Narrow Grass Hedge Effects on Microbial Transport Following Variable Applications of Beef Cattle Manure

Abstract

Abstract. The effectiveness of a 1.4 m wide grass hedge in reducing microbial transport following manure application was examined in this study. Beef cattle manure was applied to 0.75 m wide by 4.0 m long plots established on an Aksarben silty clay loam located in southeast Nebraska. Manure was added at rates required to meet none or the 1-, 2-, or 4-year nitrogen requirements for corn. The transport of phages, total coliforms, , and enterococci was measured for three 30 min simulated rainfall events, which were separated by approximately 24 h intervals. The narrow grass hedge reduced total counts of phages, , and enterococci from 10.8 to 9.01 log PFU ha-1, from 12.4 to 11.9 log CFU ha-1, and from 11.8 to 11.2 log CFU ha-1, respectively. For the plots that received manure, no significant differences in transport of phages or enterococci were found among the three manure application rates. Rainfall simulation run significantly affected measurements of phages, total coliforms, and enterococci, with measurements during the three runs varying from 8.91 to 10.5 log PFU ha-1, from 12.7 to 13.3 log CFU ha-1, and from 11.2 to 11.7 log CFU ha-1, respectively. Counts for phages, total coliforms, and enterococci were significantly less for the first than the second and third rainfall simulation runs. All four of the microbial constituents were significantly correlated to dissolved P, particulate P, total P, and total N. A narrow grass hedge placed on the contour significantly reduced microbial transport following variable applications of beef cattle manure. Keywords: Bacteria, Cattle manure, E. coli, Filter strips, Land application, Manure management, Manure runoff, Microbial, Microorganisms, Runoff.

Setback distance impacts on transport and antibiotic resistance phenotypes of fecal indicators

“…Lysimeter studies report that vegetative filter strips are effective at reducing the transport of fecal coliforms (Roodsari et al., 2005). Plot‐based rainfall simulations demonstrated efficacy of a narrow perennial grass hedge for reducing microbial transport from manure‐amended fields (Durso, Gilley, Marx, & Woodbury, 2019b). Research on microbial attachment to particulate matter in manure suggests controlling the amount of sediment reaching surface waters will also reduce transport of manure‐borne bacteria (Guber, Pachepsky, Shelton, & Yu, 2007).…”