Various micro-organisms are known to degrade 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) through pathways involving intermediates. Addition of nutrients stimulates the biodegradation process. Poultry litter has a consortia of micro-organisms along with many nutrients. The objective was to study the DNT biodegradation using poultry litter in an aqueous medium. Complete biodegradation of 10-50 ppm 2,4-DNT solutions was observed after two days interaction with poultry litter leachate without the formation of any intermediates. No degradation was observed using autoclaved litter leachate. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.