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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #172798
Title: RUNOFF, SEDIMENT, AND NUTRIENT EXPORT FROM MANURED RIPARIAN PASTURE AS AFFECTED BY SIMULATED RAIN AND GROUND COVER

Author
item BUTLER, D - N.C. STATE UNIVERSITY
item RANELLS, N - N.C. STATE UNIVERSITY
item Franklin, Dorcas
item POORE, M - N.C. STATE UNIVERSITY
item GREEN, JR., T - N.C. STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/15/2004
Publication Date: 12/15/2004
Citation: Butler, D.M., Ranells, N.N., Franklin, D.H., Poore, M.H., Green, Jr., T.J. 2004. Runoff, sediment, and nutrient export from manured riparian pasture as affected by simulated rain and ground cover. Meeting Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The efficacy of conservation practices that protect water quality has become ever critical as conservation dollars decrease. The objective of this work was to determine the effectiveness of stream-side vegetation type (grassland and wetland) and percent ground cover (bare, 45%, 70%, 95%) on nutrient and sediment retention during rainfall simulations in pastures with applied cattle (Bos spp.) manure. Plots 0.75 m by 2.0 m were established on 10% and 20% slopes of mixed tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) / dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir.) and 10% slopes of existing wetland vegetation. Export of total suspended sediment (TSS), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and phosphorus (TKP), total N (TN), nitrate-N (NO3-N), ammonium-N (NH4-N), and dissolved reactive P (DRP) in runoff were evaluated. Results indicate that livestock heavy use areas that create bare areas in and near riparian zones export substantial sediment (2200 kg ha-1 yr-1), TN (45.3 kg N ha-1 yr-1), and TKP (4.09 kg P ha-1 yr-1), but cover maintenance can reduce annual losses of sediment (65 kg ha-1 yr-1), TN (7.84 kg N ha-1 yr-1), and TKP (0.570 kg P ha-1 yr-1) from grasslands. While cover maintenance was an effective conservation practice, time of rainfall (immediately following manure application vs. one month afterwards), and slope were also determinants of sediment and nutrient export.