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Title: RUNOFF, SEDIMENT, AND NUTRIENT EXPORT FROM MANURED RIPARIAN PASTURE AS AFFECTED BY SIMULATED RAIN AND GROUND COVER

Author
item BUTLER, D - NC STATE UNIVERSITY
item RANELLS, N - NC STATE UNIVERSITY
item Franklin, Dorcas
item POORE, M - NC STATE UNIVERSITY
item GREEN, JR., J - NC STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Branch Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2004
Publication Date: 7/1/2004
Citation: Butler, D.M., Ranells, N.N., Franklin, D.H., Poore, M.H., Green, Jr., J.T. 2004. Runoff, sediment, and nutrient export from manured riparian pasture as affected by simulated rain and ground cover. American Society of Agronomy Branch Meeting.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The impact of livestock pastures on sediment and nutrient export to surface waters in North Carolina is not well documented. The objective of this work was to determine effects of ground cover (cover) on nutrient export from pastured riparian areas. Plots, 0.75 m by 2 m, were on 10% and 20% slopes of mixed tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)/dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir.). Cover levels were 0, 45, 70, and 95%. Rainfall simulators were used to evaluate runoff volume, total Kjeldahl N & P (TKN & TKP), nitrate (NO3), ammonium (NH4), and dissolved reactive P (DRP) export from plots with applied cattle feces and urine. Feces and urine were applied in May and Sept. 2003 and immediately followed with rainfall simulation events. Additional rainfall simulations without additional application of feces and urine occurred in June and Oct. 2003. Mean runoff volume from 0% cover was generally greater than from 45, 70, and 95% levels of cover. Mean NO3 export was greatest from 0% cover and few differences were seen at 45, 70, and 95% cover levels. Mean NH4 export was elevated (~1.37 kg N ha-1) in months when feces and urine were applied and minimal (<0.05 kg N ha-1) in all other months. Export of DRP was greatest from all cover treatments in Sept. and on all dates from 0% cover. These results indicate that ground cover and time of rainfall are important factors of nutrient export from pastured riparian areas.