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TECHNICAL REPORTS

Surface Water Quality

Estimating Phosphorus Loss in Runoff from Manure and Fertilizer for a Phosphorus Loss Quantification Tool

^a USDA-ARS, U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center, 1925 Linden Dr. West, Madison, WI 53706
^b 151 Soils Building, 1525 Observatory Dr., Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706
^c USDA-ARS, Room 108 POSC, Univ. of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701
^d USDA-NRCS, Room 6158-S, P.O. Box 2890, Washington, DC 20013-2890

^* Corresponding author (peter.vadas{at}ars.usda.gov).

Received for publication July 24, 2008. Nonpoint-source pollution of fresh waters by P is a concern because it contributes to accelerated eutrophication. Given the state of the science concerning agricultural P transport, a simple tool to quantify annual, field-scale P loss is a realistic goal. We developed new methods to predict annual dissolved P loss in runoff from surface-applied manures and fertilizers and validated the methods with data from 21 published field studies. We incorporated these manure and fertilizer P runoff loss methods into an annual, field-scale P loss quantification tool that estimates dissolved and particulate P loss in runoff from soil, manure, fertilizer, and eroded sediment. We validated the P loss tool using independent data from 28 studies that monitored P loss in runoff from a variety of agricultural land uses for at least 1 yr. Results demonstrated (i) that our new methods to estimate P loss from surface manure and fertilizer are an improvement over methods used in existing Indexes, and (ii) that it was possible to reliably quantify annual dissolved, sediment, and total P loss in runoff using relatively simple methods and readily available inputs. Thus, a P loss quantification tool that does not require greater degrees of complexity or input data than existing P Indexes could accurately predict P loss across a variety of management and fertilization practices, soil types, climates, and geographic locations. However, estimates of runoff and erosion are still needed that are accurate to a level appropriate for the intended use of the quantification tool.