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Effects of Grazing on Infiltration Rates in Waste Water Spray Fields¹

ABSTRACT

Many food-processors use grass-covered sprayfields for treating waste water. These fields are generally mowed one or more times each year. To eliminate mowing costs, such fields could be fenced and used as irrigated pastures. However, since the primary purpose of such fields is waste water treatment, adverse effects on infiltration must be avoided, particularly in areas with shallow soils that cannot be manipulated for overland-flow.

A portion of a food-processor's wastewater treatment field was fenced and grazed for approximately 5 months during the summer and fall of 2 successive years. The soil series was Sassafras sandy loam and the grass species were ‘Kentucky 31’ tall fescue [Festuca elatior var. arundinacea (Schreb.) Wimm.] and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata, L.).

The infiltration rate at saturation was measured frequently throughout the period of grazing. It was found that trampling reduced the infiltration rate from an initial value of 2–2.5 cm/hr to a final value of 0.3 cm/hr.

If these fields are to be grazed, it will be necessary to use low wastewater application rates to avoid surface runoff and ponding in low spots.

¹ Contribution from the Soil, Water and Air Sciences; ARS, USDA in cooperation with the College of Agric., Univ. of Delaware, Newark, Del.; Virginia Truck and Ornamentals Res. Sta., Norfolk, Va.; Mid-Atlantic Food Processors Assoc., Inc., Easton, Md.; Sussex Soil Conservation District, Georgetown, Del.; and H. P. Cannon & Son, Inc., Bridgeville, DE 19933.

² Plant Physiologist and Chemist, USDA, ARS, Plant Science Division. West Virginia Univ., Morgantown, W.V. 26506.

³ Agronomist, US Regional Pasture Research Laboratory, USDA, ARS, University Park, PA 16802.

⁴ Livestock Specialist, Animal Science and Agricultural Biochemistry, College of Agriculture, Univ. of Delaware, Newark, DE 19711.

⁵ Chemist, USDA, ARS, RD 2, Box 600, Georgetown, DE 19947.

Received for publication February 12, 1975. Accepted for publication March 27, 1975.