Leaching of Crop Residues as a Source of Nutrients in Surface Runoff Water

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Abstract
Nitrogen and phosphorus losses were determined in plant leachates from alfalfa, Kentucky bluegrass, barley straw stubble, and oats straw stubble. Plant samples harvested from the field were either leached immediately or were desiccated by drying or freezing before leaching. The extraction of soluble nitrogen and soluble phosphorus in leachates from alfalfa and bluegrass was greatly increased by drying or freezing. These same treatments, however, released only small amounts of soluble phosphorus from barley and oats straw. Estimated soluble nutrient losses indicate that leaching of alfalfa and bluegrass by surface runoff water could contribute substantial amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus to lakes and streams.