CQUniversity Australia - Tanka Prasai

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Research Details

Thesis Name: An integrated approach for management of nitrogen and phosphorus in poultry manure

Thesis Abstract:

The proposed research projects encompass “An integrated approach for management of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) nutrients in poultry litter “that contribute to the diligent of smart biofertilizers. Four different experiments will be carried out namely feed additive, litter additive, composting and litter processing and the impacts of smart biofertilizers on crop growth experiments under controlled environment. The research involves raising birds with feed additive that improve the N & P retention in the litter, and the compost will be assessed and analysed for N & P contents in feed ingredients, litters and biofertilizers manufactured as resultant products. Currently, there is significant carbon foot print of poultry industry as well as loss of valuable nutrients N and P from poultry manure. Research projects activities that are focussed on environmental issues and value adding to litter will confer profitability and sustainability to poultry industries. Modern commercial poultry farms produce large amounts of poultry manure. Proper disposal of this manure is very important, if not to create significant environmental pollution. Environmental pollution caused by nitrogen appears in two ways; firstly, release of ammonia to the atmosphere from poultry manure and secondly, nitrate leaching in soil or ground water....

Why my research is important/Impacts:

This proposed research project aims to develop technique for halting nitrogen and phosphorus loss from poultry manure. This research project envisages high quality bio-fertilizer products from poultry manure which may substitute to expensive chemical fertilizer and support to nutrient requirement for organic farming system. At present, there is substantial loss of manure nutrients (N and P) continuously to the environment from poultry industries. The proposed projects tests options to preserve important nutrients like N and P in poultry manure. The retention of nitrogen and phosphorus in poultry manure at optimal level is important to reduce nutrient loss to the atmosphere. Furthermore, loss of N and P through surface water or leakage in ground water will be reduced and carbon sequestration to soil will be achieved at significant level. Environmental improvement as well as high quality fertilizer can be produced from already existing waste resources of poultry industry. Biochar has greater surface areas and has high affinity to absorbs ammonium and ammonia there by preventing loss of N nutrient. Similarly, zeolites and bentonites have high cations exchange capacity and bind nitrogenous cations ammonium. The specific objective of this research project is to determine appropriate measures to prevent the excessive loss of valuable nutrient N and P from poultry production system. The research outputs will contribute to design appropriate measures to prevent loss of N and P from poultry manures and also an abatement of ammonia emissions from poultry sheds and high quality bio-fertilizer from poultry manure will be produced for crops and horticulture industries.

Funding/Scholarship: Endeavour Award