Output of water, suspended sediment, and phosphorus and nitrogen forms from a small agricultural catchment

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Abstract
The outputs of water, suspended sediment and P and N forms from a small agricultural catchment in the northern Tararua Ranges [New Zealand] were studied for 1 yr. Streamflow and rainfall were recorded. A water balance estimated for the catchment indicated that deep percolation was minimal. During the study year, approximately 26% of total rainfall was discharged as streamflow. An attempt was made to identify and quantify the inputs of P and N forms to the catchment. Phosphate fertilizer application, N-fixation by clovers, and rainfall were considered the major sources of inputs of P and N forms. The output of suspended sediment was 1.4 .times. 103 kg/ha. Significant quantities of P and N output were associated with suspended sediment. Of the annual loss of total P (1.6 kg/ha) 76% was in the particulate form. The annual output of total N was 5.2 kg/ha, 14% in the particulate form.

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