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Spatial Distribution of Soil Phosphorus, Calcium, and pH after Long‐term Broiler Litter Application
Author(s) -
Jiang YingYing,
Sun ZhongXiu,
Owens Phillip R.,
Adhikari Kabindra,
Wang QiuBing,
Dorantes Minerva J.,
Read John J.,
Ashworth Amanda J.,
Libohova Zamir
Publication year - 2019
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/jeq2018.11.0406
Subject(s) - soil water , surface runoff , hydrology (agriculture) , litter , subsurface flow , environmental science , soil horizon , phosphorus , soil science , spatial variability , geology , ecology , chemistry , groundwater , biology , mathematics , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , statistics
Water movement over and through soil is largely driven by topography and soil management across landscapes. This research tested the hypothesis that the water movement determines the potential for P and Ca redistribution and pH variance across landscapes. This hypothesis was evaluated by using digital elevation model‐derived terrain attributes in fields after 55 yr of broiler litter applications on pastures in Smith County, Mississippi. Results show that soils receiving broiler litter had mean Mehlich‐3 P levels of 1221.8 mg kg −1 at 0‐ to 15‐cm depth and 618.6 mg kg −1 at 15‐ to 30‐cm depth, and Ca with mean values of 768.3 and 645.0 mg kg −1 at 0‐ to 15‐cm and 15‐ to 30‐cm soil depths, respectively. Across fields, soils in areas of predicted convergent flow contained higher P, Ca, and lower pH values in the upper 0 to 15 cm, suggesting contributions via surface overland flow from areas with higher elevation and lower slope gradient. On the other hand, soils in areas with lesser slope and higher elevation also contained high levels of P, Ca, and pH for the subsurface soil depth, suggesting that vertical flow of water on this landscape is a mechanism for movement of P and Ca deeper in the profile. The incorporation of topographic characteristics across fields offers promising results that may be incorporated into improved P indices and management, making them more robust indicators of P mobilization to waterways. Core Ideas Overland and vertical water flow is a mechanism for redistribution of P and Ca. The selected terrain attribute model provides insight for landscape nutrient distribution. Terrain attribute knowledge helps sampling and targeting best management practices.