The effects of surface applications of poultry manure on pH, exchangeable AI, exchangeable Al saturation and levels of available macronutrients in the surface and subsurface layers were investigated in some acid soils from the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Three field sites with a history of long-term applications of poultry manure were compared with adjacent fields where no manure had been applied. Results generally showed an increase in pHwater, pHKCI, exchangeable Ca, Mg, and K and extractable P and a decrease in exchangeable Al and exchangeable Al saturation in the surface soil to the depth to which the manure had been incorporated. Results also provided evidence for substantial downward movement of Ca and Mg into the subsoil layers (i.e. 30-60 cm) and their accumulation in exchangeable forms. There was a concomitant general increase in pHKcl and pHwater and decrease in exchangeable Al and exchangeable AI saturation in the subsoil layers. These results demonstrate that, under field conditions, surface applications of poultry manure can cause the amelioration of subsoil acidity. This is an extremely important finding since subsoil acidity is characteristically extremely difficult and costly to ameliorate. A leaching column study was subsequently conducted to investigate the mechanisms by which surface applications of poultry manure ameliorate both top- and subsoil acidity. The soil used, originating from one of the field sites, had not previously been treated with poultry manure and had a subsoil pHKCI of 4.25 and an exchangeable acidity concentration of 1.79 cmolJkg. Three forms of poultry manure (layer, broiler and free range) were incorporated into the surface 5 cm of soil columns at rates equivalent to 5, 10 and 30 Mg/ha. Columns were maintained in glasshouse conditions for a period of 108 days and over that period they were leached on four separate occasions (receiving a total of 825 mm of simulated rainfall). At the conclusion of the experiment, the soil columns were cut into sections for chemical analysis. Applications of poultry manure to the surface soil markedly increased pHwater, pHKcl, exchangeable Ca, Mg, K and Na concentrations and decreased exchangeable Al levels in the surface 5 cm layer. They also increased the concentrations of soluble C, soluble salts, total Al and organically-complexed Al in soil solution. These effects were most pronounced with layer manure and greater at the higher rate of application. The manure-induced decrease in exchangeable AI, but increase in total AI, in soil solution was attributed to soluble salts, originating from the manure, displacing exchangeable Al into solution where it was subsequently complexed by soluble organic matter. Analysis of subsoil layers (5-15, 15-25, 25-35 and 35-45 cm) at the conclusion of the experiment showed that surface applications of poultry manure decreased concentrations of exchangeable Al in the subsoil but had no effect on pHKCl and depressed values for pHwater. It was suggested that manure-derived urea leached into the subsoil and was then hydrolysed causing an increase in pH and precipitation of exchangeable Al as insoluble hydroxy-AI oxides. Towards the conclusion of the experiment nitrification began to proceed, causing subsoil pHKCl values to decrease back to their original values. Analysis of the inorganic-N content of leachates and soil layers provided circumstantial evidence for this mechanism. High concentrations of soluble salts in the subsoil layers (caused by leaching from the manure) resulted in displacement of exchangeable A13+ and W into soil solution so that the electrical conductivity and concentrations of total and monomeric Al were elevated and pHwater was depressed in the subsoil (15-45 cm) of poultry manure-treated columns. It was concluded that the results underline the opposing effects that poultry manure applications have on (i) raising soil pH and lowering exchangeable Al but at the same time (ii) greatly increasing soluble salt concentrations and thus displacing At3+ and H+ back into soil solution. They also have suggested the importance of the release of N during manure decomposition in influencing soil pH (through the processes of ammonification, urea hydrolysis and nitrification) and therefore other soil chemical properties. It is, however, clear that the long-term effect of surface applications of poultry manure is generally to ameliorate subsoil acidity by raising subsoil pH and lowering exchangeable Al concentrations. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

Traditional measures used in the composting industry for ammonia and odor emissions control are those involving collection and treatment such as thermal oxidation, adsorption, wet scrubbing and biofiltration. However, these methods do not address the source of the odor generation problem. The primary objective of this thesis research was to develop preventive means to minimize ammonia and odor emissions, and maximize nitrogen conservation to increase the agronomic value of compost. Laboratory-scale experiments were performed to examine the effectiveness of various technologies to minimize these emissions during the active phase of composting. These techniques included precipitating ammonium into struvite in composting matrix before it release to outside environment; the use of chemical and biological additives in the form of yeast, zeolite and alum; and the manipulation of key operational parameters during the composting process. The fact that struvite crystals were formed in manure composting media, as verified by both XRD and SEM-EDS analyses, represents novel findings from this study. This technique was able to reduce ammonia emission by 40-84%, while nitrogen content in the finished compost was increased by 37-105%. The application of yeast and zeolite with dosages of 5-10% enhanced the thermal performance of composting and the degree of degradation, and ammonia emission was reduced by up to 50%. Alum was found to be the most effective additive for both ammonia and odor emission control; ammonia emission decreased by 45-90% depending on the dosage, and odor emission assessed via an dynamic dilution olfactometer was reduced by 44% with dosages above 2.5%. This study reaffirmed that aeration is the most influential factor to odor emission. An optimal airflow rate for odor control would be 0.6 L/min.kg dry matter with an intermittent aeration system. Quantitative relationships between odor emission and key operational parameters were determined, which would enable “best management practices” to be devised and implemented for composting. An empirical odor predictive model was developed to provide a simple and direct means for simulation of composting odor emissions. The effects of operating conditions were incorporated into the model with multiplicative algorithm and linearization approximation approach. The model was validated with experimental observations.

Traditional measures used in the composting industry for ammonia and odor emissions control are those involving collection and treatment such as thermal oxidation, adsorption, wet scrubbing and biofiltration. However, these methods do not address the source of the odor generation problem. The primary objective of this thesis research was to develop preventive means to minimize ammonia and odor emissions, and maximize nitrogen conservation to increase the agronomic value of compost. Laboratory-scale experiments were performed to examine the effectiveness of various technologies to minimize these emissions during the active phase of composting. These techniques included precipitating ammonium into struvite in composting matrix before it release to outside environment; the use of chemical and biological additives in the form of yeast, zeolite and alum; and the manipulation of key operational parameters during the composting process. The fact that struvite crystals were formed in manure composting media, as verified by both XRD and SEM-EDS analyses, represents novel findings from this study. This technique was able to reduce ammonia emission by 40-84%, while nitrogen content in the finished compost was increased by 37-105%. The application of yeast and zeolite with dosages of 5-10% enhanced the thermal performance of composting and the degree of degradation, and ammonia emission was reduced by up to 50%. Alum was found to be the most effective additive for both ammonia and odor emission control; ammonia emission decreased by 45-90% depending on the dosage, and odor emission assessed via an dynamic dilution olfactometer was reduced by 44% with dosages above 2.5%. This study reaffirmed that aeration is the most influential factor to odor emission. An optimal airflow rate for odor control would be 0.6 L/min.kg dry matter with an intermittent aeration system. Quantitative relationships between odor emission and key operational parameters were determined, which would enable “best management practices” to be devised and implemented for composting. An empirical odor predictive model was developed to provide a simple and direct means for simulation of composting odor emissions. The effects of operating conditions were incorporated into the model with multiplicative algorithm and linearization approximation approach. The model was validated with experimental observations. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Chemical and Biological Engineering, Department of / Graduate

Poultry manure is a useful nutrient source but recently it has raised environmental concern due to possible P movement from P saturated soils to waterbodies. This study was conducted to determine the effects of using phytase and high available phosphorous corn diets on the solubility and plant uptake of P, Cu, and Zn in poultry manure and soils amended with manure. Five diet treatments were used in the study: 1) normal phytic acid corn and 0.135% inorganic P (NPA), 2) normal phytic acid corn, 600 units phytase, and 0.135% inorganic P (NPA+Phytase), 3) normal phytic acid corn and 0.345% inorganic P (NPA+P), 4) high available phosphorous corn and 0.135% inorganic P (HAP), 5) high available phosphorous corn, 600 units phytase, and 0.135% inorganic P (HAP+Phytase). The NPA+P diet and NPA+Phytase diets are most similar to the conventional and alternative phytase supplemented diets currently used commercially. Three Virginia soils (Groseclose, Cecil, Mahan) were amended with manure from the diet treatments at rates of 25 and 50 g/kg and P and Cu were extracted with 0.01 M CaCl2 and Mehlich III extractant after incubation periods of 6 and 12 months. Corn was grown in a greenhouse experiment using these same Virginia soils and sand amended with 8.96 Mg/ha poultry manure from each of the five diet treatments. Poultry manure was nonsequentially extracted for determination of P, Cu, and Zn fractions. Comparing the alternative NPA+Phytase, HAP, and HAP+Phytase treatments to the conventional NPA+P treatment on an N- (nitrogen) basis all reduced both CaCl2 and Mehlich III-soluble P concentrations (P<0.05). Comparing these same treatments on a P-basis increased P extracted with CaCl2 24, 26, and 37%, respectively, and P extracted with Mehlich III P 5, 4, and 9%, respectively (P<0.05). The alternative NPA+Phytase and HAP+Phytase treatments increased water-soluble Cu compared to the conventional NPA+P on both a N- and P-basis, while no differences were observed in Mehlich III solubility between these treatments (P<0.05). The alternative NPA+Phytase treatment did not differ in Pand Cu in corn tissue or plant uptake when compared to the NPA or NPA+P (N- or P-basis) treatments. No difference in Zn in corn tissue was observed between these treatments on a N-basis, while NPA+Phytase was higher on a P-basis. Plant uptake of Zn was higher in the NPA+Phytase treatment compared to the NPA+P treatment on both a N- and P-basis. Addition of phytase reduced P solubility from all reagents except for CaCl2 (P<0.05). Replacing the conventional NPA+P treatment for the alternative NPA+Phytase treatment resulted in higher Cu concentrations for all reagents except for K-pyrophosphate and nitric acid. This same replacement increased Zn extracted by water, CaCl2, and CaNO3, while it reduced Zn extracted by HCl, acetic acid, PbNO3, K-pyrophosphate, and NH4-oxalate in the light. The use of phytase decreased P solubility from manure amended soils when treatments are compared on an equal N-basis, and increased P solubility when compared on an equal P-basis. No effect on plant uptake of P or Cu occurredfrom the NPA+Phytase treatment. / Master of Science

The poultry industry, a vital economic force in Virginia, must dispose of vast amounts of waste, mainly litter (PL) , generated during production processes. This study was conducted to investigate the short-term effects of various rates of PL application, i.e., cumulative 2-year totals of 9.8, 19.5, 29.3, 39.0, and 48.8 mt ha⁻¹, to unimproved pasture. Dry matter yield, N recovery and use efficiency, P recovery and use efficiency, and changes in botanical composition were measured on a mixed species, tall fescue (<i>Festuca arundinacea</i>) and bluegrass (<i>Poa pratensis</i>) pasture. Additionally. the accumulation and movement of P was measured in a Starr clay loam (fme-Ioamy mixed thermic Fluventic Dystrochrepts) by the Mehlich 3 (M3) and Bray 1 (Bl) soil tests. Dry matter yields increased curvilinearly with rate of PL application. This yield increase was attributed to correction of N deficiency in pasture by the PL application. Lower levels of PL increased forage yields in 1992 compared with 1991, due to residual effect of unmineralized N from PL applied in 1991. The PL application rate of 11.4 mt ha⁻¹ in 1991, followed by 8.1 mt ha⁻¹ in 1992 was the most environmentally and economically recommendable rate when compared with inorganic N and P recommended fertilizer rates. Forage yields on this treatment were 21.5 mt ha⁻¹ versus 21. 7 mt ha⁻¹ for the inorganic N and P fertilizer treatment. All rates of applied PL increased the percentage of tall fescue (from approximately 50 percent to > 80 percent) and decreased the percentage of bluegrass in this mixed pasture. Phosphorus from both PL and inorganic sources accumulated in the zone of application. In 1992, the highest rates of PL application had increased M3-extractable P levels by 20 fold over the control (192 mg P kg versus 11 mg P kg⁻¹) and caused movement of P into the 10 to 15 cm soil depth. Levels of P extracted by the M3 and Bl soil tests were highly correlated for both years (r² = 0.96 in 1991 and r² = 0.99 in 1992) but the M3 extracted substantially more P from the surface 0 to 5 cm depth (21 percent in 1991 and 23 percent 1992) while the Bl soil test extracted more P from the 5 to 30 cm soil depth (50 to 66 percent more in 1991 and 20 to 57 percent in 1992). Differences in total acidity and F concentrations account for differences of P extracted by the two procedures. Poultry litter is a suitable source of fertilizer for pasture renovation and production in the Piedmont Region of Virginia. / Master of Science

Thesis (M.Sc. (Soil Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / Phosphorus (P) deficiency has been reported in 30- 40% of global arable land, which poses a huge threat in potato production because of its critical role in the early vegetative development and tuber formation. The use of low cost ground phosphate rock (GPR) as an alternative P fertilizer source has gained recognition. Although GPR contains high P percentage, its direct application is less beneficial immediately due to its low reactivity which makes P unavailable for plant uptake. In this experiment, GPR was co-composted with cattle and poultry manure in order to enhance P acquisition by the potato crop. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of phosphocompost application as a cheaper alternative P-source for potato production. The experiment was conducted on Mondial and Valor… potato cultivars at the University of Limpopo Syferkuil Experimental farm in 2015 and 2016. Poultry (PM) and cattle manure (CM)-based phospho-compost mix ratios of 8:2 and 7:3 were applied at 0, 20, 40, 80 and 120 kg P/ha. The trial was laid out in a split plot arrangement fitted into a randomised complete block design with treatments replicated three times. Results indicated statistically significant effects of phospho-compost types on soil pH and available P content at both flowering and harvesting growth stages in 2015 and 2016 with the higher available P content found in the PM-based phospho-composts. In both seasons, highly significant differences in fresh and dry leaf samples among phospho-compost types were obtained. Highly significant season x compost type interaction effects were also recorded on leaf biomass as well as the 2015 tuber weight, with highest tuber weight obtained in plots that received PM7:3-based phospho-compost at 80 t/ha rate. Notwithstanding the non-significant effect of compost type on tuber yield in 2016, higher yield was obtained from PM8:2. Although the grading of tubers showed no significant response to phospho-compost application; the difference between small and medium tubers obtained from 2016 trial was significantly affected by phosphocompost application rates. The CM8:2 mix ratio gave the highest baby tubers (16.87%) while PM7:3 mix ratio gave the highest (36.32%) medium tubers. The grading of the potato tubers revealed a mostly class 1 dominated by baby, small and medium size tubers in the 2015 harvest while the 2016 harvest was also mostly class 1 but dominated by small, medium and large-small size tubers. Tuber size and class were vi most favored by the PM-based phospho-compost applications in both planting seasons. None of phospho-compost types and application rates had significant effect on the measured nutrient concentrations of both plant parts. However, the differences in nutrient concentrations across seasons and plant parts were significant except for Ca. The measure tissue P concentration from the 2016 trial was within the required range suggesting that phospho-compost utilization, particularly the poultry manure-based, in potato production can be beneficial in addressing P deficiency. The PM8:2 mixed ratio resulted in increased soil available P content, potato tuber yield in 2016 and the P concentration across the two plant parts evaluated. The concentration of soil available P and tissue P showed increases with higher application rates albeit non-significance. Future research on the optimum application rate is suggested on a wide range of soils for the various phospho-compost types. / Potato SA and the National Research Foundation (NRF)

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos do uso de sulfato de alumínio, da densidade de alojamento e de estratégias nutricionais sobre índices produtivos, econômicos e qualidade de carne na produção de frangos de corte. Foram conduzidos dois experimentos, nos quais: Experimento I (EI) Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos das doses de sulfato de alumínio [Al2(SO4)3 18 H2O] - (0, 200, 400 e 600 g/m2) no tratamento da cama aviária e da taxa de lotação (8 e 9 aves/m2). Foi avaliadas na cama, a amônia volatilizada, pH, teor de matéria-seca e nitrogênio, além do desempenho das aves, rendimento de carcaça, cortes (peito e coxa-sobrecoxa), ocorrência de lesão de peito e pododermatite e qualidade da carne (pH, cor, perdas totais por cozimento, maciez objetiva e análise sensorial). No Experimento II (EII) os objetivos foram avaliar os efeitos da inclusão dietética de fitase (1.000 FTU/kg de ração) e da redução do nível de proteína bruta (um ponto percentual) nas dietas de frangos criados em cama tratada ou não com sulfato de alumínio (1.568 g/m2). Além das análises citadas anteriormente, objetivou-se avaliar o aspecto microbiológico das carcaças de frango e propor uma estimativa econômica do poder fertilizante da cama aviária. Foi realizada a análise da viabilidade econômica do uso do sulfato de alumínio, da fitase e da redução do nível proteico da dieta na produção avícola. (EI) As doses de sulfato de alumínio e as taxas de lotação influenciaram as características da cama, reduzindo os valores de pH e minimizando a quantidade de amônia volatilizada. A melhor dose de sulfato de alumínio foi de 400 g/m2 independente da lotação adotada. As doses de sulfato de alumínio avaliadas não influenciaram o desempenho das aves, que foi afetado negativamente pelo aumento da densidade. Observou-se efeito significativo da interação sulfato de alumínio × taxa de lotação (P = 0,0094) sobre o rendimento de carcaça. O teste afetivo mostrou que o sulfato de alumínio não influenciou a aceitabilidade dos consumidores pela carne de frango. A análise economica demonstrou que a margem bruta aumentou quando a lotação foi de nove aves/m2 já que o peso do lote é maior. (EII) A aplicação do sulfato de alumínio na cama aviária reduziu os valores de pH e consequentemente a amonia volatilizada. Além disso, a baixa PB e a fitase reduziram o pH e a amônia também. O sulfato de alumínio (1.568 g/m2) reduz a emissão de amônia e as perdas de N da cama. Valorar o dejeto avícola como fertilizante orgânico permite uma melhor decisão com relação às quantidades a serem aplicadas na lavoura, promovendo benefícios econômico e ambiental. A inclusão dietética de fitase (1.000 FTU/kg de ração) influenciou características de cor da carne e melhorou sua maciez segundo a percepção de consumidores não treinados. O uso de 1.568 gramas de sulfato de alumínio por m2 diminui a margem de comercialização, onerando os custos de produção. Além disso, pode-se concluir que as diferentes estratégias nutricionais não apresentaram diferenças nas margens de comercialização, indicando a viabilidade econômica na utilização de ferramentas nutricionais para manutenção do impacto ambiental da produção avícola. / The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the use of aluminum sulfate, stocking density and nutritional strategies on productive, economic indexes and meat quality on poultry industry. Therefore, two experiments were conducted. Experiment I (EI) the aim of study was to evaluate the effects of aluminum sulfate doses [Al2(SO4)3·18H2O] - (0, 200, 400 e 600 g/m2) to treated poultry litter and bird densities (8 and 9 birds/m2). It was evaluated volatilized ammonia, pH values, dry matter and nitrogen content from poultry litter. Furthermore, it was evaluated live performance, carcass, breast, drumstick and thigh yield, prevalence of breast skin lesions and foot-pad dermatitis, and chicken meat quality (pH, color, shear force, cook loss and sensorial analysis). Experiment II (EII) aims evaluate the effects of aluminum sulfate to treat litter (0 or 1.568 g/m2), including phytase (1,000 FTU/kg of feed) in the diet and diets with low-crude protein (one percentage point of reduction). This study aims to evaluate the Microbiological Plate Counts on carcasses was evaluated and propose a method to value the manure in relation to its potential as fertilizer too. The economic analysis was also performed, considering the use of aluminum sulphate, phytase and diets with low-crude protein in the production of broiler chickens. The economic analysis the marketing margin increased when the density was 9/m2 because the sold broilers weight was higher. (EI) Aluminum sulfate doses and the stocking density influence poultry litter characteristics, lowering the pH values and reducing the amount of volatilized ammonia. The best dose of aluminum sulphate was 400 g/m2 regardless of the density adopted. The use of aluminum sulfate doses evaluated did not influence the broiler performance, which was negatively affected by the increase in the density. A significant effect of the interaction (P = 0.0094) was verified for carcass yield. The affective test showed that aluminum sulfate didnt influence consumers acceptability for chicken meat. The economic analysis showed that the contribution margin increased when the stocking was 9 birds/m2 since the lot weight is higher. (EII) Application of alum to the litter lowered pH values and consequently ammonia volatilization, moreover the low crude protein and phytase reduced this traits too. Aluminum sulfate (1.568 g/m2) reduces ammonia emissions and consequently nitrogen losses from litter. Valuing poultry manure as organic fertilizer allows the better decision in relation to the quantity to be applied to the crop, promoting economic and environmental benefits. It was concluded that the inclusion of phytase (1,000 FTU/kg of feed), influences chicken meat color characteristics, and improved meat tenderness in the perception of untrained panelists. The use of 1,568 grams of aluminum sulphate per m2 decreased the marketing margin, inflating production costs. In addition, it can be concluded that different nutritional strategies did not present differences in the margins of commercialization, indicating the economic feasibility in the use of nutritional tools to maintain the environmental impact of poultry production.

The main objective of this study was to investigate the removal and recovery of nutrients from anaerobic digestion residues of poultry manure through struvite (MgNH4PO4.6H2O, MAP) precipitation. To this purpose, three sets of laboratory experiments were conducted. In the first set, separate and co-digestion of poultry manure and sewage sludge were studied in laboratory-scale mesophilic anaerobic batch reactors and subsequent struvite precipitation experiments were conducted with the reactors effluents. The effects of important parameters on struvite precipitation were investigated and it is illustrated that up to 89 % of NH4-N, 84 % PO4-P and 42 % COD removals were possible. In the second set, the effluents of a full-scale co-digestion plant utilizing poultry manure and maize silage were subjected to struvite precipitation experiments. Acidic phosphorus-dissolution process was successfully applied to the solid phase effluents to obtain phosphorus-enriched solution. By the addition of external Mg and P more than 90% of NH4-N and PO4-P were recovered from phosphorus-enriched solution, whereas the addition of only Mg led to partial recovery of NH4-N. In the third set, the effluents of a full-scale poultry manure digester were subjected to struvite precipitation experiments. The findings illustrated that Ca has inhibitory effects on the struvite reaction and lead to formation of hydroxlyapatite and amorphous calcium phosphates together with struvite. Based on the results obtained in this study, it is postulated that, struvite precipitation is a viable option for the recovery of the nutrients in the anaerobically digested poultry manure. This study illustrated that, poultry manure, if managed properly, could meet one-fourth of Turkey&amp / #8217 / s domestic fertilizer demand.

Efficient disposal methods are needed to manage manure produced by industrial animal production. Saprophagous fly larvae could potentially convert manure into fertilizer and produce protein; however, the process is not well studied. Musca domestica, Hydrotaea aenescens, and Coproica hirtula were investigated to determine the most suitable species and conditions that facilitate efficient poultry manure conversion. The objectives were to (1) develop laboratory protocols and timelines for fly production; (2) identify environmental conditions that affect conversion; and (3) determine the ideal manure moisture content, depth, and fly egg-to-manure ratio for manure conversion and protein production. Mass-production was possible for every species and timelines were established for all species except C. hirtula. The most promising species for use in a conversion system was M. domestica and the presence of C. hirtula facilitated complete conversion. When using these species simultaneously the ideal initial conditions were: 77.5% moisture, 2.9cm deep and 0.82g eggs/kg manure. / OMAFRA/ University of Guelph partnership

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos do uso de sulfato de alumínio, da densidade de alojamento e de estratégias nutricionais sobre índices produtivos, econômicos e qualidade de carne na produção de frangos de corte. Foram conduzidos dois experimentos, nos quais: Experimento I (EI) Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos das doses de sulfato de alumínio [Al2(SO4)3 18 H2O] - (0, 200, 400 e 600 g/m2) no tratamento da cama aviária e da taxa de lotação (8 e 9 aves/m2). Foi avaliadas na cama, a amônia volatilizada, pH, teor de matéria-seca e nitrogênio, além do desempenho das aves, rendimento de carcaça, cortes (peito e coxa-sobrecoxa), ocorrência de lesão de peito e pododermatite e qualidade da carne (pH, cor, perdas totais por cozimento, maciez objetiva e análise sensorial). No Experimento II (EII) os objetivos foram avaliar os efeitos da inclusão dietética de fitase (1.000 FTU/kg de ração) e da redução do nível de proteína bruta (um ponto percentual) nas dietas de frangos criados em cama tratada ou não com sulfato de alumínio (1.568 g/m2). Além das análises citadas anteriormente, objetivou-se avaliar o aspecto microbiológico das carcaças de frango e propor uma estimativa econômica do poder fertilizante da cama aviária. Foi realizada a análise da viabilidade econômica do uso do sulfato de alumínio, da fitase e da redução do nível proteico da dieta na produção avícola. (EI) As doses de sulfato de alumínio e as taxas de lotação influenciaram as características da cama, reduzindo os valores de pH e minimizando a quantidade de amônia volatilizada. A melhor dose de sulfato de alumínio foi de 400 g/m2 independente da lotação adotada. As doses de sulfato de alumínio avaliadas não influenciaram o desempenho das aves, que foi afetado negativamente pelo aumento da densidade. Observou-se efeito significativo da interação sulfato de alumínio × taxa de lotação (P = 0,0094) sobre o rendimento de carcaça. O teste afetivo mostrou que o sulfato de alumínio não influenciou a aceitabilidade dos consumidores pela carne de frango. A análise economica demonstrou que a margem bruta aumentou quando a lotação foi de nove aves/m2 já que o peso do lote é maior. (EII) A aplicação do sulfato de alumínio na cama aviária reduziu os valores de pH e consequentemente a amonia volatilizada. Além disso, a baixa PB e a fitase reduziram o pH e a amônia também. O sulfato de alumínio (1.568 g/m2) reduz a emissão de amônia e as perdas de N da cama. Valorar o dejeto avícola como fertilizante orgânico permite uma melhor decisão com relação às quantidades a serem aplicadas na lavoura, promovendo benefícios econômico e ambiental. A inclusão dietética de fitase (1.000 FTU/kg de ração) influenciou características de cor da carne e melhorou sua maciez segundo a percepção de consumidores não treinados. O uso de 1.568 gramas de sulfato de alumínio por m2 diminui a margem de comercialização, onerando os custos de produção. Além disso, pode-se concluir que as diferentes estratégias nutricionais não apresentaram diferenças nas margens de comercialização, indicando a viabilidade econômica na utilização de ferramentas nutricionais para manutenção do impacto ambiental da produção avícola. / The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the use of aluminum sulfate, stocking density and nutritional strategies on productive, economic indexes and meat quality on poultry industry. Therefore, two experiments were conducted. Experiment I (EI) the aim of study was to evaluate the effects of aluminum sulfate doses [Al2(SO4)3·18H2O] - (0, 200, 400 e 600 g/m2) to treated poultry litter and bird densities (8 and 9 birds/m2). It was evaluated volatilized ammonia, pH values, dry matter and nitrogen content from poultry litter. Furthermore, it was evaluated live performance, carcass, breast, drumstick and thigh yield, prevalence of breast skin lesions and foot-pad dermatitis, and chicken meat quality (pH, color, shear force, cook loss and sensorial analysis). Experiment II (EII) aims evaluate the effects of aluminum sulfate to treat litter (0 or 1.568 g/m2), including phytase (1,000 FTU/kg of feed) in the diet and diets with low-crude protein (one percentage point of reduction). This study aims to evaluate the Microbiological Plate Counts on carcasses was evaluated and propose a method to value the manure in relation to its potential as fertilizer too. The economic analysis was also performed, considering the use of aluminum sulphate, phytase and diets with low-crude protein in the production of broiler chickens. The economic analysis the marketing margin increased when the density was 9/m2 because the sold broilers weight was higher. (EI) Aluminum sulfate doses and the stocking density influence poultry litter characteristics, lowering the pH values and reducing the amount of volatilized ammonia. The best dose of aluminum sulphate was 400 g/m2 regardless of the density adopted. The use of aluminum sulfate doses evaluated did not influence the broiler performance, which was negatively affected by the increase in the density. A significant effect of the interaction (P = 0.0094) was verified for carcass yield. The affective test showed that aluminum sulfate didnt influence consumers acceptability for chicken meat. The economic analysis showed that the contribution margin increased when the stocking was 9 birds/m2 since the lot weight is higher. (EII) Application of alum to the litter lowered pH values and consequently ammonia volatilization, moreover the low crude protein and phytase reduced this traits too. Aluminum sulfate (1.568 g/m2) reduces ammonia emissions and consequently nitrogen losses from litter. Valuing poultry manure as organic fertilizer allows the better decision in relation to the quantity to be applied to the crop, promoting economic and environmental benefits. It was concluded that the inclusion of phytase (1,000 FTU/kg of feed), influences chicken meat color characteristics, and improved meat tenderness in the perception of untrained panelists. The use of 1,568 grams of aluminum sulphate per m2 decreased the marketing margin, inflating production costs. In addition, it can be concluded that different nutritional strategies did not present differences in the margins of commercialization, indicating the economic feasibility in the use of nutritional tools to maintain the environmental impact of poultry production.