Saturday, 15 July 2006
116-50

Phosphorus Losses in a Ditch-Drained Farming System in the Delmarva Peninsula.

Arthur L. Allen1, Peter Kleinman2, Andrew Sharpley2, Peter Vadas2, and Brian Needelman3. (1) Univ of Maryland Eastern Shore, Dept of Agriculture, Princess Anne, MD 21853, (2) USDA Agricultural Research Service, USDA-ARS-PSWMRU, 3702 Curtin Road, University Park, PA 16802-3702, (3) Univ of Maryland, 0204 HJ Patterson Hall, College Park, MD 20742

The loss of phosphorus (P) from manure-amended agricultural fields can be exacerbated by drainage ditches. This study involved the monitoring of surface and sub-surface pathways of P transport on a coastal-plain farm with a 25 to 30 year history of intensive poultry litter application and elevated soil nutrient levels. Preliminary results indicate that the export of P from drainage ditches was high (up to 40 kg/ha/yr), primarily in storm flow, which accounted for 70-99 of annual flow and 75-97% of annual P export. Surface runoff accounted for only 5-22% of annual ditch flow, pointing to subsurface flow and ditch soils as primary sources of exported P. In addition to improved manure management, opportunities exist to substantially reduce P losses through the precision application of innovative soil and ditch management practices.

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Back to The 18th World Congress of Soil Science (July 9-15, 2006)