Reducing nitrate loading to groundwater by delivering site-specific N fertilizer recommendations

Scope:

• Replicated sampling of 50 to 100 agricultural fields across Nova Scotia encompassing a range of climatic regions, soil types, cropping systems and fertility management systems
• Analyzed samples to determine a range of soil physical (texture, bulk density), chemical (soil pH, standard fertility analysis, mineral N) and biological (organic C, total N, biological N supply, particulate organic matter) properties to determine both the variation and extent of these properties in Nova Scotia soils

Benefits:

• Prepare position paper on use of soil N supply calibration functions
• Groundwork for future research

Outcomes:

• Recommendations for a measurement-based approach to improved nitrogen management in Nova Scotia, which include:
  • Soil Nitrogen Supply Test
  • Estimation on N mineralization
  • Nitrate Exposure
  • Residual soil N
  • Partial N Balance

Download:

• Full Report