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

This Article Figures Only Full Text Free Full Text (PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed 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 Spargo, J. T. Articles by Alley, M. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Spargo, J. T. Articles by Alley, M. M. Agricola Articles by Spargo, J. T. Articles by Alley, M. M. Related Collections Kinetics Nutrient Management Soil Organic Matter

TECHNICAL REPORTS

Waste Management

Repeated Compost Application Effects on Phosphorus Runoff in the Virginia Piedmont

Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, Smyth Hall, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061

^* Corresponding author (jspargo{at}vt.edu)

Received for publication March 13, 2006. Increasing amounts of animal and municipal wastes are being composted before land application to improve handling and spreading characteristics, and to reduce odor and disease incidence. Repeated applications of composted biosolids and manure to cropland may increase the risk for P enrichment of agricultural runoff. We conducted field research in 2003 and 2004 on a Fauquier silty clay loam (Ultic Hapludalfs) to compare the effects of annual (since 1999) applications of composted and uncomposted organic residuals on P runoff characteristics. Biosolids compost (BSC), poultry litter-yard waste compost (PLC), and uncomposted poultry litter (PL) were applied based on estimated plant-available N. A commercial fertilizer treatment (CF) and an unamended control treatment (CTL) were also included. Corn (Zea mays L.) and a cereal rye (Secale cereal L.) cover crop were planted each year. We applied simulated rainfall in fall 2004 and analyzed runoff for dissolved reactive P (DRP), total dissolved P (TDP), total P (TP), total organic C (TOC), and total suspended solids (TSS). End of season soil samples were analyzed for Mehlich-3 P (M3P), EPA 3050 P (3050P), water soluble P (WSP), degree of P saturation (DPS), soil C, and bulk density. Compost treatments significantly increased soil C, decreased bulk density, and increased M3P, 3050P, WSP, and DPS. The concentration of DRP, TDP, and TP in runoff was highest in compost treatments, but the mass of DRP and TDP was not different among treatments because infiltration was higher and runoff lower in compost-amended soil. Improved soil physical properties associated with poultry litter-yard waste compost application decreased loss of TP and TSS.

Abbreviations: M1P, Mehlich-1 P • WSP, water soluble P • M3P, Mehlich-3 P • P_ox, acid ammonium oxalate P • DPS, degree of P saturation • 3050P, EPA 3050 P • 3050Ca, EPA 3050 Ca • 3050Fe, EPA 3050 Fe • 3050Al, EPA 3050 Al • TKN, total Kjeldahl N • PAN, plant-available N • TOC, total organic C • CCE, calcium carbonate equivalence • BSC, biosolids compost • PLC, poultry litter compost • PL, poultry litter • CF, commercial fertilizer • CTL, control • TP, total P • TDP, total dissolved P • PP, particulate P • DURP, dissolved unreactive P • DRP, dissolved reactive P • TSS, total suspended solids

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. Agyin-Birikorang, G. A. O'Connor, and S. R. Brinton Evaluating Phosphorus Loss from a Florida Spodosol as Affected by Phosphorus-Source Application Methods J. Environ. Qual., May 1, 2008; 37(3): 1180 - 1189. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]