Loss of phosphorus by runof from soils after amendment with poultry litter co‑composted with crop waste

Abstract

Purpose The study aimed to assess the infuence of poultry litter (PL) after co-composting with sugarcane and cabbage waste on phosphorus (P) losses in runof from soils under natural rainfall conditions. Methods Co-composted PL was amended in silt loam and sandy clay soils. The soil applied with PL without agro-waste was considered as control treatment. Before the soil application, PL was co-composted with agro-wastes, i.e., sugarcane waste and cabbage waste at four levels (0, 25, 33, and 50%). Soils were packed in wooden trays layered with plastic. The surface soil was mixed with the co-composted PL at rates 200 and 400 kg P ha−1. Runof samples were collected from the sloped trays during two rainfall events and P concentration was determined. Results Phosphorus concentration was found higher in the runof in the PL treatment without agro-waste. Poultry litter application along with agro-waste profoundly lowered P losses in the runof as compared to the control especially at higher application of agro-waste. Application of PL composted with higher level of agro-waste (%) reduced the P losses from soils. Phosphorus losses in the runof enhanced with higher amount of PL application depending on the soil type and initial P content in the soil. Silt loam soil amended with co-composted poultry litter/agro-waste reduced P losses more signifcantly as compared to sandy clay soil. Conclusion The application of manure amendments with agro-wastes decreased the losses of soluble P and would reduce detrimental environmental efects