Integrating Source and Transport Factors with Best Management Practices to Derive an Index for Assessing Phosphorus Mobilization Risks from Mauritius Sugarcane Fields  

作　　者：Tesha Mardamootoo Christiaan Cornelius du Preez Tesha Mardamootoo;Christiaan Cornelius du Preez(Mauritius Sugarcane Industry Research Institute, Redúit, Mauritius;Department Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa)

机构地区：[1]Mauritius Sugarcane Industry Research Institute, Redúit, Mauritius [2]Department Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

出　　处：《Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection》2022年第4期181-201,共21页地球科学和环境保护期刊（英文）

摘　　要：Application of phosphorus (P) fertilisers to sugarcane fields in Mauritius increased almost four-fold per unit area over the past 60 years. Some of the applied P accumulated in the soils and can therefore be transported eventually to surface waters resulting in the eutrophication thereof. Precaution measures such as an appropriate P index as a management tool is required. Source factors (dissolved P, particulate P, P application rates, methods and timing),  transport factors (soil erosion, runoff potential and precipitation factor) and a best management practices multiplier were integrated to derive an index for assessing risks of P mobilisation from the island’s sugarcane fields. Farmers and their advisors can use the proposed P index during the planning process before sugarcane fields are planted and will be applicable for the whole crop cycle of 6 - 7 years if factors in the index do not change. The index can be also valuable in the selection of alternative management practices that could reduce the risks of P losses from sugarcane fields where the potential of P movement is initially high. Sensitivity analyses and edge-to-plot field tests showed that the P index needs further improvement, especially the estimation of soil erosion rates. The P index can, however, be applied by farmers and their advisors if they are well informed about the index’s capability.Application of phosphorus (P) fertilisers to sugarcane fields in Mauritius increased almost four-fold per unit area over the past 60 years. Some of the applied P accumulated in the soils and can therefore be transported eventually to surface waters resulting in the eutrophication thereof. Precaution measures such as an appropriate P index as a management tool is required. Source factors (dissolved P, particulate P, P application rates, methods and timing),  transport factors (soil erosion, runoff potential and precipitation factor) and a best management practices multiplier were integrated to derive an index for assessing risks of P mobilisation from the island’s sugarcane fields. Farmers and their advisors can use the proposed P index during the planning process before sugarcane fields are planted and will be applicable for the whole crop cycle of 6 - 7 years if factors in the index do not change. The index can be also valuable in the selection of alternative management practices that could reduce the risks of P losses from sugarcane fields where the potential of P movement is initially high. Sensitivity analyses and edge-to-plot field tests showed that the P index needs further improvement, especially the estimation of soil erosion rates. The P index can, however, be applied by farmers and their advisors if they are well informed about the index’s capability.

关 键 词：Dissolved Phosphorus Particulate Phosphorus Phosphorus Fertiliser Soil Erosion Surface Runoff 

分 类 号：S15[农业科学—土壤学]