Fecal bacteria survival and infiltration through a shallow agricultural soil: Timing and tillage effects

The fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci in leachate from dairy manure-amended no-tillage and conservation tillage soils were measured. Manure application significantly increased fecal bacteria in leachate compared with unmanured treatments. Neither the timing nor the tillage method significantly affected fecal coliform concentrations in leachate. Fecal bacteria in leachate declined to nondetectable levels within the 60 day of manure application. In well structured soils, fecal bacteria moved below the crop root zone whenever there was rain of sufficient duration or intensity to cause flow after manure application.