EFFECT OF APPLICATION OF ANIMAL WASTEWATER IN SOIL: CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES

Abstract

The objective of this work was to review the application of livestock wastewater in soil, focusing on the advantages and limitations on its use. The intensive animal production systems generate a huge amount of waste, which are rich in nutrients and available for rural properties at low cost, which can be used by producers in the fertilization of crops. However, when used indiscriminately and without agronomic criteria, it may constitute a negative factor triggering degradation of soil structure and causing serious environmental hazards. Low fertility of soil has been a concern, because inadequate soil management causes organic matter degradation and affects physical, chemical and biological properties, accelerating the process of erosion and decreasing productivity. Application of wastewater in soil makes plants to be more vigorous, increasing soil coverage, plant productivity, and root development. Also, agricultural benefits of this practice include improvement of chemical, physical and biological soil characteristics.