Fertiliser management effects on dissolved inorganic nitrogen in runoff from Australian sugarcane farms

Article


Fraser, Grant, Rohde, Ken and Silburn, Mark. 2017. "Fertiliser management effects on dissolved inorganic nitrogen in runoff from Australian sugarcane farms." Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 189 (8), pp. 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-6115-z
Article Title

Fertiliser management effects on dissolved inorganic nitrogen in runoff from Australian sugarcane farms

ERA Journal ID5880
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsFraser, Grant (Author), Rohde, Ken (Author) and Silburn, Mark (Author)
Journal TitleEnvironmental Monitoring and Assessment
Journal Citation189 (8), pp. 1-20
Article Number409
Number of Pages20
Year2017
Place of PublicationNetherlands
ISSN0167-6369
1573-2959
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-6115-z
Web Address (URL)https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10661-017-6115-z
Abstract

Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) movement from Australian sugarcane farms is believed to be a major cause of crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks which have reduced the Great Barrier Reef coral cover by ~21% (1985–2012). We develop a daily model of DIN concentration in runoff based on >200 field monitored runoff events. Runoff DIN concentrations were related to nitrogen fertiliser application rates and decreased after application with time and cumulative rainfall. Runoff after liquid fertiliser applications had higher initial DIN concentrations, though these concentrations diminished more rapidly in comparison to granular fertiliser applications. The model was validated using an independent field dataset and provided reasonable estimates of runoff DIN concentrations based on a number of modelling efficiency score results. The runoff DIN concentration model was combined with a water balance cropping model to investigate temporal aspects of sugarcane fertiliser management. Nitrogen fertiliser application in December (start of wet season) had the highest risk of DIN movement, and this was further exacerbated in years with a climate forecast for ‘wet’ seasonal conditions. The potential utility of a climate forecasting system to predict forthcoming wet months and hence DIN loss risk is demonstrated. Earlier fertiliser application or reducing fertiliser application rates in seasons with a wet climate forecast may markedly reduce runoff DIN loads; however, it is recommended that these findings be tested at a broader scale.

KeywordsNitrogen fertiliser application rates; Climate forecasting; Management; Water quality; Sugarcane; Great Barrier Reef
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020300201. Agricultural hydrology
300499. Crop and pasture production not elsewhere classified
Byline AffiliationsDepartment of Science, Information Technology and Innovation, Queensland
Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland
National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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