Placement and source effects of phosphate fertilizers on phosphorus availability and reaction products in two reduced-till soils: A greenhouse study

Citation: Khatiwada, Raju, et al. “Placement and Source Effects of Phosphate Fertilizers on Phosphorus Availability and Reaction Products in Two Reduced-Till Soils: A Greenhouse Study.” Soil Science, vol. 179, no. 3, Mar. 2014, pp. 141–152. journals.lww.com, doi:10.1097/SS.0000000000000055.Crop yields are limited primarily by unavailability of nutrients in agricultural soil. Adoption of reduced tillage and no-tillage systems leads to stratification of nutrients in surface soil, so management of phosphorus (P) in these systems is a major issue. The objective of this research was to understand the influence of placement (broadcast vs. deep-placed P) and fertilizer source (granular versus liquid P) on the reaction products of P under greenhouse conditions using soil columns. Phosphorus was added at a rate of 75 kg/ha to two soils: an acid soil from Manhattan, KS, and a slightly acid to neutral soil from Ottawa, KS. At 5 weeks after P application soil pH, resin-extractable P, and speciation of P in soils were determined at different distances from the point of fertilizer application. Scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray analysis(SEM-EDXA) and synchrotron-based X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy were used to understand P speciation. Results for P fertilizer sources and placement with respect to resin-extractable P showed no clear differences between the treatments except for granular broadcast and granular deep-placed treatments in the Ottawa soil.Reaction products formed after application of P in two soils showed some clear differences. The XANES speciation revealed that Fe-P-like forms dominated in the acidic soil, whereas adsorbed and Fe and Ca-P-like forms dominated in the neutral to slightly acid soil. No clear trends in reaction products were detected with respect to P source or the P placement method. Furthermore, SEM-EDXA analysis of incubated fertilizer granules extracted from soils at 5 weeks showed enrichment of Al, Fe, and Ca in the zones of remaining P in incubated granules, indirectly indicating that these cations enter and or remaining in the granules and begin to react with P before the granules dissolve completely

The Effect of a Small Ruminant Farm Operation and Sustainable Farm Practices: Soil Quality and Run-Off at the University Hickory Hill Farm, Delaware

This project was designed to evaluate the effect of ruminant grazing practices at Hickory Hill Farm on the surrounding environment by measuring soil nutrients and runoff chemistry. Three pastures on the farm (Goat, Cattle and Control) were selected for soil sampling and nutrient analyses were recorded. Physical water quality parameters were conducted on the runoff collected from the farm after Hurricane Sandy. The sites with animal activity had higher levels of sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, Mehlich 3 phosphorus and conductivity when compared to control site. However, the control site had slightly higher pH and chloride levels. Nitrogen and phosphorous levels were very low at the control site when compared with the cattle and goat sites. Overall, soil quality was not found to be severely degraded from ruminant grazing activities. It will be vital to continue monitoring the farm to ensure its management practices are allowing optimal farm profitability and environmental health

Sustainable Farm Practice: Study of Total and Soluble Phosphorus in a Poultry Farm Equipped with Heavy Use Area Protection Pads, Dover, Delaware

Poultry litter contains high concentrations of water-soluble phosphorus and is readily transported in the farm run-off. This research aims to study the efficiency of heavy use area protection (HUAP) pads in decreasing litter spillage and phosphorous run-off at a Delaware poultry facility. Soil and water samples were analyzed for pH, total phosphorous, orthophosphate, and Mehlich III phosphorous throughout 2012. It has been hypothesized that the efficiency of HUAP pads would be reduced over time. Mehlich III phosphorus ranged from 22.82-200 mg/kg at site I, and 48.17 – 1179.6 mg/kg at site II, which were greater than the optimal soil concentrations. However, in the run-off, orthophosphate and total phosphorous levels were less than 0.05mg/L, and below U.S. EPA limits. This confirms that the HUAP pads, along with vegetative buffer strips, restricted the seepage of phosphorous into the run off. The results suggest minimal loss of nutrients from poultry house to water bodies. Keywords: Poultry Farm, Heavy Use Area Protection, HUAP, Phosphorus, Soil Testin

Speciation of phosphorus in a fertilized, reduced-till soil system: in-field treatment incubation study

Citation: Khatiwada, Raju, Ganga M. Hettiarachchi, David B. Mengel, and Mingwei Fei. “Speciation of Phosphorus in a Fertilized, Reduced-Till Soil System: In-Field Treatment Incubation Study.” Soil Science Society of America Journal 76, no. 6 (2012): 2006–18. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2011.0299.Phosphorus management in reduced-tillage systems is a great concern for farmers. Conclusive positive results of deep-banding P fertilizers compared with broadcast application and the chemistry of reduced-tillage systems remain unclear. Knowledge of the dominant solid P species present in soil following application of P fertilizers and the resulting potential P availability would help us understand and efficiently manage P in reduced-tillage systems. The objective of this research was to study the influence of placement (broadcast vs. deep-band P), fertilizer source (granular vs. liquid P), and time on the reaction products of P under field conditions. Changes in soil pH, resin-extractable P, total P, and speciation of P were determined at different distances from the point of fertilizer application at 5 wk and 6 mo after P application at a rate of 75 kg ha−1 to a soil system that was under long-term reduced tillage. Resin-extractable P was lower for broadcast treatments compared with deep-band treatments for both time periods. Resin-extractable P was greater in the liquid P-treated soils than in the granular P-treated soils. Speciation results showed that granular P fertilizers tended to form Fe–P-like forms, whereas liquid forms remained in adsorbed P-like forms in the soil 5 wk after application; moreover, speciation results showed granular P fertilizers precipitated less when deep-banded. During the 6-mo period following application, reaction products of broadcast granular, broadcast liquid, and deep-band granular fertilizers transformed to Ca-phosphate or mixtures of Ca-, Fe- and adsorbed-phosphate-like forms, whereas deep-band liquid P remained as mainly adsorbed P-like forms. Deep-banding of P would most likely provide a solution that is both agronomically and environmentally efficient for reduced-till farmers

The COVID‐19 Pandemic Not Only Poses Challenges, but Also Opens Opportunities for Sustainable Transformation

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted social, economic, and environmental systems worldwide, slowing down and reversing the progress made in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDGs belong to the 2030 Agenda to transform our world by tackling humankind's challenges to ensure well-being, economic prosperity, and environmental protection. We explore the potential impacts of the pandemic on SDGs for Nepal. We followed a knowledge co-creation process with experts from various professional backgrounds, involving five steps: online survey, online workshop, assessment of expert's opinions, review and validation, and revision and synthesis. The pandemic has negatively impacted most SDGs in the short term. Particularly, the targets of SDG 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 13 have and will continue to have weakly to moderately restricting impacts. However, a few targets of SDG 2, 3, 6, and 11 could also have weakly promoting impacts. The negative impacts have resulted from impeding factors linked to the pandemic. Many of the negative impacts may subside in the medium and long terms. The key five impeding factors are lockdowns, underemployment and unemployment, closure of institutions and facilities, diluted focus and funds for non-COVID-19-related issues, and anticipated reduction in support from development partners. The pandemic has also opened a window of opportunity for sustainable transformation, which is short-lived and narrow. These opportunities are lessons learned for planning and action, socio-economic recovery plan, use of information and communication technologies and the digital economy, reverse migration and “brain gain,” and local governments' exercising authorities

Mineral Surface-Mediated Transformation of Insensitive Munition Compounds

Abiotic transformation of compounds in the natural environment by metal oxides plays a significant a role in contaminant fate and behavior in soil. The ability of birnessite, ferrihydrite and green rust to abiotically transform insensitive munitions compounds (IMCs) parent (2,4 dinitroanisole [DNAN] and 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one [NTO]), and daughter products (2-methoxy-5-nitro aniline [MENA], 2,4-diaminoanisole [DAAN]of DNAN; and 5-amino-1, 2, 4-triazol-3-one [ATO] of NTO) was studied in batch reactors under strictly controlled pH and ionic strength. The objectives of the study were to (i) assess the abiotic transformation potential of soluble DNAN, MENA, DAAN, NTO and ATO by birnessite, ferrihydrite and green rust, and (ii) identify inorganic reaction products. The study was carried out at metal oxide solid to IMC solution ratios (SSR) of 0.15, 1.5 and 15 g kg⁻¹ for birnessite and ferrihydrite and 10 g kg⁻¹ for green rust. Aqueous samples were collected at time intervals between 0 to 3 days after the reaction initiation and analyzed using HPLC with UV detection. Results indicated that DNAN was resistant to oxidation by birnessite and ferrihydrite at given solid to solution ratios. MENA was susceptible to rapid oxidation by birnessite (first order rate constant, =1.36 h⁻¹ at 15 g kg⁻¹ SSR). The nitro groups from MENA largely mineralized to nitrite (NO₂⁻). In contrast, ferrihydrite did not oxidize MENA. DAAN was susceptible to oxidation by both birnessite and ferrihydrite, but about a six times higher oxidation rate was observed with birnessite (=1.18 h⁻¹) as compared to ferrihydrite (=0.22 h⁻¹) at an SSR of 1.5 g kg⁻¹. There was a complete loss of DAAN from solution after 5 min with birnessite at an SSR 15 g kg⁻¹ (≥90.5 h⁻¹). CO₂ evolution experiments indicate mineralization of 15 and 12 % of carbon associated with MENA and DAAN, respectively; under aerobic conditions with birnessite at an SSR of 15 g kg⁻¹. NTO was resistant to oxidation by birnessite and ferrihydrite at any SSR; however, there was slight initial loss from solution upon reaction with ferrihydrite at 0.15 and 1.5 g kg⁻¹ SSR and complete loss at 15 g kg⁻¹ SSR due to adsorption. ATO was susceptible to oxidation by birnessite and sorption by ferrihydrite. The first order rate constants () for ATO with birnessite at 0.15 and 1.5 g kg⁻¹ SSR are 0.04 and 3.03 h⁻¹ respectively. There was complete loss of ATO from solution with birnessite at 15 g kg⁻¹ SSR ( ≥ 90.2 h⁻¹) within 5 min of reaction. Transformation products analysis revealed urea, CO₂ and N₂ as major reaction products with 44 % urea recovery and recovery of 51.5 % of ATO carbon as CO₂ and 47.8 % of ATO nitrogen as N₂ at 15 g kg⁻¹ SSR. The oxidation of ATO in the presence of birnessite was found to be independent of dissolved O₂. The results indicate that ATO, the major reductive (bio)transformation product of NTO, is readily oxidized by birnessite in soil. NTO was found strongly sorbed to ferrihydrite as compared to that of ATO. The results of the green rust experiment indicate rapid abiotic reduction of parent compounds NTO and DNAN to their reduced aminated daughter products. NTO was generally reductively transformed to 5-amino-1, 2, 4-triazol-3-one (ATO) within 10 min and completely reacted in 20 min. DNAN was rapidly transformed to its reduced daughter products MENA and 4-methoxy-5-nitroaniline (iMENA). The reduction occurred with a distinctive, staggered regioselectivity. Over the first 10 min, the para-nitro group of DNAN was selectively reduced, generating iMENA. Thereafter the ortho-nitro group was preferentially reduced, generating MENA. Both iMENA and MENA were subsequently transformed to the final reduction product DAAN within 1 day. X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy data suggested oxidative transformation of green rust to lepidocrocite-like mineral forms, accounting for 94 % of the mineral products in the case of NTO reaction as compared to 62 % in the case of DNAN. The results taken as whole suggest that complete abiotic transformation of IMCs could be achieved by coupled stepwise green rust and birnessite treatments.Release after 19-Aug-201

Speciation of phosphorus in reduced tillage systems: placement and source effect.

Master of ScienceDepartment of AgronomyGanga M. HettiarachchiPhosphorus (P) management in reduced tillage systems has been a great concern for farmers. Conclusive results for benefits of deep banding of P fertilizers for plant yield in reduced tillage system are still lacking. Knowledge of the dominant solid P species present in soil following application of P fertilizers and linking that to potential P availability would help us to design better P management practices. The objectives of this research were to understand the influence of placement (broadcast- vs. deep band-P or deep placed-P), fertilizer source (granular- versus liquid-P), and time on reaction products of P. Greenhouse and field based experiments were conducted to study P behavior in soils. Soil pH, resin extractable P, total P, and speciation of P were determined at different distances from the point of fertilizer application at 5 weeks (greenhouse and field) and 6 months (field) after P application (at rate 75 kg/ha) to a soil system that was under long-term reduced tillage. X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy technique was used to speciate reaction products of fertilizer P in the soil. The reaction products of P formed upon addition of P fertilizers to soils were found to be influenced by soil pH, P placement methods, and P sources. Acidic pH (below~5.8) tended to favor formation of Fe-P and Al-P like forms whereas slightly acidic near neutral pH soils favored formation of Ca-P like forms. Scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray analysis of applied fertilizer granules at 5-wk showed enrichment of Al, Fe and Ca in granule- indicating these elements begin to react with applied P even before granules dissolve completely. The availability of an applied P fertilizer was found to be enhanced as a result of the deep banding as compared to the surface broadcasting or deep placed methods. Deep banded liquid MAP was found to be in more adsorbed P like forms and resulted greater resin extractable P both at 5 wk and 6 month after application. Deep banding of liquid MAP would most likely result both agronomically and environmentally efficient solution for no-till farmers

Efficacy of Heavy Use Area Protection (HUAP) Pads in Poultry Farm

This research focuses on the efficiency of recommended heavy use area protection (HUAP) pads installed in poultry houses utilizing the Choptank River, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay watershed is severely affected by crop agriculture and poultry feeding operations. Water quality degradation along with scarcity of water is a significant concern in this area, suggesting a need for changes in both environmental and groundwater management practices. Our objective in this study was to compare the efficiency of HUAP in reducing litter spillage and nutrient runoff between two poultry houses, one of which was constructed in 2005 and the other in 2009. The poultry house constructed in 2005 did not have HUAP pads initially; they were built in 2006. The poultry house built in 2009 had the pads from the starting point. We collected soil and water samples each month and analyzed them for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), nitrate, nitrite, total nitrogen, phosphate, and other soil properties throughout the year. The pH of soil and water samples was in the range of 6.8–8.0 and 6.5–7.2, respectively. We collected six water samples in total in the ditch, from points at retention ponds near the farm ditch to sites in wooded areas on the farm. Water sample B (where ditch water meets retention pond water from the poultry farm) had the highest EC value and nitrate, nitrite, and total nitrogen concentrations compared with other water samples. The subsequent water samples downstream had reduced loads of nutrients. The study results suggest that there was a minimum carryover of nutrients from soil into the runoff water, storm ditches, and adjacent stream. There was also a minimal effect of house cleaning and storm events in raising the concentration of nutrients in soil and water samples at our study sites. The older poultry site had higher total nitrogen and phosphorous surrounding the pads, whereas no elevated levels of nutrients were identified at the newer site. The ability of HUAP pads to hold onto contaminates decreases with age and use. This study also shows that the impacts from poultry activities on surface and groundwater can be minimized by using management practices such as HUAP pads. These practices can reduce pollution in the farm, increase productivity, and save farmers and ranchers time and money in the long run

THE EFFECT OF A SMALL RUMINANT FARM OPERATION AND SUSTAINABLE FARM PRACTICES: SOIL QUALITY AND RUN-OFF AT THE UNIVERSITY HICKORY HILL FARM, DELAWARE

This project was designed to evaluate the effect of ruminant grazing practices at Hickory Hill Farm on the surrounding environment by measuring soil nutrients and runoff chemistry. Three pastures on the farm (Goat, Cattle and Control) were selected for soil sampling and nutrient analyses were recorded. Physical water quality parameters were conducted on the runoff collected from the farm after Hurricane Sandy. The sites with animal activity had higher levels of sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, Mehlich 3 phosphorus and conductivity when compared to control site. However, the control site had slightly higher pH and chloride levels. Nitrogen and phosphorous levels were very low at the control site when compared with the cattle and goat sites. Overall, soil quality was not found to be severely degraded from ruminant grazing activities. It will be vital to continue monitoring the farm to ensure its management practices are allowing optimal farm profitability and environmental health