Crop Residue Effects on Total and Dissolved Losses of Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn by Runoff

Abstract

Runoff may cause losses of micronutrients from soils. This can result in environmental problems such as contaminant transfers to water or a decrease in soil fertility. Appropriate soil management may reduce these micronutrient losses. This study examined the effect of applying crop residues to the soil surface on iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) losses by runoff. Runoff and sediment yield were measured on 1-m2 plots using a rainfall simulator with constant 65 mm h−1 intensity. Eight successive rainfall applications were performed at 65 mm each. Corn (Zea mays L.) straw was applied to plots at rates ranging from 0 to 8 t ha−1. Both total and dissolved concentrations of the micronutrients studied were decreased by corn straw applications. After 520 mm cumulative rainfall, total soil losses ranged from 150 to 15354 kg ha−1 depending on the amount of corn straw applied. Total micronutrient concentrations in runoff were as follows: Fe from 14.98 to 611.12 mg L−1, Mn from 0.03 to 0.61 mg L−1, Cu from 0.10 to 1.43 mg L−1, and Zn from 0.21 to 5.45 mg L−1. The relative contribution of the dissolved fraction to the total micronutrient content loss was low, but varied depending on the nutrient, being less than 1 percent for Fe and Mn and almost 10 percent for Zn. Total and dissolved concentrations in runoff of the studied elements decreased exponentially as the rate of applied corn straw increased. In conclusion, the addition of corn straw to soil reduced micronutrient losses.