Crop rotation, fertilizer types and application timing affecting nitrogen leaching in nitrate vulnerable zones in Po Valley

Alessia Perego, Andrea Giussani, Mattia Fumagalli, Mattia Sanna, Marcello Chiodini, Marco Carozzi, Lodovico Alfieri, Stefano Brenna, Marco Acutis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A critical analysis was performed to evaluate the potential risk of nitrate leaching towards groundwater in three Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) of the Lombardia plain by applying the ARMOSA crop simulation model over a 20 years period (1988-2007). Each studied area was characterized by (i) two representative soil types, (ii) a meteorological data set, (iii) four crop rotations according to the regional land use, (iv) organic N load, calculated on the basis of livestock density. We simulated 3 scenarios defined by different fertilization time and amount of mineral and organic fertilizers. The A scenario involved no limitation in organic N application, while under the B and C scenarios the N organic amount was 170 and 250 kg N ha-1y-1, respectively. The C scenario was compliant with the requirement of the 2012 Italian derogation, allowing only the use of organic manure with an efficiency greater than 65%. The model results highlighted that nitrate leaching was significantly reduced passing from the A scenario to the B and C ones (p<0.01); on average nitrogen losses decreased by up to 53% from A to B and up to 75% from A to C.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)39-50
Number of pages12
JournalItalian Journal of Agrometeorology
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - Dec 1 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Crop rotation
  • Crop simulation model
  • Nitrate leaching
  • Nitrogen fertilization

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Forestry
  • Agronomy and Crop Science
  • Atmospheric Science

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