Publication Date

1997

Description

The purpose of this multi-year study was to determine concentrations and transport of non-nitrogen nutrients in groundwater under a medium fertility pasture system. Rotationally grazed grass pastures received 56 kg N/ha annually as NH4NO3 for a 5-yr period. A topsoil pH of 6.0 and available P and K levels of 28 and 168 kg/ha, respectively, were maintained. Concentrations of P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, and Cl were measured in water from springs draining each paddock. Nutrient concentrations did not vary greatly on a monthly basis but there some increases during the second 5-yr period when annual N fertilizer rates were 168 kg/ha. Concentrations of K and Na changed very little; Mg changed little until the second 5 yrs when it increased gradually; Cl decreased slightly during the first 5 yrs and then increased rapidly during the second 5 yrs; P levels were low and decreased slightly throughout the study.

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Groundwater Concentrations of Non-Nitrogen Nutrients Under a Medium Fertility Pasture System

The purpose of this multi-year study was to determine concentrations and transport of non-nitrogen nutrients in groundwater under a medium fertility pasture system. Rotationally grazed grass pastures received 56 kg N/ha annually as NH4NO3 for a 5-yr period. A topsoil pH of 6.0 and available P and K levels of 28 and 168 kg/ha, respectively, were maintained. Concentrations of P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, and Cl were measured in water from springs draining each paddock. Nutrient concentrations did not vary greatly on a monthly basis but there some increases during the second 5-yr period when annual N fertilizer rates were 168 kg/ha. Concentrations of K and Na changed very little; Mg changed little until the second 5 yrs when it increased gradually; Cl decreased slightly during the first 5 yrs and then increased rapidly during the second 5 yrs; P levels were low and decreased slightly throughout the study.