Variable response to phosphorus mitigation measures across the nutrient transfer continuum in a dairy grassland catchment
Article
Article Title | Variable response to phosphorus mitigation measures across the nutrient transfer continuum in a dairy grassland catchment |
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ERA Journal ID | 36361 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Murphy, P. N. C. (Author), Mellander, P.-E. (Author), Melland, A. R. (Author), Buckley, C. (Author), Shore, M. (Author), Shortle, G. (Author), Wall, D. P. (Author), Treacy, M. (Author), Shine, O. (Author), Mechan, S. (Author) and Jordan, P. (Author) |
Journal Title | Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment |
Journal Citation | 207, pp. 192-202 |
Number of Pages | 11 |
Year | 2015 |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Place of Publication | Netherlands |
ISSN | 0167-8809 |
1873-2305 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2015.04.008 |
Web Address (URL) | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167880915001401 |
Abstract | Phosphorus (P) loss from soils to water can be a major pressure on freshwater quality and dairy farming, with higher animal stocking rates, may lead to potentially greater nutrient source pressures. In many countries with intensive agriculture, regulation of P management aims to minimise these losses. This study examined the P transfer continuum, from source to impact, in a dairy-dominated, highly stocked, grassland catchment with free-draining soils over three years. The aim was to measure the effects of P source management and regulation on P transfer across the nutrient transfer continuum and subsequent water quality and agro-economic impacts. Reduced P source pressure was indicated by: (a) lower average farm-gate P balances (2.4 kg ha−1 yr−1), higher P use efficiencies (89%) and lower inorganic fertilizer P use (5.2 kg ha−1 yr−1) relative to previous studies; (b) almost no recorded P application during the winter closed period, when applications were prohibited, to avoid incidental transfers; and (c) decreased proportions of soils with excessive P concentrations (32–24%). Concurrently, production and profitability remained comparable with the top 10% of dairy farmers nationally with milk outputs of 14,585 l ha−1, and gross margins of € 3130 ha−1. Whilst there was some indication of a response in P delivery in surface water with declines in quick flow and interflow pathway P concentrations during the winter closed period for P application, delayed baseflows in the wetter third year resulted in elevated P concentrations for long durations and there were no clear trends of improving stream biological quality. This suggests a variable response to policy measures between P source pressure and delivery/impact where the strength of any observable trend is greater closer to the source end of the nutrient transfer continuum and a time lag occurs at the other end. Policy monitoring and assessment efforts will need to be cognisant of this. |
Keywords | phosphorus loss; nutrient transfer continuum; water quality mitigation measures; nutrient management; agricultural catchment; comparative economics |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 300201. Agricultural hydrology |
300202. Agricultural land management | |
410404. Environmental management | |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | University College Dublin, Ireland |
Teagasc Agriculture and Food Development Authority, Ireland | |
National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture | |
Teagasc, Ireland | |
Agriculture and Food Development Authority, Ireland | |
University of Ulster, United Kingdom | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q3y20/variable-response-to-phosphorus-mitigation-measures-across-the-nutrient-transfer-continuum-in-a-dairy-grassland-catchment
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