How manure sources and application rates in a conventionally tilled soil impact nutrient loading from three consecutive one acre-inch rainfall?

Authors: CHHABI, RAJ - Auburn University; PRASAD, RISHI - Auburn University; CHAKRABORTY, DEBOLINA - Auburn University; Watts, Dexter; HORVATH, TIBOR - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS, USDA); KETTERINGS, QUIRINE - Cornell University; BLERSCH, DAVID - Auburn University; TOMASEK, ABIGAIL - Oregon State University; CORDOBA, BERNARDO - Auburn University

Submitted to: Heliyon
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/31/2024
Publication Date: 11/5/2024
Citation: Chhabi, R., Prasad, R., Chakraborty, D., Watts, D.B., Horvath, T., Ketterings, Q., Blersch, D., Tomasek, A.A., Cordoba, B.C. 2024. How manure sources and application rates in a conventionally tilled soil impact nutrient loading from three consecutive one acre-inch rainfall?. Heliyon. 10:e40062. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40062.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40062

Interpretive Summary: Manure is often used as fertilizer source for crop growth and to improve the productivity of soil. However, over application and careless use of manure can lead to nutrient losses which may create environmental problems that can negatively influence rivers, lakes, and streams. Thus, there is a need to evaluate the influence of different manure types on nutrient loss from agricultural fields. A study was conducted to evaluate the susceptibility of increasing poultry litter and swine manure application rates on surface water runoff in a conventional tillage and no tillage soil. This study indicated that loss of nitrate-N (NO3-N), ammonium-N (NH4-N), dissolved reactive P (DRP), and dissolved organic P (DOP) in runoff water was maximum at the highest application rates for both poultry litter and swine manure with respect to control (non-fertilized). Total suspended solids were lower in control compared to the poultry litter and swine manure treatments. Mehlich 3 P and water soluble P in soil increased with increasing P application rates for both manure types. The Soil Phosphorous Storage Capacity (SPSC) value was positive, and thereby, soil acted as a sink of P. In view of runoff, sediment, and nutrient losses, the application of swine manure at the rate of 18 kg P ha-1 is recommended. Considering the SPSC values, poultry and litter and swine manure applications may be increased up to 249 and 18 kg P ha-1, respectively.

Technical Abstract: Manure is an important source of plant nutrients primarily nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) as well as organic matter for improving soil health. However, indiscriminate use of manure can lead to various environmental problems, one being the eutrophication of water bodies caused by nutrient runoff during precipitation events. Hence, there is a need to understand the effect of manure application source and rate on N and P forms and their losses during runoff events. This study aimed to quantify the impact of three successive 1 acre-inch rainfall events on runoff volume, sediment, N, and P losses from two manure types applied to conventionally tilled soil. Surface soil (0.15 m, Decatur soil series) was collected from North Alabama and packed in trays (0.55*0.30*0.06 m3). Poultry litter (PL) and swine manure (SM) were applied to the soil in the tray at rates ranging from 62 to 249 kg ha-1 and 5 to 18 kg ha-1, respectively. One acre-inch artificial rainfall was simulated at 7, 14, and 21 days after manure application. Results indicated that loss of nitrate-N (NO3-N), ammonium-N (NH4-N), dissolved reactive P (DRP), and dissolved organic P (DOP) in runoff water was maximum at the highest application rates for both the PL and SM with respect to control. The total suspended solids (TSS) loss was lower in control compared to PL and SM treatments. M3-P and WSP in soil increased with increasing P application rates for both manure types. The Soil Phosphorous Storage Capacity (SPSC) value was positive, and thereby, soil acted as a sink of P. In view of runoff, sediment, and nutrient losses, the application of SM at the rate of 18 kg P ha-1 is recommended. Considering the SPSC values, PL and SM applications may be increased up to 249 and 18 kg P ha-1, respectively.