Normal and Flush Irrigation Effects on Nitrogen Leaching from Simulated Golf Greens in the Greenhouse

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) can leach in porous golf greens, especially when they are flushed with high rates of irrigation. Drain water often discharges to the surface, possibly endangering surface waters with eutrophic concentrations of nitrogen. A greenhouse study was initiated to study the effects of fertilizer source and rate and irrigation schemes on leaching of nitrate and ammonium nitrogen. Simulated golf green columns were sodded with bermudagrass. Treatments were 3 fertilizer sources (20‐20‐20, ammonium nitrate, and a sulfur‐coated urea), 3 rates (zero control, 12, and 24 kg ha^?1), and 2 irrigation schemes. The first was a daily rate of 0.6 mm (N.I.), and the second was the same daily rate with several flushes of 11.5 cm each (FL). Essentially no nitrogen leached for the N.I. scheme, whereas the FL treatment resulted in significant leaching of nitrate‐N. Ammonium‐N leached to a much less extent than nitrate‐N. The nitrate‐N concentration “break through” occurred earlier, the peaks were higher, and the flushes were more prominent for 20‐20‐20 and ammonium nitrate than for the sulfur‐coated urea. The sulfur‐coated urea had a gradual nitrate‐N concentration peak that tapered off slowly. The percent N leached of that applied was higher for the flushes, and all sources were the same for flushes and the high N rate (about 20%). At the low N rate and flushes, the percent leached was highest for ammonium nitrate (10.2%), 20‐20‐20 was intermediate (4.3%), and sulfur‐coated urea was the lowest (0.14%). These data show that fertilizer sources and rates can make a difference in nitrate‐nitrogen leaching but only when significant leaching is taking place as with flushing.     

Potential movement of methyl bromide through golf course greens

Abstract

Methyl bromide (MeBr) is routinely used for soil sterilization and stored food preservation. There is increasing concern for the continued use of MeBr due to the influence of methane and MeBr on the ozone layer in addition to its high mammalian toxicity. MeBr is commonly used for sterilizing golf course greens during construction and renovation. The high water solubility of MeBr and bromide ion (Br) and the high infiltration rate of most golf course greens allows for potential movement of these analytes into drainage channels and ultimately into surface contained water systems. The objective of this research was to develop a sensitive and accurate method for quantifying MeBr and Br in aqueous soil leachate and to determine the potential for MeBr and Br transport through golf course greens following fumigation. A method for utilizing a purge and trap system coupled to a gas Chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector (P&T/GC‐ECD) was developed for measuring MeBr. This system along with the LACHAT system for Br analyses in the purged subsample were used to quantify MeBr and its metabolites in aqueous leachate obtained from lysimeters developed to simulate treatment of renovated greens using MeBr fumigation. MeBr was applied to the enclosed lysimeters at rates of 533 and 65 g m^‐2 in two experiments. At 2 days after treatment (DAT), tops of the lysimeters were removed and at 4 DAT simulated rainfall and irrigation events were initiated. The leachate was collected from the bottoms of the lysimeters for a 22 day period and analyzed for MeBr and Br transported through the soil mixture. The sum of transported MeBr and Br from the two experiments was proportional to the treatment rate. Considerably more Br was transported than MeBr. The highest concentration of MeBr and Br in the leachate from both experiments was 11.8 and 57.2 mg L^‐1, respectively. The total MeBr and Br transported through the golf course greens rooting medium, accounted for less than 1% of the analyte applied at both treatment rates.     

Phosphate and Nitrate Movement Through Simulated Golf Greens

Phosphorus and nitrogen can leach from porous golf greens potentially causing degradation of ground water quality. Agreenhouse experiment was carried out with 52 cm columns (15 cm diam.) made to USGA green specifications and sodded to `Tifdwarf' bermudagrass to determine the effects of fertilizer sources at various rates on P and N leaching. Fertilizers were balanced soluble and controlled-release (polyand sulfur coated) sources at N rates of 0, 12, 24, and 49 kg N ha^-1 and at P rates of 0, 5, 11, and 21 kg ha^-1 every other week for a total of 6 applications. Controlled-release N was from NH₄ and urea and the soluble source N was from KNO₃, urea, and (NH₄)PO₄. Irrigation rate was 0.63 cm per day initially and increased to 1.25 cm per day at week 7. Weeklyleachate collections for 23 weeks were analyzed for P andNO₃-N. Concentrations of N and P were lower in the leachatefor the controlled-release source than for the soluble source. Leaching of P continued for the entire 23 weeks of theexperiment, whereas N was essentially exhausted by week 15indicating that P leaches at a slower rate than N. For the low Prate (5 kg ha^-1) for the controlled-release source there was no increase in P concentration in the leachate compared to control. Thus, low P rates will not result in degradation of water quality due to increased P. For the controlled-release source at the low rate <10% of the P added leached, whereasthe values for N were in the range of 20 to 45% for all ratesand sources. Control treatments resulted in N concentrations in the leachate as high as 26 mg L^-1. Results show thatP leaching is a potential problem only at high rates of solublesources and high irrigation, whereas N is more readily leached.     

Nitrogen and Phosphorus Leaching from Fertilizer Applied on Golf Course: Lysimeter Study

Fertilizers applied to turfgrass may pose a threat to surface and groundwater quality, and hence, a study was carried out to evaluate the fate of fertilizer applied to turfgrass of the Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club in Hong Kong. Lysimeters with reconstituted soils collected from fairways and greens with Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) growing in the surface were used to evaluate the leaching loss of nitrate (NO₃ ^-), ammonium (NH₄ ⁺), and phosphate (PO₄ ^3-) for 22 weeks under greenhouse condition. Both soils received a slow release fertilizer at an application rate of 25 (low) or 50 (high) kg N ha^-1, and an application frequency of monthly and fortnightly for fairways and greens, respectively, simulating the fertilizer application strategy of the golf course. Both low and high fertilizer application rate supported the same amount of biomass production for each soil type. Breakthrough of NO₃ ^- occurred only in greens after 11 weeks of leaching, but the total amount of NO₃ ^- leached did not differ significantly for the two different fertilizer application rates. The continued addition of fertilizer to greens resulted in a final leachate NO₃ ^- concentration exceeding 45 mg L^-1, while fairways maintained a concentration below 5 mg L^-1. Also PO₄ ^3- concentration in leachate of greens exceeded the surface water standard of 0.3 mg L^-1. The results of the lysimeter study showed that the current application rate on greens would create adverse environmental impacts on the surface water and groundwater due to leaching loss of PO₄ ^{3 -} and NO₃ ^-.     

Labile soil organic matter as a potential nitrogen source in golf greens

The loss of fertilizer N from golf greens can be high depending upon management (irrigation schedule, N source, rate and timing of fertilizer application) as well as soil conditions. Although soil organic matter (SOM) is acknowledged as a major source of N and other nutrients, its potential as an N source seems to be neglected in the management of golf greens. The susceptibility of SOM to degradation is one indication of how active a role SOM plays as a nutrient source. An extraction method developed by Olk et al. [Geoderma 65 (1995) 195] distinguishes humic acid fractions by their binding to dominant stabilizing soil cations and separates them into calcium-bound (CaHA) and non calcium-bound or mobile (MHA) fractions. Mobile humic acid is a relatively young, N-rich HA fraction that does not appear to form stable complexes with Ca. The MHA could therefore play a greater role in nutrient availability than CaHA. We determined C and N distributions within SOM extracted from these two HA fractions in 11 golf greens ranging in age from 4 to 28 yr. Because SOM in golf greens is recently formed, and MHA is an N-rich fraction representing an early stage of SOM evolution, we hypothesized that the MHA fraction would account for a larger proportion of soil organic N than CaHA. The amounts of both HA-C and HA-N increased significantly with green age. MHA accounted for a larger proportion (20-27%) of total soil C than CaHA-C (8-14%). MHA was also enriched in N compared to CaHA with consistently smaller C-to-N ratios. Thus, the greater abundance of MHA and its higher N concentration accounted for a larger proportion of soil organic N (24-45%). The equivalence of MHA-N ranged between 250 kg N ha⁻¹ for a 4 yr-old green and 775 kg N ha⁻¹ for a 21 yr-old green. Thus, soils of established greens contain significant quantities of labile SOM rich in N that could through mineralization supply part of the fertilizer N requirement of turf grass. A greater understanding of the dynamics of this resource is needed if we are to manage golf greens for optimal use without negative consequences to the environment.     

外源稀土和磷素在土柱中的相互作用

Rare earth elements (REEs) increasingly used in agriculture as an amendment for crop growth may help to lessen environmental losses of phosphorus (P) from heavily fertilized soils. The vertical transport characteristics of P and REEs, lanthanum (La), neodymium (Nd), samarium (Sm), and cerium (Ce), were investigated with addition of exogenous REEs at various doses to packed soil columns (20 cm deep). Vertical transfers of REEs and P were relatively small, with transport depths less than 6 cm for most REEs and P. Export of applied REEs in leachate accounted for less that 5% of inputs. The addition of Ce, Nd and Sm to soil columns significantly decreased concentrations of extractable soil P up to a depth of 4 cm, with soil P concentrations unaffected at depths > 4 cm. In general, REEs had little effect on the vertical leaching of P in packed soil columns.     

Fate of amended urea in turfgrass biosystems

Abstract

The fate of nitrogen (N) has been studied under several agronomic crops and agricultural profiles, but relatively little information has been collected from areas managed as turfgrass. The turfgrass industry has become the focus of environmental concerns in recent years and is often identified as a source of ground water contaminate. The objectives of this study were to: i) investigate the hydrology of 20‐cm diameter by 50‐cm deep undisturbed soil columns covered with a Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) turf under a heavy (one 2.54‐cm application) and a light (four 0.64‐cm applications) irrigation regime, and to ii) quantify the fate of ¹⁵N‐labeled urea when it is applied to an undisturbed soil columns having intact macropores. Clipping, verdure, and thatch/mat samples were taken from each column, and the soil was excavated in 10‐cm layers at the end of the 7‐day test period. A glass collection chamber was used to collect volatilized N and a plastic bag for leachate collection. All samples were analyzed for atom % ¹⁵N. Volatilization of N was negligible because irrigation was applied immediately after the application of N. The heavy irrigation regime significantly increased the transport of N below 30 cm by five times, compared to the light irrigation regime. Eighty‐five percent of the N found in the leachate from the 50‐cm columns was in the urea form indicating that macropores may have played a major role in transport of surface applied N through the soil profile.     

钾肥在砖红壤中的淋失特征初步模拟研究

通过室内大型土柱模拟研究钾肥在砖红壤中的淋失特征,结果表明:K 在砖红壤中运移速度较快,灌水30mm即3d后既可从20cm处淋出;60cm处渗漏液中K 浓度在39d后随着时间的推移逐渐下降,淋失浓度与施肥量表现出正相关;45d后120cm处渗漏液中K 浓度才随着施肥量的增加而上升,推测其运移速度为2 7cm/d。K 在120cm处的累计淋失量与施肥量成正相关,其淋失率为3 28%。应用方程lnYt=a blnt可拟合不同钾肥施用量下砖红壤中120cm处K 的累计淋失量随时间的变化关系。     

塿土磷素淋移的形态研究

利用设在     

Phosphorus Mobility Through Soil Increased with Organic Acid-Bonded Phosphorus Fertilizer (Carbond® P)

Phosphorus fertilizer is critical to crop production but inefficiently absorbed and consequently linked to surface water pollution. Phosphorus mobility was measured on three soils using 0.18 m soil columns treated with Carbond® P (CBP, 7-24-0), ammonium polyphosphate (APP, 10-34-0) and monoammonium phosphate (MAP, 11-52-0) applied either by mixing thoroughly or in concentrated bands at rates of 20 and 30 kg P ha^?1. Mobility of P was measured in leachate collected 24, 48, 110 and 365 d after fertilization (daf). Carbond® P produced the highest total P leachate values over 365 d study period compared to MAP or APP for both mixed and band applications. On individual days, CBP generally allowed more soluble P leachate than MAP or APP up until 110 daf (one exception) but not at 365 daf. Higher solubility of P with CBP explains higher P uptake by plants from soils and could reduce total P applications to crops.     

渗育性水稻土渗滤液中的磷组分研究

本试验在太湖地区长江岸边砂质渗育性(漏水型)水稻土上进行,研究在麦稻轮作条件下连续两年施用不同磷肥(每季P 0、30、70、150和300 kg hm-2),稻季各层次土壤溶液中(30、60和90 cm)磷的组分,以探讨磷素在剖面中垂直纵向移动的规律。结果表明:施肥处理在施肥初期提高了30 cm处土壤溶液中溶解磷浓度,对60 cm处溶解磷浓度影响不大,对90 cm处溶解磷浓度没有影响。各处理60 cm和90 cm处土壤溶液中溶解磷的浓度几乎全部超过水体富营养化磷的阈值,故在研究该地区水体富营养化时,要注意渗漏磷排放可能的贡献。特别应指出的是,除6月13日对照处理外,各处理90 cm处土壤溶液中的磷均以溶解有机磷为主,占总溶解磷的56%~100%,表明有机磷(外源加入或内源残留的)比无机磷对环境的潜在威胁将更大。     

Studies on method and rate of fertilizer application in apple under mulch in north-western Himalayas

Different methods of fertilizer application-drip fertigation and conventional fertilizer application under drip, surface irrigation, and rainfed conditions were evaluated during 2009–2012 at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Shimla, India. The experiment was arranged in randomized block design (RBD), replicated thrice. Results suggest that fertigation significantly increased growth parameters over conventional methods. Fruit yield was significantly higher under fertigation (13.7 t ha^?1) over conventional fertilizer application with drip (11.6 t ha^?1), surface irrigation (10.6 t ha^?1), and under rainfed (8.6 t ha^?1). Fruit quality parameters were also superior under fertigation. Fertigation maintained higher available nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) content in 0-30 cm soil layers. Available phosphorus (P) was higher in 0-20 cm soil depths in all the treatments. Fertigation with 80 and 100 percent recommended NPK dose registered statistically comparable results. In addition to higher productivity, fertigation resulted in 20 percent fertilizer savings over drip irrigation and 20 percent fertilizer besides 40 percent water savings over surface irrigation.     

磷肥和钾肥不同配施方式对其养分在土壤中迁移的影响

采用单点源滴灌试验方法,模拟滴灌条件下磷(P)、钾(K)肥作为基肥一次施入和随水分施入两种不同的配施方式下速效P、K含量在土壤中的时空分布变化情况。结果表明:对于可溶性较好的磷、钾肥作为基肥施入土壤后,均随着滴灌水的下渗运移而发生迁移,速效磷的高值区出现在湿润区的边缘附近,速效钾则比较均匀的分布在湿润区内;随水分施磷肥,仅在湿润区深度20cm,水平方向15cm以内的土层发生积累。在施加磷肥总量一致时,随水分施入土壤速效磷含量的最大值明显高于作为基肥施入的最大值;随水分施钾肥,速效钾在土壤中的分布也趋于均匀,但是在滴水点附近形成高值区,且随水分施钾肥可在一定程度上减缓速效钾在土壤中的迁移速度。     

有机无机肥配施对玉米产量及土壤氮磷淋溶的影响

【目的】氮、磷是农作物生长所必需的营养元素,对提高农作物产量和改善产品品质均有重要作用,但由于肥料不合理施用,农田土壤中养分大量盈余,在降雨或灌溉条件下易随水流失,导致水环境质量下降。因此,研究有机无机肥料配施对土壤氮、磷淋溶风险的影响,可为地下水环境质量保护提供依据。【方法】采用田间渗滤池法,对华北地区玉米季氮磷淋溶状况连续5年进行监测,具体施肥处理如下:对照(不施用氮肥,PK)、单施化肥(NPK)、单施有机肥(与NPK处理等氮量,SW)、有机肥无机肥料配施(用猪粪中氮替代50%NPK处理中氮用量,SNP)。采集120 cm处淋溶水,测定氮、磷含量,研究在总氮投入量相同条件下,有机无机肥料配施对华北地区玉米产量及土壤剖面120 cm处氮磷淋溶的影响。【结果】1)有机无机肥料配施(SNP)处理,可以保证玉米较高产量,5年平均产量较单施化肥处理(NPK)提高10.3%。2)有机无机肥料配施可以显著减少总氮(TN)淋溶量,SNP处理较NPK处理减少71.4%;NPK处理淋溶水中NO-3-N浓度显著高于SNP处理,其平均浓度分别为54.93 mg/L、13.47 mg/L。3)在等氮量投入条件下,有机肥的投入带入了大量磷素,单施有机肥(SW)较NPK处理总磷(TP)淋溶量增加了0.6倍,分别为0.056 kg/hm2、0.035 kg/hm2;淋溶水中TP浓度分别为0.09 mg/L、0.066 mg/L。在氮磷养分淋溶损失中,NO-3-N占淋溶水TN的80%以上,可溶性总磷(TDP)占淋溶水TP的70%左右。4)在监测淋溶水中,NPK处理NO-3-N平均浓度已超过我国地下水Ⅲ类水质量标准(GB/T 14848-9),SW处理TP平均浓度0.09 mg/L,也高于水体富营养化TP浓度(0.02 mg/L)的临界值,可对水体造成污染。【结论】在氮磷养分淋溶损失中,NO-3-N占淋溶水TN的80%以上,TDP占淋溶水TP的70%左右。采用猪粪氮替代50%化肥氮素的有机无机肥料配施处理,5年玉米平均产量显著高于单施化肥处理,证明该施肥方法不仅可以确保产量,还可降低氮素淋溶,基本保证淋溶水中NO-3-N浓度低于地下水Ⅲ类水质量标准(GB/T 14848-9)。     

Comparing chloride transport in undisturbed and disturbed soil columns under turfgrass conditions

Abstract

Transport of surface applied chloride (Cl) in undisturbed soil columns with intact macropores was compared to disturbed, repacked columns of the same soil. The total amount of Cl that leached from 20 cm deep soil columns was 2.0 times higher for the undisturbed columns than for the disturbed columns, and the total quantity of leachate was 1.4 times higher for undisturbed columns than for the disturbed columns. Chloride recovered (mass basis) in layer #2 (6.7 to 13.4 cm) was 1.79 times higher and in layer #3 (13.4 to 20.0 cm) was 2.72 times higher for the disturbed soils than for the undisturbed. For the plant and thatch layer (0.0 to 2.0 cm) the opposite was observed, total Cl recovered from the undisturbed columns was 2.4 times higher than in the disturbed columns.     

Preferential phosphorus leaching from an irrigated grassland soil

Intact lysimeters (50 cm diameter, 70 cm deep) of silt loam soil under permanent grassland were used to investigate preferential transport of phosphorus (P) by leaching immediately after application of dairy effluent. Four treatments that received mineral P fertilizer alone (superphosphate at 45 kg P ha^?1 year^?1) or in combination with effluent (at ～ 40–80 kg P ha^?1 year^?1) over 2 years were monitored. Losses of total P from the combined P fertilizer and effluent treatments were 1.6–2.3 kg ha^?1 (60% of overall loss) during eight drainage events following effluent application. The rest of the P lost (40% of overall loss) occurred during 43 drainage events following a significant rainfall or irrigation compared with 0.30 kg ha^?1 from mineral P fertilizer alone. Reactive forms of P (mainly dissolved reactive P: 38–76%) were the dominant fractions in effluent compared with unreactive P forms (mainly particulate unreactive P: 15–56%). In contrast, in leachate following effluent application, particulate unreactive P was the major fraction (71–79%) compared with dissolved reactive P (1–7%). The results were corroborated by ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance analysis, which showed that inorganic orthophosphate was the predominant P fraction present in the effluent (86%), while orthophosphate monoesters and diesters together comprised up to 88% of P in leachate. This shows that unreactive P forms were selectively transported through soil because of their greater mobility as monoesters (labile monoester P and inositol hexakisphosphate) and diesters. The short‐term strategies for reducing loss of P after application of dairy effluent application should involve increasing the residence time of applied effluent in the soil profile. This can be achieved by applying effluent frequently in small amounts.     

Influence of humic acid on water retention and nutrient acquisition in simulated golf putting greens

Humic substances are frequently applied to creeping bentgrass ( Agrostis palustris Huds.) on golf putting greens to improve turf health and are marketed to enhance nutrient acquisition and possibly aid in retaining water in drought prone environments, but information on the role of humic substances in increasing soil water retention is limited. Additionally, it is difficult to separate the beneficial effects of nutrients and other ingredients added to commercial humic formulations from the effects of the pure humic substance. In our study, pure humic acid, tannic and citric acids were added to simulated creeping bentgrass putting greens. The organic acids were applied at normalized carbon rates of 250 mg C per litre by watering solutions through an automated irrigation system. Volumetric water content (VWC) and irrigation frequency, shoot and root growth, and tissue nutrient concentration of the turf were measured. None of the organic acid treatments improved water retention in the simulated greens. The humic acid-treated greens required more frequent irrigation than the untreated greens indicating that they were drying out more quickly. In addition, the addition of humic acid did not result in an increased tissue concentration of nutrients in the creeping bentgrass, top growth or dry shoot mass compared with the other treatments. However, creeping bentgrass root length was greater in the greens treated with humic acid compared with the untreated control.     

抚仙湖流域砾质土有机及常规肥料淋溶模拟研究

利用不同高度土柱进行模拟淋溶试验.比较研究了抚仙湖流域砾质土壤有机及常规肥料N、P流失规律及水体污染风险.试验结果表明:随着灌溉次数的增加,有机肥料淋洗液中 TDN (可溶性总N)浓度先升后降,而常规肥料则持续下降;除20 cm高度土柱常规肥料TDP(可溶性总 P )浓度快速下降外,其余各淋洗液中TDP浓度变化幅度很小.有机及常规肥料土壤N、P淋溶均以NO3--N和P04-P形态为主.不同高度土柱TDN、TDP的淋失总量平均值,常规肥料分别为有机肥料的1 57%、52%,可见常规肥料N素淋溶风险大于有机肥料,而P素淋溶风险则相反.     

(土娄)土磷素淋移的形态研究

利用设在(?)土上的两个长期肥料定位试验所形成的不同土壤磷素水平试验小区的土壤,用原状土柱模拟灌溉(降水)进行了磷的淋失研究。结果表明,(?)土中磷淋移的主要形态为可溶性磷,平均占淋失全磷量的82.5%,颗粒磷占17.9%;在可溶性磷中,以钼酸盐反应磷居多,平均占全磷量的77.1%,可溶性有机磷只占全磷的13.8%;淋失到20cm以下的全磷浓度最高可达3.95 mg L-1,可溶性全磷最高达3.57 mg L-1; 在历时60d,相当于357mm(约为年灌溉降雨总和的36%)的灌溉量时,最大淋失总磷量达到1082 g hm-2;13次淋滤实验结果显示,渗滤液中钼酸盐反应磷、可溶性全磷和全磷浓度与土壤耕层Llsen-P呈显著正相关。     

Low soil nitrate levels from golf course fairways related to organic matter sink for nitrogen

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) is applied to golf course fairways at rates similar to that applied to corn. This appears excessive since N fertilization of corn is approximately equal to the amount of N removed at harvest, while typically no harvest occurs for turf. This study was done to determine soil nitrate (NO₃) concentrations from newer and older golf courses and to help determine the fate of fertilizer N. Soil samples were taken every other month in 1995 from two golf courses in southeastern Louisiana to a 3 m depth and from six sites monthly in 1996 to a 1‐m depth. In August 1996, soils were also sampled off of the fairways in areas that were similar to the fairways, but were unfertilized. All soils were analyzed for water‐extractable NO₃, and a comparison was made of soil organic matter (OM) and N contents from fertilized and unfertilized areas. Results indicated, with few exceptions, low levels of NO₃ throughout the profile, excluding the upper surface soils. Generally, surface soils measured <15 mg kg^‐1 NO₃‐N while soils at depths >30 cm were <3 mg kg^‐1 NO₃‐N. The fertilized fairways had 0.151% soil N versus the adjacent unfertilized areas of 0.108% N. The fertilized soils had 1,930 kg more N per 30 cm thick hectare slice than did the unfertilized soils’ equivalent to 10 years of N fertilization. Organic matter was also higher from the fertilized soils than from the unfertilized soils (1.61% versus 1.03%). It appeared much of the N applied to turf throughout the years had been captured by the OM sink. Prior to golf course development, conditions are generally not as conducive for soil OM buildup as compared to the golf‐course regime of adequate N fertilization and no harvests. Some of the high requirement for N of the golf‐course fairways of this study were likely related to the N requirement of a soil OM fraction that grew as the golf course aged.