The effect of additives to reduce volatilization of ammonia in poultry litter was evaluated in three experiments. In experiment one, different doses of phosphate, in the form of simple superphosphate, were studied by means of six treatments: 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% added to the poultry litter. In the second experiment, the effect of humidity was verified by using the same treatments carried out in the previous experiment. In experiment three, different additives were tested in the poultry litter, following seven treatments: Glauber’s salt; sulphur; copper sulphate, phosphate, aluminium sulphate; and sodium carbonate. In treatment one, the dose of 15% of simple superphosphate added to the poultry litter showed to be more effective than the other additives, for it has inhibited 95% of the volatilization. As to experiment two, a strong inhibiting influence of water in the volatilization of ammonia could be detected. As to experiment three, the copper sulphate was the best additive (P>0.05) to inhibit the poultry litter’s volatilization of ammonia (62%), followed by both the aluminium sulphate (53%) and the simple superphosphate (43%). The use of carbonate has promoted an increase of 41% in the levels of ammonia volatilization.
poultry litter; ammonia volatilization; additives
