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Potential for Preferential Pathways of Phosphorus Transport

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Soils and Crops Research Centre, 2560 Hochelaga Blvd., Sainte-Foy, QC, Canada, G1V 2J3;

P. M. Haygarth

Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER), North Wyke, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 2SB, UK.

^* Corresponding author (simardr{at}em.agr.ca).

ABSTRACT

This paper briefly reviews the existing literature and uses evidence from three studies to demonstrate the occurrence of preferential pathways of P transport through soil. Studies conducted in the St. Lawrence lowlands, Canada, indicated that particulate P (PP-i.e., >0.45 µm) the main fraction of total P (TP) in tile-drainage water generated by storm events after periods of low rainfall. In the remainder of the year, the concentration of TP and P forms were related to soil texture, primary tillage intensity and frequency, and showed wide seasonal variations. For a study conducted in the UK under grassland, higher TP concentrations were found in near-surface runoff (0–30 cm) compared with concentrations measured in drainflow. Water passing through the artificial drainage system had a higher proportion of PP (43%) than water passing close to (<30 cm) or over the soil surface (31%). Installation of tile drainage in a poorly draining soil reduces P transfer by improving the infiltration capacity, thereby reducing overland flow volume and allowing P to be retained/sorbed by the soil matrix. Because of the absence of tillage, permanent grasslands accumulate P near the surface. We hypothesize that, if the soil P store is coincident with preferential flow pathways (either artificial mole drainage channels or natural macropores), permanent grassland will be vulnerable to transfer large amounts of P through subsurface pathways. Phosphorus transfer through preferential flow pathways may be particularly important after storm events that rapidly follow periods of drought and/or surface P inputs as inorganic fertilizer or manure.

Contribution No. 631 of the Soils and Crops Research Centre.

Received for publication August 23, 1999.

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