Water content effect on denitrification and ammonia volatilization in poultry litter

An evaluation of the effect of litter water content on NH3 volatilization and denitrification during storage involves the use of incubated 2 litter samples from broiler houses. N2O emission is calculated to measure denitrification, while ammonia volatilization is evaluated by calculating NH3 obtained from incubated samples without C2H2. Denitrification losses of 41% to 79% of initial NO3 and ammonia volatilization loss of 32% to 139% of initial NH4 suggest that N losses can be minimized by storing poultry litter in dry conditions.