National Soil Dynamics Laboratory Site Logo
ARS Home About Us Helptop nav spacerContact Us En Espanoltop nav spacer
Printable VersionPrintable Version     E-mail this pageE-mail this page
Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture
Search
  Advanced Search
 
Programs and Projects
Subjects of Investigation
 

Research Project: USING AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL BYPRODUCTS TO IMPROVE CROP PRODUCTION SYSTEMS AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Location: National Soil Dynamics Laboratory

Title: Subsurface application of poultry litter and its influence on nutrient losses in runoff water from permanent pastures

Authors

Submitted to: Journal of Environmental Quality
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: November 4, 2010
Publication Date: March 1, 2011
Citation: Watts, D.B., Way, T.R., Torbert III, H.A. 2011. Subsurface application of poultry litter and its influence on nutrient losses in runoff water from permanent pastures. Journal of Environmental Quality. 40:421-430.

Interpretive Summary: Recently, an experimental implement has been developed at the USDA-ARS National Soil Dynamics Laboratory (NSDL) to subsurface band poultry litter in soil. Use of this implement to subsurface apply poultry litter in soil can potentially reduce the negative impact that N and P loss from poultry litter has on water quality. Thus, a rainfall simulation study was performed using high rainfall rates to evaluate how subsurface applying poultry litter in a bermudagrass pasture would impact nutrient loss in surface water runoff at two field sites containing soil from the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions of the Southeastern US. Subsurface banding of poultry litter was compared to surface applied poultry litter, inorganic fertilizer, and a non-fertilized control. Subsurface banding poultry litter reduced the impact of N and P loss in surface water runoff to levels observed in the non-fertilized pasture. Thus, this study shows that subsurface banding poultry litter in soil can reduce N and P loss compared to common fertilization practices.

Technical Abstract: Environmental pressure to reduce nutrient losses from agricultural fields has increased in recent years. To abate this nutrient loss to the environment, better management practices and new technologies need to be developed. Thus, research was conducted to evaluate if subsurface banding poultry litter (PL) would reduce nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loss in surface water runoff using a four-row prototype implement. Rainfall simulations were conducted to create a 40 min runoff event in an established bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) pasture on soil types common to the Coastal Plain and Piedmont Region. The Coastal Plain soil type was a Marvyn loamy sand (Fine-loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludults) and the Piedmont soil type was a Hard Labor loamy sand (Fine, kaolinitic, thermic Oxyaquic Kanhapludults). Treatments consisted of surface and subsurface applied PL at a rate of 9 Mg ha-1, surface broadcast applied commercial fertilizer (CF; urea and triple super phosphate blend) at the equivalent N (330 kg N ha-1) and P (315 kg N ha-1) content of PL, and a non-fertilized control. The greatest loss for inorganic N, total N, dissolved reactive P and total P occurred with the surface broadcast treatments, with CF contributing to the greatest loss. Nutrient losses from the subsurface banded treatment reduced N and P in surface water runoff to levels of the control. Subsurface banding of PL reduced concentrations of inorganic N 91 %, total N 90 %, DRP 86 %, and total P 86 % in runoff water compared to surface broadcasted PL. These results show that subsurface band-applied PL can greatly reduce the impact of N and P loss to the environment compared to conventional surface applied PL and CF practices.

   

 
Project Team
Torbert, Henry - Allen
Watts, Dexter
Way, Thomas - Tom
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Water Availability and Water Management (211)
  Climate Change, Soils, and Emissions (212)
  Agricultural and Industrial Byproducts (214)
 
Related Projects
   AGRICULTURE SYSTEMS MEASUREMENTS OF GREENHOUSE GASES
   Use of Flue Gas Desulfurization Gypsum (FGDG) to Improve Crop and Forage Production on Erodible Soils of the South
   Research and education best management practice for sustainable production of soybean under climate change
 
 
Last Modified: 05/18/2013
ARS Home | USDA.gov | Site Map | Policies and Links 
FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Nondiscrimination Statement | Information Quality | USA.gov | White House