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ARS Home » Northeast Area » University Park, Pennsylvania » Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #192594
Title: MANAGING POULTRY LITTER APPLICATION TO CONTROL SUB-SURFACE LOSSES OF PHOSPHORUS FROM A COASTAL PLAIN SOIL

Author
item ALLEN, ARTHUR - UMES
item MAGUIRE, RORY - NC STATE UNIV
item Kleinman, Peter
item Sharpley, Andrew
item SIMS, J - UNIV OF DELAWARE

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/15/2006
Publication Date: 11/1/2006
Citation: Allen, A., Maguire, R., Kleinman, P.J., Sharpley, A.N., Sims, J.T. 2006. Managing poultry litter application to control sub-surface losses of phosphorus from a coastal plain soil. Agronomy Abstracts. p. 1.

Interpretive Summary: An interpretive summary is not required.

Technical Abstract: Large surpluses of phosphorus (P) are common in areas of intensive animal production, and are often associated with the accumulation of P to excessive levels in soils and subsequent P losses to surface waters by erosion and surface or subsurface runoff. Recently, sub-surface transport of P from agricultural soils to ground water is of particular concern in coastal plain agro-ecosystems due to high accumulations of dissolved reactive P in surface and sub-surface soil horizons resulting from long term poultry litter use. This project evaluated the effect of manure management strategies on P leaching from field plots. Plots were amended with poultry litter at three rates: N-based; P-based; no litter. Leachate P concentrations obtained from piezometers at 30 and 60 cm depths ranged widely, with maximum concentrations greater than 10 mg/L in plots receiving N-based litter applications. Results highlight the critical role of manure management in controlling sub-surface P transport.