ADSORPTION AND DESORPTION OF PHOSPHORUS AND NITROGEN BY IMMERSED STALKS

Authors

• John E. Gilley, Adjunct Professor, Biological Systems EngineeringFollow
• Bahman Eghball, USDA ARS
• David B. Marx, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

3-2009

Citation

Transactions of the ASABE 52(2): 429-436

Comments

This article is a U.S. government work, and is not subject to copyright in the United States.

Abstract

Adsorption and desorption of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) by stalk residues may influence the concentrations of P and N in runoff. A laboratory study was conducted to measure the effects of P and N constituents in solution on adsorption and desorption of P and N by corn, soybean, and wheat stalk residues. Experimental variables included type of stalk material (corn, soybean, and wheat), inorganic nutrients in solution (PO₄-P and NO₃-N; PO₄-P and NH₄-N; NO₃-N and NH₄-N; and PO₄-P, NO₃-N, and NH₄-N), solution concentration (0, 6, 12, and 24 g g^-1 residue), and stalk immersion period (25, 250, 2500, 25000, and 86400 s). The initial concentration of each of the P and N constituents in a particular test solution was the same (0, 6, 12 or 24 g mL^-1). Corn-stalk residues released PO₄-P, NO₃-N, and NH₄-N. The quantity of PO₄-P released generally increased as the length of time the corn stalks were immersed became greater. The presence of P and N constituents in solution in general did not affect the quantity of NO₃-N released by corn-stalk residues. Soybean-stalk residues released PO₄-P and adsorbed relatively small amounts of NH4-N. Wheat-stalk residues released PO₄-P, and adsorbed NO₃-N and NH₄-N. The presence of stalk residues, P or N solution concentration, and residue immersion period may influence P and N concentrations of overland flow. The amount of P and N adsorbed or desorbed by residue materials can be significantly different if more than one nutrient constituent is present in solution.