Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Application of manure to no-till soils: phosphorus losses by sub-surface and surface pathways

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The acceleration of surface water eutrophication attributed to agricultural runoff has focused attention on manure management in no-till. We evaluated losses of phosphorus (P) in sub-surface and surface flow as a function of dairy manure application to no-till soils in north-central Pennsylvania. Monitoring of a perennial spring over 36 months revealed that dissolved reactive P (DRP) concentrations increased 3- to 28-fold above background levels whenever manure was broadcast to nearby field soils. A study conducted with 30-cm deep intact soil cores indicated that incorporation of manure by tillage lowered P loss in leachate relative to broadcast application, presumably due to the destruction of preferential flow pathways. More P was leached from a sandy loam than a clay loam soil, although differences between soils were not as great as differences between application methods. In contrast, rainfall simulations on 2-m2 field runoff plots showed that total P (TP) losses in surface runoff differed significantly by soil but not by application method. Forms of P in surface runoff did change with application method, with DRP accounting for 87 and 24% of TP from broadcast and tilled treatments, respectively. Losses of TP in leachate from manured columns over 7 weeks (0.22–0.38 kg P ha−1) were considerably lower than losses in surface runoff from manured plots subjected to a single simulated rainfall event (0.31–2.07 kg TP ha−1). Results confirm the near-term benefits of incorporating manure by tillage to protect groundwater quality, but suggest that for surface water quality, avoiding soils prone to runoff is more important.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Mention of trade names does not imply endorsement by USDA. Nor does it imply approval to exclude other products that may also be suitable.

Abbreviations

DRP:

Dissolved reactive P

DOP:

Dissolved organic P

EDI:

Effective depth of interaction

TDP:

Total dissolved P

TP:

Total P

References

  • Akhtar MS, Richards BK, Medrano PA, deGroot M, Steenhuis TS (2003) Dissolved phosphorus from undisturbed soil cores: related to adsorption strength, flow rate or soil structure? Soil Sci Soc Am J 67:458–470

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Andraski TW, Bundy LG, Kilian KC (2003) Manure history and long-term tillage effects on soil properties and phosphorus losses in runoff. J Environ Qual 32:1782–1789

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beegle DB (2007) Soil fertility management. In: Pennsylvania State University agronomy guide, 2007–2008. Available at http://agguide.agronomy.psu.edu/cm/sec2/sec21.cfm (verified 20 May 2008)

  • Bremner JM (1996) Nitrogen—Total. In Sparks DL (ed.) Methods of soil analysis. Part 3. Chemical methods. SSSA Book Ser 5. SSSA, Madison, WI, pp 1085–1121

  • Burkart MR, Simpkins WW, Morrow AJ, Gannon JM (2004) Occurrence of total dissolved phosphorus in unconsolidated aquifers and aquitards in Iowa. J Am Water Resour Assoc 40:827–834. doi:10.1111/j.1752-1688.2004.tb04461.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Butler JS, Coale FJ (2005) Phosphorus leaching in manure-amended Atlantic coastal plain soils. J Environ Qual 34:370–381

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter SR, Caraco NF, Correll DL, Howarth RW, Sharpley AN, Smith VH (1998) Nonpoint pollution of surface waters with phosphorus and nitrogen. Ecol Appl 8:559–568. doi:10.1890/1051-0761(1998)008[0559:NPOSWW]2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chardon WJ, van Faassen HG (1999) Soil indicators for critical source areas of phosphorus leaching. Rapporten Programma Geintegreerd Bodemonderzoek, vol 22. Netherlands Integrated Soil Research Program, Wageningen

  • Chardon WJ, Aalderink GH, van der Salm C (2007) Phosphorus leaching from cow manure patches on soil columns. J Environ Qual 36:17–22. doi:10.2134/jeq2006.0182

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Daniel TC, Sharpley AN, Edwards DR, Wedepohl R, Lemunyon JL (1994) Minimizing surface water eutrophication from agriculture by phosphorus management. J Soil Water Conserv 49:30–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Daverede IC, Kravchenko AN, Hoeft RG, Nafziger ED, Bullock DG, Warren JJ, Gonzini LC (2004) Phosphorus runoff from incorporated and surface-applied liquid swine manure and phosphorus fertilizer. J Environ Qual 33:1535–1544

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Environmental Defense (2007) Farming for clean water: innovative solutions to reduce Chesapeake Bay farm runoff. Environmental Defense, New York. Available at http://www.edf.org/documents/7373_ChesapeakeBayReport_FarmingForCleanWater.pdf (verified 20 May 2008). 95 p

  • Dils RM, Heathwaite AL (1999) The controversial role of tile drainage in phosphorus export from agricultural land. Water Sci Technol 39:55–61. doi:10.1016/S0273-1223(99)00318-2

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Djodjic F, Bergstrom L, Ulen B, Shirmohammadi A (1999) Mode of transport of surface-applied phosphorus-33 through a clay and sandy soil. J Environ Qual 28:1273–1282

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia AM, Veith TL, Kleinman PJA, Rotz CA, Saporito LS (2008) Comparing small plot research with whole-farm simulations to assess manure management strategies. J Soil Water Conserv 63:204–211. doi:10.2489/jswc.63.4.204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gburek WJ, Folmar GJ (1999) Patterns of contaminant transport in a layered fractured aquifer. J Contam Hydrol 37:87–109. doi:10.1016/S0169-7722(98)00158-2

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Geohring LD, McHugh OV, Walter MT, Steenhuis TS, Akhtar MS, Walter MF (2001) Phosphorus transport into subsurface drains by macropores after manure applications: implications for best manure management practices. Soil Sci 166:896–909. doi:10.1097/00010694-200112000-00004

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guertal EA, Eckert DJ, Traina SJ, Logan TJ (1991) Differential phosphorus retention in soil profiles under no-till crop production. Soil Sci Soc Am J 55:410–413

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hillel D (1998) Environmental soil physics. Academic Press, San Diego

    Google Scholar 

  • Jensen MB, Jorgensen PR, Hansen HCB, Nielsen NE (1998) Biopore mediated subsurface transport of dissolved orthophosphate. J Environ Qual 27:1130–1137

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kleinman PJA, Sharpley AN (2003) Effect of broadcast manure on runoff phosphorus concentrations over successive rainfall events. J Environ Qual 32:1072–1081

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kleinman PJA, Needelman BA, Sharpley AN, McDowell RW (2003) Using soil profile data to assess phosphorus leaching potential in manured soils. Soil Sci Soc Am J 67:215–224

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kleinman PJA, Sharpley AN, Veith TL, Maguire RO, Vadas PA (2004) Evaluation of phosphorus transport in surface runoff from packed soil boxes. J Environ Qual 33:1413–1423

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kleinman PJA, Wolf AM, Sharpley AN, Beegle DB, Saporito LS (2005a) Survey of water extractable phosphorus in manures. Soil Sci Soc Am J 67:701–708. doi:10.2136/sssaj2004.0099

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kleinman PJA, Srinivasan MS, Sharpley AN, Gburek WJ (2005b) Phosphorus leaching through intact soil columns before and after poultry manure applications. Soil Sci 170:153–166. doi:10.1097/00010694-200503000-00001

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McDowell LL, McGregor KC (1980) Nitrogen and phosphorus losses in runoff from no-till soybeans. Trans ASAE 23:643–648

    Google Scholar 

  • McDowell RW, Sharpley A (2002) Phosphorus transport in overland flow in response to position of manure application. J Environ Qual 31:217–227

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mehlich A (1984) Mehlich 3 soil test extractant: a modification of Mehlich 2 extractant. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 15:1409–1416. doi:10.1080/00103628409367568

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mueller DH, Wendt RC, Daniel TC (1984) Phosphorus losses as affected by tillage and manure application. Soil Sci Soc Am J 48:901–905

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy J, Riley JP (1962) A modified single solution method for the determination of phosphate in natural waters. Anal Chim Acta 27:31–36. doi:10.1016/S0003-2670(00)88444-5

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • National Phosphorus Research Project (2007) National research project for simulated rainfall—surface runoff studies. Southern Ext. Res. Activity Inf. Ex. Group 17. http://www.sera17.ext.vt.edu/Documents/National_P_protocol.pdf (verified 20 May 2008)

  • Nolan BT, Stoner JD (2000) Nutrients in groundwaters of the conterminous United States 1992–1995. Environ Sci Technol 34:1156–1165. doi:10.1021/es9907663

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Preedy N, McTiernan K, Matthews R, Heathwaite L, Haygarth P (2001) Rapid incidental phosphorus transfers from grassland. J Environ Qual 30:2105–2112

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • SAS Institute Inc. (2002) SAS OnlineDoc®, version 9.1, Cary

  • Schelde K, de Jonge LW, Kjaergaard C, Laegdsmand M, Rubæk GH (2006) Effects of manure application and plowing on transport of colloids and phosphorus to tile drains. Vadose Zone J 5:445–458. doi:10.2136/vzj2005.0051

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharpley AN (1985) Depth of surface soil-runoff interaction as affected by rainfall, soil slope, and management. Soil Sci Soc Am J 49:1010–1015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharpley AN (2003) Soil mixing to decrease surface stratification of phosphorus in manured soils. J Environ Qual 32:1375–1384

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharpley AN, Smith SJ (1994) Wheat tillage and water quality in the southern plains. Soil Tillage Res 30:33–38. doi:10.1016/0167-1987(94)90149-X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharpley AN, Syers JK (1979) Loss of nitrogen and phosphorus in tile drainage as influenced by urea application and grazing animals. N Z J Agric Res 22:127–131

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharpley AN, Weld JL, Beegle DB, Kleinman PJA, Gburek WJ, Moore PA Jr, Mullins G (2003) Development of phosphorus indices for nutrient management planning strategies in the United States. J Soil Water Conserv 58:137–152

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharpley AN, Weld JL, Kleinman PJA (2005) Assessment of best management practices to minimize the runoff of manure-bourne phosphorus in the United States. N Z J Agric Res 47:461–477

    Google Scholar 

  • Shipitalo MJ, Gibbs F (2000) Potential of earthworm burrows to transmit injected animal wastes to tile drains. Soil Sci Soc Am J 64:2103–2109

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shipitalo MJ, Dick WA, Edwards WM (2000) Conservation tillage and macropore factors that affect water movement and the fate of chemicals. Soil Tillage Res 53:167–183. doi:10.1016/S0167-1987(99)00104-X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simard RR, Beauchemin S, Haygarth PM (2000) Potential for preferential pathways of phosphorus transport. J Environ Qual 29:97–105

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sims JT, Kleinman PJA (2005) Managing agricultural phosphorus for environmental protection. In: Sims JT, Sharpley AN (eds) Phosphorus, agriculture and the environment. Monograph no 46, Amer Society Agron, Crop Sci Soc Am, Soil Sci Soc Am, Madison, WI, pp 1021–1068

  • Sims JT, Simard RR, Joern BC (1998) Phosphorus loss in agricultural drainage: historical perspective and current research. J Environ Qual 27:277–293

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stamm C, Fluhler H, Gachter R, Leuenberger J, Wunderli H (1998) Preferential transport of phosphorus in drained grassland soils. J Environ Qual 27:515–522

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Toor GS, Condron LM, Cade-Menun BJ, Di HJ, Cameron KC (2004) Preferential phosphorus leaching from an irrigated grassland soil. Eur J Soil Sci 56:155–168

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Trojan MD, Linden DR (1998) Macroporosity and hydraulic properties of earthworm-affected soils as influenced by tillage and residue management. Soil Sci Soc Am J 62:1687–1692

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2004) Managing manure nutrients at concentrated animal feeding operations. EPA-821-B-04-006. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water (4303T), Washington, DC. Available on-line at http://www.epa.gov/guide/cafo/ (verified 20 May 2008)

  • U.S. Geological Survey (1999) The quality of our nation’s waters: nutrients and pesticides. U.S. Geological Survey circular 1225. USGS Information Services, Denver, CO, 82 pp

  • Vadas PA, Kleinman PJA, Sharpley AN (2004) A simple method to predict dissolved phosphorus in runoff from surface applied manures. J Environ Qual 33:749–756

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vadas PA, Kleinman PJA, Sharpley AN, Turner BL (2005) Relating soil phosphorus to dissolved phosphorus in runoff: a single extraction coefficient. J Environ Qual 34:572–580. doi:10.2134/jeq2004.0424

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vadas PA, Gburek WJ, Sharpley AN, Kleinman PJA, Moore PA Jr, Cabrera ML, Harmel RD (2007) A model for phosphorus transformation and runoff loss for surface-applied manures. J Environ Qual 36:324–332. doi:10.2134/jeq2006.0213

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • van Es HM, Schindelbeck RR, Jokela WE (2004) Effect of manure application timing, crop, and soil type on phosphorus leaching. J Environ Qual 33:1070–1080

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Ms. Sarah Orner for her work in sampling spring water and maintaining field management records. In addition, we thank the staff of the USDA—ARS Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Laboratory for their contributions to this study. Rain simulation experiments were conducted by Jenn Logan, Joe Quatrini, Zach Smith and Benjamin Thonus. Soil columns were collected by David Otto and Terry Troutman. Laboratory analyses were conducted by Jaime Davis, Bart Moyer and Joan Weaver.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    Peter J. A. Kleinman, Lou S. Saporito, Anthony R. Buda & Ray B. Bryant

  2. Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences, Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, USA

    Andrew N. Sharpley

Authors
  1. Peter J. A. Kleinman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Andrew N. Sharpley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Lou S. Saporito
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Anthony R. Buda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ray B. Bryant
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peter J. A. Kleinman.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kleinman, P.J.A., Sharpley, A.N., Saporito, L.S. et al. Application of manure to no-till soils: phosphorus losses by sub-surface and surface pathways. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 84, 215–227 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-008-9238-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-008-9238-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation