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Efficacy of Amendments in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Broiler Litter

Applied Research

Rishi Prasad
Associate Professor and Extension Specialist
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Auburn University

Abstract

Broiler litter (BL) produced in broiler houses emits greenhouse gases (GHG) such as nitrous oxide (N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2) and contributes to global warming. In addition to ammonia, increased concentration of GHG inside broiler houses causes negative impacts on bird health as well the affect the environment. While various amendments have been applied to mitigate ammonia emissions from BL, there is limited research on strategies to reduce GHG emissions from BL. Consequently, our study focuses on examining the impact of amendments like biochar (B), zeolite (Z), FGD gypsum (G), and sodium bisulfate (S) on GHG emissions from BL. A 40-day incubation experiment was conducted where BL was treated with litter amendments at different rates at 30 °C. The gas samples from the headspace of the jars were collected in pre-evacuated vials using a 10 ml syringe at 0, 60, and 120 minutes and were analyzed in Shimadzu gas chromatography. The results showed that lower rates of biochar ranging between 5 to 9% (w/w) did not affect GHG emissions compared to control, whereas rates ranging between 13% to 17% significantly increased CO2 and N2O emissions. We found no effect of Zeolite and FGD gypsum application on GHG reduction. Among all the treatments studied, sodium bisulfate at application rates ranging between 4 to 7% reduced CO2 and N2O emissions compared to control. Future studies to test the efficacy of sodium bisulfate in commercial poultry houses will be conducted to better understand its efficacy in reducing GHG emissions in real-time.

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: Rishi Prasad, Debolina Chakraborty, Sabina Powdel
  1. Prasad, R. Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, , Alabama, 36849
  2. Chakraborty, D. Assistant Research Professor, Auburn University, Alabama, 36849
  3. Powdel, S. Graduate Student, Auburn University, Alabama, 36849