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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbus, Ohio » Soil Drainage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #330171
Title: Climate, Landscape, and Management Effects on Nitrate and Soluble Phosphorus concentrations in subsurface drainage discharge in the western Lake Erie basin

Author
item PEASE, LINDSAY - The Ohio State University
item Fausey, Norman
item MARIN, JAY - The Ohio State University
item BROWN, LARRY - The Ohio State University

Submitted to: International Drainage Symposium
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/3/2016
Publication Date: 9/6/2016
Citation: Pease, L.A., Fausey, N.R., Marin, J.F., Brown, L.C. 2016. Climate, Landscape, and Management Effects on Nitrate and Soluble Phosphorus concentrations in subsurface drainage discharge in the western Lake Erie basin. International Drainage Symposium, September 6-9, 2016, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Paper #162491905, page 371-381.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Subsurface drainage, while an important and necessary agricultural production practice in the Midwest, contributes nitrate (NO3) and soluble phosphorus (P) to surface waters. The magnitude of NO3 and soluble P losses in subsurface drainage varies greatly by landscape, climate, and field management factors. This study evaluates the combined impact of these factors on observed P and NO3 concentrations in subsurface drainage water in Northwest Ohio. Parameters significantly impacting NO3 concentrations included rainfall, fertilizer application rate & timing, Soil Test P, soil texture, season, drain spacing, site relief, tillage, temperature, crop, and drainage water management. These findings provide evidence that NO3 loss via leaching following fertilizer application. The results of this study indicate that BMPs specifically targeted at reducing NO3 concentrations and soil matrix flow of NO3 following spring fertilizer application will have the greatest impact on NO3 losses from subsurface discharge. Parameters significantly impacting soluble P losses included P fertilizer application rate and timing, rainfall, season, crop, soil texture, site relief, Soil Test P, tillage, and temperature. These findings suggest that fertilizer management and prevention of soluble P movement via preferential flow pathways during rainfall events will have the greatest impact on soluble P losses from subsurface drainage systems.