urea , litter , tillage , leaching (pedology) , ammonia , agronomy , nutrient , environmental chemistry , chemistry , soil water , soil science , biology , organic chemistry
Land application of poultry litter can provide essential plant nutrients for crop production, but ammonia (NH 3 ) volatilization from the litter can be detrimental to the environment. A multiseason study was conducted to quantify NH 3 volatilization rates from surface‐applied poultry litter under no‐till and paraplowed conservation tillage managements. Litter was applied to supply 90 to 140 kg N ha −1 Evaluation of NH 3 volatilization was determined using gas concentrations and the flux‐gradient gas transport technique using the momentum balance transport coefficient. Ammonia fluxes ranged from 3.3 to 24% of the total N applied during the winter and summer, respectively. Ammonia volatilization was rapid immediately after litter application and stopped within 7 to 8 d. Precipitation of 17 mm essentially halted volatilization, probably by transporting litter N into the soil matrix. Application of poultry to conservation‐tilled cropland immediately before rainfall events would reduce N losses to the atmosphere but could also increase NO 3 leaching and runoff to streams and rivers.