Bacterial Transport from Agricultural Lands Fertilized with Animal Manure

Abstract

A plot scale study was conducted to determine bacterial transport in runoff from cropland treated with poultry litter and dairy manure applied at phosphorus (P) agronomic rates. Treatments included surface application of dairy manure, surface application of poultry litter, incorporation of dairy manure and control. A rainfall simulator was used to induce runoff 1 and 2 days after manure application. Runoff was analyzed to determine the concentration of indicator bacteria-fecal coliform, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus. Observed edge-of-field bacterial concentrations were 10 2 to 10 5 times higher than Virginia's in-stream bacteria criteria for primary contact recreation waters. No significant treatment effects were observed on edge-of-field bacteria concentration or yield. Results suggest that the manure application based on agronomic P rates may yield significant bacterial loading to downstream waterbodies if rainfall occurs soon after manure application. This research underscores the need for BMPs that reduce runoff volumes and filter pollutants associated with animal manures.

Effects of Animal Diet, Manure Application Rate, and Tillage on Transport of Microorganisms from Manure-Amended Fields

“…The mean total coliform, E. coli, and enterococcus concentrations in runoff from all treatments were 9.47 ϫ 10 6 , 5.35 ϫ 10 6 , and 1.16 ϫ 10 6 CFU hectare (ha) Ϫ1 , respectively. The numbers for total coliforms in this investigation are similar to results reported by Mishra et al (10) for fecal coliforms in dairy and poultry manure-amended plots, and both E. coli and enterococcus numbers were higher in the study conducted by Mishra et al (10). Even though the three rainfall events occurred on three consecutive days after manure application, the majority of the manure-borne bacteria remained on the plots.…”

“…Escherichia coli bacteria from different animals have different transport characteristics (1). Significant transfer of fecal bacteria to watersheds was found to take place if rainfall occurred shortly after manure application (10). The amount of manure applied also impacts the total number of microorganisms present.…”

Relating Watershed Characteristics to Elevated Stream Escherichia coli Levels in Agriculturally Dominated Landscapes: An Iowa Case Study

“…A study by Soupir, Mostaghimi, Yagow, Hagedorn and Vaughan [3] showed that runoff from land receiving liquid dairy manure contained E. coli concentrations up to 3.13 × 10 4 CFU/100 mL during one simulated storm event. A comparison by Mishra, et al [45] found that fecal coliform concentrations ranged from 8.0 × 10 2 to 1.0 × 10 6 CFU/100 mL in runoff from plots receiving dairy manure and poultry litter treatments during two simulated storm events. Likewise, Hruby, et al [46] also reported high concentrations of FIB after precipitation in tile drainage from plots amended with poultry manure.…”

Nonpoint Pollution Caused by the Agriculture and Livestock Activities on Surface Water in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico

“…In order to maintain the productivity of the agricultural and grazing lands and to improve the water quality in dams and dikes, a feasible solution to this problem is to use best management practices in agricultural systems where fertilizer and manure were applied; however, before this happens, the transport process of nutrients and coliforms along with other organisms in water must be identified (Mishra et al, 2008;Pachepsky et al, 2006).…”

“…(Flores et al, 2012;Flores et al, 2009;Mishra et al, 2008;Soupir et al, 2006;Oliver et al, 2005;Jamieson et al, 2004;Ferguson et al, 2003).…”