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Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Branch Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2015 Publication Date: 2/1/2015 Citation: Watts, D.B., Way, T.R., Torbert III, H.A. 2015. Subsurface banding poultry litter impacts greenhouse gas emissions [abstract]. Southern Branch Meeting of the American Society of Agronomy. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: The impact subsurface banding poultry litter (PL) has on greenhouse gas emissions is limited. Thus, a study was conducted in established bermudagrass pastures located in Coastal Plain and Piedmont regions to determine the effects subsurface applying PL has on soil flux using two different band spacings. Treatments consisted of subsurface banding PL at 25.4 cm and 38.1cm spacing, surface broadcasting PL and inorganic fertilizer, and a control (no fertilization). Measurements of CO2, CH4 and N2O were evaluated using the Gracenet protocol over a 6 week period. Nutrient source additions, whether it was PL or inorganic fertilizer, increased greenhouse gas emissions. Applying PL in subsurface bands also increased gas losses compared to surface applying the nutrients. The narrow PL band spacings resulted in a greater soil flux than 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 losses measured were in the order 25.4 cm PL banding > 38.1 cm PL banding > surface applied PL > inorganic PL > control. Although gaseous loss of greenhouse gasses were higher in the PL 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. |
