This study was conducted on two sites in Pennsylvania to measure NO3-N leaching loss from spring-, summer-, and fall-applied urine and summer applied feces beneath N-fertilized orchardgrass (Dactyls glomerata) using large drainage lysimeters installed in two soils that differed greatly in soil water storage capacity. Compared to the Hagerstown soil, the Hartleton soil provided an 85% decrease in plant N uptake, a 52% increase in leachate volume, but no significant increase in NO3-N leaching beneath urine spots. However, the lower soil water-holding capacity of the Hartleton soil cause the NO3-N leaching losses to be more evenly distributed over the year. The authors caution dairy farmers in the northeast USA continue to increase use of management intensive grazing, the amount of N leached to the groundwater from beneath urine patches could become substantial and have on- and off-farm impacts.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.