Kentucky State University
Effect of Soil Amendments on Runoff Water Volume Collected from Sweet Potato Field
Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Sophomore
Major
Business
KY House District #
4
KY Senate District #
7
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
George Antonious, PhD
Department
Division of Environmental Studies and Sustainable Systems
Abstract
Soil erosion, nutrient runoff, loss of soil organic matter, and the impairment of environmental quality from sedimentation and pollution of natural waters by agrochemicals, heavy metals, and other environmental contaminants have stimulated interest in proper management of natural resources to reduce runoff from agricultural fields. Pesticides and fertilizers in runoff cause water pollution agricultural fields and domestic gardens by running off into nearby natural water sources. Accordingly, technological and infrastructural solutions are required to reduce runoff water contaminants releases. At Kentucky State University Research Farm, 18 field plots were planted with sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas variety Mahon Yam) and designed to collect and measure runoff water volume using tipping bucket apparatus following rainfall and irrigation events. Six soil management practices (chicken manure, cow manure, vermicompost, sewage sludge, biochar, and no-mulch control plots) were applied. Results revealed that vermicompost amended soil released the greatest runoff water volume (52,731 mL plot-1) compared to chicken manure amended soil (10,557 mL plot-1) indicating an 80% reduction in runoff water volume due to application of chicken manure. For agricultural application, chicken manure is cheap, reliable, and easy to use with low labor and time input. We recommended the use of chicken manure amended soil in cultivation practices that maximize agrochemical efficacy while minimizing runoff and off-site movement of agrochemicals in runoff water.
Effect of Soil Amendments on Runoff Water Volume Collected from Sweet Potato Field
Soil erosion, nutrient runoff, loss of soil organic matter, and the impairment of environmental quality from sedimentation and pollution of natural waters by agrochemicals, heavy metals, and other environmental contaminants have stimulated interest in proper management of natural resources to reduce runoff from agricultural fields. Pesticides and fertilizers in runoff cause water pollution agricultural fields and domestic gardens by running off into nearby natural water sources. Accordingly, technological and infrastructural solutions are required to reduce runoff water contaminants releases. At Kentucky State University Research Farm, 18 field plots were planted with sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas variety Mahon Yam) and designed to collect and measure runoff water volume using tipping bucket apparatus following rainfall and irrigation events. Six soil management practices (chicken manure, cow manure, vermicompost, sewage sludge, biochar, and no-mulch control plots) were applied. Results revealed that vermicompost amended soil released the greatest runoff water volume (52,731 mL plot-1) compared to chicken manure amended soil (10,557 mL plot-1) indicating an 80% reduction in runoff water volume due to application of chicken manure. For agricultural application, chicken manure is cheap, reliable, and easy to use with low labor and time input. We recommended the use of chicken manure amended soil in cultivation practices that maximize agrochemical efficacy while minimizing runoff and off-site movement of agrochemicals in runoff water.