T. Pare et al., Carbon and nitrogen mineralization in soil amended with non-tabletized andtabletized poultry manure, CAN J SOIL, 80(2), 2000, pp. 271-276
The recycling of poultry (Gallus gallus domesticus) manure (PM) needs to be
done in a manner that will not only improve soil physical, chemical and bi
ological properties but also minimize environmental risks. Untreated PM is
more difficult to handle and more expensive to apply than granular fertiliz
ers; the application of PM in the form of tablets may be a suitable alterna
tive. It is necessary to determine whether C and N mineralization in tablet
ized PM (T-PM) differs from non-tabletized PM (NT-PM). Net C and N minerali
zation from a Brandon loam soil (Typic Endoaquoll) amended with NT-PM and T
-PM, were measured in an incubation study at 25 degrees C. After 60 d of in
cubation, about 62 and 77% of total PM carbon was mineralized in NT-PM and
T-PM amended soils, respectively. Carbon mineralization was not stimulated
by the addition of PM tablets containing NPK to soil, while in soils mixed
with NT-PM + NPK, soil respiration was reduced. Net N mineralization was si
milar in soils amended with T-PM and NT-PM, although changes in ammonium (N
H4+-N) concentrations during incubation differed. Generally more NH4+-N acc
umulated in soil amended with T-PM and T-PM + NPK than with NT-PM and NT-PM
+ NPK The concentrations of nitrate (NO3--N) did not differ in soils amend
ed with T-PM and NT-PM, indicating a reduction in nitrification and NH4+-N
accumulation in soils amended with PM tablets.