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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 #369333
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: Editorial to special issue "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: 12/10/2020
Publication Date: 12/13/2020
Citation: Ro, K.S., Szogi, A.A., Sigua, G.C. 2020. Editorial to special issue "Innovative animal manure management for environmental protection, improved soil fertility and crop production." In: Ro. K.S., Szogi, A.A., Sigua, G.C., editors. Innovative animal manure management for environmental protection, improved soil fertility and crop production. Switzerland: MDPI Books. p. ix-xi.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/environments7120110

Interpretive Summary: Livestock manure has been traditionally used to provide nutrients for plant growth and to improve soil conditions. However, the increase in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) results in high levels of plant nutrients. Soil runoff and leaching of land applied manure can enrich surface and ground water with nitrogen and phosphorus, leading to water pollution. In addition, overapplication of animal manure can spread pathogens, release hormones and other pharmaceutically active compounds, and emit ammonia, greenhouse gases, and odorous compounds. In this Special Issue, we present 11 interesting articles on producing renewable energy and fuels, extracting ammonia from animal manures, the agricultural and environmental benefits from using animal manure or its derived materials such as biochar or ashes, and the difference in microbial communities and pathogen survival after anaerobic lagoon treatment.

Technical Abstract: Traditionally, livestock manure has been used to provide nutrients for plant growth and to improve soil conditions. However, the increase in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) results in high levels of plant nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus in the proximal crop and pasturelands as a result of producing more manure than what is required to meet the local plant nutrient demand. 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, overapplication of animal manure can spread pathogens, release hormones and other pharmaceutically active compounds, and emit ammonia, greenhouse gases, and odorous compounds. In this Special Issue, we have 11 interesting articles on producing renewable energy and fuels, extracting ammonia from animal manures, the agricultural and environmental benefits from using animal manure or its derived materials such as biochar or ashes, and the difference in microbial communities and pathogen survival after anaerobic lagoon treatment.