Study on the reduction of NH3 volatilization from broiler litter through the promotion of nitrification.

Under laboratory conditions we studied the possibility of decreasing NH(3) emissions from broiler litter by applying one of two nitrifier seeds (a material obtained from the top centimeters of the dirt floor of a chicken house, or Houston Black clay soil) at 0, 2.5, 5, and 10% w/w. Ammonia emission rates, total NH(3) trapped in 0.1N H(2)SO(4), and NO(x)(-)-N concentrations decreased at the highest application rate of either amendment, whereas CO(2) emissions increased with the amendments' application rates. We hypothesize that the lack of a significant increase in NO(x)(-)-N concentrations was due to inhibition of nitrifiers by high NH(4)(+)-N, salt and Cl(-) concentrations, and denitrification promoted by high water, availability of easily decomposable carbon sources, and limited O(2) supply.