EFFCTS OF TILLAGE SYSTEMS ON THE QUALITY OF RUNOFF FROM SLUDGE-AMENDED SOILS

land application of sewage sludge requires careful monitoring because of its potential for contamination of surface water and groundwater. A rainfall simulator was used to investigated the effects of freshly applied sludge on runoff of sediment and nutrients from agricultural crop lands. Rain was applied to 16 experimental field plots. A three run sequence was used to simulate different initial moisture conditions. Runoff, sediment and nutrient losses were monitored at the base of each plot during the simulated rainfall events. Sludge was surface applied and incorporated at conventionally -tilled plots and surface applied at no-till plots, at rates of 0, 75, 150 kg-N/ha. No-till practices greatly reduced runoff, sediment , and nutrient losses form the sludge treated plots, relative to the conventional tillage practices. Incorporation of the sludge was effective in reducing nutrient yields at the conventionally-tilled plots. This effect was more pronounced during the third rain torm, with wet initial conditions. Peak loadings of nutrients appeared during the rainstorm with wet initial conditions.