Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Poultry manure contains high concentrations of essential crop nutrients, but excess or improper application can lead to environmental issues.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
1. Nitrogen (N): Poultry excrete nitrogen primarily as uric acid, which rapidly converts to ammonia and nitrate. High nitrogen levels can cause ammonia volatilization (air pollution/odor) and nitrate leaching into groundwater, posing health risks.
2. Phosphorus (P): Poultry diets are rich in phosphorus, much of which is excreted due to poor phytate digestibility. Excess soil phosphorus runs off into surface waters, causing eutrophication, which depletes oxygen and harms aquatic life.
3. Thus, nitrogen and phosphorus are the two primary elements in poultry manure of major environmental concern.
Step 4: Final Answer
The correct option is (B).