Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Southeast Watershed Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #246704
Title: Feasibility of using FGD gypsum to conserve water and reduce erosion from an agricultural soil in Georgia

Author
item Truman, Clinton
item Nuti, Russell
item TRUMAN, L - University Of Georgia
item DEAN, J - Arctellus

Submitted to: Catena
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/2/2010
Publication Date: 5/1/2010
Citation: Truman, C.C., Nuti, R.C., Truman, L.R., Dean, J.D. 2010. Feasibility of using FGD gypsum to conserve water and reduce erosion from an agricultural soil in Georgia. Catena. 81:234-239.

Interpretive Summary: Crop production in Georgia and the Southeastern U.S. can be limited by water, and supplemental irrigation is often needed to sustain profitable crop production. Increased water retention and soil conservation would efficiently improve water use and reduce irrigation amounts/costs and sedimentation, and sustain productive farm land, thus improving producer’s profit margin. Soil amendments, such as flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum, have been shown to retain rainfall and/or irrigation water through increased infiltration while decreasing runoff and sediment yields. We quantified water and soil conservation characteristics of surface applied FGD gypsum by comparing runoff (R) and soil loss (E) from a conventionally tilled (CT) Faceville soil receiving FGD gypsum. A field study was established (2006, 2007) near Dawson, GA managed to CT, irrigated cotton. Five FGD gypsum application rates were evaluated: 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 t/A. Gypsum treatments and simulated rainfall (2 in/h for 1 h) were applied to 6-ft wide by 10-ft long field plots. Runoff and E were measured from each plot (slope=1%). FGD gypsum plots averaged 26% more infiltration (INF), 40% less R, 58% less E, 27% lower maximum runoff rates (Rmax), and 2 times lower maximum soil loss rates (Emax) than control plots. Values of INF and amount of water for crop use increased, and R, E, Rmax, and Emax decreased as FGD gypsum application rate increased. Control plots represented the worst-case scenario; 4 t/A FGD gypsum plots represented the best-case scenario. Values of INF, R, E, Rmax, and Emax for 4 t/A plots were as much as 17% greater, 35% less, 1.9 times less, 35% less, and 1.9 times less than those from other FGD gypsum plots, respectively; and 40% greater, 40% less, 2.2 times less, 52% less, and 2.9 times less than those from controls plots, respectively. Application of FGD gypsum to agricultural lands is a cost-effective management practice for producers in Georgia that has a positive and significant impact on natural resource conservation, producer profit margins, and environmental quality. Agriculture in the Southeast provides a viable market that converts disposal costs of FGD gypsum for the electric power industry into a profitable commodity.

Technical Abstract: Crop production in Georgia and the Southeastern U.S. can be limited by water, and supplemental irrigation is often needed to sustain profitable crop production. Increased water retention and soil conservation would efficiently improve water use and reduce irrigation amounts/costs and sedimentation, and sustain productive farm land, thus improving producer’s profit margin. Soil amendments, such as flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum, have been shown to retain rainfall and/or irrigation water through increased infiltration while decreasing runoff and sediment yields. Our objective was to quantify water and soil conservation characteristics of surface applied FGD gypsum by comparing runoff (R) and soil loss (E) from a conventionally tilled (CT) Ultisol receiving FGD gypsum. A field study (Faceville loamy sand, Typic Kandiudult) was established (2006, 2007) near Dawson, GA managed to CT, irrigated cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Five FGD gypsum application rates were evaluated: 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 t/A. Gypsum treatments and simulated rainfall (50 mm/h for 1 h) were applied to 2-m wide by 3-m long field plots (n=3). Runoff and E were measured from each plot (slope=1%). FGD gypsum plots averaged 26% more infiltration (INF), 40% less R, 58% less E, 27% lower maximum runoff rates (Rmax), and 2 times lower maximum soil loss rates (Emax) than control plots. Values of INF and amount of water for crop use increased, and R, E, Rmax, and Emax decreased as FGD gypsum application rate increased. Control plots represented the worst-case scenario; 4 t/A FGD gypsum plots represented the best-case scenario. Values of INF, R, E, Rmax, and Emax for 4 t/A plots were as much as 17% greater, 35% less, 1.9 times less, 35% less, and 1.9 times less than those from other FGD gypsum plots, respectively; and 40% greater, 40% less, 2.2 times less, 52% less, and 2.9 times less than those from controls plots, respectively. Application of FGD gypsum to agricultural lands is a cost-effective management practice for producers in Georgia that has a positive and significant impact on natural resource conservation, producer profit margins, and environmental quality. Agriculture in the Southeast provides a viable market that converts disposal costs of FGD gypsum for the electric power industry into a profitable commodity.