Influence of nutrient-challenged water on soil and forage quality

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dc.creatorClark, Donald Ray
dc.date.accessioned2016-11-14T23:07:58Z
dc.date.available2011-02-18T22:39:08Z
dc.date.available2016-11-14T23:07:58Z
dc.date.issued1999-12
dc.degree.departmentAgronomyen_US
dc.description.abstractDeclining fresh water sources could be countered with irrigation water from saline aquifers or industrial and municipal effluents but soil properties and forage quality may be affected. Greenhouse experiments were conducted in completely random designs with 4 replications to evaluate the effects of solute compromised secondary waters on soil properties and forage growth and quality. 'Dekalb FS-5' forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench] was grown with irrigation water of increasing salinities (1.7 to 12.2 dS m^-1). Accumulation of salts increased soil salinity and reduced soil pH. Concentrations of extractable soil Ca, Mg, Na, K, Mn, and Cd increased while S, Cu, and Fe decreased with increasing salinity. Sorghum survivability, growth, and water consumption decreased with increasing salinity. Concentrations of Ca, Sr, Mn, and Cd increased in sorghum while K, P, and S decreased with increased salinity. Two greenhouse experiments were conducted with seven water sources plus saline standards ranging in salinity from 0 to 8.3 dS m^-1 'Matua' bromegrass [Bromus willdenowii Kunth] was harvested 4 times with no leaching allowed. In the final experiment Dekalb FS-5 forage sorghum was harvested once with two leaching events. Soil NO3 and concentrations of extractable soil Ca, Mg, Na, K, and Sr were related to concentration of total-N and minerals in the secondary waters. Extractable soil Fe, Mn, and Zn were not closely related to amounts in the compromised or to changes to soil pH. Water infiltration rates varied and were most related to sodium adsorption ratios for the irrigation waters. Leaching of P was limited while leachate concentrations of Fe and Zn were greater than inputs through the irrigation water. Plant survivability and growth were most affected by salinity of the irrigation waters and accumulation of salts in soils. Plant N was increased linearly with increasing total-N in the irrigation waters. Concentrations of P, Cu, and Fe in Matua and sorghum could be inadequate for growing steers while Cd and K concentrations reached levels of concern for animal health with increased salinity. Interactions among constituents of wastewater, soil, and forages results in complexities not seen in simple solute systems.
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2346/18610en_US
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherTexas Tech Universityen_US
dc.rights.availabilityUnrestricted.
dc.subjectWater qualityen_US
dc.subjectNutrient pollution of wateren_US
dc.subjectForage plantsen_US
dc.subjectSoils and animal nutritionen_US
dc.titleInfluence of nutrient-challenged water on soil and forage quality
dc.typeDissertation

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