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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Environmental Microbial & Food Safety Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #317066
Title: Leaching impact assessment in liquid manure application to Tulip tree experimental site using Root Zone Water Quality Model

Author
item HONG, EUNMI - Orise Fellow
item CHOI, JIN-YONG - Seoul National University
item Pachepsky, Yakov

Submitted to: BARC Poster Day
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/7/2015
Publication Date: 5/20/2015
Citation: Hong, E., Choi, J., Pachepsky, Y.A. 2015. Leaching impact assessment in liquid manure application to Tulip tree experimental site using Root Zone Water Quality Model. BARC Poster Day. 26th Annual Beltsville Poster Day, National Agricultrue Library on May 20, 2015.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Manure recycling as a fertilizer is one of solutions for the environmental problem related with livestock manure treatment as well as the ocean dumping ban act prohibiting manure disposal to the ocean in Korea. For the manure disposal, tree plantation area is being a candidate place. However, the manure application to the forest has a possibility of causing environmental impacts including water quality problems due to nutrient loading. Therefore it is necessary to investigate water quality impact from manure disposal to the agricultural area. In this study, 5-year tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) was planted in 2007 and Liquid manure (LM) has been applied during tree growing periods for 4 years from 2008 to 2011 in Tulip tree experimental site. Soil moisture contents were monitored every 1 hour and soil water samples were weekly collected to a depth of 40 cm and 80 cm in LM plots and control (Ctrl: no application)plot. In order to investigate the leaching impact of LM under model-based of scenario, Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM) was calibrated and evaluated and scenarios were scenarios were constructed based on right time and right rate. The right time scenarios consisted of liquid manure application times such as after or before rainfall and application seasons and long term impacts for 4-year and 10-year simulation. In right rate, in consideration of the LM concentration and whether compost or not, LM-L (Liquid Manure-Low concentration), LM-H (Liquid Manure-High concentration) and Ctrl, 3 types of application method were applied. The nutrient concentration of soil water was higher in LM plot than in ctrl, in particular, if less compost liquid fertilizer were over-fertilized during non-growing season or rainfall season. It is impossible to rule out the possibility that the nutrients are leached into shallow groundwater. From the result of RZWQM model simulation, simulated soil moisture content was well reflecting the observed one. In the case of nitrogen in soil water, simulated value exists between minimum and maximum value and was well reflecting the trend of nitrogen variation of observed nitrogen in soil water. When LM was applied, it is necessary to determine the degree of composing and concentration. When LM applied in day, before and after precipitation, nutrient leaching and runoff were increasing. LM application should avoid at the time that precipitation and winter season. From the results of this study, nutrient status and guideline for environmental management will be able to provide for establishing the agricultural water conservation in agricultural watershed.