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Phosphorus loss from grassland soils: implications of land management for the quality of receiving waters.

Research output: Contribution in Book/Report/Proceedings - With ISBN/ISSNChapter (peer-reviewed)

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Publication date1997
Host publicationFreshwater contamination
EditorsBruce Webb
Place of PublicationWallingford
PublisherIAHS Publications
Pages177-186
Number of pages10
Volume243
ISBN (print)0901502201
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

Transfer of P from grassland soil to water was studied using two
complementary field experiments. In the first of these, P transfer in surface
runoff from grassland soils receiving different amendments of fertilizer and
manures, under controlled rainfall conditions, was considered. In the second
experiment, 1 ha-sized grazed plot lysimeters were used to separate different
hydrological pathways into surface and artificially drained pathways. It was
found that fertilizer and manure additions were both direct sources of P
transfer, and that discrete single storm events were important in this process.
On the grazed plot lysimeters, annual P export is estimated to be in the
region of 2-3 kg P ha" 1 year 1, but is reduced by about 30% in the presence
of artificial drainage. Although soluble ( < 0 . 45 um) inorganic forms of P
dominate P loss from grassland, organic and particulate forms are also
significant, especially in subsurface hydrological pathways. It is suggested
that P transfer from grassland soils is definitely not solely related to soil P
status, rather it reflects interaction of climate, hydrology, fertilizer
management, grazing management and farm waste management. Although
more research is needed before full control strategies can be suggested, the
strategic timing of fertilizer and manure amendments at times of the year to
avoid runoff may be appropriate in sensitive catchments.

Bibliographic note

Phosphorus loss from grassland soils: implications of land management for the quality of receiving waters. 6 cites: http://scholar.google.com/scholar?num=100&hl=en&lr=&cites=16207699218433534837