Phosphorus loss by surface runoff in no-till system under mineral and organic fertilization

Oromar João Bertol,Maria Do Carmo Lana,Nivaldo Eduardo Rizzi,Nerilde Favaretto

doi:10.1590/s0103-90162010000100010

Oromar João Bertol, Maria Do Carmo Lana + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0103-90162010000100010

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Abstract

The no-till system has been intensively used in the state of Paraná, Brazil, and it has increased the nutrients level at the soil surface. This has contributed for nutrient losses via runoff and consequently, off-site water pollution. The objective of this study was to evaluate phosphorus loss in surface runoff by simulated rainfall on an Oxisol, under no-till system following application of mineral fertilizer and liquid swine manure. Nitrogen, soil and water losses from the same study are reported in a separated paper. The application of liquid swine manure, compared with mineral fertilization, increased runoff concentration of total P, particulate P and dissolved reactive P by 193%, 111% and 506%, respectively, averaged for all rainfall intensities. Independently on the fertilizer source, the highest rainfall intensity provided the greatest concentration and loads of P in runoff.

Highlights

Runoff is the main processes involved in the nonpoint water pollution (Parry, 1998) transporting soluble and particulate nutrients
Bulk density was determined by the core method; total porosity was obtained by saturation volume; microporosity by the tension table at 60 cm and macroporosity calculated by the difference between total and microporosity (EMBRAPA, 1997)
The mineral fertilizer and liquid swine manure were applied at the rates used by the farmers in that region in soil with high soil P level, and provided, 21.4 and 16.8 kg ha–1 of total P, respectively

Summary

Introduction

Runoff is the main processes involved in the nonpoint water pollution (Parry, 1998) transporting soluble and particulate nutrients. The nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) transported by runoff have an important role in the eutrophication process (Eghball and Gilley, 1999; Correll, 1998; Daniel et al, 1998; Sharpley et al, 1994). Both N and P are essential for the algae development, P is considered the most limiting to organic production in water. Manured soils have a great potential for P loss by runoff (Allen and Mallarino, 2008; Smith et al, 2001). To mitigate the agricultural water quality problems, best management practices, including runoff control as well

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