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Influence of different agricultural management systems on nitrogen leaching: results of lysimeter studies
Author(s) -
Knappe Siegfried,
Haferkorn Ulrike,
Meissner Ralph
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of plant nutrition and soil science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.644
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1522-2624
pISSN - 1436-8730
DOI - 10.1002/1522-2624(200202)165:1<73::aid-jpln73>3.0.co;2-o
Subject(s) - lysimeter , leaching (pedology) , agriculture , nitrogen , agricultural management , environmental science , chemistry , environmental chemistry , agronomy , soil science , biology , soil water , ecology , organic chemistry
The objective was to estimate the potential risk of N leaching into the groundwater under various types of agriculture by using lysimeter experiments on the nitrogen(N)‐cycle of various soil types. Results were obtained with 12 weighable, monolithic lysimeters with a surface area of 1 m 2 , a total depth of 3 m, and free drainage. Mean annual N‐leaching losses of 5 to 44 kg ha —1 and nitrate concentrations of the seepage water (leachate) between 80 and 200 mg l —1 were measured during the period of intensive agricultural use. On fallow land with a well‐established grass vegetation, some nitrate was removed by the plants. As a result, the nitrate concentrations in the leachate were reduced significantly. Ecological farming measures generally reduced N leaching losses and kept the N‐concentration in the leachate below the German threshold value for drinking water with 50 mg l —1 nitrate. However, ploughing in of clover or leguminous vegetation and the application of farmyard manure in autumn caused the nitrate concentration in the leachate to rise significantly above the mentioned threshold value.