Data di Pubblicazione:
2022
Citazione:
Soil Organic Matter and Nutrient Levels in Outdoor Runs in Organic Laying Farms / M. Zoli, P. Mantovi, P. Ferrari, L. Ferrari, V. Ferrante. - (2022 Dec 01). [10.20944/preprints202212.0028.v1]
Abstract:
To evaluate the nutrient load due to the grazing of laying hens in outdoor runs, monitor-
ing of soil characteristics was carried out in three organic Italian farms. For each farm, soil samples
were taken from three increasing distances from the hen house and two depths and different chem-
ical parameters were evaluated. The comparison among the results from the different distances
show that N-NO3 and Olsen P are the most affected parameters by hen feaces: both present high
values with a statistically significant difference in the area close to the poultry house and for the
most superficial layer. Even TKN and TOC show significant differences between the concentrations
of the first layer (more concentrated) and those of the second layer (less concentrated).
In general, the surface soil layer closest to the chicken house is the portion of the outdoor run most
affected by chicken droppings and represents the most critical point in terms of potential environ-
mental impact. Therefore, it is necessary to intensify the management of the outdoor run with tools
that can facilitate the grazing of animals and with vegetation that can absorb nutrients by limiting
leaching and run-off. Keywords: free-range system; hen runs; nitrogen; phosphorus; organic matter.
Tipologia IRIS:
24 - Pre-print
Keywords:
free-range system; hen runs; nitrogen; phosphorus; organic matter
Elenco autori:
M. Zoli, P. Mantovi, P. Ferrari, L. Ferrari, V. Ferrante
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