Physicochemical Characterization of Broiler Poultry Litter from Commercial Broiler Poultry Operation in Semiarid Tropics of India

Thirunavukkarasu Maruthamuthu, Sivakumar Karuppusamy (), Ramesh Veeramalai, Murali Nagarajan, Purushothaman Manika Ragavan, Mahimairaja Santiago, Bharathy Nallathambi, Anandha Prakash Singh Dharmalingam, Karthika Radhakrishnan, Ajaykumar Ramasamy, Shri Rangasami Silambiah Ramasamy and Thriruvenkadan Aranganoor Kannan ()
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Thirunavukkarasu Maruthamuthu: Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641003, Tamil Nadu, India
Sivakumar Karuppusamy: Faculty of Food and Agriculture, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine 999183, Trinidad and Tobago
Ramesh Veeramalai: Education Cell, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal 637002, Tamil Nadu, India
Murali Nagarajan: Alambadi Cattle Research Station, Hanumantha Puram, Dharmapuri 636805, Tamil Nadu, India
Purushothaman Manika Ragavan: Department of Animal Nutrition, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal 637002, Tamil Nadu, India
Mahimairaja Santiago: Faculty of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641003, Tamil Nadu, India
Bharathy Nallathambi: Livestock Production Management, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal 637002, Tamil Nadu, India
Anandha Prakash Singh Dharmalingam: Livestock Production Management, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal 637002, Tamil Nadu, India
Karthika Radhakrishnan: Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641003, Tamil Nadu, India
Ajaykumar Ramasamy: Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture, Pollachi 642103, Tamil Nadu, India
Shri Rangasami Silambiah Ramasamy: Department of Forage Crops, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641003, Tamil Nadu, India
Thriruvenkadan Aranganoor Kannan: Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal 637002, Tamil Nadu, India

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 10, 1-22

Abstract: This study characterized the physicochemical properties of broiler poultry litter (BPL) produced from intensively reared commercial broilers that were collected from 110 commercial poultry farms at the end of the production cycle (sixth week). A further 20 samples were collected from the end use point where BPL was utilized as a soil amendment by the farmers after a period of storage for improving poultry litter management practices, developing new litter treatment technologies, or enhancing its use as a sustainable resource. The dry matter (DM), moisture, ash, organic matter (OM), and organic carbon (OC) from the manure samples were 83.04, 16.96, 27.08, 72.92, and 42.39%, respectively. The pH, electrical conductivity (EC) (dS m −1 ), and Kjeldahl nitrogen (N) were 8.43, 5.74, and 24.2 g kg −1 , respectively. The BPL from the cement floor had higher levels of P and K than the mud floor. The correlation studies revealed that the OM, C, N, and Zn had significant positive correlations; pH, moisture, and ash had positive correlations; and EC, DM, and Ca had positive correlations. The EC level of BPL negatively correlated with pH, Fe, and Mn. The N content was found to have a highly significant ( p < 0.01) positive correlation with the OM, OC, Ca, and Zn content of BPL, and it was found to have a highly significant ( p < 0.01) negative correlation with the ash content, pH, and K content of BPL. The P content of BPL showed a positive correlation ( p < 0.01) with the K content and a negative correlation with the Zn ( p < 0.05) and Fe ( p < 0.01) contents of BPL. Zn was found to be negatively ( p < 0.01) correlated with the ash content; the pH; and the K, Fe, and P content of BPL. According to the findings of this study, BPL as such at the end of the production cycle is rich in OM, nitrogen, macrominerals, and microminerals; however, at the point of utility (after a period of storage of 4 to 6 months), there was a loss of OM, N, and mineral concentrations, highlighting the importance of proper storage and composting. Overall, this study on the physicochemical properties of broiler poultry litter is crucial for improving agricultural practices, protecting the environment, and preserving the health and safety of human beings and livestock.

Keywords: physicochemical properties; broiler; manure; poultry litter (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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