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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center » Dairy Forage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #258790
Title: A new model for dung decomposition and phosphorus transformations and loss in runoff

Author
item Vadas, Peter
item AARONS, SHARON - Department Of Primary Industries
item BUTLER, DAVID - University Of Tennessee
item DOUGHERTY, WARWICK - Nsw Department Of Primary Industries

Submitted to: Australian Journal of Soil Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/18/2010
Publication Date: 5/20/2011
Citation: Vadas, P.A., Aarons, S.R., Butler, D.M., Dougherty, W.J. 2011. A new model for dung decomposition and phosphorus transformations and loss in runoff. Australian Journal of Soil Science. 49:367-375.

Interpretive Summary: Non-point source pollution of fresh waters by agricultural phosphorus (P) can accelerate eutrophication of surface waters and limit their use for drinking, recreation, and industry. An important pathway of agricultural P transport is surface runoff, to which unincorporated dung from grazing cattle can contribute. Computer models commonly used to identify agricultural areas with a high potential for P export do not adequately simulate dung application to the soil surface, dung disappearance, and dung P loss to runoff. We developed a new model to simulate these processes for grazing cattle dung. The model simulates dung organic matter decomposition and assimilation into soil as a function of air temperature and dung moisture. We validated that the model can accurately predict rates of dung disappearance using data from 12 published studies. The model also simulates four pools of inorganic and organic P, P mineralization to water-extractable P (WEP), leaching of dung WEP into soil by rain, and loss of dissolved inorganic P in runoff. We validated the ability of the model to reliably simulate these P processes using data from six published dung P transformation studies and seven runoff studies. Overall, the model represents a novel approach for assessing the environmental impact of grazing dairy and beef cattle.

Technical Abstract: Non-point source pollution of fresh waters by agricultural P can accelerate eutrophication of surface waters and limit their use for drinking, recreation, and industry. An important pathway of agricultural P transport is surface runoff, to which unincorporated dung from grazing cattle can be a significant contributor. Computer models commonly used to identify agricultural areas with a high potential for P export do not adequately simulate dung application to the soil surface, dung disappearance, and dung P loss to runoff. We developed a new model to simulate these processes for grazing cattle dung. The model simulates dung organic matter decomposition and assimilation into soil by bioturbation as a function of air temperature and dung moisture. We validated that the model can accurately predict rates of dung disappearance using data from 12 published studies. The model also simulates four pools of inorganic and organic P, P mineralization to water-extractable P (WEP), leaching of dung WEP into soil by rain, and loss of dissolved inorganic P in runoff. We validated the ability of the model to reliably simulate these P processes using data from six published dung P transformation studies and seven runoff studies. Overall, the model represents a novel approach for assessing the environmental impact of grazing dairy and beef cattle.