Application of slaughterhouse residues as nitrogen source replacing commercial fertilizers on mombasa grass (Megathyrsus maximus)

• Published in: Australian Journal of Crop Science Vol. 13; no. 2; pp. 294 - 299
• Main Authors: Silva, Rubens Ribeiro da, Leite, Rubson da Costa, Carneiro, Jefferson Santana da Silva, Freitas, Gilson Araújo de, Santos, Antônio Carlos Martins dos, Santos, Antonio Clementino dos, Kuyumjian, Luiz Alberto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lismore, N.S.W Southern Cross Publishers 01.02.2019
• Subjects: Environmental aspects; Guinea grass; Nitrogen fertilizers; Slaughtering and slaughter-houses; Soil conservation
• ISSN: 1835-2693; 1835-2707
• DOI: 10.21475/ajcs.19.13.02.p1459

We hypothesized that the use of the residues of hull and horn flour and blood flour from the cattle slaughtering industry could provide a similar effect of nitrogen fertilizers when applied in pastures. For this reason, the objective was to evaluate the agronomic performance of mombasa grass fertilized with alternative nitrogen sources. A randomized block design in a 3 x 4 + 1 factorial scheme was used with four replications. Three sources of nitrogen were studied (hoof and horn flour, blood flour and urea) and four nitrogen doses (100, 200, 300 and 400 kg ha-1 N), plus a control with no nitrogen application. The experimental units consisted of plastic pots with a capacity of 5.0 dm3, and 4.0 dm3 of soil was used. The application of the alternative sources - hull and horn flour and blood flour - promoted an increase in attributes such as leaf area, number of tillers, crude protein and forage mass. The organic sources have the potential to be applied as nitrogen sources in soils under pasture, which would promote an eco-friendly destination for these residues.