scholarly journals Effectiveness of Nutrient Management on Water Quality Improvement: A Synthesis on Nitrate-Nitrogen Loss from Subsurface Drainage

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 675-689
Author(s):  
Wenlong Liu ◽  
Yongping Yuan ◽  
Lydia Koropeckyj-Cox
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Corn Yield ◽  
Fertilizer Rate ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Fertilizer Rates

HighlightsFertilizer rate was found to be the most important factor controlling flow-weighted nitrate-N concentrations.Organic fertilizer may significantly increase nitrate-N losses, but N content of manures can be variable.We did not find significant differences in nitrate-N export among fertilizer application methods or timing.Split fertilization reduced nitrate-N export at lower fertilizer rates (<167 kg N ha-1) but not at higher rates.Fertilizer N recommendations need re-evaluation to consider both environmental and economic effects.Abstract. Nutrient management, as described in NRCS Code 590, has been intensively investigated, with research largely focused on crop yields and water quality. Yet, due to complex processes and mechanisms in nutrient cycling (especially the nitrogen (N) cycle), there are many challenges in evaluating the effectiveness of nutrient management practices across site conditions. We therefore synthesized data from peer-reviewed publications on subsurface-drained agricultural fields in the Midwest U.S. with corn yield and drainage nitrate-N (NO3-N) export data published from 1980 to 2019. Through literature screening and data extraction from 43 publications, we obtained 577 site-years of data with detailed information on fertilization, corn yields, precipitation, drainage volume, and drainage NO3-N load/concentration or both. In addition, we estimated flow-weighted NO3-N concentrations ([NO3-N]) in drainage for those site-years where only load and volume were reported. Furthermore, we conducted a cost analysis using synthesized and surveyed corn yield data to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of different nutrient management plans. Results from the synthesis showed that N fertilizer rate was strongly positively correlated with corn yields, NO3-N loads, and flow-weighted [NO3-N]. Reducing N fertilizer rates can effectively mitigate NO3-N losses from agricultural fields; however, our cost analysis showed negative economic returns for continuous corn production at lower N rates. In addition, organic fertilizers significantly boosted corn yields and NO3-N losses compared to inorganic fertilizers at comparable rates; however, accurate quantification of plant-available N in organic fertilizers is necessary to guide appropriate nutrient management plans because the nutrient content may be highly variable. In terms of fertilizer application methods, we did not find significant differences in NO3-N export in drainage discharge. Lastly, impact of fertilization timing on NO3-N export varied depending on other factors such as fertilizer rate, source, and weather. According to these results, we suggest that further efforts are still required to produce effective local nutrient management plans. Furthermore, government agencies such as USDA-NRCS need to work with other agencies such as USEPA to address the potential economic losses due to implementation of lower fertilizer rates for water quality improvement. Keywords: Conservation practice, Corn yields, Cost-effectiveness, NO3-N loss, Nutrient management, Subsurface drainage, Midwest U.S.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Conservation Crop Rotation for Water Pollutant Reduction from Agricultural Areas

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 691-704
Author(s):  
Lydia Koropeckyj-Cox ◽  
Reid D. Christianson ◽  
Yongping Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Cost Analysis ◽  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Continuous Corn ◽  
Nitrate N

HighlightsAdjusting nitrogen (N) fertilization rates for corn following legumes can reduce N losses.Including perennial legumes in corn rotations can reduce nitrate-N losses and improve water quality.Crop rotations that include three or more years of legumes can be cost-effective.Corn-soybean was the most cost-effective, with a net benefit in nitrate-N loss reduction compared to continuous corn.Abstract. Legumes included in corn-based crop rotation systems provide a variety of benefits to the subsequent crops and potentially to the environment. This review aims to synthesize available data from the literature on legume N credits and the effects of crop rotations on water quality, as well as to analyze the cost benefits associated with different legume-corn rotation systems. We found that there was much variation in reported values for legume N credits to subsequent corn crops, from both empirical results and recommendations made by U.S. land grant universities. But despite inherent complexity, accounting for this contribution is critical when estimating optimal N fertilizer application rates as part of nutrient management. Results from research on the influence of crop rotations on water quality show that including legumes in corn-based rotation systems generally decreases nitrate-N concentrations in subsurface drainage discharge. Our cost analysis showed that incorporating legumes in cropping systems reduced N fertilizer and pesticide costs compared to conventional cropping systems, i.e., continuous corn and corn-soybean rotations, but extended rotations, such as corn-soybean-alfalfa-alfalfa-alfalfa, are not as profitable as conventional systems in the U.S. Midwest. In comparing continuous corn and corn-soybean rotations, although their impacts on water quality are not significantly different when using overall means from the literature data, corn-soybean rotations are more profitable than continuous corn. When using data from papers that directly compared the two, we found that switching from continuous corn to corn-soybean can provide a benefit of $5 per kg N loss reduction. The cost analysis methods used could be tailored to any location or management scenario with appropriate inputs and serve as a useful tool for assessing cost benefits for other agricultural conservation practices. Legume-corn crop rotations have the potential to be an effective conservation practice with the ultimate goal of improving water quality, and, with further research, these rotations could be made even more effective by integrating them into a multi-practice system. Keywords: Conservation practice, Cost analysis, Crop rotation, Nitrate, Nutrient management, Water quality.

scholarly journals The implications of lag times between nitrate leaching losses and riverine loads for water quality policy

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. McDowell ◽  
Z. P. Simpson ◽  
A. G. Ausseil ◽  
Z. Etheridge ◽  
R. Law
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Mean Transit Time ◽  
Lag Time ◽  
Practice Change ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Lag Times

AbstractUnderstanding the lag time between land management and impacts on riverine nitrate–nitrogen (N) loads is critical to understand when action to mitigate nitrate–N leaching losses from the soil profile may start improving water quality. These lags occur due to leaching of nitrate–N through the subsurface (soil and groundwater). Actions to mitigate nitrate–N losses have been mandated in New Zealand policy to start showing improvements in water quality within five years. We estimated annual rates of nitrate–N leaching and annual nitrate–N loads for 77 river catchments from 1990 to 2018. Lag times between these losses and riverine loads were determined for 34 catchments but could not be determined in other catchments because they exhibited little change in nitrate–N leaching losses or loads. Lag times varied from 1 to 12 years according to factors like catchment size (Strahler stream order and altitude) and slope. For eight catchments where additional isotope and modelling data were available, the mean transit time for surface water at baseflow to pass through the catchment was on average 2.1 years less than, and never greater than, the mean lag time for nitrate–N, inferring our lag time estimates were robust. The median lag time for nitrate–N across the 34 catchments was 4.5 years, meaning that nearly half of these catchments wouldn’t exhibit decreases in nitrate–N because of practice change within the five years outlined in policy.

scholarly journals DOSES AND SPLIT NITROGEN FERTILIZER APPLICATIONS ON THE PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY OF ARUGULA1

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 824-829
Author(s):  
CAMILA SENO NASCIMENTO ◽  
CAROLINA SENO NASCIMENTO ◽  
ARTHUR BERNARDES CECÍLIO FILHO
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Additional Treatment ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Nitrate Content ◽  
Management Technique ◽  
Maximum Height ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Negative Environmental Impact

ABSTRACT Splitting nitrogen (N) fertilizer application can be an efficient nutrient management technique to improve productivity and plant quality, as well as to reduce the negative environmental impact caused by N losses. In this context, the present study investigated how the management of N affects the agronomic characteristics of field-grown arugula plants. Nine treatments were assessed in a randomized complete block design, in a 4 x 2 + 1 factorial scheme, with three replicates. The evaluated factors were doses of N (60, 120, 180 and 240 kg N ha-1), split N fertilizer applications at side-dress (two and three times) and an additional treatment without a N supply. Maximum height was obtained with the application of 198 kg N ha-1. Nitrate content, fresh mass and productivity increased with increasing N doses. There was no effect of split N fertilizer applications on the characteristics evaluated. Therefore, the supply of 240 kg N ha-1 divided into two portions was considered as the best management strategy.

scholarly journals Nitrogen Surplus—A Unified Indicator for Water Pollution in Europe?

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Klages ◽  
Claudia Heidecke ◽  
Bernhard Osterburg ◽  
John Bailey ◽  
Irina Calciu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Pollution ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Nitrogen Surplus ◽  
Nitrogen Budgets ◽  
Farm Level ◽  
Nitrogen Budgeting

Pollution of ground-and surface waters with nitrates from agricultural sources poses a risk to drinking water quality and has negative impacts on the environment. At the national scale, the gross nitrogen budget (GNB) is accepted as an indicator of pollution caused by nitrates. There is, however, little common EU-wide knowledge on the budget application and its comparability at the farm level for the detection of ground-and surface water pollution caused by nitrates and the monitoring of mitigation measures. Therefore, a survey was carried out among experts of various European countries in order to assess the practice and application of fertilization planning and nitrogen budgeting at the farm level and the differences between countries within Europe. While fertilization planning is practiced in all of the fourteen countries analyzed in this paper, according to current legislation, nitrogen budgets have to be calculated only in Switzerland, Germany and Romania. The survey revealed that methods of fertilization planning and nitrogen budgeting at the farm level are not unified throughout Europe. In most of the cases where budgets are used regularly (Germany, Romania, Switzerland), standard values for the chemical composition of feed, organic fertilizers, animal and plant products are used. The example of the Dutch Annual Nutrient Cycling Assessment (ANCA) tool (and partly of the Suisse Balance) shows that it is only by using farm-specific “real” data that budgeting can be successfully applied to optimize nutrient flows and increase N efficiencies at the farm level. However, this approach is more elaborate and requires centralized data processing under consideration of data protection concerns. This paper concludes that there is no unified indicator for nutrient management and water quality at the farm level. A comparison of regionally calculated nitrogen budgets across European countries needs to be interpreted carefully, as methods as well as data and emission factors vary across countries. For the implementation of EU nitrogen-related policies—notably, the Nitrates Directive—nutrient budgeting is currently ruled out as an entry point for legal requirements. In contrast, nutrient budgets are highlighted as an environment indicator by the OECD and EU institutions.

scholarly journals Effect of long-term fertilizer application in maize crop growing on chemical element leaching in Fluvisol

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsetska Simeonova ◽  
Dimitranka Stoicheva ◽  
Venelina Koleva ◽  
Zofia Sokołowska ◽  
Mieczysław Hajnos
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Concentration ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Lysimetric Water ◽  
N Rates ◽  
Fertilizer Rates

Abstract The study characterized the regime of nutrient leaching under different nitrogen and phosphorus supply of irrigated maize grown as monoculture on Fluvisol for the period 1999-2008 and additionally studied in the years 2009, 2010, and 2011. The aim of the study was to estimate the effect of longterm fertilizer application on the leaching of nutrients from the soil under maize grown as monoculture. The experiment design included four nitrogen fertilizer rates (B1-control, B5, B4, B3, B2) calculated to compensate 50, 75, 100, and 125% from the plant N uptake, respectively. The field plots were equipped with lysimeters (at 50 and 100 cm depth) for studying the relationship between the applied fertilizer rates and the nutrient concentrations in the lysimetric water. The greatest nitrogen concentration in lysimetric water was observed under variant (B3-N200 P150) throughout the study period and the highest N losses were registered (36 kg ha-1) in 2010 under the same treatment (B3). A very good correlation was found between the N rates, calcium, and magnesium losses. Lysimetric water component compensation shows that agricultural activities have only influenced the speed of weathering and had no significant effect on the rates.

scholarly journals Optimal Rate of Organic Fertilizer during the Flowering Stage for Cannabis Grown in Two Coir-based Substrates

HortScience ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (12) ◽  
pp. 1796-1803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deron Caplan ◽  
Mike Dixon ◽  
Youbin Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Cannabis Sativa ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Growth Index ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Organic Substrates ◽  
Medical Cannabis ◽  
Fertilizer Rates

In the expanding North American medical cannabis industry, growers lack reliable and systematically investigated information on the horticultural management of their crops, especially with regard to nutrient management and growing substrates. To evaluate organic substrates and their optimal nutrient management, five rates that supplied 57, 113, 170, 226, and 283 mg N/L of a liquid organic fertilizer (2.00N–0.87P–3.32K) were applied to container-grown plants [Cannabis sativa L. ‘WP:Med (Wappa)’] in two coir-based organic substrates. The trial was conducted in a walk-in growth chamber and the two substrates used were ABcann UNIMIX 2-HP (U2-HP) with lower container capacity (CC) and ABcann UNIMIX 2 (U2) with higher CC. U2-HP produced 11% higher floral dry weight (yield), 13% higher growth index (GI), 20% higher ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration, 57% higher THC yield (per plant), 22% higher Δ9-tetrahydrocannabidiolic acid (THCA) yield, and 20% higher cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) yield than U2. Increasing fertilizer rate led to increased growth and yield but also to a dilution of THC, THCA, and CBGA. In U2-HP, to maximize both yield and cannabinoid yield, the optimal organic fertilizer rates were those which supplied 212–261 mg N/L. For U2, the highest applied rate, that supplied 283 mg N/L, maximized yield; although lower rates delivered higher cannabinoid concentrations in dry floral material. The results on these substrates and recommended fertilizer rates can serve as a guide when using other organic fertilizers and substrates; although results may differ with cannabis variety.

scholarly journals Efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer applied at corn sowing in contrasting growing seasons in Paraguay

2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 1641-1650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Telmo Jorge Carneiro Amado ◽  
Enrique Oswin Hahn Villalba ◽  
Rafael Pivotto Bortolotto ◽  
Antônio Luis Santi ◽  
Enrique Asterio Benítez León ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Fertilizer Efficiency ◽  
Corn Yield ◽  
Fertilizer Rate ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Fertilizer Rates ◽  
N Fertilizer Rate

In order to select soil management practices that increase the nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) in agro-ecosystems, the different indices of agronomic fertilizer efficiency must be evaluated under varied weather conditions. This study assessed the NUE indices in no-till corn in southern Paraguay. Nitrogen fertilizer rates from 0 to 180 kg ha-1 were applied in a single application at corn sowing and the crop response investigated in two growing seasons (2010 and 2011). The experimental design was a randomized block with three replications. Based on the data of grain yield, dry matter, and N uptake, the following fertilizer indices were assessed: agronomic N-use efficiency (ANE), apparent N recovery efficiency (NRE), N physiological efficiency (NPE), partial factor productivity (PFP), and partial nutrient balance (PNB). The weather conditions varied largely during the experimental period; the rainfall distribution was favorable for crop growth in the first season and unfavorable in the second. The PFP and ANE indices, as expected, decreased with increasing N fertilizer rates. A general analysis of the N fertilizer indices in the first season showed that the maximum rate (180 kg ha-1) obtained the highest corn yield and also optimized the efficiency of NPE, NRE and ANE. In the second season, under water stress, the most efficient N fertilizer rate (60 kg ha-1) was three times lower than in the first season, indicating a strong influence of weather conditions on NUE. Considering that weather instability is typical for southern Paraguay, anticipated full N fertilization at corn sowing is not recommended due the temporal variability of the optimum N fertilizer rate needed to achieve high ANE.

scholarly journals Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Marigold Growth and Flowering

HortScience ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 45 (9) ◽  
pp. 1373-1377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guihong Bi ◽  
William B. Evans ◽  
James M. Spiers ◽  
Anthony L. Witcher
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Growth Index ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Tagetes Patula ◽  
Fertilizer Rate ◽  
Shoot Dry Weight ◽  
Chicken Litter ◽  
Fertilizer Rates

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the growth and flowering responses of greenhouse-grown French marigold (Tagetes patula L. ‘Janie Deep Orange’) to two non-composted broiler chicken litter-based organic fertilizers, 4-2-2 and 3-3-3, and one commonly used synthetic controlled-release fertilizer, 14-14-14. In both experiments, fertilizer 4-2-2 was applied at four rates of 1%, 2%, 4%, and 6% (by volume); 3-3-3 was applied at four rates of 1.34%, 2.67%, 5.34%, and 8.0% (by volume); and 14-14-14 was applied at rates of 0.99, 1.98, 3.96, and 5.94 kg·m−3. In general, substrate containing different rates and types of fertilizers had a pH within the recommended range of 5.0 to 6.5. Electrical conductivity (EC) was similar among substrates containing different rates of 14-14-14; however, EC increased with increasing fertilizer rate for substrates containing 4-2-2 and 3-3-3. Substrate EC within each treatment was generally higher earlier in the experiment. For the fertilizer rates used in these two experiments, increasing 14-14-14 fertilizer rate increased plant growth and flowering performance. However, low to intermediate rates of 4-2-2 and 3-3-3 in general produced the highest plant growth index, shoot dry weight, number of flowers per plant, total flower dry weight, and root rating. Plants grown at high rates of 4-2-2 and 3-3-3 showed symptoms associated with excessive fertilization. Plant tissue nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) concentrations increased linearly or quadratically with increasing fertilizer rates for all three fertilizers. In general, plants receiving 4-2-2 and 3-3-3 had higher concentrations of N, P, and K than plants receiving 14-14-14. Results from this study indicated that broiler litter-based 4-2-2 and 3-3-3 have the potential to be used as organic fertilizer sources for container production of marigolds in greenhouses. However, growers need to be cautious with the rate applied. Because different crops may respond differently to these natural fertilizers, it is important for growers to test any new fertilizers before incorporating them into their production practices.

scholarly journals Polycultural Productivity of Maize (Zea mays L.) as Affected by Tillage Practices, Fertilizer Rates and Intercropping Systems in the Guinea Savannah Agroecology, Ghana

2020 ◽  
pp. 10-22
Author(s):  
Philip Ghanney ◽  
Joseph Xorse Kugbe ◽  
Benjamin Kongyeli Badii
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Profit Maximization ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Northern Ghana ◽  
Fertilizer Rate ◽  
Tillage Practices ◽  
Fertilizer Rates

Soil impoverishment remains a major constraint to food crop production in the Guinea Savanna agroecology of Ghana. Most soils identified in this ecology are fragile and deficient in nutrients due to inappropriate management practices. To resolve this challenge, field studies were conducted to assess the polycultural productivity of maize as affected by tillage practices, fertilizer rates and intercropping systems. The study was however conducted in two cropping seasons (2016 and 2017) at Yagaba in the Mamprugu Moaduri District of Northern Ghana. Treatments consisting of 2 tillage practices (direct seeding and ploughing), 2 fertilizer application rates (zero rate [0-0-0 kg/ha NPK] and recommended rate [60-30-30 kg/ha NPK]) and 3 intercropping systems (sole maize, cowpea [Vigna unguiculata L. Walp] and soybean [Glycine max L.]) were factorially examined in three replications using randomized complete block design. Although the maize responded differently to the varied treatments, its exposure to ploughing, 60-30-30 kg/ha fertilizer rate and soybean intercropping system were in general influential in enhancing vegetative growth, yield and yield components. The responsiveness of maize to ploughing and 60-30-30 kg/ha fertilizer rate increased grain yield by 8.60% and 37.68%, respectively than their untreated controls. Regardless of not directly supplying the intercrops with the inorganic fertilizer, nodulation count and effectiveness of cowpea and soybean were improved under ploughed fields treated with 60-30-30 kg/ha fertilizer rate. The combined impact of ploughing, 60-30-30 kg/ha fertilizer rate and soybean integration resulted in higher profit returns. Hence, this study recommends to small-holder farmers in the Guinea Savannah agroecology of Ghana to adapt to the implementation of ploughing, 60-30-30 kg/ha fertilizer rate and soybean intercropping system for yield improvement and profit maximization.

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