Applicability of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) for Minimizing Ammonia Emission Rates from Poultry Litter by Altering Some Physiochemical Properties

Abstract

Turmeric(TM) is a natural antiseptic which shows antimicrobial activity against bacteria,fungi, viruses, yeast, and round worms. Objective of the study was to investigate theapplicability of TM to diminish ammonia emission rates from poultry litters by wiping outthe conditions favourable for microbes. Three months old paddy husk based layer litter wasthe subject for the study. A litter sample (2 kg) was taken using a spade and mixed by hand ina sealed black poly bag. From the mixed litter, samples were taken for the determination ofpH and moisture. Litter was mixed with TM powder in 5 different levels; 0%, 1%, 3%, 5%and 8% (w/w). After mixing with TM, 4 replicated samples (150 g each) were placed incontainers for all levels of mixed litter. Then samples were incubated for 5h, and the emittedNH3 was trapped with boric acid and then titrated with HCl to determine the NH3 emissions.The emission rate was calculated as milligrams of NH3 emitted/ /kilogram of fresh litter/hour.The pH was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced with the increment of TM level showing thehighest (9.34) and the lowest (9.07) which is a considerable drop with control (0%) and 8%application level respectively. Moisture (%) was also significantly increased in 1% (44.53%)and 8% (45.18%) applications. There was a trend in reducing ammonia emission with allapplications but not significantly different among treatments. Application of TM (>3%) waseffective in reducing pH (towards acidic) and the NH3 emission of poultry litter. It wasconcluded that by mixing TM powder with poultry litter, there is a possibility to reduceammonia emission by altering favourable conditions for microbes in the litter such as pH andmoisture.