title: Ammonia volatilization from surface-applied poultry litter under conservation tillage management practices.
abstract: Land application of poultry litter can provide essential plant nutrients for crop production, but ammonia (NH(3)) volatilization from the litter can be detrimental to the environment. A multiseason study was conducted to quantify NH(3) volatilization rates from surface-applied poultry litter under no-till and paraplowed conservation tillage managements. Litter was applied to supply 90 to 140 kg N ha(-1). Evaluation of NH(3) volatilization was determined using gas concentrations and the flux-gradient gas transport technique using the momentum balance transport coefficient. Ammonia fluxes ranged from 3.3 to 24% of the total N applied during the winter and summer, respectively. Ammonia volatilization was rapid immediately after litter application and stopped within 7 to 8 d. Precipitation of 17 mm essentially halted volatilization, probably by transporting litter N into the soil matrix. Application of poultry to conservation-tilled cropland immediately before rainfall events would reduce N losses to the atmosphere but could also increase NO(3) leaching and runoff to streams and rivers.
authors.affiliation: Southern Piedmont Conservation Research Unit, USDA-ARS, 1420 Experiment Station Road, Watkinsville, GA 30677, USA. rsharpe@uga.edu
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Sharpe
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Schomberg
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Harper
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Endale
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Franzluebbers
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D000641:Ammonia / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005308:Fertilizers; D008372:Manure; D011200:Poultry; D011891:Rain; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D012621:Seasons; D012987:Soil; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D005308:Fertilizers; D008372:Manure; D012987:Soil; D000641:Ammonia