Evaluation of the impact of various agricultural practices on nitrate leaching under the root zone of potato and sugar beet using the STICS soil–crop model

In Kattegat and the coastal water of the Baltic Sea, high nitrogen input from agricultural land is considered to be the main reason for eutrophication. International agreements and governmental programs have set a target to reduce the anthropogenic nitrogen load by 50 percent. Improved nitrogen removal in treatment plants and efforts in agriculture have so far not decreased nitrogen transport to a sufficient extent. In this project the impact of agricultural practices on nitrogen leaching was investigated in two small agricultural catchments in Southwest Sweden. The root-zone leaching was estimated by an indexing technique. Simultaneously the transports in the stream outlets were monitored. During 1995 and 1999 the agricultural practices in the catchments were surveyed. Field data from the first survey indicated that fertilisation did not always match crop requirements, the area of undersown catch crop can be increased and autumn cultivation can be reduced. The second survey was preceded by an advisory campaign where each farmer was visited and presented with an environmental plan including fertilisation, cultivation, and crop rotation for the farm. The plan summarised the best management practices that could be realised under actual conditions. Results from the second survey showed that some changes in the agricultural practices were carried out after the advisory campaign. The nitrogen leaching from the root-zone was then estimated by the indexing technique, both for the time before and after the advisory program. The results showed that the estimated nitrogen leaching, as a mean value for 330 fields, decreased from 53 to 50 kgN ha−1, due to adjustments of the agricultural practices. Monitoring of stream transports showed values of the same magnitude after correction for retention and other sources. In this short time perspective, decreases in transport due to changes in agricultural practices could not be separated from influence of weather conditions. In comparison to results from the Swedish monitoring programme for agriculture, the measured transports were normal for the region, where annual variation in precipitation and runoff is large. Theoretically, nitrogen leaching could be reduced by one third without any major economic constraints for the farmers. In general, the farmers were positive to advice and willing to try new farming techniques even if some measurements were not fully implemented during the investigation period.

Download Full-text

Long-term influence of cropping systems, tillage methods, and N sources on nitrate leaching

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/cjss95-071 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 75 (4) ◽

pp. 497-505 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

R. C. Izaurralde ◽

Y. Feng ◽

J. A. Robertson ◽

W. B. McGill ◽

N. G. Juma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nitrate Leaching ◽

Root Zone ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Nitrogen Loss ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Triticum Aestivum L ◽

Native Forest ◽

Fertilizer N ◽

Hordeum Vulgare L ◽

Forest Sites

The extent of nitrate leaching in cultivated soils of Alberta is unknown. We studied how long- and short-term agricultural practices influenced nitrate leaching in a cryoboreal subhumid soil-climate of north-central Alberta. The study used plots from three crop rotation-tillage studies at Breton on an Orthic Gray Luvisol, and from one at Ellerslie on an Orthic Black Chernozem. Soil samples were taken in the fall of 1993 from selected treatments as well as native forest sites in 0.3-m depth increments from 0 to 3.9 m and analyzed for NO3-N. No NO3− were found under native forest vegetation. NO3-N accumulated below 0.9-m depth of agricultural ecosystems cultivated for as long as 64 yr ranged from 0 to 67 kg N ha−1. At Breton, fallow-wheat rotation plots receiving fertilizer N and manure contained eight times more NO3-N below 0.9 m depth than non-fertilized plots. NO3-N levels in an 8-yr legume-based rotation and in continuous-barley plots were similar but greater than in continuous-forage plots. Eighty-seven percent of NO3− found under continuous barley occurred below the root zone compared with only 35% in the 8-yr rotation. At Ellerslie, NO3-N mass was related to fertilizer N and mineralization of soil organic matter. Increased efforts should be directed towards better synchronizing N release from or addition to soils with plant uptake. Evidence of greater nitrate leaching under zero tillage than under conventional warrants further confirmation. Key words: Nitrogen loss, fallow, Hordeum vulgare L., Triticum aestivum L., manure, legumes, synthetic fertilizer

Download Full-text

Numerical assessment of chemical species infiltration in the Prosecco area

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-14653 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Leonardo Costa ◽

Stefano Mazzega Ciamp ◽

Alessandra Cardinali ◽

Laura Carretta ◽

Nicola Dal Ferro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Field Experiments ◽

Transport Model ◽

Root Zone ◽

Chemical Species ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Laboratory Analysis ◽

Subsurface Water ◽

Human Consumption ◽

North East ◽

The Impact

<p>The multidisciplinary research project SWAT - Subsurface Water quality and Agricultural pracTices monitoring - has been set up to assess pesticides contamination risks for groundwater in the hills of Prosecco in the north-east of Italy. The unconfined aquifer underneath the typical Glera grape-variety vineyards of Valdobbiadene and Conegliano is used as water supply resource for human consumption. The principal aim of the project SWAT is to obtain a thorough information on the impact of contaminants coming from agricultural practices and infiltrating in the soil of well protection areas. Based on specifically designed field experiments, a study on water and solutes infiltration process is developed to understand the movement and evolution of chemical species in the vadose zone. A one-dimensional transport model for unsaturated media (BRTSim - Maggi, 2015) is used to simulate solute infiltration and estimate the soil hydraulic parameters. Monitoring activities started in November 2018 in two experimental sites (the Settolo site in Valdobbiadene and the Coln&#249; site in Conegliano) near supply wells surrounded by vineyards. A mixture of Bromide and Glyphosate was identically applied on two parcels of 25 m<sup>2</sup> for each experimental site to obtain information about spatial heterogeneity and to collect independently water and soil quality measurements. Porous cups, for the collection of infiltrating water, and capacitive sensors, to gauge temperature and Volumetric Water Content (VWC), were installed beneath the sectors at three depths (-0.1, -0.3, -0.7 m). In each site meteorological station provides hydrological data. At first, laboratory analysis on soil samples collected at the same depths gave a vertical distribution of the sector-specific soil texture that was used as input for Rosetta to obtain initial estimations of retention curve behaviour and the saturated hydraulic conductivity. These data allowed us to develop an open-loop simulation using the early meteorological observations as hydrological forcing. As the laboratory analysis on soil and water samples proceed and the number of in-situ measurements increases, different data windows are tested to improve the performances of the calibration procedure performed using PEST. In all tests a spin-up procedure is applied to mitigate the dependency of the results on the imposed initial data by repeating the first month of hydrological forcing three times. The results of the transport model using Rosetta parameters are already satisfactory in terms of VWC trends even if they are considerably shifted respect to the measured values. The calibration reduces the gap between model results and observations, but the behaviour seems to get worse in dry conditions. Improvements are achieved in the upper layer (-0.3 m) applying evapotranspiration along the root zone. The Bromide simulations agree with the infiltration behaviour: its movement is well represented up to -0.3 m, while at -0.7 m the observed values are overestimated. Ongoing investigations on the glyphosate dispersion process show limited infiltrating mass in the water collected samples.</p>

Download Full-text

THE IMPACT OF MINERAL FERTILIZERS ON THE BIOLOGICAL YIELD OF SUGAR BEET CROP (BETA VULGARIS L. VAR. SACCHARIFERA)

Knowledge International Journal ◽

10.35120/kij28041281p ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 1281-1284

Author(s):

Petar Petrov ◽

Bojan Mitrovski

Keyword(s):

Sugar Beet ◽

Field Trials ◽

Mineral Fertilizers ◽

Qualitative Properties ◽

New Production ◽

Economic Significance ◽

Random Block ◽

Biological Yield ◽

Sugar Beet Crop ◽

The Impact

Due to the great economic significance of the sugar beet, the new production trends are aimed at improving the quantitative and qualitative properties and one of the basic agro technical measures that is directly dependent on the yield and quality of the turnip is the properly conducted plant nutrition. Exporting high quantities of nutrients from the soil, the sugar beet requires application of advanced agro-technology, primarily application of adequate and controlled nutrition and irrigation. Application of this measure, in combination with soil processing, has sustained influence over the following cultures in the crop rotation in terms of nutrients regiment and fight against weeds.In order to determine the effects of mineral fertilizers on sugar beet, field experiment was conducted on fluvisol soil. The experiment is set according to a random block system, following the standard methods of agricultural chemistry for conducting field trials. The experiment includes eight variants, as follows: 1. Control (non-fertilized), 2. NP, 3. NK, 4. PK, 5. NPK, 6. N2PK, 7. N2P2K, 8. N3PK.In the phase of technological maturity of sugar beet, collection of the vegetative material and measurement of the height of the biological yield of the turnips was carried out. Based on the survey results, it can be concluded that the variant N2P2K has achieved the highest yield of swollen roots, i.e. 69.330 kg/ha. The highest yield of leafy greens was achieved in the variant N3PK, i.e. 41.920 kg/ha, which indicates the fact that nitrogen has direct influence over the vegetation mass of sugar beet.

Download Full-text

Method development for the determination of textural properties of sugar beet roots

Sugar Industry ◽

10.36961/si23306 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 392-400 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Gunnar Kleuker ◽

Christa M. Hoffmann

Keyword(s):

Sugar Beet ◽

Compression Test ◽

Storage Period ◽

Textural Properties ◽

Small Sample ◽

Root Tip ◽

Flexural Test ◽

Sample Distribution ◽

The Impact

The harvest of sugar beet leads to root tip breakage and surface damage through mechanical impacts, which increase storage losses. For the determination of textural properties of sugar beet roots with a texture analyzer a reliable method description is missing. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of washing, soil tare, storage period from washing until measurement, sample distribution and number of roots on puncture and compression measurements. For this purpose, in 2017 comprehensive tests were conducted with sugar beet roots grown in a greenhouse. In a second step these tests were carried out with different Beta varieties from a field trial, and in addition, a flexural test was included. Results show that the storage period after washing and the sample distribution had an influence on the puncture and compression strength. It is suggested to wash the roots by hand before the measurement and to determine the strength no later than 48 h after washing. For reliable and comparable results a radial distribution of measurement points around the widest circumference of the root is recommended for the puncture test. The sample position of the compression test had an influence on the compressive strength and therefore, needs to be clearly defined. For the puncture and the compression test it was possible to achieve stable results with a small sample size, but with increasing heterogeneity of the plant stand a higher number of roots is required. The flexural test showed a high variability and is, therefore, not recommended for the analysis of sugar beet textural properties.

Download Full-text

Agricultural practices and diffuse nitrogen pollution in Denmark: empirical leaching and catchment models

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1999.0554 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 39 (12) ◽

pp. 257-264 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Hans E. Andersen ◽

Brian Kronvang ◽

Søren E. Larsen

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Land ◽

Root Zone ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Animal Manure ◽

Annual Runoff ◽

N Leaching ◽

N Loss ◽

Total N ◽

Model Calculations ◽

N Removal

An empirical leaching model was applied to data on agricultural practices at the field level within 6 small Danish agricultural catchments in order to document any changes in nitrogen (N) leaching from the root zone during the period 1989-96. The model calculations performed at normal climate revealed an average reduction in N-leaching that amounted to 30% in the loamy catchments and 9% in the sandy catchments. The reductions in N leaching could be ascribed to several improvements in agricultural practices during the study period: (i) regulations on livestock density; (ii) regulations on the utilisation of animal manure; (iii) regulations concerning application practices for manure. The average annual total N-loss from agricultural areas to surface water constituted only 54% of the annual average N leached from the root zone in the three loamy catchments and 17% in the three sandy catchments. Thus, subsurface N-removal processes are capable of removing large amounts of N leached from agricultural land. An empirical model for the annual diffuse N-loss to streams from small catchments is presented. The model predicts annual N-loss as a function of the average annual use of mineral fertiliser and manure in the catchment and the total annual runoff from the unsaturated zone.

Download Full-text

A real‐world implementation of a nationwide, long‐term monitoring program to assess the impact of agrochemicals and agricultural practices on biodiversity

Ecology and Evolution ◽

10.1002/ece3.6459 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Camila Andrade ◽

Alexandre Villers ◽

Gérard Balent ◽

Avner Bar‐Hen ◽

Joël Chadoeuf ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Real World ◽

Monitoring Program ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Long Term Monitoring ◽

The Impact ◽

Term Monitoring

Download Full-text

Assessment of alternative land management practices using hydrological simulation and a decision support tool: Arborea agricultural region, Sardinia

Hydrology and Earth System Sciences ◽

10.5194/hess-11-1811-2007 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1811-1823 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

P. Cau ◽

C. Paniconi

Keyword(s):

Decision Support ◽

Land Management ◽

Quantitative Methods ◽

Management Practices ◽

Water Movement ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Treated Wastewater ◽

Hydrological Simulation ◽

Support Tool ◽

The Impact

Abstract. Quantifying the impact of land use on water supply and quality is a primary focus of environmental management. In this work we apply a semidistributed hydrological model (SWAT) to predict the impact of different land management practices on water and agricultural chemical yield over a long period of time for a study site situated in the Arborea region of central Sardinia, Italy. The physical processes associated with water movement, crop growth, and nutrient cycling are directly modeled by SWAT. The model simulations are used to identify indicators that reflect critical processes related to the integrity and sustainability of the ecosystem. Specifically we focus on stream quality and quantity indicators associated with anthropogenic and natural sources of pollution. A multicriteria decision support system is then used to develop the analysis matrix where water quality and quantity indicators for the rivers, lagoons, and soil are combined with socio-economic variables. The DSS is used to assess four options involving alternative watersheds designated for intensive agriculture and dairy farming and the use or not of treated wastewater for irrigation. Our analysis suggests that of the four options, the most widely acceptable consists in the transfer of intensive agricultural practices to the larger watershed, which is less vulnerable, in tandem with wastewater reuse, which rates highly due to water scarcity in this region of the Mediterranean. More generally, the work demonstrates how both qualitative and quantitative methods and information can assist decision making in complex settings.

Download Full-text

Poly(Lactic Acid)–Poly(Butylene Succinate)–Sugar Beet Pulp Composites; Part I: Mechanics of Composites with Fine and Coarse Sugar Beet Pulp Particles

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13152531 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (15) ◽

pp. 2531

Author(s):

Rodion Kopitzky

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Lactic Acid ◽

Sugar Beet ◽

Cell Structure ◽

Sugar Beet Pulp ◽

Poly Lactic Acid ◽

Butylene Succinate ◽

Fracture Patterns ◽

Beet Pulp ◽

The Impact

Sugar beet pulp (SBP) is a residue available in large quantities from the sugar industry, and can serve as a cost-effective bio-based and biodegradable filler for fully bio-based compounds based on bio-based polyesters. The heterogeneous cell structure of sugar beet suggests that the processing of SBP can affect the properties of the composite. An “Ultra-Rotor” type air turbulence mill was used to produce SBP particles of different sizes. These particles were processed in a twin-screw extruder with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and fillers to granules for possible marketable formulations. Different screw designs, compatibilizers and the use of glycerol as a thermoplasticization agent for SBP were also tested. The spherical, cubic, or ellipsoidal-like shaped particles of SBP are not suitable for usage as a fiber-like reinforcement. In addition, the fineness of ground SBP affects the mechanical properties because (i) a high proportion of polar surfaces leads to poor compatibility, and (ii) due to the inner structure of the particulate matter, the strength of the composite is limited to the cohesive strength of compressed sugar-cell compartments of the SBP. The compatibilization of the polymer–matrix–particle interface can be achieved by using compatibilizers of different types. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) fracture patterns show that the compatibilization can lead to both well-bonded particles and cohesive fracture patterns in the matrix. Nevertheless, the mechanical properties are limited by the impact and elongation behavior. Therefore, the applications of SBP-based composites must be well considered.

Download Full-text