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Manure History and Long‐Term Tillage Effects on Soil Properties and Phosphorus Losses in Runoff
Author(s) -
Andraski Todd W.,
Bundy Larry G.,
Kilian Kenneth C.
Publication year - 2003
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/jeq2003.1782
Subject(s) - surface runoff , loam , manure , soil water , agronomy , tillage , environmental science , infiltration (hvac) , plough , zoology , chemistry , soil science , ecology , biology , physics , thermodynamics
Manure additions to cropland can reduce total P losses in runoff on well‐drained soils due to increased infiltration and reduced soil erosion. Surface residue management in subsequent years may influence the long‐term risk of P losses as the manure‐supplied organic matter decomposes. The effects of manure history and long‐term (8‐yr) tillage [chisel plow (CP) and no‐till (NT)] on P levels in runoff in continuous corn ( Zea mays L.) were investigated on well‐drained silt loam soils of southern and southwestern Wisconsin. Soil P levels (0–15 cm) increased with the frequency of manure applications and P stratification was greater near the surface (0–5 cm) in NT than CP. In CP, soil test P level was linearly related to dissolved P (24–105 g ha −1 ) and bioavailable P (64–272 g ha −1 ) loads in runoff, but not total P (653–1893 g ha −1 ). In NT, P loads were reduced by an average of 57% for dissolved P, 70% for bioavailable P, and 91% for total P compared with CP. This reduction was due to lower sediment concentrations and/or lower runoff volumes in NT. There was no relationship between soil test P levels and runoff P concentrations or loads in NT. Long‐term manure P applications in excess of P removal by corn in CP systems ultimately increased the potential for greater dissolved and bioavailable P losses in runoff by increasing soil P levels. Maintaining high surface residue cover such as those found in long‐term NT corn production systems can mitigate this risk in addition to reducing sediment and particulate P losses.