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Zhi R, Boughton EH, Li H, Petticord DF, Saha A, Sparks JP, Reddy KR, Qiu J. Soil legacy phosphorus and loss risk in subtropical grasslands. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 366:121656. [PMID: 38981276 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
The accumulation of soil legacy phosphorus (P) due to past fertilization practices poses a persistent challenge for agroecosystem management and water quality conservation. This study investigates the spatial distribution and risk assessment of soil legacy P in subtropical grasslands managed for cow-calf operations in Florida, with two pasture types along the intensity gradient: improved vs semi-native pastures. Soil samples from 1438 locations revealed substantial spatial variation in soil legacy P, with total P concentrations ranging from 11.46 to 619.54 mg/kg and Mehlich-1 P concentrations spanning 0.2-187.27 mg/kg. Our analyses revealed that most of the sites in semi-native pastures may function as P sinks by exhibiting positive Soil P Storage Capacity (SPSC) values, despite having high levels of soil total P. These locales of higher SPSC values were associated with high levels of aluminum, iron, and organic matter that can adsorb P. In addition, our results from spatial random forest modelling demonstrated that factors including elevation, soil organic matter, available water storage, pasture type, soil pH, and soil order are important to explain and predict spatial variations in SPSC. Incorporating SPSC into the Phosphorus Index (PI) spatial assessment, we further determined that only 3% of the study area was considered as high or very high PI categories indicative of a significant risk for P loss. Our evaluation of SPSC and PI underscores the complexity inherent in P dynamics, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to assessing P loss risk. Insights from this work not only help optimize agronomic practices but also promote sustainable land management, thus ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of grass-dominated agroecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Zhi
- School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Davie, Florida, USA
| | | | - Haoyu Li
- Archbold Biological Station, Buck Island Ranch, Lake Placid, FL, USA
| | - Daniel F Petticord
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Amartya Saha
- Archbold Biological Station, Buck Island Ranch, Lake Placid, FL, USA
| | - Jed P Sparks
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - K Ramesh Reddy
- School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jiangxiao Qiu
- School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Davie, Florida, USA; School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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2
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Zang N, Cao G, Xu Y, Feng Y, Xu Z, Zhou X, Liao Y. An innovative method based on Gaussian cloud distribution and sample information richness for eutrophication assessment of Yangtze's lakes and reservoirs under uncertainty. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:32784-32799. [PMID: 38662293 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33307-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The precise assessment of a water body's eutrophication status is essential for making informed decisions in water environment management. However, conventional approaches frequently fail to consider the randomness, fuzziness, and inherent hidden information of water quality indicators. These would result in an unreliable assessment. An enhanced method was proposed for the eutrophication assessment under uncertainty in this study. The multi-dimension gaussian cloud distribution was introduced to capture the randomness and fuzziness. The Shannon entropy based on various sample size and trophic levels was proposed to maximize valuable information hidden in the datasets. Twenty-seven significant lakes and reservoirs located in the Yangtze River Basin were selected to demonstrate the proposed method. The sensitivity and consistency were used to evaluate the accuracy of the proposed method. Results indicate that the proposed method has the capability to effectively assess the eutrophication status of lakes and reservoirs under uncertainty and that it has a better sensitivity since it can identify more than 33-50% trophic levels compared to the traditional methods. Further scenario experiments analysis revealed that the sample information richness, i.e., sample size and the number of trophic levels is of great significance to the accuracy/robustness of the method. Moreover, a sample size of 60 can offer the most favorable balance between accuracy/robustness and the monitoring expenses. These findings are crucial to optimizing the eutrophication assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zang
- China National Environmental Monitoring Centre, Beijing, 100012, China
- Chinese Academy for Environmental Planning, Beijing, 100043, China
| | - Guozhi Cao
- Chinese Academy for Environmental Planning, Beijing, 100043, China
| | - Yanxue Xu
- Chinese Academy for Environmental Planning, Beijing, 100043, China
| | - Yu Feng
- Sinosoft Company Limited, Beijing, 100089, China
| | - Zesheng Xu
- Chinese Academy for Environmental Planning, Beijing, 100043, China
| | - Xiafei Zhou
- Chinese Academy for Environmental Planning, Beijing, 100043, China
| | - Yunjie Liao
- Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
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3
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Smith GJ, McDowell RW, Condron LM, Daly K, Ó hUallacháin D, Fenton O. Phosphorus and iron-oxide transport from a hydrologically isolated grassland hillslope. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 329:117008. [PMID: 36584514 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.117008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) loss from agricultural soils can negatively affect water quality. Shallow subsurface pathways can dominate P losses in grassland soils, especially in wetter months when waterlogging is common. This study investigated the processes controlling intra- and inter-event and seasonal DRP losses from poorly drained permanent grassland hillslope plots. Temporal flow related water samples were taken from surface runoff and subsurface (in-field pipe) discharge, analysed, and related to the likelihood of anaerobic conditions and redoximorphic species including nitrate (NO3-) over time. Subsurface drainage accounted for 89% of total losses. Simple linear regression and correlation matrices showed positive relationships between DRP and iron and soil moisture deficit; and negative relationships between these three factors and NO3- concentrations in drainage. These data indicate that waterlogging and low NO3- concentrations control the release of P in drainage, potentially via reductive dissolution. The relationship between DRP and metal release was less obvious in surface runoff, as nutrients gathered from P-rich topsoil camoflaged redox reactions. The data suggest a threshold in NO3- concentrations that could exacerbate P losses, even in low P soils. Knowledge of how nutrients interact with soil drainage throughout the year can be used to better time soil N and P inputs via, for example, fertiliser or grazing to avoid to excessive P loss that could harm water quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- G J Smith
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, P O Box 85084, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - R W McDowell
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, P O Box 85084, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, Christchurch, New Zealand; AgResearch, Lincoln Science Centre, Private Bag 4749, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand.
| | - L M Condron
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, P O Box 85084, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - K Daly
- Teagasc Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme, Johnstown Castle, Wexford, Ireland
| | - D Ó hUallacháin
- Teagasc Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme, Johnstown Castle, Wexford, Ireland
| | - O Fenton
- Teagasc Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme, Johnstown Castle, Wexford, Ireland
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4
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Fox A, Widmer F, Lüscher A. Soil microbial community structures are shaped by agricultural systems revealing little temporal variation. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 214:113915. [PMID: 35940233 PMCID: PMC9492858 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Many studies in soil microbial ecology are undertaken with a single sampling event, with the influence of temporal progression rarely being considered. Under field conditions, soil samples were taken from different agricultural systems; a sown grassland to maize rotation (MC), an intensively managed permanent grassland (INT), as well as extensively managed permanent grasslands with high (EXT_HP), low to sufficient (EXT_LP) and deficient available P (EXT_DP), six times throughout the 2017 growing season. Thus, this study aimed to determine if any differences in soil microbiome structures between both sharply contrasting (MC - INT - EXT), slightly differing (EXT_HP - EXT_DP) and quite similar (EXT_HP - EXT_LP and EXT_LP - EXT_DP) agricultural systems persist through changing growth conditions within the growing season. For both fungal and bacterial community structure, the influence of agricultural system (CV = 0.256, P < 0.001 and CV = 0.145, P < 0.01, respectively) was much greater than that of temporal progression (√CV = 0.065 and 0.042, respectively, both P < 0.001). Importantly, nearly all agricultural systems persistently harbored significantly distinct fungal community structures across each of the six sampling events (all at least P < 0.05). There were not as many pairwise differences in bacterial community structure between the agricultural systems, but some did persist (MC and EXT_HP ∼ EXT_DP, all P < 0.001). Additionally, persistent indicator fungal OTUs (IndVal >0.7, P ≤ 0.05) associated to each agricultural system (except EXT_LP) were found in each of the six sampling events. These results highlight the temporal stability of pairwise differences in soil microbiome structures between established agricultural systems through changing plant growth conditions, even between those with a comparable management regime. This is a highly relevant finding in informing the sampling strategy of studies in soil microbial ecology as well as for designing efficient soil biodiversity monitoring systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Fox
- Forage Production and Grassland Systems, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, CH-8046, Zürich, Switzerland; Molecular Ecology, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, CH-8046, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - F Widmer
- Molecular Ecology, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, CH-8046, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - A Lüscher
- Forage Production and Grassland Systems, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, CH-8046, Zürich, Switzerland.
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5
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Martin-Ortega J, Rothwell SA, Anderson A, Okumah M, Lyon C, Sherry E, Johnston C, Withers PJ, Doody DG. Are stakeholders ready to transform phosphorus use in food systems? A transdisciplinary study in a livestock intensive system. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY 2022; 131:177-187. [PMID: 35505912 PMCID: PMC8895547 DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Food systems worldwide are vulnerable to Phosphorus (P) supply disruptions and price fluctuations. Current P use is also highly inefficient, generating large surpluses and pollution. Global food security and aquatic ecosystems are in jeopardy if transformative action is not taken. This paper pivots from earlier (predominantly conceptual) work to develop and analyse a P transdisciplinary scenario process, assessing stakeholders potential for transformative thinking in P use in the food system. Northern Ireland, a highly livestock-intensive system, was used as case study for illustrating such process. The stakeholder engagement takes a normative stance in that it sets the explicit premise that the food system needs to be transformed and asks stakeholders to engage in a dialogue on how that transformation can be achieved. A Substance Flow Analysis of P flows and stocks was employed to construct visions for alternative futures and stimulate stakeholder discussions on system responses. These were analysed for their transformative potential using a triple-loop social learning framework. For the most part, stakeholder responses remained transitional or incremental, rather than being fundamentally transformative. The process did unveil some deeper levers that could be acted upon to move the system further along the spectrum of transformational change (e.g. changes in food markets, creation of new P markets, destocking, new types of land production and radical land use changes), providing clues of what an aspirational system could look like. Replicated and adapted elsewhere, this process can serve as diagnostics of current stakeholders thinking and potential, as well as for the identification of those deeper levers, opening up avenues to work upon for global scale transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Martin-Ortega
- Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Shane A. Rothwell
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Aine Anderson
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 5AG, United Kingdom
| | - Murat Okumah
- Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Lyon
- Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Erin Sherry
- Sustainable Agri-food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Johnston
- Sustainable Agri-food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Paul J.A. Withers
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Donnacha G. Doody
- Sustainable Agri-food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, United Kingdom
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6
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Liu L, Zheng X, Wei X, Kai Z, Xu Y. Excessive application of chemical fertilizer and organophosphorus pesticides induced total phosphorus loss from planting causing surface water eutrophication. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23015. [PMID: 34837009 PMCID: PMC8626514 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02521-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Total phosphorus (TP) loss from planting was one of the resources causing agricultural non-point source pollution. It is significant to clarify the factors influencing TP loss, as well as explore the relationship between TP loss from planting and surface water eutrophication for making recommendations on the reduction of environmental pollution. In this study, the minimum and maximum of average TP loss was appeared in Qinghai and Shandong province with the TP loss of 7.7 × 102 t and 7.5 × 103 t from 2012 to 2014, respectively. The results of structural equation model (SEM) indicating that the effect of anthropogenic drivers on TP loss was more important than natural conditions due to the higher path coefficient of anthropogenic drivers (0.814) than that of natural conditions (0.130). For anthropogenic drivers, the path coefficients of usage of fertilizer and pesticides, which was often excessively applied in China, were 0.921 and 0.909, respectively causing they the two dominant factors affecting TP loss. Annual precipitation and relative humidity, which were belongs to natural conditions, increased TP loss by enhancing leaching and surface runoff. However, light duration could reduce TP loss by promoting crop growth and increasing TP absorption of crops, with a path coefficient of - 0.920. TP loss of each province in per unit area from planting was significantly correlated with TP concentration of its surface water (p < 0.05), suggesting that TP loss from planting was the main factor causing surface water eutrophication. This study targeted presented three proposals to reduce the TP loss from planting, including promotion of scientific fertilization technologies, restriction of organophosphorus pesticides, and popularization of water saving irrigation technologies. These findings as well as suggestions herein would provide direction for the reduction of TP loss from planting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyuan Liu
- Institute of Plant Nutrition, Resources and Environment, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, 100089, China
| | - Xiangqun Zheng
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin, 300191, China
| | - Xiaocheng Wei
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin, 300191, China
| | - Zhang Kai
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin, 300191, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin, 300191, China.
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7
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Dall'Orsoletta DJ, Gatiboni LC, Mumbach GL, Schmitt DE, Boitt G, Smyth TJ. Soil slope and texture as factors of phosphorus exportation from pasture areas receiving pig slurry. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 761:144004. [PMID: 33385866 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Phosphorus (P) loss from agricultural areas to waterbodies is a worldwide concern. However, the effect of soil source and transport factors, such as clay (C) content and slope (S), on the magnitude of the P transport in Brazilian subtropical soils is still understudied. The objectives of this study were i) to quantify the loss of P fractions by runoff in areas receiving pig slurry application and with variations in S and C content; ii) propose an environmental critical limit model of P (P-threshold) for Brazilian subtropical soils. Thus, two series of experiments were conducted from 2016 to 2018, one under a Nitisol with 642 g kg-1 of C and another under a Cambisol with 225 g kg-1 of C. The treatments were four P rates (0, 56, 112 and 224 kg P ha-1 year-1) superficially applied as pig slurry, on Tifton (Cynodon sp) pasture, and three S (10, 20 and 30% in the Nitisol and 15, 25 and 35% in Cambisol). P losses increased in both soils as the S and P rates rose. The Nitisol showed P losses three times higher than the Cambisol. Soil S above 25% promotes P losses at a rate three times higher than in soil below this limit. Therefore, we propose a P-threshold model for Mehlich-1 extractable P levels for Brazilian subtropical soils as: "P-threshold = (42.287 + C) - (0.230 S + 0.0123 C S)" in soils with a S ≤ 25% and "P-threshold = (42.287 + C) - (-0.437 S + 0.039 C S)" in soils with a S >25%, where both C and S are shown in percentage. The soil clay content and slope are aggravating factors to the P transfer process, thus must be considered in suitable models to predict the P losses risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Dall'Orsoletta
- Department of Soil Science and Natural Resources, Santa Catarina State University, Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
| | - L C Gatiboni
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
| | - G L Mumbach
- Department of Soil Science and Natural Resources, Santa Catarina State University, Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - D E Schmitt
- Department of Agriculture, Biodiversity and Forests, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Curitibanos, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - G Boitt
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - T J Smyth
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
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8
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Rothwell S, Doody D, Johnston C, Forber K, Cencic O, Rechberger H, Withers P. Phosphorus stocks and flows in an intensive livestock dominated food system. RESOURCES, CONSERVATION, AND RECYCLING 2020; 163:105065. [PMID: 33273754 PMCID: PMC7534034 DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Current use and management of phosphorus (P) in our food systems is considered unsustainable and considerable improvements in the efficiency of P use are required to mitigate the environmental impact of poor P stewardship. The inherent low P use efficiency of food production from animals means food systems dominated by livestock agriculture can pose unique challenges for improving P management. This paper presents the results of a substance flow analysis for P in the Northern Ireland (NI) food system for the year 2017 as a case study for examining P stewardship in a livestock dominated agricultural system. Imported livestock feed was by far the largest flow of P into the NI food system in 2017 (11,700 t ± 1300 t) and P from livestock excreta the largest internal flow of P (20,400 ± 1900t). The P contained in livestock slurries and manures alone that were returned to agricultural land exceeded total crop and grass P requirement by 20% and were the largest contributor to an annual excess soil P accumulation of 8.5 ± 1.4 kg ha-1. This current livestock driven P surplus also limits the opportunities for P circularity and reuse from other sectors within the food system, e.g. wastewater biosolids and products from food processing waste. Management of livestock P demand (livestock numbers, feed P content) or technological advancements that facilitate the processing and subsequent export of slurries and manures are therefore needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S.A. Rothwell
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - D.G. Doody
- Agri Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - C. Johnston
- Agri Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - K.J. Forber
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - O. Cencic
- Institute for Water Quality and Resource Management, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - H. Rechberger
- Institute for Water Quality and Resource Management, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - P.J.A. Withers
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
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9
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Withers PJA, Vadas PA, Uusitalo R, Forber KJ, Hart M, Foy RH, Delgado A, Dougherty W, Lilja H, Burkitt LL, Rubæk GH, Pote D, Barlow K, Rothwell S, Owens PR. A Global Perspective on Integrated Strategies to Manage Soil Phosphorus Status for Eutrophication Control without Limiting Land Productivity. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2019; 48:1234-1246. [PMID: 31589721 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2019.03.0131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Unnecessary accumulation of phosphorus (P) in agricultural soils continues to degrade water quality and linked ecosystem services. Managing both soil loss and soil P fertility status is therefore crucial for eutrophication control, but the relative environmental benefits of these two mitigation measures, and the timescales over which they occur, remain unclear. To support policies toward reduced P loadings from agricultural soils, we examined the impact of soil conservation and lowering of soil test P (STP) in different regions with intensive farming (Europe, the United States, and Australia). Relationships between STP and soluble reactive P concentrations in land runoff suggested that eutrophication control targets would be more achievable if STP concentrations were kept at or below the current recommended threshold values for fertilizer response. Simulations using the Annual P Loss Estimator (APLE) model in three contrasting catchments predicted total P losses ranging from 0.52 to 0.88 kg ha depending on soil P buffering and erosion vulnerability. Drawing down STP in all catchment soils to the threshold optimum for productivity reduced catchment P loss by between 18 and 40%, but this would take between 30 and 40+ years. In one catchment, STP drawdown was more effective in reducing P loss than erosion control, but combining both strategies was always the most effective and more rapid than erosion control alone. By accounting for both soil P buffering interactions and erosion vulnerability, the APLE model quickly provided reliable information on the magnitude and time frame of P loss reduction that can be realistically expected from soil and STP management. Greater precision in the sampling, analysis, and interpretation of STP, and more technical innovation to lower agronomic optimum STP concentrations on farms, is needed to foster long-term sustainable management of soil P fertility in the future.
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10
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Macintosh KA, Doody DG, Withers PJA, McDowell RW, Smith DR, Johnson LT, Bruulsema TW, O'Flaherty V, McGrath JW. Transforming soil phosphorus fertility management strategies to support the delivery of multiple ecosystem services from agricultural systems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 649:90-98. [PMID: 30172137 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Despite greater emphasis on holistic phosphorus (P) management, current nutrient advice delivered at farm-scale still focuses almost exclusively on agricultural production. This limits our ability to address national and international strategies for the delivery of multiple ecosystem services (ES). Currently there is no operational framework in place to manage P fertility for multiple ES delivery and to identify the costs of potentially sacrificing crop yield and/or quality. As soil P fertility plays a central role in ES delivery, we argue that soil test phosphorus (STP) concentration provides a suitable common unit of measure by which delivering multiple ES can be economically valued relative to maximum potential yield, in $ ha-1 yr-1 units. This value can then be traded, or payments made against one another, at spatio-temporal scales relevant for farmer and national policy objectives. Implementation of this framework into current P fertility management strategies would allow for the integration and interaction of different stakeholder interests in ES delivery on-farm and in the wider landscape. Further progress in biophysical modeling of soil P dynamics is needed to inform its adoption across diverse landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina A Macintosh
- School of Biological Sciences and the Institute for Global Food Security, The Queen's University of Belfast, UK.
| | | | - Paul J A Withers
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Richard W McDowell
- AgResearch, Lincoln Science Centre, Christchurch, New Zealand; Soil and Physical Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Douglas R Smith
- Grassland, Soil and Water Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, TX, USA
| | - Laura T Johnson
- National Center for Water Quality Research, Heidelberg University, OH, USA
| | | | - Vincent O'Flaherty
- Microbial Ecology Laboratory, Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
| | - John W McGrath
- School of Biological Sciences and the Institute for Global Food Security, The Queen's University of Belfast, UK
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11
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Achieving Sustainable Phosphorus Use in Food Systems through Circularisation. SUSTAINABILITY 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/su10061804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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12
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He J, Su D, Lv S, Diao Z, Bu H, Wo Q. Analysis of factors controlling soil phosphorus loss with surface runoff in Huihe National Nature Reserve by principal component and path analysis methods. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:2320-2330. [PMID: 29124634 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-0570-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Phosphorus (P) loss with surface runoff accounts for the P input to and acceleration of eutrophication of the freshwater. Many studies have focused on factors affecting P loss with surface runoff from soils, but rarely on the relationship among these factors. In the present study, rainfall simulation on P loss with surface runoff was conducted in Huihe National Nature Reserve, in Hulunbeier grassland, China, and the relationships between P loss with surface runoff, soil properties, and rainfall conditions were examined. Principal component analysis and path analysis were used to analyze the direct and indirect effects on P loss with surface runoff. The results showed that P loss with surface runoff was closely correlated with soil electrical conductivity, soil pH, soil Olsen P, soil total nitrogen (TN), soil total phosphorus (TP), and soil organic carbon (SOC). The main driving factors which influenced P loss with surface runoff were soil TN, soil pH, soil Olsen P, and soil water content. Path analysis and determination coefficient analysis indicated that the standard multiple regression equation for P loss with surface runoff and each main factor was Y = 7.429 - 0.439 soil TN - 6.834 soil pH + 1.721 soil Olsen-P + 0.183 soil water content (r = 0.487, p < 0.01, n = 180). Soil TN, soil pH, soil Olsen P, and soil water content and the interactions between them were the main factors affecting P loss with surface runoff. The effect of physical and chemical properties of undisturbed soils on P loss with surface runoff was discussed, and the soil water content and soil Olsen P were strongly positive influences on the P loss with surface runoff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing He
- Grassland Resources and Ecology Research Center, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Derong Su
- Grassland Resources and Ecology Research Center, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Shihai Lv
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Regional Eco-process and Function Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Zhaoyan Diao
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Regional Eco-process and Function Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - He Bu
- Huihe National Nature Reserve Authority in Inner Mongolia, Hailar, 021199, China
| | - Qiang Wo
- Huihe National Nature Reserve Authority in Inner Mongolia, Hailar, 021199, China
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Cade-Menun BJ, Doody DG, Liu CW, Watson CJ. Long-term Changes in Grassland Soil Phosphorus with Fertilizer Application and Withdrawal. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2017; 46:537-545. [PMID: 28724086 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2016.09.0373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Long-term phosphorus (P) applications can increase soil P concentrations in excess of agronomic optima, posing a risk to water quality. Once fertilization stops, however, it may take time for soil P concentrations to decline. Whereas P fertilization adds orthophosphate, little is known about changes in other soil P forms during P buildup and drawdown. This study examined changes in P pools (total P, Olsen P, Mehlich P, and water-extractable P) and P forms determined by P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (P-NMR) in grazed grassland plots from Northern Ireland. Between 1994 and 1999, all plots received 8.3 kg P ha yr with variable rates of nitrogen (100-500 kg N ha yr). From 2000 to 2005, plots received 0, 20, 40, or 80 kg P ha yr and 250 kg N ha yr; from 2005 to 2010, no P fertilizer was applied to any plots. In 2005, soil P pool concentrations at the highest P fertilization rates were significantly elevated compared with those in 2000 but had decreased to 2000 concentrations by 2010. In soils receiving no P, soil P pool concentrations were significantly lower than those in 1994 only in 2010. There were few changes in P forms determined by P-NMR. Orthophosphate followed the same trend observed for the soil P pools; total organic P, total inositol phosphates, and total orthophosphate monoesters and diesters were highest in 2010 in the soil receiving no P fertilizer for 10 yr. For these soils, fertilizer application and cessation influenced inorganic P more than organic P.
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