ARS | Publication request: Impact of subsurface applying poultry litter on greenhouse gas emissions in a permanent pasture

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Meetings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 2, 2009
Publication Date: November 2, 2009
Citation: Watts, D.B., Way, T.R., Torbert III, H.A. 2009. Impact of subsurface applying poultry litter on greenhouse gas emissions in a permanent pasture [abstract]. American Society of Agronomy Meetings. CDROM.

Technical Abstract: Little is known about impact that subsurface application of poultry litter (PL) has on the greenhouse gas emission. Thus, a study was conducted in a bermudagrass pasture to evaluate subsurface application of PL in soil using two different row spacings. Treatments consisted of subsurface banding PL at 25.4 cm and 38.1cm spacing, surface broadcasting PL and inorganic fertilizer, and a control. These treatments were assigned to 15 plots with 3 blocks (5 plots each) arranged in a randomized complete block design. Measurements of CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions were evaluated using GRACEnet protocols to assess the effects of the different treatment have on gaseous loss for a 6 week period. Over the 6 week period, application of PL in subsurface bands increased the production of greenhouse gas. The narrow spacings increased greenhouse gas production compared to the wide spacings. This was most likely attributed to an increase in soil disturbance as well as more manure surface area to enhance soil respiration. Gaseous loss of the greenhouse gases measured was in the order 25.4 cm PL banding > 38.1 cm PL banding > surface applied PL > inorganic PL > control (no fertilization). Although gaseous loss of greenhouse gasses were higher in the manure treatments as a whole, the impact of sequestering the carbon in soil from PL addition will most likely have a greater long-term impact on the environment. [GRACEnet Publication]