Seasonal surface runoff losses of nutrients and metals from soils fertilized with broiler litter and commercial fertilizer

While elevated concentrations of N and P have been observed in surface runo ff from broiler litter-amended fields, impacts of other nutrients in broile r litter such as Ca, K, Mg, Mn, Cu, and Zn have not been identified. A stud y Has conducted on a 4% slope during 1991 to 1993 at Belie Mina, AL, on a D ecatur silty clay (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Rhode Paleudult) to determin e effects of broiler litter CBL on seasonal transport losses of nutrients a nd heavy metals in surface water. A. corn (Zea mays L.)-winter rye (Secale cereale L,) cropping system was fertilized with either: (i) 9 Mg BL ha(-1) (BL9), (ii) 18 Mg BL ha(-1) (BL18), or (iii) commercial fertilizer at the r ecommended rate (CF), Runoff water samples Here collected after each runoff producing rainfall event. Litter treatments decreased sediment now-weighte d concentrations during the second corn growing season owing to residual br oiler litter. Flow-weighted concentrations of NO3-N and NH4-N were highest under BL18 during the second corn season. Total P and dissolved P flow-weig hted concentrations and seasonal transport losses Here highest under BL18 d uring the second corn season. Sediment nutrient flow-weighted concentration s of I i, Jig. and Mn Here highest under CF during the second corn season. Dissolved nutrient flow-weighted concentrations of Ca, K, and Jig Here high est under BL18 during the second corn season. Nutrient flow-weighted concen trations, except Ca, from all treatments provide adequate levels to support algae growth.