In Mississippi, poultry production is concentrated in the south-central part of the state. These operations generate large volumes of poultry litter which can be a valuable supply of nutrients for crops. However, repeated land applications of poultry litter have contributed to significant increases of phosphorus (P) in surface soils, consequently, creating a risk for non-point source pollution of surrounding surface waters. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the dynamics and forms of P in sediment and runoff, to determine runoff and erosion losses of P under two tillage and two planting treatments, and to examine P concentrations resulting from rainfall and runoff influence. Total sediment losses in the tillage treatments showed long-term having the highest, followed by short-term, and no-till. Phosphorus concentrations in runoff increased following applications of poultry litter. Results indicate that tillage treatments affected surface runoff and sediment losses and also influenced P in solution.
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