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Cropping systems for phytoremediation of phosphorus-enriched soils
R J Kratochvil1, F J Coale, B Momen
1Department of Natural Resource Sciences and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA. rkratoch@umd.edu
International Journal of Phytoremediation
|August 24, 2006
Summary
Forage cropping systems removed more phosphorus (P) from P-enriched soils than grain systems. However, neither system significantly reduced soil P levels over the study period.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
Background:
- Eutrophication of freshwater is linked to phosphorus (P) runoff from agricultural soils.
- Elevated soil P concentrations are a concern for water quality.
- Sustainable agricultural practices are needed to manage soil P levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of forage and grain cropping systems in remediating P-enriched agricultural soils.
- To assess the impact of different cropping systems on soil P concentrations and P removal.
- To investigate P uptake by various crops under different soil P enrichment levels.
Main Methods:
- Four locations with five initial soil P concentrations established via manure/fertilizer application (1994-1997).
- Comparison of three forage systems (rye/corn silage, alfalfa, ryegrass/corn silage) and a grain system (corn, small grain, soybean rotation) over 3 years.
- Monitoring of crop P removal and changes in soil P concentration (2001-2004).
Main Results:
- Forage systems demonstrated greater P removal than the grain system across all manure P treatments and locations.
- Soil P concentration changes did not consistently reflect crop P removal differences.
- Few significant reductions in soil P were observed; reductions occurred primarily in highly enriched soils.
- Crop P concentrations increased with soil P levels, indicating luxury consumption.
Conclusions:
- While forage systems enhance P removal, neither forage nor grain systems significantly reduced soil P concentrations within the study timeframe.
- Management strategies for P-enriched soils require further investigation beyond simple crop removal.
- Agronomic species exhibit luxury consumption of P in enriched soils, influencing P dynamics.
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