HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Angle, J. S. Articles by Wolf, D. C. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Angle, J. S. Articles by Wolf, D. C. Agricola Articles by Angle, J. S. Articles by Wolf, D. C.

Nutrient Losses in Runoff from Conventional and No-Till Corn Watersheds¹

ABSTRACT

A study was initiated to determine the quantity of nutrients and sediment in runoff from conventional and no-till corn (Zea mays L.) watersheds. Runoff was collected with H-type flumes and Coshocton wheels. Parameters measured in runoff included NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^–-N, total N, ortho-PO₄, total soluble P, total P, suspended sediment, and soluble solids.

There was a significant difference in total runoff between the conventional and no-till watersheds. Over nine times more runoff originated from the conventional-till watershed when compared with the no-till watershed in 1982. A large difference between the two watersheds in suspended sediment content was also observed. Yearly sediment losses of 370 and 9 kg ha^–1 from the conventional and no-till watersheds, respectively, were found for 1982. There was also a significant difference in the loss of soluble solids between the two watersheds. For 1982, there was over a 29-fold greater loss of soluble solids from the conventional-till watershed than from the no-till watershed.

Losses of NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^–-N, and total N from each watershed were very low, although large differences were observed between the two watersheds. In 1980, 271, 638, and 1199 g ha^–1 of NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^–-N, and total N, respectively, were lost from the conventional-till watershed, while 2, 47, and 87 g ha^–1, respectively, of the above parameters were lost from the no-till watershed.

The loss of all forms of P from each watershed was also very small. During 1982, 161 g ha^–1 of total P were lost from the conventional-till watershed while only 8 g ha^–1 were lost from the no-till watershed. The loss of ortho-PO₄ and total soluble P was not significantly different between the two tillage treatments.

Key Words: no-till • nonpoint-source pollution • nitrogen • phosphorus • sediment

¹ Scientific Article no. A.3274 and Contribution no. 6346 of the Maryland Agric. Exp. Stn., Dep. of Agron., College Park, MD 20742.

² Assistant Professor, former Faculty Research Assistant, Assistant Professor, Faculty Research Assistant, Dep. of Agron., Univ. of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742; and Professor, Dep. of Agron., Univ. of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, respectively.

Received for publication June 27, 1983.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. Kroger, M. M. Holland, M. T. Moore, and C. M. Cooper Hydrological Variability and Agricultural Drainage Ditch Inorganic Nitrogen Reduction Capacity J. Environ. Qual., October 16, 2007; 36(6): 1646 - 1652. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. L. Little, D. R. Bennett, and J. J. Miller Nutrient and Sediment Losses Under Simulated Rainfall Following Manure Incorporation by Different Methods J. Environ. Qual., September 8, 2005; 34(5): 1883 - 1895. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H.A. Torbert, K. N. Potter, D. W. Hoffman, T. J. Gerik, and C.W. Richardson Surface Residue and Soil Moisture Affect Fertilizer Loss in Simulated Runoff on a Heavy Clay Soil Agron. J., July 1, 1999; 91(4): 606 - 612. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]