Seasonal Changes in Phosphorus in Soils and Vegetation of Vegetated Filter Strips in Cold Climate Agricultural Systems

Vegetated filter strips (VFS) are a best management practice, designed to reduce sediment and nutrient runoff to surface waters in agricultural landscapes. In cold climates, phosphorus (P) can be released from VFS vegetation when it undergoes freeze–thaw cycles, making their utility in these regions...

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Main Authors: Kristen A. Kieta, Philip N. Owens, Jason A. Vanrobaeys, David A. Lobb
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-02-01
Series:Agriculture
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/12/2/233
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author Kristen A. Kieta
Philip N. Owens
Jason A. Vanrobaeys
David A. Lobb
author_facet Kristen A. Kieta
Philip N. Owens
Jason A. Vanrobaeys
David A. Lobb
author_sort Kristen A. Kieta
collection DOAJ
description Vegetated filter strips (VFS) are a best management practice, designed to reduce sediment and nutrient runoff to surface waters in agricultural landscapes. In cold climates, phosphorus (P) can be released from VFS vegetation when it undergoes freeze–thaw cycles, making their utility in these regions an area needing further study. Research in Manitoba, Canada, investigated temporal changes in soil P concentrations and potential P loss from VFS from 2015 to 2017. Soil, harvestable vegetation, and residue samples were collected within VFS and control strips, and soils were analysed for Olsen P and Total P (TP). Harvestable vegetation and residue samples were analysed for TP. Results showed increases in Olsen P each spring and reductions each fall in soils at all sites. There was substantial loss of TP from the harvestable vegetation samples at all sites from November 2016 to May 2017, but residues in the VFS and control sites had a lower loss of TP over the same period. Vegetation was shown to release P over the winter into surface soils, and harvestable vegetation released significantly more P than residue, potentially leading to P loss from soils through surface runoff or leaching. Thus, harvesting vegetation may be a suitable VFS management strategy in cold climates.
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spelling doaj.art-995b17e5c2c84ba3a91b7b6d1f17c19f2023-11-23T18:16:50ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722022-02-0112223310.3390/agriculture12020233Seasonal Changes in Phosphorus in Soils and Vegetation of Vegetated Filter Strips in Cold Climate Agricultural SystemsKristen A. Kieta0Philip N. Owens1Jason A. Vanrobaeys2David A. Lobb3Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, CanadaDepartment of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, CanadaAgriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Morden, MB R6M 1Y5, CanadaDepartment of Soil Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, CanadaVegetated filter strips (VFS) are a best management practice, designed to reduce sediment and nutrient runoff to surface waters in agricultural landscapes. In cold climates, phosphorus (P) can be released from VFS vegetation when it undergoes freeze–thaw cycles, making their utility in these regions an area needing further study. Research in Manitoba, Canada, investigated temporal changes in soil P concentrations and potential P loss from VFS from 2015 to 2017. Soil, harvestable vegetation, and residue samples were collected within VFS and control strips, and soils were analysed for Olsen P and Total P (TP). Harvestable vegetation and residue samples were analysed for TP. Results showed increases in Olsen P each spring and reductions each fall in soils at all sites. There was substantial loss of TP from the harvestable vegetation samples at all sites from November 2016 to May 2017, but residues in the VFS and control sites had a lower loss of TP over the same period. Vegetation was shown to release P over the winter into surface soils, and harvestable vegetation released significantly more P than residue, potentially leading to P loss from soils through surface runoff or leaching. Thus, harvesting vegetation may be a suitable VFS management strategy in cold climates.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/12/2/233phosphorusfilter stripsnutrient managementsoilsriparian bufferscold climate
spellingShingle Kristen A. Kieta
Philip N. Owens
Jason A. Vanrobaeys
David A. Lobb
Seasonal Changes in Phosphorus in Soils and Vegetation of Vegetated Filter Strips in Cold Climate Agricultural Systems
Agriculture
phosphorus
filter strips
nutrient management
soils
riparian buffers
cold climate
title Seasonal Changes in Phosphorus in Soils and Vegetation of Vegetated Filter Strips in Cold Climate Agricultural Systems
title_full Seasonal Changes in Phosphorus in Soils and Vegetation of Vegetated Filter Strips in Cold Climate Agricultural Systems
title_fullStr Seasonal Changes in Phosphorus in Soils and Vegetation of Vegetated Filter Strips in Cold Climate Agricultural Systems
title_full_unstemmed Seasonal Changes in Phosphorus in Soils and Vegetation of Vegetated Filter Strips in Cold Climate Agricultural Systems
title_short Seasonal Changes in Phosphorus in Soils and Vegetation of Vegetated Filter Strips in Cold Climate Agricultural Systems
title_sort seasonal changes in phosphorus in soils and vegetation of vegetated filter strips in cold climate agricultural systems
topic phosphorus
filter strips
nutrient management
soils
riparian buffers
cold climate
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/12/2/233
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