Magazine article from our research archive:

Sensitivity analysis of the Pennsylvania phosphorus index for agricultural recycling of municipal biosolids.

Forty-nine states are developing phosphorus (P) site indices to assess vulnerability of agricultural fields to P loss. When a P index has multiple variables and mathematical operations, it is often difficult to predict the sensitivity of the final site rating to individual input variables. Sensitivity analysis is a powerful diagnostic technique for assessing the behavior of a P index, prioritizing data collection and research efforts to improve its predictive capabilities, and for focusing management efforts. In this study, nominal range sensitivity analysis was used to determine the effect of input factor perturbations on the final P index score for agricultural biosolids recycling. ...

<5 tons/A 
(SE)applicable 
Irrigation Eroxion  1.5 Not   Tailwater 
(IE)applicablerecovery or 
  low QS 
Runoff Class0.5 NegligibleVery low or 
(RP)  low 
 
Phosphorus loss rating (Value) 
SiteMedium  High 
Characteristics (2) (4) 
 
SOURCE FACTORS 
Soil Test P Medium  High 
(STP) 
Fertilizer P Rate   31-90   90-150 
(FR)lb [acre.sup.-1]lb [acre.sup.-1] 
[P.sub.2][O.sub.5]  [P.sub.2][O.sub.5] 
Fertilizer  IncorporatedDelayed 
Application Method  immediately incorporation 
(FAM)   before planting><3 mo. 
before crop 
Organic P Source31-60 lb/A  60-90 lb/A 
Rate (OR)   [P.sub.2][O.sub.5]  [P.sub.2][O.sub.5] 
Organic P SourceIncorporatedDelayed 
Application Method  immediately incorporation 
(OAM)   before planting><3 mo. 
before crop 
 
TRANSPORT FACTORS 
Soil Erosion5-1010-15 
(SE)tons/A  tons/A 
Irrigation Eroxion  QS><8   Low 
   8 to 14 Medium 
  15 to 32 High><1 wk applied in 
deep summer 
Organic P source Refer to PSC table below 
coefficient (PSC) 
 
Transport factors 
 
Soil erosion (SE)Soil loss (ton/A/yr) 
Runoff potential (RP)   0   24 
Very lowLow  Medium 
Sub-surface 01 
draniage (SD)   None Random 
Contributing0   24 
distance (CD)><150 ft. 
Modified1.1 
connectivity (MC)   Direct connection 
(when CD =><59  Low  N-based mgmt 
   60 to 79Medium   N-based mgmt 
   80 to 99High P-based mgmt>

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

See all results. Or, try our Advanced Search.

Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 60 million articles! Access over 3,500 publications with a FREE trial!