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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 48(3)

Effect of variable soil phosphorus on phosphorus concentrations in simulated surface runoff under intensive dairy pastures

L. L. Burkitt A C , W. J. Dougherty B , S. M. Carlson A and D. J. Donaghy A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research, University of Tasmania, PO Box 3523, Burnie, Tas. 7320, Australia.

B Science, Innovation and Performance, Industry and Inverstment New South Wales, Locked Bag 4, Richmond, NSW 2753, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: Lucy.Burkitt@utas.edu.au

Australian Journal of Soil Research 48(3) 231-237 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR09025
Submitted: 30 January 2009  Accepted: 3 November 2009   Published: 6 May 2010

Abstract

Intensive dairy operations in Australia regularly apply P fertiliser to maintain productive pasture species. However, extractable soil test P (STP) concentrations in this industry commonly exceed those required to maximise pasture production, a situation which can increase the risk of P loss to surrounding waterways. The current study examined relationships between STP (Olsen P and CaCl2 P) and surface runoff P concentrations from a red silty loam (Ferrosol), commonly used for pasture production in south-eastern Australia. Soil was mixed and re-packed into soil trays and a rainfall simulator was used to generate surface runoff. A wide range of soil Olsen P concentrations (0–20 mm, 15–724 mg/kg; 0–100 mm, 9–166 mg/kg) was created by surface-applying a range of P fertiliser rates 8 months before the rainfall simulations. A comparison of the 2 STP methods suggests that Australian soils have higher labile P concentrations for given Olsen P concentrations compared with those measured internationally, suggesting a greater likelihood of P loss in runoff. Furthermore, significant curvilinear relationships between STP and dissolved reactive P (DRP <0.45 µm) in surface runoff for both Olsen P depths (0–20 mm, r2 = 0.94; 0–100 mm, r2 = 0.91; P < 0.01) were determined, as well as significant linear relationships between DRP and both CaCl2 depths (0–20 mm, r2 = 0.83; 0–100 mm, r2 = 0.92; P < 0.01). This confirmed that the concentrations of P in surface runoff increased with increasing STP, providing further evidence of an urgent need to reduce excessive STP concentrations, to reduce the risk of P loss to the environment.


Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the funding support provided by Dairy Australia Ltd, the Australian Research Council, the Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research, and the University of Tasmania. We also acknowledge the significant contribution of Toni Chugg in the establishment of the repacked trays and the calibration of the rainfall simulator and Deirdre Harvey for the analysis of soil samples. The constructive comments provided by 2 anonymous reviewers were also greatly appreciated.


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