Chicken manure as an amendment to correct soil acidity and fertility

Abstract

Crop production in tropical areas may be limited by soil acidity. The use of conventional liming sources is expensive for many developing countries. A possible alternative to correct soil acidity is the use of green and animal manure. An experiment was established to evaluate the effect of chicken manure on soil chemical properties. Six months after the establishment of this experiment, the soil was sampled at a 0 to 20 cm depth. Soil pH increased significantly from 4.92, in the control treatment, to 5.32 after the application of 15 t/ha of chicken manure. Potassium chforide (KCI) extractable aluminum decreased significantly from 0.38 to 0.20 cmol_c/kg with the application of 15 t/ha of chicken manure. Aluminum saturation decreased by 7.71%, and available phosphorus increased significantly from 34.14 mg/kg, in the control treatment, to 178.04 mg/kg with the application of 15 t/ha of chicken manure.