Author
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Wilkinson, Stanley |
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Submitted to: Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 10/10/1996 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Competing uses of shavings and sawdust, (traditional bedding materials) and expanding broiler production has resulted in the need for other bedding materials. Recycled paper treated with Boric acid (BA) as a flame retardant, also used as building insulation, has been used as bedding for floor reared broilers. Composting as a means of managing broiler manure is rapidly occuring. However, conflicting information exists on compost's value as a fertilizer. The purpose of this study was to determine the nitrogen (N) supplying power of surface applied composts, and to determine the effect of BA -manure in fresh, or composted form on the growth and NPKB composition of Tifway bermudagrass. Nitrogen recovery from surface applied compost or fresh material was very low. The N equivalency of fresh litter with BA or pine shavings was similar and about one-third as effective as chemical fetrilizer. Application of compost or uncomposted manure based on N requirements presented no B toxicity hazard in the forage. The high rates of compost required to satisfy N requirements could result in nutrient accumulation at the soil surface which could contaminate surface runoff water. Technical Abstract: Recycled paper treated with boric acid (BA) is gaining acceptance as bedding in broiler production houses. Applying this litter, or compost made from this litter, to turf raises an issue of B toxicity. There is also question of N availability from composts made from borated paper and broiler manure. The objective of this study was to determine if broiler house litter containing recycled BA treated paper poses a toxicity hazard to bermudagrass turf when applied at agronomic N rates. The effects of five N sources (one compost, 2 fresh litter, NPK with and without BA) at N rates of 224,448, and 896 kg N/ha on bermudagrass yield and NPKB composition were determined in greenhouse culture. Yields of fresh manure + BA paper were the same as fresh manure + pine shavings. Yield response efficiency ranged from 2.5mg DM/mg N applied for compost to 15.5mg DM/mg N applied for NPK. Plant top N recovery efficiency ranged from 0.07 for compost to 0.63 mg/N/mg N applied for NPK. Adding residue to total N recovery resulted in high N recoveries. Much of the N remained in the residue at the soil surface. The risk of B toxicity to Tifway 2 bermudagrass from compost or manure containing BA treated paper is minimal if N rates are in the agronomic utilization range. |
