The Variability of Nitrogen Forms in Soils Due to Traditional and Precision Agriculture: Case Studies in Poland

Anna Podlasek, Eugeniusz Koda and Magdalena Daria Vaverková
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Anna Podlasek: Department of Revitalization and Architecture, Institute of Civil Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159 St., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Eugeniusz Koda: Department of Revitalization and Architecture, Institute of Civil Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159 St., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Magdalena Daria Vaverková: Department of Revitalization and Architecture, Institute of Civil Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159 St., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 2, 1-28

Abstract: The soil and human health issues are closely linked. Properly managed nitrogen (N) does not endanger human health and increases crop production, nevertheless when overused and uncontrolled, can contribute to side effects. This research was intended to highlight that there is a need for carrying out monitoring studies in agricultural areas in order to expand the available knowledge on the content of N forms in agricultural lands and proper management in farming practice. The impact of two types of fertilization, concerning spatially variable (VRA) and uniform (UNI) N dose, on the distribution of N forms in soils was analyzed. The analysis was performed on the basis of soil monitoring data from agricultural fields located in three different experimental sites in Poland. The analyses performed at selected sites were supported by statistical evaluation and recognition of spatial diversification of N forms in soil. It was revealed that the movement of unused N forms to deeper parts of the soil, and therefore to the groundwater system, is more limited due to VRA fertilization. Finally, it was also concluded that the management in agricultural practice should be based on the prediction of spatial variability of soil properties that allow to ensure proper application of N fertilizers, resulting in the reduction of possible N losses.

Keywords: ammonium; nitrate; migration of nitrogen forms; fertilization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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