Demonstration of methods to reduce E. coli runoff from dairy manure application sites.

摘要: Contamination by bacteria is a leading cause of impairment in U.S. waters, particularly areas livestock agriculture. We evaluated the effectiveness several practices reducing Escherichia coli levels runoff from fields receiving liquid dairy (Bos taurus) manure. Runoff trials were conducted on replicated hay and silage corn (Zea mays L.) plots using simulated rainfall. Levels E. approximately 10(4) to 10(6) organisms per 100 mL, representing significant pollution potential. Practices tested were: manure storage, delay between application rainfall, incorporation tillage, increased hayland vegetation height. Storage for 30 d or more consistently dramatically lowered counts our experiments, with longer storage providing greater reductions. Manure declined > 99% after 90 storage. On average, 97% lower 30-d-old 90-d-old than where fresh was applied. cornland applied 3 before rainfall contained 50% fewer did that received 1 Hayland height alone not significantly affect runoff, but interactions age observed. plot could reduce export field interaction Extended avoids additions manure, combined days tilled land, higher at substantially microorganism loading agricultural land.