Skip to main content

2026 Projects: Rainfall Simulation Project 

How much do manure management practices and field conditions impact soil, N, and P loss?

Simulating Rainfall to Evaluate Runoff, Infiltrate, Sediment Loss, & Manure-Derived P Transport

When rain falls, it can move soil, water, and nutrients through erosion, leaching and runoff. Field research on the influence of rainfall on nutrient movement is time-consuming and expensive, and limited to only a small set of comparisons. In this study we conduct controlled rainfall simulator experiments to compare effectiveness of various beneficial management practices (BMPs) for different manure sources.

We are evaluating the impact of soil hydrologic groups, surface residue cover, method of manure application, and cover crops, influence soil and nutrient loss when manure is applied at different rates. The treatments that we use represent key manure and field management factors included in NY-PI 2.0.

We collect soil from New York farm fields and run rainfall events using standardized rainfall simulation trays. We gather soil and water samples from these events and measure sediment losses, runoff volume, infiltrate volume, dissolved P, and total P, ammonium and nitrate. The resulting dataset is used to evaluate relationships between management practices and P-loss pathways, providing empirical data to support future improvements of NY-PI 2.0 components.

For more information about this project, contact Quirine Ketterings (qmk2@cornell.edu or 607-255-3061). You can also write to: Quirine Ketterings, Nutrient Management Spear Program, Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, 323 Morrison Hall, Ithaca NY 14853.

Goals

We are working to (1) generate experimental data on runoff, infiltration, soil responses, nutrient losses, and sediment transport under controlled rainfall conditions; (2) determine the impact of key management practices (BMPs) and field conditions on phosphorus and nitrogen loss pathways; (3) assess interactions among source, transport, and management factors relevant to the New York Phosphorus Index 2.0; (4) provide empirical evidence to support refinement of the NY-PI 2.0 framework; and (5) develop accessible outputs and educational resources for farm advisors, extension educators, and nutrient management planners based on our findings.

Funding Sources

  • This project is supported by the USDA-NRCS, and conducted in partnership with the University of Auburn, University of Oregon, and USDA-NRCS East National Technology Support Center.

Additional Resources

Farmer Impact Stories

Fact Sheets

Extension Articles

Journal Articles