Many products are sold as poultry litter treatments with the purpose of lowering ammonia levels in the poultry house. These products vary in active ingredient and mode of action. Not only do litter treatments affect the air in the house, they may also alter the content and availability of ammonium and phosphorus in the litter.
Active Ingredient: Alum. Also known as aluminum sulfate [A12(SO4)3 . 18H2O]. Effects on Litter Nutrients: Increases ammonium nitrogen. Decreases water-soluble phosphorus but does not affect total phosphorus.
Mode of Action: Lowers litter pH thereby conserving ammonium-N. Aluminum binds phosphorus reducing its immediate availability to crops.
Precaution: Over-application of alum can lower pH too much and increase phosphorus availability in the litter.
Active Ingredient: Iron-containing amendments -- ferrous sulfate (FeSO4 . 7H2O), ferric sulfate [Fe2(SO4)3 . 2H2O], ferric chloride (FeC13), and ferrous chloride (FeC12 . 2H2O). Effects on Litter Nutrients: Increases ammonium-N. Decreases water-soluble phosphorus, but does not affect total phosphorus.
Mode of Action: Lowers litter pH thereby conserving ammonium-N. Iron binds phosphorus reducing its immediate availability to crops.
Precaution: Over-application of iron-containing amendments can lower pH too much and increase phosphorus availability. Iron toxicity to poultry is possible with high application rates.
Active Ingredient: Phosphoric acid. Effects on Litter Nutrients: Increases water-soluble phosphorus and total phosphorus and ammonium.
Mode of Action: Decreases litter pH thereby conserving ammonium nitrogen. Adds phosphorus directly as component of active ingredient.
Precaution: The phosphorus content of litter is becoming the nutrient most limiting land application. Adding phosphorus to the litter will increase the number acres needed for land application and reduce the number of acres available for spreading.
Active Ingredient: Weak acids -- oxalic, propionic, citric, or boric acid. Effects on Litter Nutrients: May increase ammonium nitrogen in litter. Substantial changes in water-soluble phosphorus are unlikely.
Mode of Action: Decreases litter pH thereby conserving ammonium nitrogen.
Precaution: None cited.
Active Ingredient: Sodium bisulfate (sodium hydrogen sulfate). Effects on Litter Nutrients: May increase ammonium nitrogen in litter.
Mode of Action: Decreases litter pH thereby conserving ammonium nitrogen.
Precaution: None cited.
Active Ingredient: Limestones -- calcitic (CaCO3) or dolomitic (CaCO3 & MgCO3). Effects on Litter Nutrients: Little effect on water-soluble phosphorus or ammonium content of the litter. Increases liming value of litter.
Mode of Action: Limited increase in litter pH and soluble calcium occurs because of low solubility of limestone. Sometimes included in products with iron-containing treatments or alum to prevent excessive decrease in pH.
Precaution: Liming value of litter should be taken into account when applied to cropland. If liming is needed, then the use of lime-containing litter may be beneficial. However, indiscriminate use of lime-containing litter on cropland not needing liming may cause excessively high soil pH levels and micronutrient deficiencies in some soils. Magnesium may also become limiting in soils when calcium-only liming materials are used repeatedly.
Active Ingredient: Quick lime (CaO) or slaked lime [Ca(OH)2]. Effects on Litter Nutrients: Decreases water-soluble phosphorus, but does not affect total phosphorus. Increases liming value of litter. Ammonium levels in the litter may be unchanged, increase or decrease dependent on amount added.
Mode of Action: Increases litter pH and adds calcium, resulting in calcium phosphate formation.
Precaution: Liming value of litter should be taken into account when applied to cropland. If liming is needed, then the use of lime-containing litter may be beneficial. Indiscriminate use of lime-containing litter on cropland not needing liming, however, may cause excessively high soil pH levels and micronutrient deficiencies in some soils. Magnesium may also become limiting in soils when calcium-only liming materials are used repeatedly. The phosphorus in the litter will become available to the crop after incorporation into the soil and pH decreases.
 | Return to Pasture Fertility Home Page |
 |