CONCENTRATIONS OF NITRATE-NITROGEN AND PHOSPHATE-PHOSPHORUS IN SUBSURFACE DRAINAGE WATER FROM CROPLAND WITH FREE DRAINAGE AND CONTROLLED DRAINAGE MANAGEMENT
Applied Research
Wm. Bruce Clevenger
Associate Professor and Field Specialist, Farm Management
Ohio State University Extension
Napoleon
Abstract
\r\n Ohio’s fresh water streams, rivers and lakes can be impaired by high levels of soluble nutrients such as nitrate-nitrogen (N-NO3) and phosphate-phosphorus (P-PO4). A portion of the total impairing nutrient load is suspected to come from production agriculture. The research goal was to document the water quality and crop yield differences between controlled subsurface drainage verses free subsurface drainage. The site selected and modified included 2.5 acre plots with drainage systems of 2 inch and 4 inch corrugated plastic tubing at 10 foot; 20 foot lateral drainage spacing and 20 foot; 40 foot lateral drainage spacing, respectively. The four drainage systems have a replicate pair to apply the treatments of controlled drainage and free drainage on an annual basis. All eight plots were equipped with outlet controlled drainage structures and were continuously monitoring subsurface drainage water quality and discharge rate. The cropping system was a no-till, corn-soybean rotation utilizing the Tri-State Soil Fertility Recommendations for crop nutrient applications and soil testing every two years. During 2008 through 2010, N-NO3 and P-PO4 drainage water concentrations were not significantly different comparing controlled drainage and free drainage. N-NO3 and P-PO4 drainage water concentrations did increase significantly in all plots as a result of field applied fertilizer applications. Preliminary conclusions suggest that water quality concentrations of N-NO3 and P-PO4 do not change by implementing controlled drainage. Implication: Production agriculture must control the total annual water flow leaving the farm to have a positive impact on total annual load of impairing nutrients.
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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: W.B. Clevenger, B.J. Allred
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Clevenger, W. Extension Educator, Assistant Professor, Ohio State Univeristy Extension, Ohio, 43512
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Allred, B. Adjunct Assistant Professor, Ohio State University, Ohio, 43210