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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Florence, South Carolina » Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #376787
Research Project: Improvement of Soil Management Practices and Manure Treatment/Handling Systems of the Southern Coastal Plain

Location: Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research

Title: Innovative animal manure management for environmental protection, improved soil fertility and crop production

Author
item Ro, Kyoung
item Szogi, Ariel
item Sigua, Gilbert

Submitted to: Environments
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/28/2019
Publication Date: 1/1/2020
Citation: Ro, K.S., Szogi, A.A., Sigua, G.C. 2020. Innovative animal manure management for environmental protection, improved soil fertility and crop production. Environments. Switzerland: MDI Books. 164 p. https://doi.org/10.3390/books978-3-03921-957-5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/books978-3-03921-957-5

Interpretive Summary: Livestock manure is used traditionally to provide nutrients for plant growth and to improve soil conditions. However, the increase in concentrated animal feeding operations results in high levels of plant nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus in the proximal crop and pasturelands. In turn, soil runoff and leaching of land-applied manure can enrich surface and ground water with nitrogen and phosphorus, leading to eutrophication and hypoxia. In addition, over application of animal manure can spread pathogens, and emit ammonia, greenhouse gases, and odorous compounds. In this Book, we have 11 chapters reporting innovative technologies for producing renewable energy and fuels, recovering ammonia from animal manures, the agricultural and environmental benefits from using animal manure derived materials such as biochar or ashes, and the difference in microbial communities and pathogen survival after anaerobic treatment.

Technical Abstract: Traditionally, livestock manure is used to provide nutrients for plant growth and to improve soil conditions. However, the increase in concentrated animal feeding operations results in high levels of plant nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus in the proximal crop and pasturelands. In turn, soil runoff and leaching of land-applied manure can enrich surface and ground water with nitrogen and phosphorus, leading to eutrophication and hypoxia. In addition, over application of animal manure can spread pathogens, and emit ammonia, greenhouse gases, and odorous compounds. In this Book, we have 11 chapters reporting research on various state-of-art technologies for treatment animal manures and utilization of byproducts to reduce environmental pollution while closing the nutrient loop in production agriculture. The reports include innovative technologies for producing renewable energy and fuels, recovering ammonia from animal manures, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the agricultural and environmental benefits from using animal manure derived materials such as biochar or ashes, and the difference in microbial communities and pathogen survival after anaerobic treatment.