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Evaluating Cattle Manure Application Strategies on Phosphorus and Nitrogen Losses from a Florida Spodosol
Author(s) -
Obour A. K.,
Silveira M. L.,
Vendramini J. M. B.,
Adjei M. B.,
Sollenberger Lynn E.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj2010.0275
Subject(s) - manure , environmental science , paspalum notatum , surface runoff , agronomy , leachate , fertilizer , manure management , nitrate , chemistry , environmental chemistry , ecology , biology , organic chemistry
Repeated application of cattle ( Bos taurus ) manure to agricultural areas often results in soil P accumulation, which may pose risks to surface waters. We evaluated seven different application strategies on P and N losses from an established bahiagrass ( Paspalum notatum Flügge) pasture: control (no N applied); two N sources [manure alone or manure plus ammonium nitrate (AN) (50/50% combination)]; two application frequencies (single or split); and two N rates (200 and 400 kg N ha −1 ). Shallow groundwater P was monitored using piezometers installed at 60 cm (shallow wells) and 120 cm (deep wells). Surface runoff collectors were used to monitor runoff N and P from naturally occurring rainfall events. Soil samples were analyzed for Mehlich‐1 P and KCl‐extractable NH 4 –N and NO 3 –N concentrations. Application of manure in combination with AN suppressed leachate P, but no effect was observed on leachate NO 3 –N concentrations in the shallow wells. Application of manure alone or in combination with AN did not affect P and N concentrations in the deep wells. Applying manure plus AN resulted in approximately 50% reduction in runoff N and P loads than treatments receiving manure alone. Manure applied alone or in combination with AN increased soil test P in upper soil horizons relative to control plots. Conversely, application of either manure or manure plus AN had no effect on soil NH 4 –N and NO 3 –N concentrations. Results demonstrate that combining manure application with inorganic N fertilizer represents an environmentally sound application strategy to reduce soil P and N accumulation and subsequent risks of nutrient transport.