Assessing the Effect of Broiler Litter Applications on Selected Soil Properties.

Production of broiler litter in the year 2010 for the United States was 18 billion cubic foot. This causes environment problems, such as odor concerns and water pollution. However, broiler litter has a potential to improve soil properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of 14-yr of broiler litter applications on soil water holding capacity, bulk density, porosity, and soil compaction levels. Soil samples were taken from the Pullen Farm, Murray State University in spring 2011. There are eight treatments consisting of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 tons of broiler litter applied per acre which replicated four times. The data showed that the highest soil water holding capacity was 41% and the lowest was 28%. The ranges of porosity and bulk density were 43% to 52% and 1.27 g/cm3 to 1.50 g/cm3, respectively. The lowest soil compaction at 7.5 cm depth was 138 psi and the highest was 167 psi. In general, the best rate of broiler litter application to improve soil water holding capacity, porosity, bulk density and soil compaction levels was three to five tons per acre.