Bill Jokela and Jeffrey Hughes, bill.jokela@uvm.edu
Duration: 1995-2000
Phosphorus
and nitrogen lost from silage corn fields are significant pollutants of
surface waters in the Northeast. The goal of this project is to evaluate
three field management alternatives to minimize runoff losses of phosphorus
(P) and nitrogen (N) from corn fields into adjacent streams. We are comparing
the effectiveness of riparian (streamside) buffer strips of grass-legume
hay (25 ft and 50 ft widths) and also a grass cover crop in corn, against
a control treatment of corn planted to the stream edge. The use of buffer
strips has been encouraged, and even mandated in some cases (VT Accepted
Agricultural Practices), but based on very little Vermont research. The
management practices in this study offer an economic return to the farmer
on land that would be non-productive if converted to a natural forest riparian
zone (the recommended practice). Four small watersheds in a 15-acre field
on a dairy farm in Vermont's Champlain Valley were selected for study and
fully instrumented to monitor runoff. Using a paired watershed design,
we first calibrated the fields and then implemented the three management
systems. We are currently comparing P and N runoff losses from the different
treatments. Preliminary results for the first four months of the treatment
period show reductions in runoff losses of both eroded sediment and phosphorus
with implementation of buffer strips. Monitoring of treatment effects,
including runoff losses, crop yields, and soil nutrient levels, will be
continued through the 1999 season. The economic impact to the farmer of
the management alternatives, including crop yields, will be evaluated and
findings will be disseminated to farming and environmental groups through
site visits and extension publications.
This site is maintained by Sid.Bosworth@uvm.edu, Plant & Soil Science Department, University of Vermont.
Sponsored by:
and 
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Vermont Extension, Burlington, Vermont.University of Vermont Extension and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, or marital or familial status
Last modified May 26 2004 12:55 PM