International Journal of Manures and Fertilizers

ISSN 2756-3863

International Journal of Manures and Fertilizers Vol. 1 (11), pp. 208-215, November, 2012. © International Scholars Journals 

Full Length Research Paper

Phytotoxicity of compost and uncompost poultry manure

Chaudhary Josué, Calzado W. Junz  and Avina P.

Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Dapartment of Agriculture, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

Acepted 2 October, 2012

Abstract 

Different uncomposted and composted poultry manure types (laying hen and broiler), mixed at increasing rates (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) with two amended peat substrates, were tested to study the phytotoxicity using the cress (Lepidium sativum, L.) germination method. The results showed that composting generally reduced the phytotoxicity of the manure mixtures. The germination index was highest in both amended peat substrates. When the peat substrates were mixed with uncomposted poultry manure, only the rate of 25% of uncomposted poultry manure from laying hens showed reduced toxicity. These was not phytotoxicity when the poultry manure was composted in rates of 25, 50 and 75% of deep-pit manure from laying hens and in rates of 25 - 50% of the poultry manures from stock piled, deep litter and broiler litter in mixtures with both peat substrates.

Key words: Uncomposted poultry manure, composted poultry manure, phytotoxicity, germination index, ammonia concentration, electrical conductivity.