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Tillage and Nutrient Source Effects on Surface and Subsurface Water Quality at Corn Planting
Author(s) -
Zhao Suling L.,
Gupta Satish C.,
Huggins David R.,
Moncrief John F.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq2001.303998x
Subject(s) - tillage , tile drainage , plough , surface runoff , manure , environmental science , agronomy , water quality , hydrology (agriculture) , soil water , soil science , geology , ecology , geotechnical engineering , biology
ABSTRACT This study quantified the effects of tillage (moldboard plowing [MP], ridge tillage [RT]) and nutrient source (manure and commercial fertilizer [urea and triple superphosphate]) on sediment, NH 4 +–N, NO − 3 –N, total P, particulate P, and soluble P losses in surface runoff and subsurface tile drainage from a clay loam soil. Treatment effects were evaluated using simulated rainfall immediately after corn ( Zea mays L.) planting, the most vulnerable period for soil erosion and water quality degradation. Sediment, total P, soluble P, and NH + 4 –N losses mainly occurred in surface runoff. The NO − 3 –N losses primarily occurred in subsurface tile drainage. In combined (surface and subsurface) flow, the MP treatment resulted in nearly two times greater sediment loss than RT ( P < 0.01). Ridge tillage with urea lost at least 11 times more NH + 4 –N than any other treatment ( P < 0.01). Ridge tillage with manure also had the most total and soluble P losses of all treatments ( P < 0.01). If all water quality parameters were equally important, then moldboard plow with manure would result in least water quality degradation of the combined flow followed by moldboard plow with urea or ridge tillage with urea (equivalent losses) and ridge tillage with manure. Tillage systems that do not incorporate surface residue and amendments appear to be more vulnerable to soluble nutrient losses mainly in surface runoff but also in subsurface drainage (due to macropore flow). Tillage systems that thoroughly mix residue and amendments in surface soil appear to be more prone to sediment and sediment‐associated nutrient (particulate P) losses via surface runoff.