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Nitrogen fertilization and nitrate leaching into groundwater on arable sandy soils

Nitrogen fertilization and nitrate leaching into groundwater on arable sandy soils Nitrate leaching depending on N fertilization and different crop rotations was studied at two sites with sandy soils in N Germany between 1995 and 2000. The leaching of NO$ _3^- $ was calculated by using a numerical soil‐water and N model and regularly measured Nmin values as input data. Also the variability of Nmin values on the sandy soils was determined along transects. They reveal the high variability of the Nmin values and show that it is not possible to confirm a significant Nmin difference between fertilizer treatments using the normal Nmin‐sampling intensity. Nitrate‐leaching calculations of five leaching periods showed that even strongly reduced N‐fertilizer applications did not result in a substantially lower NO$ _3^- $ leaching into the groundwater. Strong yield reductions of even more than 50%, however, were immediately measured. Mean NO$ _3^- $ concentrations in the groundwater recharge are >50 mg L–1 and are mainly due to mineralization from soil organic matter. Obviously, the adjustment of the N cycle in the soil to a new equilibrium and a reduced NO$ _3^- $‐leaching rate as a consequence of lower N inputs need a much longer time span. Catch crops are the most efficient way to reduce the NO$ _3^- $ concentrations in the groundwater recharge of sandy soils. Their success, however, strongly depends on the site‐specific development possibilities of the catch crop. Even with all possible measures implemented, it will be almost impossible to reach NO$ _3^- $ concentrations <50 mg L–1 in sandy soils. The only way to realize this goal on a regional scale could be by increasing areas with lower nitrate concentrations in the groundwater recharge like grassland and forests. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science Wiley

Nitrogen fertilization and nitrate leaching into groundwater on arable sandy soils

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References (41)

Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
Copyright © 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
ISSN
1436-8730
eISSN
1522-2624
DOI
10.1002/jpln.200521765
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Nitrate leaching depending on N fertilization and different crop rotations was studied at two sites with sandy soils in N Germany between 1995 and 2000. The leaching of NO$ _3^- $ was calculated by using a numerical soil‐water and N model and regularly measured Nmin values as input data. Also the variability of Nmin values on the sandy soils was determined along transects. They reveal the high variability of the Nmin values and show that it is not possible to confirm a significant Nmin difference between fertilizer treatments using the normal Nmin‐sampling intensity. Nitrate‐leaching calculations of five leaching periods showed that even strongly reduced N‐fertilizer applications did not result in a substantially lower NO$ _3^- $ leaching into the groundwater. Strong yield reductions of even more than 50%, however, were immediately measured. Mean NO$ _3^- $ concentrations in the groundwater recharge are >50 mg L–1 and are mainly due to mineralization from soil organic matter. Obviously, the adjustment of the N cycle in the soil to a new equilibrium and a reduced NO$ _3^- $‐leaching rate as a consequence of lower N inputs need a much longer time span. Catch crops are the most efficient way to reduce the NO$ _3^- $ concentrations in the groundwater recharge of sandy soils. Their success, however, strongly depends on the site‐specific development possibilities of the catch crop. Even with all possible measures implemented, it will be almost impossible to reach NO$ _3^- $ concentrations <50 mg L–1 in sandy soils. The only way to realize this goal on a regional scale could be by increasing areas with lower nitrate concentrations in the groundwater recharge like grassland and forests.

Journal

Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil ScienceWiley

Published: Apr 1, 2006

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