Influence of soil pH in vegetative filter strips for reducing soluble nutrient transport

Abstract

Low efficacy of vegetative filter strips (VFS) in reducing soluble nutrients has been reported in research articles. Solubility of phosphorus and nitrogen compounds is largely affected by pH of soil. Changing soil pH may result in a decrease in soluble nutrient transportation through VFS. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of pH levels of VFS soil on soluble nutrient transport reduction from manure-borne runoff. Soil (loamy sand texture; bulk density 1.3 g cm⁻³) was treated with calcium carbonate to change pH at different pH treatment levels (5.5–6.5, 6.5–7.5, and 7.5–8.5), soil was packed into galvanized metal boxes, and tall fescue grasses were established in the boxes to simulate VFS. Boxes were placed in an open environment, tilted to a 3.0% slope, and 44.0 L manure-amended water was applied through the VFS by a pump at a rate of 1.45 L min⁻¹. Water samples were collected at the inlet and outlet as well as from the leachate. Samples were analysed for ortho-phosphorus, ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, and potassium. Highest transport reductions in ortho-phosphorus (42.4%) and potassium (20.5%) were observed at pH range 7.5–8.5. Ammonium nitrogen transport reduction was the highest at pH level of 6.5–7.5 and was 26.1%. Surface transport reduction in nitrate nitrogen was 100%, but leachate had the highest concentration of nitrate nitrogen. Mass transport reduction also suggested that higher pH in the VFS soil are effective in reducing some soluble nutrients transport.

Keywords:

• Vegetative filter strips
• soil pH
• soluble nutrient removal
• feedlot runoff
• mass transport reduction

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge Paul Nyren (former Director) and Dr. Guojie Wang, Central Grasslands Research Extension Center, North Dakota State University (NDSU) for providing soils. Also, special thanks to Gerry Erickson, Manager, Farm Operations, NDSU, for providing space and other helps needed to conduct experiments.