SOIL AND NUTRIENT LOSSES IN SURFACE RUNOFF FROM CONVENTIONAL AND NO-TILL CORN SYSTEMS

1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 835-843 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. PESANT ◽  
J. L. DIONNE ◽  
J. GENEST
Keyword(s):  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Continuous Cultivation ◽  
Nutrient Loss ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Nutrient Losses ◽  
N Losses ◽  
No Till ◽  
Soil Losses ◽  
T System

A natural-rainfall erosion plot study was conducted during three consecutive growing seasons (May to September) on a tile-drained sandy loam with a 9% slope to evaluate differences in soil and nutrient losses (NO3-N, P, K) from conventional (C-T) and no-till (N-T) silage corn systems. For the N-T system, corn was seeded directly into an alfalfa-timothy sod that had been treated with atrazine at 4.5 kg ha−1 a few days prior to seeding to kill the sod. The conventional system involving continuous cultivation consisted of fall moldboard plowing, spring disking with a 2.2 kg ha−1 of atrazine applied to control weeds, and seeding. When compared with the C-T system, the N-T system reduced rainfall loss as runoff by 63.6% and soil losses by 92.4%. The 3-yr total soil losses amounted to 3.87 t ha−1 for N-T and 50.68 t ha−1 for C-T. The N-T system reduced K losses by 72.6% and P losses by 93.5% with respect to C-T. NO3-N losses were significantly lower for the C-T treatment as compared to the N-T treatment. Lower percentage nutrient loss occurred in solution from C-T corn because of better incorporation of the fertilizer into the soil. Yield and percent ear were not significantly different between the two systems. Key words: No-till corn, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, soil erosion, surface runoff

Soil Type Modifies the Impacts of Warming and Snow Exclusion on Carbon and Nutrient Losses

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie M. Juice ◽  
Paul G. Schaberg ◽  
Alexandra M. Kosiba ◽  
Carl E. Waite ◽  
Gary J. Hawley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Nutrient Cycling ◽  
Soil Type ◽  
Soil Characteristics ◽  
Nutrient Loss ◽  
Climate Projections ◽  
Nutrient Losses ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Total N ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The varied and wide-reaching impacts of climate change are occurring across heterogeneous landscapes. Despite the known importance of soils in mediating biogeochemical nutrient cycling, there is little experimental evidence of how soil characteristics may shape ecosystem response to climate change. Our objective was to clarify how soil characteristics modify the impact of climate changes on carbon and nutrient leaching losses in temperate forests. We therefore conducted a field-based mesocosm experiment with replicated warming and snow exclusion treatments on two soils in large (2.4 m diameter), in-field forest sapling mesocosms. We found that nutrient loss responses to warming and snow exclusion treatments frequently varied substantially by soil type. Indeed, in some cases, soil type nullified the impact of a climate treatment. For example, warming and snow exclusion increased nitrogen (N) losses on fine soils by up to four times versus controls, but these treatments had no impact on coarse soils. Generally, the coarse textured soil, with its lower soil-water holding capacity, had higher nutrient losses (e.g., 12-17 times more total N loss from coarse than fine soils), except in the case of phosphate, which had consistently higher losses (23-58%) from the finer textured soil. Furthermore, the mitigation of nutrient loss by increasing tree biomass varied by soil type and nutrient. Our results suggest that potentially large biogeochemical responses to climate change are strongly mediated by soil characteristics, providing further evidence of the need to consider soil properties in Earth system models for improving nutrient cycling and climate projections.

Effect of No-Till and Extended Rotation on Nutrient Losses in Surface Runoff

2013 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 1329-1337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin J. Shipitalo ◽  
Lloyd B. Owens ◽  
James V. Bonta ◽  
William M. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Nutrient Losses ◽  
No Till

scholarly journals Effects of rainfall intensity on runoff and nutrient loss of gently sloping farmland in a karst area of SW China

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0246505
Author(s):  
Yiwen Yao ◽  
Quanhou Dai ◽  
Ruxue Gao ◽  
Yixian Gan ◽  
Xingsong Yi
Keyword(s):  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Rainfall Intensity ◽  
Simulation Method ◽  
Nutrient Loss ◽  
Rainfall Simulation ◽  
Karst Area ◽  
Nutrient Losses ◽  
Nutrient Runoff ◽  
Karst Areas ◽  
Sloping Farmland

Nutrient losses from sloping farmland in karst areas lead to the decline in land productivity and nonpoint source pollution. A specially tailored steel channel with an adjustable slope and underground hole fissures was used to simulate the microenvironment of the "dual structure" of the surface and underground of sloping farmland in a karst area. The artificial rainfall simulation method was used to explore the surface and underground runoff characteristics and nutrient losses from sloping farmland under different rainfall intensities. The effect of rainfall intensity on the nutrient loss of farmland on karst sloping land was clarified. The results showed that the surface was the main route of runoff and nutrient loss during the rainy season on sloping farmland in karst areas. The influence of rainfall intensity on the nutrients in surface runoff was more substantial than that on underground runoff nutrients. Nutrient loss was more likely to occur underground than on the surface. The losses of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total potassium in surface and underground runoff initially increased and then gradually stabilized with the extension of rainfall duration and increased with increasing rainfall intensity and the amount of nutrient runoff. The output of nutrients through surface runoff accounted for a high proportion of the total, and underground runoff was responsible for a low proportion. Although the amount of nutrients output by underground runoff was small, it could directly cause groundwater pollution. The research results provide a theoretical reference for controlling land source pollution from sloping farming in karst areas.

Rainfall induced nitrogen and phosphorus losses from Manitoba soils

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. Hargrave ◽  
C. F. Shaykewich
Keyword(s):  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Nutrient Loss ◽  
Nutrient Losses ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Slope Length ◽  
Sediment Fraction ◽  
Phosphorus Losses ◽  
Total Sediment ◽  
Rainfall Erosion

Losses of total sediment phosphorus, total sediment nitrogen and dissolved nitrite, nitrate and ammonium resulting from natural rainfall erosion were studied in southern Manitoba during the summers of 1988–1990. Soils used were a Gretna clay, Leary sandy loam, Ryerson sandy clay and a Carroll clay loam. "Standard" erosion plots, i.e 22.13 m slope length, 4.6 m wide on a 9% slope were used. Crop management systems were 1) alfalfa, 2) corn, 3) wheat – minimum tillage, 4) wheat – conventional tillage, and 5) fallow. Nutrient losses averaged over the study period were greatest from the corn and fallow treatments, as high as 160 kg ha−1 yr−1 for nitrogen and 70 kg ha−1 yr−1 for phosphorus. Losses from wheat were intermediate. Losses from alfalfa were negligible. Most of the nutrient losses occurred with the sediment fraction, a result consistent with previous studies. Thus, nutrient loss can be estimated from a knowledge of soil loss. The amount of nutrient loss per unit soil varied with soil, and was a function of the inherent nutrient status of the soil. Key words: Nitrogen, phosphorus, rainfall erosion, nutrients

Loss of phosphorus and nitrogen in runoff and subsurface drainage from high and low input pastures grazed by sheep in southern Australia

Soil Research ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 161 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Melland ◽  
M. R. Mc Caskill ◽  
R. E. White ◽  
D. F. Chapman
Keyword(s):  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Subsurface Flow ◽  
Surface Flow ◽  
Nutrient Loss ◽  
Subsurface Water ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Nutrient Inputs ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Primary Determinant

High rates of fertiliser applied to boost pasture growth in the southern Australian sheep industry may lead to eutrophication of waterways and groundwater degradation. A field study was used to investigate whether higher fertiliser and stocking rates would increase nutrient loss in runoff and subsurface flow from pastures. Phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) concentrations in surface and subsurface flow were measured from 1998–2000 in four 0.5-ha hillslope plots. Surface flow volume was measured directly and subsurface water flux was estimated using soil moisture data and a water balance model. A simulated rainfall study was also conducted using 0.64-m2 plots. The treatments represented were: a low-P set-stocked sown pasture (SS low P), a high-P set-stocked sown pasture (SS high P), a high-P sown pasture in a 4-paddock rotation (RG 4-pdk), and an unsown set-stocked pasture (Low P volunteer). No runoff from the hillslope occurred in 1999, while the volume of runoff in 1998 and 2000 varied from 0.1 to 68 mm/year across the 4 hillslope plots. More P was lost via surface runoff (up to 0.25 kg P/ha.year) than subsurface flow (up to 0.027 kg P/ha.year). However, N loads were greater in subsurface flows (3.2–10.6 kg N/ha.year) than surface runoff (0.04–2.74 kg N/ha.year). Phosphorus concentrations were higher in runoff from the high P treatments (0.34–0.83 mg P/L) than the set-stocked low P treatment (0.19–0.22 mg P/L). Higher TP concentrations in runoff from the high P treatments were associated with greater labile P contents in the soil, dung, and herbage. However, the volume of runoff, rather than the pasture treatment, was the primary determinant of nutrient loss. Avoiding high nutrient inputs in seasonally waterlogged areas, sowing perennial pastures, and minimising stock camping helps minimise P losses to waterways and N losses to groundwater.

scholarly journals Reduced tillage: Influence on erosion and nutrient losses in a clayey field in southern

2002 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. KOSKIAHO ◽  
S. KIVISAARI ◽  
S. VERMEULEN
Keyword(s):  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Nutrient Losses ◽  
N Loss ◽  
Drainage Flow ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Water Quality Data ◽  
Total N ◽  
Total P

Reduced tillage was compared with traditional ploughing in terms of erosion and phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) losses in an experimental field in southern Finland. One part of the field has been ploughed (treatment PF) and the other part harrowed (treatment NPF) every autumn since 1986. Flow volume and water quality data was collected separately from surface runoff and subsurface drainage waters during 1991-1995 (surface runoff volume since 1993). Erosion was higher in PF (on average 234 kg ha-1yr-1 in drainage flow and 479 kg ha-1 yr-1 in surface runoff) than in NPF (158 kg ha-1yr-1 in drainage flow and 160 kg ha-1yr-1 in surface runoff). Total N loss in drainage flow was also higher in PF (7.2 kg ha-1yr-1) than in NPF (4.6 kg ha-1yr-1). Total P losses did not differ much

scholarly journals Sediment and nutrient losses under winter cropping on two Manawatu hill country soils

2017 ◽  
Vol 79 ◽  
pp. 27-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.L. Burkitt ◽  
J.L. Winters ◽  
D.J. Horne
Keyword(s):  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Nutrient Loss ◽  
Nutrient Losses ◽  
Total N ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Risk Period ◽  
Winter Grazing ◽  
Winter Crops

Abstract Aerial spraying and surface seeding of winter crops in uncultivable hill country areas is rapidly being adopted as a method of increasing winter feed supply and as a precursor to regrassing. However, there is little research on the sediment and nutrient losses that may result from this practice. In the current study, winter swede crops were established on an imperfectly and on a welldrained soil and these crops were grazed by beef cattle. Soil damage caused by the winter grazing of the swedes generated sediment losses that were 5.5 times greater on the imperfectly drained soil than the well-drained soil. Surface runoff over 3 months (which included crop grazing and the non-grazed crop stubble period) resulted in losses of 1.1 t/ha of sediment, 0.85 kg of phosphorus (P)/ha and 5.4 kg of nitrogen (N)/ha from the poorly drained soil. This key risk period contributed between 88 and 99% of the total annual sediment and total N and P losses, compared to the pre-crop (pasture) and crop establishment phase. A simple comparison with two other sediment and nutrient loss studies located on the same farm as the current study, suggested that the losses associated with winter cropping in this landscape may be extreme. The current study highlights the need for targeted mitigation strategies and/or strategic grazing management to reduce soil and nutrient losses and to minimise the impacts on waterways of winter grazing of hill country crops. Keywords: winter cropping, hill country, surface runoff, sediment losses, nutrient losses

Runoff and soil and nutrient losses from an improved pasture at Ginninderra, Southern Tablelands, New South Wales

1980 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 533 ◽  
Author(s):  
AB Costin
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Nutrient Losses ◽  
Infiltration Capacity ◽  
Runoff And Soil Loss ◽  
High Infiltration ◽  
Soil Losses ◽  
Improved Pasture

Plot and catchment measurements of runoff and of soil and nutrient losses were carried out on a moderately to heavily grazed (12-30 sheep/ha) phalaris-subterranean clover pasture at Ginninderra. The effects of an intense summer storm were examined by applying artificial rains of 20 mm/ 15 min on 5.6 m2 runoff plots in 1964. The pasture topsoils had high infiltration capacities (50-75 mm/h), and when dry could absorb more than 40 mm of water. Surface runoff and soil loss were inversely related to cover (as pasture, detached litter, and sheep dung). Cover values less than about 70% were associated with some large increases in runoff and soil loss, whereas at higher cover values there was relatively little reduction in runoff and soil loss. Most soil losses were small (< 5 g m-2) when runoffs were less than about 15 %, but increased rapidly with increasing runoff. Acceptable conditions of ground cover were mostly maintained on the improved pasture but their potential for soil and nutrient losses was greater than on native pasture. Pasture renovation substantially reduced surface runoff. The effects of natural rains on runoff and soil and nutrient losses were measured from 1966 to 1971 on a 88 ha experimental catchment. The amount of runoff varied with the amount and season of rainfall, from less than 1 mm (0.2% of rainfall) in a dry year to 51 mm (7%) in a wet year, with an average of 29 mm (4%) per year. Most runoffs in autumn and summer were relatively small, reflecting the high infiltration capacity of the surface soil when topsoil moisture storage was available. In spring and winter, when the topsoil was mostly wet, runoffs were greater, reflecting the much lower infiltration capacities (c. 5 mm/h) of the subsoil. Soil losses were related to the runoffs. They ranged from 4 kg to 376 kg/ha/year, with an average of 179 kg. Most of the soil was in fine suspension, little as bed load or coarse floating debris. Losses of nitrogen, phophorus, potassium and sulfur were at average rates of 0.62, 0.12, 1.93 and 0.06 kg/ha/year. The present rate of soil loss is less than the estimated past rate of topsoil development, and the rates of loss of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur are less than the inputs from fertilizers and legumes. With management to retain adequate ground cover, the Ginninderra pasture effectively controls runoff and soil and nutrient losses, and could be used in similar environments as a standard for soil and water conservation, as well as livestock production.

No-till surface runoff and soil losses in southern Brazil

2015 ◽  
Vol 152 ◽  
pp. 85-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.H. Merten ◽  
A.G. Araújo ◽  
R.C.M. Biscaia ◽  
G.M.C. Barbosa ◽  
O. Conte
Keyword(s):  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
No Till ◽  
Soil Losses

Relationships Between Soluble and Sediment Nutrient Losses, Land Use and Types of Soil in Agricultural Watersheds

1977 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.H. Neilsen ◽  
A.F. Mackenzie
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
High Surface ◽  
Sediment Concentration ◽  
Chemical Oxidation ◽  
Nutrient Loss ◽  
Potassium Sulfate ◽  
Agricultural Watersheds ◽  
Nutrient Losses ◽  
Calcium Magnesium

Abstract Seven agricultural watersheds in southwestern Quebec and southeastern Ontario, ranging in area from 2,000 to 20,000 hectares, were monitored systematically during 1973–75 for soluble inorganic nitrogen, total soluble phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sulfate-sulfur, chemical oxidation demand, discharge, suspended sediment concentration, sediment Kjeldahl nitrogen, Bray extractable phosphorus, and ammonium acetate extractable calcium, magnesium and potassium. For 1974–75, annual Kg/ha, loss rates were calculated for the soluble and sediment associated nutrients. Losses varied with nutrient and watershed, with volume of runoff being an important control of nutrient loss variation. Significant amounts of SO4−S in precipitation were suggested by an average watershed soluble N:P:S loss ratio of 10:1:92. Sediment nutrient losses were especially important for N and P, comprising over 40% of their total loss. The importance of spring snow-melt runoff was demonstrated by the high proportion of all nutrients lost at this time. Correlations of nutrient loss, land use and soils suggested that certain land uses resulted in increased stream nutrient losses while increased watershed area of soils with a high surface runoff potential was particularly conducive to increased soluble nutrient and sediment losses.

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