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Design and Construction of an Urban Runoff Research Facility
Published on: August 8, 2014
Aerating grassland before manure application reduces runoff nutrient loads in a high rainfall environment
L J P van Vliet1, S Bittman, G Derksen
1Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, P.O. Box 1000, Agassiz, BC, Canada V0M 1A0.
Journal of Environmental Quality
|April 28, 2006
Summary
Mechanical aeration before fall liquid manure application significantly reduces surface runoff and nutrient/solid transport from grasslands. This grassland management practice improves water quality by decreasing nutrient and solids loss.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
Background:
- Surface application of liquid manure on grasslands can lead to significant nutrient and solids loss via surface runoff, particularly in high rainfall areas.
- Sloping terrain exacerbates runoff and nutrient transport, posing environmental risks.
- Effective management strategies are needed to mitigate these losses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of mechanical aeration prior to fall liquid manure application on surface runoff and nutrient/solids transport.
- To quantify the reductions in runoff volume, suspended solids, and nutrient loads (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium).
Main Methods:
- A randomized treatment design comparing control plots with plots receiving mechanical aeration (one pass perpendicular to slope) before liquid manure application.
- Study conducted on 3-5% sloping grassland (orchardgrass) with silt loam soil over four years, using dairy manure (Years 1-3) and swine manure (Year 4).
- Surface runoff was collected from natural rainfall events for analysis of solids and nutrient concentrations.
Main Results:
- Aeration significantly reduced annual runoff volumes (47-81%), suspended solids (48-69%), volatile solids (42-83%), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) loads (56-81%), and total phosphorus (TP) loads (25-75%).
- Soluble nutrient loads, including ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N), dissolved reactive phosphorus, and potassium (K), were also reduced by 41-83%.
- Aeration showed a slight increase in downward nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) movement but did not affect other soil nutrients.
Conclusions:
- Mechanical aeration is an effective practice for reducing surface runoff and the transport of solids and nutrients following the surface application of liquid manure on sloping grasslands.
- The practice offers a viable strategy for improving water quality and nutrient management in agricultural systems.
- Early runoff events post-application contribute substantially to annual losses, highlighting the importance of immediate mitigation strategies.
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