Poultry Litter Management in Agricultural Systems
Summary
Global poultry production yields vast volumes of litter comprised of excreta, bedding material and residual feed, offering a nutrient-rich organic amendment for cropping systems yet posing environmental challenges when mismanaged. Poultry litter is valued for its nitrogen, phosphorus and organic carbon inputs that support soil fertility and crop yields but can also drive ammonia volatilisation, nitrate leaching and phosphorus accumulation in soils with consequent risks to air and water quality. Traditional management approaches include direct land application, composting and pelletisation, which aim to stabilise nutrients and pathogens, while emerging practices such as chemical extraction of soluble phosphorus, incorporation with biochar or gypsum, and precision subsurface injection seek to improve nutrient-use efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas fluxes. Integration of litter use with conservation agriculture techniques—no-till, cover cropping and crop residue management—further enhances soil structure, microbial activity and carbon sequestration. Regulatory frameworks and best-management guidelines increasingly emphasise matching litter application rates to crop requirements, establishing buffer zones and monitoring soil nutrient status. Together, these innovations support sustainable intensification by closing nutrient loops, mitigating environmental impacts and promoting resilient agroecosystems worldwide.
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Poultry Litter Management in Agricultural Systems publication trend
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Technical terms
Broiler litter: A mixture of poultry excreta, bedding material and residual feed used as a soil amendment.
Mineralisation: Microbial conversion of organic nutrients into inorganic forms available for plant uptake.
C:N ratio: The ratio of carbon to nitrogen in organic materials affecting decomposition rate and nutrient release.
No-till: A farming practice that avoids soil disturbance by eliminating ploughing to maintain soil structure.
Subsurface application: Injection of amendments below the soil surface to reduce nutrient losses and runoff.
References
- Effects of Cover Crops and Soil Amendments on Soil CO2 Flux in a Mississippi Corn Cropping System on Upland Soil †. Environments (2023).
- Nitrogen Mineralization in a Sandy Soil Amended with Treated Low-Phosphorus Broiler Litter. Environments (2019).
- Long-Term Cropping Management Practices Affect the Biochemical Properties of an Alabama Ultisol. Soil Systems (2024).
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