Nutrient Loss in Leachate and Surface Runoff from Surface-Broadcast and Subsurface-Banded Broiler Litter

Abstract

Subsurface band application of poultry litter has been shown to reduce the transport of nutrients from fields in surface runoff compared with conventional surface broadcast application. Little research has been conducted to determine the effects of surface broadcast application and subsurface banding of litter on nutrients in leachate. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to determine the effects of subsurface band application and surface broadcast application of poultry litter on nutrient losses in leachate. Zero-tension pan and passive capillary fiberglass wick lysimeters were installed in situ 50 cm beneath the soil surface of an established tall fescue ( Schreb.) pasture on a sandy loam soil. The treatments were surface broadcast and subsurface-banded poultry litter at 5 Mg ha and an unfertilized control. Results of the rainfall simulations showed that the concentrations of PO-P and total phosphorus (TP) in leachate were reduced by 96 and 37%, respectively, in subsurface-banded litter treatment compared with the surface-applied litter treatment. There was no significant difference in PO-P concentration between control and subsurface-banded litter treatment in leachate. The trend in the loading of nutrients in leachate was similar to the trend in concentration. Concentration and loading of the nutrients (TP, PO-P, NH-N, and NO-N) in runoff from the subsurface-banded treatment were significantly less than for the surface-applied treatment and were similar to those from control plots. These results show that, compared with conventional surface broadcast application of litter, subsurface band application of litter can greatly reduce loss of P in surface runoff and leachate.

Soybean Yield and Nutrient Utilization following Long‐Term Pelletized Broiler Litter Application to Cotton

“…The residual effects of broiler litter application significantly increased soil test P and K levels 21 and 15% greater than the control 3 yr after application, indicating elevated P, K, Cu, Zn concentration at the 0‐ to 15‐cm soil depth as a result of pelletized broiler litter application can maintain soil test P and K levels and soil micronutrients content for few years after broiler litter applications. Since pelletized broiler litter was subsurface banded and not exposed to the air and rain events, litter derived‐nutrients such as N, P, Cu, and Zn are protected and the risk of nutrient losses minimized (Pote et al, 2011; Lamba et al, 2013; Watts et al, 2011). Therefore, the potential adverse impact of litter derived‐nutrients from runoff to surface water is eliminated.…”

Leaching losses from Kenyan maize cropland receiving different rates of nitrogen fertilizer

“…For example, tension lysimeters provide access to deep soil horizons, and can be sampled daily for near real-time data on soil solution chemistry (Tully and Weil 2014). In contrast, subsurface drains or pans are a more direct methods of measuring NO 3 --N flux (Lamba et al 2013), but they are highly invasive and can require significant earthwork. Soil extractions, such as with potassium chloride, cannot easily measure concentrations from the same point over time and may measure NO 3 --N that is tightly held and not moving in solution.…”

Window phase analysis of nutrient losses from a typical rice-planting area in the Yangtze river delta region of China

“…However, there is no definite conclusion concerning the relationship between the rainfall amount and the total N and P concentration in the runoff and adjacent stream water because of the complex processes of N and P transport [24]. To date, the relationship between the rainfall and nutrient runoff losses from agricultural fields is often explored by using monthly or bimonthly rainfall monitoring data [25][26][27][28].…”