Impact of manure source and application rate on nutrient losses from a series of three one-acre inch-simulated rainfall events
Applied Research
Rishi Prasad
Associate Professor and Extension Specialist
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Auburn University
Abstract
Phosphorus (P) transport from agricultural lands receiving animal manure is an ongoing water quality concern. Manure differs in physical and chemical characteristics such as nutrient content, moisture, presence or absence of bedding material, and density, among others. Similarly, the application rate varies due to the difference in density between solid and liquid manure. There has been less investigation on how manure source and their application rates affect runoff volume, soil and nutrient losses primarily nitrogen (N) and P, during runoff events. We used artificial rainfall simulation to study the effect of three successive one-acre-inch rainfall events occurring at seven days intervals on runoff volume, sediment, N, and P losses due to broiler litter (BL) and swine liquid manure (SLM) application in a conventional tilled Decatur silty clay loam soil. Broiler litter and SLM were applied at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 Mg ha-1 and 0, 47, 94, 140, and 187 kL ha-1, respectively. The results indicated that BL application increased runoff and soil losses compared to bare soil (0 kg ha-1), and the greatest losses were observed at the lowest application rate (2 Mg ha-1). On the contrary, SLM application did not affect runoff volume; however, soil losses increased with increasing application rate and decreased at the highest application rate. Phosphorus and N losses increased with increasing application rate of both manure. Phosphorus and N losses ranged between 1-1.4 kg ha-1 and 1 to 2.5 kg ha-1 for SLM and 1.5 to 2.6 kg ha-1 and 2-4 kg ha-1 for PM, respectively.
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Authors: Rishi Prasad, Chhabi Raj, Debolina Chakraborty
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Prasad, R. Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Auburn University, Alabama, 36849
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Raj, C. Graduate Student, Auburn University, Alabama, 36849
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Chakraborty, D. Assistant Research Professor, Auburn University, Alabama, 36849