title: Phosphorus losses from monitored fields with conservation practices in the Lake Erie Basin, USA.
abstract: Conservation practices are implemented on farm fields in the USA through Farm Bill programs; however, there is a need for greater verification that these practices provide environmental benefits (e.g., water quality). This study was conducted to assess the impact of Farm Bill eligible conservation practices on soluble P (SP) and total P (TP) losses from four fields that were monitored between 2004 and 2013. No-tillage doubled SP loading compared to rotational tillage (e.g., tilled only before planting corn); however, no-tillage decreased TP loading by 69 % compared to rotational tillage. Similarly, grassed waterways were shown to increase SP loads, but not TP loads. A corn-soybean-wheat-oat rotation reduced SP loads by 85 % and TP loads by 83 % compared to the standard corn-soybean rotation in the region. We can potentially attain TP water quality goals using these Farm Bill practices; however, additional strategies must be employed to meet these goals for SP.
authors: USDA-ARS, Grassland, Soil and Water Research Laboratory, 808 East Blackland Road, Temple, TX, 76502-6712, USA, Douglas.R.Smith@ars.usda.gov.
authors: Douglas R
authors: DR
authors: Smith
authors: Wendy
authors: W
authors: Francesconi
authors: Stan J
authors: SJ
authors: Livingston
authors: Chi-hua
authors: CH
authors: Huang
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis*; D014481:United States; D014872:Water Movements
chemical_list: D010758:Phosphorus