Effect of Warm-Season Grass Filter Strips On Nitrogen and Phosphorus, Surface Runoff From Land Applied Dairy Manure.

Land application of dairy manure to croplands is a common method of utilization and disposal for many producers in Ohio. With the number of dairy animals increasing in the state, the potential impact of land applied manure on surface waters raises concern. Vegetative filter strips have been shown to significantly reduce suspended solids, nitrogen, and phosphorus in runoff from agricultural cropland. The majority of filter strips that have been investigated consist of cool-season grasses and riparian vegetation. Little is known about the performance of warm-season grass filter strips. The effectiveness of warm-season grass filter strips will be assessed using constructed plots with an established cover of warm-season grasses under simulated rainfall. Analysis of inflow and outflow of diluted liquid dairy manure will determine the effect of the warm-season grass filter strip on nitrogen, phosphorus, and biochemical activity in the surface runoff.