Information

Level 4 Data summaries and links to related documents and reports

Key Findings

Nutrient loss mechanism

Runoff is the most visible loss mechanism. However, when soil erosion is minimised the nutrient concentration in runoff is low. The total export of nutrient can still be high due to the high rainfall of the region.

Sugar

The greatest potential for nitrogen losses from sugar cane occurs in the plant crops. This is many due to soil disturbance leaving a bare unprotected surface and also the lack of an established root system in the plant crop.

Banana

Large drainage losses of nitrogen and potassium are associated with basal applications of nutrients in the plant crop. Average leaching losses under the ratoon crop are generally lower than those recorded for the plant crop due to the established root system being more efficient at nitrogen uptake.

Dairy Pasture

Volatilisation is the major pathway for nitrogen loss from pastures and can be considerable when urea fertiliser is applied. Runoff from the pasture was minimal with losses of nitrogen and phosphorus <0.5 kg/ha in most years. The leaching of N and P was small in all years.

Rainforest

Runoff from the rainforest site was minimal. Mineral nitrogen concentrations measured in drainage water were similar to concentrations measured under dairy pastures where little nutrient was moving below 60 cm in the soil profile

Key tables and figures from literature and miscellaneous publications

Various clippings

 

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