The magnitude of temporal variation in soil P–runoff P relationships

The existence and nature of the relationship between soil phosphorus (P) and runoff P is fundamental to models that predict runoff P concentrations, risk assessment frameworks and farm based decisions relating to environmental impact. Knowledge of the relationship can aid in prioritising areas for remedial action to mitigate runoff P losses. However, a number of researchers have observed that there is significant variation in the nature of these relationships with time and soil type. Such variation may dramatically reduce the accuracy of predictive models. Furthermore, the reliability of risk assessment frameworks that include soil P is reduced. This paper reports preliminary research, the aims of which are to a) assess a range of soil P tests as predictors of runoff P and b), quantify the variation in the soil P–runoff P relationship with time. Soil Prunoff P relationships were determined using small rainfall simulation plots (1.5 m) and large scale runoff plots (1250 m) on a number of occasions under various management conditions. Preliminary data suggest that the method of soil analysis is an important factor in accurately determining a reliable soil P–runoff P relationship. The quantification of variation in the soil P–runoff P relationship and elucidation of mechanisms of P mobilisation will help provide more accurate methods for identifying areas of farms prone to runoff P losses. Further research to identify those factors influencing the variation in the soil P-runoff P relationship is required. Introduction The dairy industry is investigating those factors determining the concentration of P in runoff from dairy pastures. They are developing procedures to allow land managers to identify parts of the landscape that are at particular risk to contributing to farm losses of runoff P (Fleming et al. 2003; Melland et al. 2004). The influence of soil P on runoff P is a key component of these procedures. Various authors have demonstrated a significant relationship between soil test P and runoff P concentration (Pote et al. 1996; Torbert et al. 2002). However, the investigations of the relationship between soil P and runoff P concentration have generally been undertaken at single points in time only and there has been little quantification of the variability of these relationships as a result of a range of factors related to time. Understanding this variability is important in accurately assessing the risk that particular paddocks or farms pose in terms of P export in runoff. This paper presents preliminary results from research that examines a) the ability of various soil tests to predict runoff P concentrations at different times, and b) the variation in these relationships under a wide range of conditions under grazed pastures. Both small and large plot rainfall simulation are used in this research. Methods The study was located at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Camden, 60 km south west of Sydney. The soils at the site are Brown Chromosols (Isbell 1997) or Red and Yellow Podzolics (Stace et al. 1968). Topsoil texture is clay loam with a pHCa of approximately 5.5. Small plot rainfall simulation Plots were established in a mid-slope position using a split plot design with 3 replicates. Split plots were utilised for rainfall simulation at 3 and 12 months after fertiliser application. The soil P status was modified by the addition of fertiliser P at rates of 0, 70, 140, 210 kg/ha. Rainfall simulation was undertaken using a swinging boom rainfall simulator applying rainfall at 80 mm/hr for 40 mins. This is typical of intensities and durations of rainfall used in rainfall simulation methodology (Pote et al. 1999; Torbert et al. 2002) and is approximately equivalent to a 1 in 10 year storm for this site. Soil was sampled by taking 25 individual cores (0-2 cm depth) and compositing these for each plot. Soil samples were then dried, ground and sieved (<2 mm) and stored at 4C before analysis. Soil samples were then analysed for a range of soil P measures including Olsen P (1954), water soluble P (WSPCa) and equilibrium phosphorus concentration (EPC). WSPCa was determined using the method of Pote et al. (1996). WSPCa was determined by shaking 8 g of soil with 40 mL of 0.01M CaCl2 on an end–over–end shaker for 30 min. The solution was then centrifuged and filtered © 2004. SuperSoil 2004: 3rd Australian New Zealand Soils Conference, 5 – 9 December 2004, University of Sydney, Australia. Published on CDROM. Website www.regional. org.au/au/asssi/ 2 through a 0.45 μm filter before analysis for molybdate reactive P (Murphy and Riley 1962). Equilibrium phosphorus concentration was determined using the method of Rayment and Higginson (1992) by equilibrating 4 grams of soil in 40mL 0.01M CaCl2 solution containing known concentrations of P (0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 mg/l) for 17 hours and then centrifuging samples prior to determining P concentration in the supernatant. Phosphorus sorbed by the soil samples was determined using the change in soil solution P concentration and the ratio of soil:solution. Phosphorus sorbed (mg/l) was plotted against P concentration (mg/l) and the point on a linear regression fit to the data points where no sorption or desorption was occurring was defined as the equilibrium phosphorus concentration (EPC). Large plot rainfall simulation Large-scale rainfall simulation was also undertaken on 6 plots (50 × 25 m) using bike-shift sprinkler irrigation to apply simulated rainfall for 10 hours at 8 mm/hr. These plots were located in the paddock adjacent to that used for the rainfall simulations. The forms and concentrations of P in runoff from these large-scale simulations were previously compared with those in runoff occurring as a result of natural rainfall on two occasions when the two event types occurred within several days of each other. There was no significant difference (P<0.05) in runoff P concentrations and forms of P between event types. Therefore, artificially induced runoff events were used in this experiment to represent ‘real’ runoff events on these large plots. Soils were sampled by taking 30 cores (0-2 cm) along a permanent sampling transect in each plot. Soil samples were analysed for WSPCa using the method described above. Runoff flow and volumes were measured using Greenspan depth sensors and logger using a DataTaker data-logger. Runoff samples were collected automatically using a peristaltic water sampler triggered at pre-determined runoff volumes by the data-logger. Water sample handling and analysis All runoff samples were filtered (< 0.45 μm) immediately upon collection, chilled to 4C, and subsequently analysed for dissolved reactive P (DRP) within 24 hours of collection. Phosphorus was determined using colorimetric analysis (Murphy and Riley 1962). All runoff P concentrations are reported as flow-weighted averages. The DRP concentration of the water used in all rainfall simulations was <0.05 mg/L. The concentration of phosphorus in all runoff samples was at least an order of magnitude higher than that used in the rainfall simulations; consequently no adjustment was made to the runoff concentrations. Statistical methods A preliminary examination of the relationships between soil P and runoff P concentrations were undertaken using linear regression. Data were checked for normal distribution of variances and if required log transformed. In all cases, data from runoff events occurring less than 40 days after fertiliser application were excluded from analysis as fertiliser is known to directly influence runoff P concentrations immediately following its application (Nash et al. 2000). Results The P status of the soil varied widely across the sites examined. The Olsen P ranged from 13-162 mg/kg (0-2 cm) for the small rainfall simulation plots and from 17-109 mg/kg for the large plots. For the large runoff plots, soil P was measured immediately prior to 9 separate runoff events. Small plot rainfall simulation The regressions between each of the soil tests and runoff P concentrations are shown in Figure 1. On the small scale simulation plots there was a highly significant (P<0.01) relationship between the three soil P tests tested and runoff P on each occasion under which simulation was undertaken. However, there were significant differences (P<0.05) in the slopes of the regressions at T3 and T12 for Olsen P. However, there were no significant differences (P<0.05) in the slopes of the regressions between T3 and T12 for the WSPCa and EPC regressions.