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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Bowling Green, Kentucky » Food Animal Environmental Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #370226
Research Project: Developing Safe, Efficient and Environmentally Sound Management Practices for the Use of Animal Manure

Location: Food Animal Environmental Systems Research

Title: Strengthening the Science Behind P Indices

Author
item Bolster, Carl

Submitted to: Annual Meeting of the Southern Extension and Research Activity Information Group 6
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/10/2019
Publication Date: 11/14/2019
Citation: Bolster, C.H. 2019. Strengthening the Science Behind P Indices. Annual Meeting of the Southern Extension and Research Activity Information Group 6. Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The phosphorus index is a tool used by most states for evaluating the risk of phosphorus loss from agricultural fields. The risk assigned by the phosphorus index informs and guides land management decisions and allowable inorganic and organic fertilizer application rates. Current phosphorus indices were developed based on best professional judgment and thus lack scientific basis for their formulation, the factors involved, and how each factor is weighted. This has caused some to question the validity of the phosphorus index for evaluating a field's risk of phosphorus loss. In this study, more scientifically rigorous approaches to phosphorus index development are detailed including using the KY and PA phosphorus indices as examples.