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Fertilizer Source Effect on Ground and Surface Water Quality in Drainage from Turfgrass
Author(s) -
Easton Zachary M.,
Petrovic A. Martin
Publication year - 2004
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/jeq2004.6450
Subject(s) - surface runoff , agronomy , environmental science , nutrient , fertilizer , leachate , poa pratensis , compost , loam , water quality , chemistry , soil water , environmental chemistry , poaceae , ecology , biology , organic chemistry , soil science
ABSTRACT Nutrients in surface and ground water can affect human and aquatic organisms that rely on water for consumption and habitat. A mass‐balance field study was conducted over two years (July 2000–May 2001) to determine the effect of nutrient source on turfgrass runoff and leachate. Treatments were arranged in an incomplete randomized block design on a slope of 7 to 9% of Arkport sandy loam (coarse‐loamy, mixed, active, mesic Lamellic Hapludalf) and seeded with Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis L.) and perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.). Three natural organic (dairy and swine compost and a biosolid) and two synthetic organic nutrient sources (readily available urea and controlled‐release N source sulfur‐coated urea) were applied at rates of 50 and 100 kg N ha −1 per application (200 kg ha −1 yr −1 ). Runoff water collected from 33 storms and composite monthly leachate samples collected with ion exchange resins were analyzed for nitrate (NO − 3 –N), phosphate (PO 3− 4 –P), and ammonium (NH + 4 –N). Nutrient concentrations and losses in both runoff and leachate were highest for the 20‐wk period following turfgrass seeding. The NO − 3 –N and NH + 4 –N losses declined significantly once turfgrass cover was established, but PO 3− 4 –P levels increased in Year 2. Turf's ability to reduce nutrient runoff and leachate was related to overall plant growth and shoot density. The use of natural organics resulted in greater P loss on a percent applied P basis, while the more soluble synthetic organics resulted in greater N loss.