Nitrogen and Phosphorus Losses with Drainage Runoff and Field Balance as a Result of Crop Management

Abstract

Two high-input and two low-input crop-management systems, one reference treatment with field crop rotation, and one long-term moderately treated pasture were studied and compared in respect to nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) flow and balance. The experiment was conducted on tile-drained plots covered by Endocalcari-Endohypogleyic Cambisols. The least Nmin (mineral nitrogen) leaching losses were registered in the pasture. The high-input management systems did not consistently result in larger losses of Nmin [mainly nitrate (NO 3 )-N] and Ptot (total phosphorus) in the drainage water. The leaching of Nmin depended more on amount of the drainage water leaving the site, soil organic matter/humus, and soil Ntot content (positive correlation) as well as the content of water-stable aggregates (negative correlation). The higher concentrations of Ptot in drainage runoff in the organic (ORG1) treatment and pasture during the second rotation might be conditioned of ley root system impact. Ptot leaching was positively correlated to the available P 2 O 5 -AL in the topsoil. Negative N field balance was determined in all the treatments, except ORG2 and LTP in 1995-1999, whereas it was negative only in the reference plots (REF) in the 2001-2003 rotation because of the increased crop residues and drier climatic conditions. Phosphorus balance was slightly negative in the ORG1 and reference treatments during both rotations.

Changes in Nutrient Concentrations of Two Streams in Western Lithuania with Focus on Shrinkage of Agriculture and Effect of Climate, Drainage Runoff and Soil Factors

“…According to [53], nitrogen losses from sandy soils are often twice as high as losses from loam soils. P leaching from the soils is also dependent on the soil type and soil P content [54,55]. Predominate soils on the agricultural land in the studied catchment and sub-catchment were not rich in plant available P 2 O 5 .…”

Effects of Humus Thickness Layer on Drainage Runoff

“…Soil system budgets were considered to possess the highest uncertainty of the three budgeting approaches, since nutrient losses via leaching, runoff, volatilization, and denitrification are classified as the most uncertain nutrient flows (Oenema et al, 1999). Phosphorus losses were found to be much more dependent on the soil texture and soil phosphorus and humus content (Buciene et al, 2007). Humus has beneficial effects on nutrient uptake, transport and availability to plant and it enhances stress tolerance (Celik et al, 2010).…”

Chemical composition of wet deposits and drainage runoff in agroecosystems: the case of Middle Lithuania

“…Drainage water flow is registered continuously by a water-stage recorders. The site was previously managed as a long-term extensive grassland for milking cows (Bučienė et al 2007). Drainage water for chemical analysis has been sampled every second week but more frequently during flood conditions.…”

“…The impact of precipitation rate on the drainage discharge/runoff and amount of main nutrients leaching is presented and discussed in the scientific papers of many authors (Deelstra et al 2009;Gustafson 1988;Fagerberg et al 1993;Djodjic et al 2004;Tumas 1997 andGužys 2002;Gužys, Arlauskienė 2001;Povilaitis 2004 and2006;Gaigalis et al 2007;Šmitienė et al 2005;Mašauskas et al 2006;Šileika et al 2005;Bučienė et al 2007). However there are too few findings concerning the direct relations of chemical composition of wet atmosphere deposits and that of drainage runoff obtained through simultaneous observations and measurements of these variables in the same sites (Bučienė et al 1995;Šileika, Gaigalis 2007;Augustaitis et al 2008).…”