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| Submitter's Name |
Zhixuan Qin |
| Session Name |
Posters - Efficacy of Nutrient Source Control Strategies 1 |
| Category |
Efficacy of nutrient source control strategies |
| Poster Number |
3 |
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| Author(s) |
Zhixuan Qin, University of Florida (Presenting Author) |
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Amy Shober,
University of Florida |
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Vimala Nair, University of Florida |
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Evaluation of Nutrient Leaching from Simulated Residential Mixed Landscapes |
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Nutrient leaching from residential landscapes has been suggested as a cause of water quality degradation in Florida due to the heavy use of fertilizers and irrigation in these systems. The objective of this study was to determine nutrient leaching losses from mixed landscapes that were planted with varying proportions of turf grass and woody ornamental plants (i.e., sweet viburnum and magnolia). Mixed landscapes consisting of 60, 75, or 90% St. Augustine turfgrass (40, 25, or 10% ornamentals, respectively) were installed in nine drainage lysimeters in a randomized complete block design at the University of Florida/IFAS (UF/IFAS) Mid Florida Research Center in Apopka, FL. Landscapes were fertilized and irrigated based on UF/IFAS recommendations. Plants were allowed to establish in the lysimeters for a period of one year, after which time daily leachate samples were collected for a period of 18 months. Daily leachate samples were combined to produce weekly flow-weighted samples. Leachate samples were stored at 0ºC until analysis for N (e.g., NO3+NO2, NH4, total Kjeldahl N) and P (e.g., dissolved reactive P). Flow-weighted concentrations and loads of N and P were calculated to determine the effects of vegetative cover on nutrient leaching. Preliminary results showed that there was no significant plant cover effect on flow-weighted concentration or load of dissolved reactive P or NO3+NO2 leached from lysimeters. However, lysimeters planted with 90% turfgrass (10% ornamentals) lost significantly more TKN and NH4 (flow-weighted concentration and load) than lysimeters planted 60% turfgrass (40% ornamentals). Our results suggest that urban landscapes containing significant areas of ornamental plants do not necessary leach more nutrients than turfgrass monoculture. |
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