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Gaseous Nitrogen and Carbon Losses from Pig Manure Derived from Different Diets
Author(s) -
Velthof Gerard L.,
Nelemans Jaap A.,
Oenema Oene,
Kuikman Peter J.
Publication year - 2005
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/jeq2005.0698
Subject(s) - manure , chemistry , agronomy , slurry , composition (language) , organic matter , nitrogen , methane , soil water , manure management , chicken manure , environmental chemistry , ammonium , environmental science , environmental engineering , biology , soil science , linguistics , philosophy , organic chemistry
Manipulation of the diets of pigs may alter the composition of the manure and thereby the environmental and agricultural qualities of the manure. Laboratory studies were performed to quantify the effect of manipulation of pig diets on the chemical composition of the derived manure (slurry), the potential emission of methane (CH 4 ) and ammonia (NH 3 ) during anaerobic storage of the manure, and the potential nitrous oxide (N 2 O) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emission after application of the manure to soil. The diets differed in contents of crude protein and salt (CaSO 4 ), and the type and contents of nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP). Emissions of NH 3 and CH 4 during storage were smaller at a low than at a high dietary protein content. The emission of NH 3 was significantly related to the contents of ammonium (NH 4 ), total N, and pH. The emission of CH 4 was significantly related to contents of dry matter, total C, and volatile fatty acids in the manure. The effect of manure composition on N 2 O emission markedly differed between the two tested soils, which points at interactions with soil properties such as the organic matter content. These types of interactions require soil‐specific recommendations for mitigation of N 2 O emission from soil‐applied pig manure by manipulation of the diet. From the tested diets, decreasing the protein content has the largest potential to simultaneously decrease NH 3 and CH 4 emissions during manure storage and N 2 O emission from soil. An integral assessment of the environmental and agricultural impact of handling and application of pig manure as a result of diet manipulation provides opportunities for farmers to maximize the value of manures as fertilizer and soil conditioner and to minimize N and C emissions to the environment.