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ARS Home » Northeast Area » University Park, Pennsylvania » Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #406787
Research Project: Sustainable Intensification of Crop and Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems at Multiple Scales

Location: Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research

Title: Water quality benefits of weather-based manure application timing and manure placement strategies

Author
item SAHA, ARGHAJEET - Pennsylvania State University
item CIBIN, RAJ - Pennsylvania State University
item Veith, Tameria - Tamie
item WHITE, CHARLES - Pennsylvania State University
item DROHAN, PATRICK - Pennsylvania State University

Submitted to: Journal of Environmental Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/25/2023
Publication Date: 2/8/2023
Citation: Saha, A., Cibin, R., Veith, T.L., White, C.M., Drohan, P.J. 2023. Water quality benefits of weather-based manure application timing and manure placement strategies. Journal of Environmental Management. 333:117386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117386.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117386

Interpretive Summary: In the northeastern United States, manure is often applied to agricultural crops as a fertilizer. If manure is applied just before a large storm and is not mixed into the soil, then nutrients are likely to run off the land into nearby waters and impair the water quality. A computer model called the Soil and Water Assessment Tool was used to simulate manure application, weather, crop growth, and movement of the excess water and nutrients off the fields. The model simulated manure application that was applied on the surface without accounting for weather forecasting. The model also simulated manure application mixed into the soil at times that accounted for the weather forecast. Results showed that applying manure based on forecasted weather and mixing the manure into the soil can prevent excess nutrients from leaving the fields and thus improve water quality.

Technical Abstract: The timing of manure application and placement of manure significantly affects manure nutrient use efficiency and the amount of nutrient lost from a field. Application of manure prior to a minimal precipitation period, and manure application through incorporation, reduces risks associated with nutrient loss through surface runoff. The current study aims to explore potential water quality impacts related to manure application strategies on the timing of application and approach (surface broadcasting or incorporation). The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used to represent manure application scenarios and quantify potential water quality impacts in Susquehanna River Basin located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. A baseline (business-as-usual) scenario was developed with manure application based on crop planting date and manure storage availability, and surface broadcasting as the application approach. The baseline was compared with a strategically timed manure application considering weather forecasting and manure incorporation. The strategic, weather-based manure application approach reduced TN and TP loading at the outlet by 4% and 6%, respectively. Manure incorporation simulations considering low-disturbance injection showed significant reduction of about 19% for TN and 44% for TP at the watershed outlet. Winter closure of manure application could reduce organic nutrient loss. Winter application of manure in 21% of row cropped areas (2% of whole watershed area) increased organic N and P loading by 10% and 4%, respectively, at watershed outlet.