Implementation of best management practices in agriculture: modelling and monitoring of impacts on nitrogen leaching

2002 ◽  
Vol 45 (9) ◽  
pp. 43-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Joelsson ◽  
K. Kyllmar
Keyword(s):  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Time Perspective ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Nitrogen Leaching ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Indexing Technique ◽  
The Impact

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.

scholarly journals Best Management Practices for Florida Citrus

2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 389-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry Parsons ◽  
Brian Boman
Keyword(s):  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Runoff Water ◽  
Cost Share ◽  
Central Florida ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Drinking Water Standard ◽  
Florida Citrus

Best management practices (BMPs) started in Florida citrus (Citrus spp.) in the 1990s and have evolved to play a major role in production practices today. One of the earliest BMPs in Florida arose from concerns over nitrate-nitrogen concentrations in some surficial groundwater aquifers exceeding the 10 mg·L-1 drinking water standard. This occurred in an area of well-drained sandy soils known as the Central Florida Ridge that extends north and south through the central part of the Florida peninsula. State agencies could have used a strictly regulatory approach and restricted how much nitrogen growers could apply. Instead of setting arbitrary regulations, the agencies promoted a scientific-based BMP approach. A nitrogen BMP for Central Florida Ridge citrus was established, and research is now validating the earlier groundwater work on more grower field sites. The purpose of this BMP was to minimize the risk of leaching nitrates from fertilizer into the groundwater. Several important aspects of the BMP involve: 1) limiting the amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied at any one time, 2) increasing the frequency of fertilizer applications, 3) reducing fertilizer applications during the summer rainy season, and 4) managing irrigation to reduce leaching below the root zone. Since this Central Florida Ridge nitrogen BMP was established, major BMP actions to improve water quality and reduce the quantity of runoff water have taken place in the Indian River production area of Florida's east coast. BMPs continue to be set up in other parts of the state for a variety of plant and animal agricultural practices. In some cases, cost-share funds have been provided to help implement BMPs. With voluntary BMPs, growers have scientifically based guidelines, a waiver of liability, and an avoidance of arbitrary regulations.

scholarly journals Perceived vulnerability and propensity to adopt best management practices for huanglongbing disease of citrus in California

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Garcia Figuera ◽  
Holly Deniston-Sheets ◽  
Elizabeth E Grafton-Cardwell ◽  
Bruce Babcock ◽  
Mark Lubell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Perceived Vulnerability ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Preventive Practices ◽  
Citrus Groves ◽  
Plant Disease Management ◽  
The Impact

Huanglongbing (HLB) disease of citrus, associated with the bacterium “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus”, is confined to residential properties in Southern California eight years after it was first detected in the state. To prevent the spread of HLB to commercial citrus groves, growers have been asked to adopt a portfolio of voluntary best management practices. This study evaluates the citrus industry’s propensity to adopt these practices using surveys and a novel multivariate ordinal regression model. We estimate the impact on adoption of perceived vulnerability to HLB, intentions to stay informed and communicate about the disease and various socio-economic factors, and reveal what practices are most likely to be jointly adopted as an integrated approach to HLB. Survey participants were in favor of scouting and surveying for HLB symptoms, but they were reluctant to test trees, use early detection technologies (EDTs) or install barriers around citrus groves. Most practices were perceived as complementary, particularly visual inspections and some combinations of preventive practices with tests and EDTs. Participants who felt more vulnerable to HLB had a higher propensity to adopt several practices, as well as those who intended to stay informed and communicate with the coordinators of the HLB control program, although this effect was modulated by the perceived vulnerability to HLB. Communication with neighbors and the size of citrus operations also influenced practice adoption. Based on these results, we provide recommendations for outreach about HLB management in California and suggest future directions for research about the adoption of plant disease management practices.

scholarly journals Soil Temperatures of the Transylvanian Plain, Romania

1970 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David WEINDORF ◽  
Beatrix HAGGARD ◽  
Teodor RUSU ◽  
Horea CACOVEAN ◽  
Stephanie JOHNSON
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Annual Variation ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Physicochemical Analysis ◽  
Slope Aspect ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Important Region ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
The Impact

The Transylvanian Plain, Romania is an important region for agronomic productivity. However, limited soils data and adoption of best management practices can hinder land productivity. Soil temperatures of the Transylvanian Plain were evaluated using a set of twenty datalogging stations positioned throughout the plain. Soil temperatures were monitored at the surface, 10 cm, 30 cm, and 50 cm, and soil moisture was monitored at 10 cm. Pedons were excavated, described, and sampled for physicochemical analysis. Preliminary results indicate that most soils of the Transylvanian Plain will have a mesic temperature regime. However, differences in seasonal warming and cooling trends across the plain were noted. These have important implications for planting recommendations. Some soils of the plain were noted to freeze at 50 cm, while others did not. Longer term study of temperatures of the Transylvanian Plain will average out annual variation in soil temperature and evaluate the impact of slope aspect, slope inclination, soil moisture, and physicochemical properties on soil temperatures.

scholarly journals Assessing the Impact of Best Management Practices in a Highly Anthropogenic and Ungauged Watershed Using the SWAT Model: A Case Study in the El Beal Watershed (Southeast Spain)

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrián López-Ballesteros ◽  
Javier Senent-Aparicio ◽  
Raghavan Srinivasan ◽  
Julio Pérez-Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Lagoon ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Swat Model ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Coefficient Of Determination ◽  
Check Dam ◽  
Best Management ◽  
The Impact

Best management practices (BMPs) provide a feasible solution for non-point source pollution problems. High sediment and nutrient yields without retention control result in environmental deterioration of surrounding areas. In the present study, the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) model was developed for El Beal watershed, an anthropogenic and ungauged basin located in the southeast of Spain that drains into a coastal lagoon of high environmental value. The effectiveness of five BMPs (contour planting, filter strips, reforestation, fertilizer application and check dam restoration) was quantified, both individually and in combination, to test their impact on sediment and nutrient reduction. For calibration and validation processes, actual evapotranspiration (AET) data obtained from a remote sensing dataset called Global Land Evaporation Amsterdam Model (GLEAM) were used. The SWAT model achieved good performance in the calibration period, with statistical values of 0.78 for Kling–Gupta efficiency (KGE), 0.81 for coefficient of determination (R2), 0.58 for Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) and 3.9% for percent bias (PBIAS), as well as in the validation period (KGE = 0.67, R2 = 0.83, NS = 0.53 and PBIAS = −25.3%). The results show that check dam restoration is the most effective BMP with a reduction of 90% in sediment yield (S), 15% in total nitrogen (TN) and 22% in total phosphorus (TP) at the watershed scale, followed by reforestation (S = 27%, TN = 16% and TP = 20%). All effectiveness values improved when BMPs were assessed in combination. The outcome of this study could provide guidance for decision makers in developing possible solutions for environmental problems in a coastal lagoon.

scholarly journals The Presence of Denitrifiers In Bacterial Communities of Urban Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie C. Hall ◽  
Masoumeh Sikaroodi ◽  
Dianna Hogan ◽  
R. Christian Jones ◽  
Patrick M. Gillevet
Keyword(s):  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Bacterial Communities ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Bacterial Community Composition ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Sand Filters ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Nitrogen Inputs ◽  
Surface Sand

AbstractStormwater best management practices (BMPs) are engineered structures that attempt to mitigate the impacts of stormwater, which can include nitrogen inputs from the surrounding drainage area. The goal of this study was to assess bacterial community composition in different types of stormwater BMP soils to establish whether a particular BMP type harbors more denitrification potential. Soil sampling took place over the summer of 2015 following precipitation events. Soils were sampled from four bioretention facilities, four dry ponds, four surface sand filters, and one dry swale. 16S rRNA gene analysis of extracted DNA and RNA amplicons indicated high bacterial diversity in the soils of all BMP types sampled. An abundance of denitrifiers was also indicated in the extracted DNA using presence/absence of nirS, nirK, and nosZ denitrification genes. BMP soil bacterial communities were impacted by the surrounding soil physiochemistry. Based on the identification of a metabolically-active community of denitrifiers, this study has indicated that denitrification could potentially occur under appropriate conditions in all types of BMP sampled, including surface sand filters that are often viewed as providing low potential for denitrification. The carbon content of incoming stormwater could be providing bacterial communities with denitrification conditions. The findings of this study are especially relevant for land managers in watersheds with legacy nitrogen from former agricultural land use.

scholarly journals The Impact of the Louisiana Master Gardener Program on the Perceived and Actual Horticultural Knowledge of Program Participants

HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 968E-969
Author(s):  
Bobby H. Fletcher ◽  
Michael F. Burnett ◽  
Krisanna L. Machtmes ◽  
Jeff S. Kuehny
Keyword(s):  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
The United States ◽  
Master Gardener ◽  
Perceived Knowledge ◽  
Highly Educated ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Knowledge And Practice ◽  
The Impact

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the impact of participation in the Master Gardener program on horticultural knowledge and practice. In 1972, the “Master Gardener” concept was initiated in Washington State due to the high demand to answer consumer horticultural questions. The main objective of this program is to increase horticultural knowledge of program participants so they can transfer this information to consumer horticultural clientele. The program quickly spread throughout the United States. It reached Louisiana in 1994 and was expanded throughout most metropolitan areas by 1997. No formal evaluation has been conducted to determine the horticultural knowledge impacts of this program. All 257 participants in the 2004 Louisiana Master Gardener (LMG) program were surveyed before and after participation in this program. The survey used was a researcher-developed instrument designed to measure self-perceived knowledge, tested knowledge, and Best Management Practices (BMPs) used. Data were collected by master gardener coordinators and submitted to the researcher after each phase of data collection (pre and post). Results of the study revealed that the LMG participants were highly educated, mostly Caucasian, and mostly female. Significant improvements were identified in all of the knowledge and practice measurements included in the study. These included self-perceived knowledge, tested knowledge, and use of BMPs. It was concluded that the 2004 Louisiana Master Gardener program was effective in increasing the self-perceived horticultural knowledge and tested horticultural knowledge of program participants. In addition, the study concluded that the 2004 Louisiana Master Gardener program improved the use of BMPs among the participants.

Agricultural land use and N losses to water: the case study of a fluvial park in Northern Italy

2003 ◽  
Vol 47 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 275-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Morari ◽  
E. Lugato ◽  
M. Borin
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Subsurface Water ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Impact

An integrated water resource management programme has been under way since 1999 to reduce agricultural water pollution in the River Mincio fluvial park. The experimental part of the programme consisted of: a) a monitoring phase to evaluate the impact of conventional and environmentally sound techniques (Best Management Practices, BMPs) on water quality; this was done on four representative landscape units, where twelve fields were instrumented to monitor the soil, surface and subsurface water quality; b) a modelling phase to extend the results obtained at field scale to the whole territory of the Mincio watershed. For this purpose a GIS developed in the Arc/Info environment was integrated into the CropSyst model. The model had previously been calibrated to test its ability to describe the complexity of the agricultural systems. The first results showed a variable efficiency of the BMPs depending on the interaction between management and pedo-climatic conditions. In general though, the BMPs had positive effects in improving the surface and subsurface water quality. The CropSyst model was able to describe the agricultural systems monitored and its linking with the GIS represented a valuable tool for identifying the vulnerable areas within the watershed.

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