Nitrogen fertilization plans for the main crops of Turkey to mitigate nitrates pollution

Abstract

To create a rational nitrogen fertilization plan, a mass nitrogen (N) balance was used for the main crops of Turkey. The following components are included in the suggested N fertilization plans: the quantity of N fertilizer which is required by the crop for a targeted and sustainable yield, nitrogen inputs available to the crop without fertilization, nitrogen losses mainly due to nitrates leaching and emissions to the atmosphere. This simple equation was transformed to a more detailed one and fertilization plans are based on the total N required to produce a crop of a targeted yield, N mineralized from Soil Organic Matter (SOM), the residual plant available inorganic N before sowing or planting, input of nitrogen from rainfall and losses through leaching and emissions. This work is based on available data and is an open sheet balance which can be easily used by local authorities. Decreased N fertilization can be applied without significant yield reduction and this can be explained by increased N use efficiency, as a result of proper time of application and splitting of N fertilizers in doses. This model can be appropriately adapted according to site-specific conditions, whilst new parameters can be added to improve precision of the performed calculations.

Keywords

• Fertilization, leaching, mineralization, nitrates, nitrogen

References

1. David, M.B., Wall, L.G., Royer, T.V., Tank, J.L., 2006. Denitrification and the nitrogen budget of a reservoir in an agricultural landscape. Ecological Applications 16:2177–2190.
2. De Willigen, P., 2000. An analysis of the calculation of leaching and denitrification losses as practised in the NUTMON approach. Report 18. Wageningen, The Netherlands, Plant Research International.
3. Dunn, S.M., Vinten, A.J.A., Lilly, A., DeGroote, J., Sutton, M.A., McGechan, M. 2004. Nitrogen Risk Assessment Model for Scotland: I. Nitrogen leaching. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences 8(2), 191-204.
4. ECETOC, 1994. Ammonia emissions to air in western Europe. Technical Report 62. European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals, Avenue E Van Nieuwenhuyse 4, Brussels.
5. Ersahin, S., 2001. Assessment of spatial variability in nitrate leaching to reduce nitrogen fertilizers impact on water quality. Agricultural Water Management, 48:179-189.
6. FAO, 1976. A framework for land evaluation. FAO Soils Bulletin, Version: 32, ISSN: 0253-2050, Rome, Italy.
7. FAO, 1985. Guidelines: land evaluation for irrigated agriculture. FAO Soils Bulletin, Version 55, ISSN: 0253-2050, Rome, Italy.
8. Howarth, R.W., Billen, G., Swaney, D., Townsend, A., Jaworski, N., Lajtha, K., Downing, J.A., Elmgren, R., Caraco, N., Jordan, T., Berendse, F., Freney, J., Kudeyarov, V., Murdoch, ZL Zhu 1996) Regional nitrogen budgets and riverine N and P fluxes for the drainages to the North Atlantic Ocean: Natural and human influences, Biogeochemistry 35, 75–139.

9. Karaman, M.R., Saltali, K., Ersahin, S., Gulec, H., Derici, M.R., 2005. Modeling nitrogen uptake and potential nitrate leaching under different irrigation programs in nitrogen fertilized tomato using the computer program NLEAP. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 101:249-259.
10. Karyotis, Th., Panagopoulos, A., Pateras, D., Panoras, A., Danalatos, N., Angelakis, C., Kosmas, C., 2002. The Greek Action Plan for the mitigation of nitrates in water resources of the vulnerable district of Thessaly. Journal of Mediterranean Ecology vol.3, No 2-3: 77-83.
11. Karyotis, Th., Panagopoulos, A., Alexiou, J., Kalfountzos, D., Pateras, D., Argyropoulos, G., Panoras, A., 2006. Communications in Biometry and Crop Science, Vol. 1, No. 2, 2006, pp. 72–78.
12. Karyotis Th. 2012. Fertilization plans for each NVZ. Report 4.4. for the Implementation of Nitrates Directive in Turkey. Implemented by Vakakis International S.A. (Greece), led consortium.
13. McNeill, A., Unkovich, M., 2007. The Nitrogen Cycle in Terrestrial Ecosystems. Ecosystems, Volume: 10, pages 37-64.
14. Olson, K.R., 2000. Optimum Crop Productivity Ratings for Illinois Soils. Bulletin 811, University of Illinois, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, Office of Research.
15. Panagopoulos, A., Karyotis, Th., 2011. Designation of Nitrates Vulnerable Zones in Turkey. Report 3.4. for the Implementation of Nitrates Directive in Turkey. Implemented by Vakakis International S.A. (Greece), led consortium.
16. Şensoy, S., Ulupınar, Y., 2008. İklim Sınıflandırmaları, Devlet. Meteoroloji İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü, DMİ web sitesi http://www.dmi.gov.tr/iklim/iklim.aspx.
17. TÜİK, 2010. Turkey’s Statistical Yearbook. ISSN 0082-691X.
18. USDA, 1994. Inventory Of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions And Sinks: 1990-1993, EPA-230-R-94-014, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation, Washington, DC, 1994.
19. Verheye, W., 2008. Land evaluation system other than FAO. Land Use, Land Cover and Soil Sciences, Vol. II.