Alfalfa Forage Production and Nutritive Value, Fermentation Characteristics and Hygienic Quality of Ensilage, and Soil Properties after Broiler Litter Amendment

Abstract

Recycling broiler litter (BL) nutrients is an important strategy for sustainable forage production. However, BL can contain Clostridia bacteria that can contaminate forages at harvest, resulting in poor ensilage quality and botulism-related animal health risks. A better understanding of the effects of BL amendment on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) production and ensiling is beneficial for promoting manure-based alfalfa production. This 2-year study examined the effects of high-level BL (HBL) at 112 kg N ha−1 and low-level (LBL) at 56 kg N ha−1 on alfalfa forage production, fermentation characteristics, and Clostridium botulinum concentrations in silage and haylage produced from 350 g dry matter (DM) kg−1 forage and 500 g DM kg−1 forage respectively, and soil characteristics compared to a control treatment (CT). Results showed that the application of BL did not affect forage production (12.8–13.1 MG ha−1) and nutritive value. The alfalfa produced high forage yield with superior ensilabilty in the second year. The BL application increased soil NH4-N, Ca, Fe, and B, but did not affect fermentation characteristics or Clostridium botulinum concentrations in ensilage. Silage had superior fermentation quality, and Clostridium botulinum concentration was found to be higher than in haylage. Broiler litter fertilization for alfalfa is environmentally safe and has forge production, ensilage fermentation quality, and botulism risks similar to CT.