ARS | Publication request: Quantification of Ammonia Flux from Land Application of Swine Effluent

Submitted to: International Ammonia Conference in Agriculture
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: March 17, 2007
Publication Date: March 19, 2007
Citation: Sistani, K.R., Williams, A.C., Mays, D.A. 2007. Quantification of Ammonia Flux from Land Application of Swine Effluent. International Ammonia Conference in Agriculture, Ede, The Netherlands, March 17-22, 2007

Technical Abstract: Accurate measurement of ammonia (NH3) losses through volatilization from field-scale studies are needed in order to make sound recommendation of manure nitrogen (N) as a source of plant nutrient. Ammonia also is a major air pollutant. In many regions with intensive livestock and poultry production, manure is the most important source of atmospheric NH3. Ammonia volatilization usually occur from manure storage facilities and land application sites. The objective of this study was to quantify NH3 volatilization from a tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae) field fertilized with swine effluent. A modified passive sampler technique was used to collect NH3 from circular plots (15 m radius) by installing a rotating mast at the center of each plot. Swine effluent was applied based on the total 200 kg/ha N requirement of tall fescue applied three times (67 kg/ha) per application. Ammonia samples were collected at five points: 40, 70, 150, 220, and 300 cm through a series of collection tubes that were placed on a mast from each plots for two weeks. Results indicated the overall mean NH3 losses of 23% of the total N applied as swine effluent for the first year and 13% and 18% for the second and third year, respectively.