The Effects of Fresh and Composted Chicken Manures on Some Soil Characteristics

The effects of fresh and composted chicken manures on some soil characteristics were investigated. Fresh and composted chicken manures were mixed with the soil at the rates of 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%, and then were incubated for 90days. At the end of this incubation period, some soil physical properties closely related to soil aggregation (such as hydraulic conductivity, water stable aggregates, aeration porosity, and available water) and some soil chemical characteristics (such as organic carbon, total nitrogen, pH, and electrical conductivity, EC) were determined. As doses of both manures in the soil mixtures increase, the amounts of water stable aggregates, hydraulic conductivity, and aeration porosity increased, whereas the available water content decreased. Increasing doses of both manures increased the amount of the soil organic carbon and total nitrogen. Application of both manures to the soil increased the EC values, but it was limited in the composted chicken manure.