Managing Nutrient and Pathogen Losses From Tile Drained Fields Receiving Manure.

Managing nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and pathogen loss from tile drainage systems requires an understanding of the factors affecting the mechanisms of transport through the soil to the tile. Research was initiated to investigate a modified manure sweep injector and controlled drainage as possible strategies to minimize nutrient and pathogen losses to surface water. The objectives of this research were to 1) compare the impact of manure application method on nutrient loss in tile drainage and 2) compare nutrient and pathogen losses under conventional and controlled drainage management. In this presentation we describe potential mechanisms occurring within the field affecting nutrient and pathogen transport, process controls, relevance to off-site impacts, and the impact of manure application and water management strategies on nutrient and pathogen losses from tile drained fields receiving manure.