Leaching of nutrients from corn culture in amended soil with poultry manure

The use of poultry manure as fertilizer in agriculture could be a correct agricultural practise if application is made at the optimum rate that maximize culture production and minimize pollution of soil and water. In order to evaluate the application of poultry manure as fertilizer a trial was carried out in a greenhouse with corn (Zea mays L.) cultivated in pots. Two types of poultry manures were applied laying hen and straw broiler litter. The aim of this work was to study and compare the possible effect on leaching of nutrients of the two poultry manure and the corn response to poultry manure fertilization. The rates of poultry manure applied were d0 (without fertilizer), d1 (the rate that covered the corn nitrogen requirements), d1.5 (1.5 times d1) and d2 (2 times d1). Leaching was forced 5 times during crop development. The variables studied on leaching were the leached volume and the NH4 +-N, NO3 -- N, phosphorus and potassium concentrations. The methodology to adjust estimation and to compare the models was the nonlinear mixed models. Treatments laying hen and straw broiler litter and the rates d1, d1.5 and d2 were significantly different. In both poultry manures the rate d2 was the most polluting for the four leaching studied variables. The highest biomass production was obtained with rate d1 of straw broiler litter.