Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Fort Collins, Colorado » Center for Agricultural Resources Research » Soil Management and Sugarbeet Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #416541
Research Project: Agricultural Management for Long-Term Sustainability and Soil Health

Location: Soil Management and Sugarbeet Research

Title: Characterizing Legacy P and simulating mitigation strategies as part of the USDA Legacy P Project

Author
item Mott, Joshua
item Simpson, Zachary
item Elkin, Kyle
item Buda, Anthony
item FAULKNER, JOSHUA - University Of Vermont
item Hapeman, Cathleen
item McCarty, Gregory
item FOROUGHI, MARYAM - University Of Maryland
item Hively, Wells - Dean
item King, Kevin
item Osterholz, William - Will
item Penn, Chad
item Williams, Mark
item Witthaus, Lindsey
item PAWLOWSKI, ETHAN - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE)
item Locke, Martin
item Dalzell, Brent
item DOLPH, CHRISTINE - University Of Minnesota
item Feyereisen, Gary
item Bjorneberg, David - Dave
item Nouwakpo, Sayjro
item SCOTT, ISIS - Kansas State University
item DURIANCIK, LISA - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS, USDA)
item Bolster, Carl
item Kleinman, Peter

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The persistence of Legacy P in soils and sediments impedes improved outcomes for water quality. The USDA Legacy P project analyzed >600 soils/sediments across seven participating watersheds. Soil labile P stores in top 1 cm at all sites are enough to potentially sustain high P losses for decades. Soil P at all sites was vertically stratified, particularly so for labile P, representing a risk for P loss. P intensity (EPC0) in all soils and sediments was described through a quantity-intensity-buffer relationship. Tradeoffs in P loss mitigation are common and must be managed carefully: soil P and runoff must be managed together. Modeling exercises highlight that sources of legacy P are not always obvious; even at sites near the range of agronomic optimum for soil test P, losses of legacy P in runoff can be significant. Phytomining clearly offers the potential to deplete legacy P stores, but requires dedication and patience: greater initial soil P level meant a longer phytomining interval to minimize legacy P losses to runoff. A focus on phytomining’s depletion of soil P alone is insufficient to meet water quality goals. Phytomining practices must be accompanied with practices aimed at soil conservation to ensure that legacy P management benefits water quality in the short- and long-term.