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ARS Home » Plains Area » Temple, Texas » Grassland Soil and Water Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #324039
Title: Managing acute phosphorus loss with fertilizer source and placement: Proof of concept

Author
item Smith, Douglas
item Harmel, Daren
item Williams, Mark
item Haney, Richard
item King, Kevin

Submitted to: Agricultural and Environmental Letters
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/11/2016
Publication Date: 2/9/2016
Citation: Smith, D.R., Harmel, R.D., Williams, M.R., Haney, R.L., King, K.W. 2016. Managing acute phosphorus loss with fertilizer source and placement: Proof of concept. Agricultural and Environmental Letters. 1:1. doi:10.2134/ael2015.12.0015.

Interpretive Summary: Agriculture often identified as a contributor to degradation of surface water quality. This study was conducted to evaluate the implications of fertilizer source and placement on potential soluble P runoff. Eight fertilizers were surface broadcast, three fertilizers banded 1 cm (about ½ inch) below the surface, and an unfertilized control were used in rainfall simulation experiments. The commonly available inorganic P fertilizers that were surface applied lost 16 to 19% of the phosphorus applied in one rainstorm, except for Polyphosphate which lost less than 0.2% of the applied phosphorus. Banding monoammonium phosphate and poultry litter 1 cm below the surface decreased soluble phosphorus loading 99.8% and 84%, respectively. Further experimentation should be conducted to confirm these results; however, critical examination of current fertility management may be needed to diminish eutrophication while ensuring sufficient P for crop uptake.

Technical Abstract: Surface water eutrophication is a pervasive global problem, with P losses from agriculture often identified as a contributor. This study was conducted to evaluate the implications of fertilizer source and placement on potential soluble P (SP) runoff. National P Runoff Project protocols were used for this study with eight fertilizers surface broadcast, three fertilizers banded 1 cm below the surface, and an unfertilized control. The commonly available inorganic P fertilizers that were surface applied lost 16 to 19% of the P applied in one rainstorm, except for Poly which lost less than 0.2% of the applied P. Banding MAP and PL 1 cm below the surface decreased SP loading 99.8% and 84%, respectively. Further experimentation should be conducted to confirm these results; however, critical examination of current fertility management may be needed to diminish eutrophication while ensuring sufficient P for crop uptake.