Nitrogen cycling in organic farming systems with rotational grass–clover and arable crops

Organic farming is considered an effective means of reducing nitrogen losses compared with more intensive conventional farming systems. However, under certain conditions, organic farming may also be susceptible to large nitrogen (N) losses. This is especially the case for organic dairy farms on sandy soils that use grazed grass–clover in rotation with cereals. A study was conducted on two commercial organic farms on sand and loamy sand soils in Denmark. On each farm, a 3‐year‐old grass–clover field was selected. Half of the field was ploughed the first year and the other half was ploughed the following year. Spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was sown after ploughing in spring. Measurements showed moderate N leaching during the pasture period (9–64 kg N ha^?1 year^?1) but large amounts of leaching in the first (63–216 kg N ha^?1) and second (61–235 kg N ha^?1) year after ploughing. There was a small yield response to manure application on the sandy soil in both the first and second year after ploughing. To investigate the underlying processes affecting the residual effects of pasture and N leaching, the dynamic whole farm model farm assessment tool (FASSET) was used to simulate the treatments on both farms. The simulations agreed with the observed barley N‐uptake. However, for the sandy soil, the simulation of nitrate leaching and mineral nitrogen in the soil deviated considerably from the measurements. Three scenarios with changes in model parameters were constructed to investigate this discrepancy. These scenarios suggested that the organic matter turnover model should include an intermediate pool with a half‐life of about 2–3 years. There might also be a need to include effects of soil disturbance (tillage) on the soil organic matter turnover.     

Refining soil survey information for a Dutch soil series using land use history

Abstract. Differences in land-use history within soil series, although not influencing soil classification, lead to variability of non-diagnostic soil properties in soil databases. Regional studies that use soil databases are confronted with this considerable variability. This has, for example, been reported in regional studies focused on nitrate leaching from agricultural land. Such findings have a direct impact on regional assessments of nitrate leaching from dairy farms on sandy soils, a major environmental issue in the Netherlands. There is thus a need to deal with this variability in soil properties.
We were able to relate soil organic nitrogen, soil organic carbon and its dynamics to land use history for a Dutch sandy soil series. Within one soil series, three different land use histories were identified: old grassland, reseeded grassland and grassland converted from continuous cropping with silage maize. The addition of landscape characteristics significantly improved the regression models based on land-use only. Once established for any given soil series, such relationships can significantly improve soil survey input into dynamic models of soil behaviour such as regional nitrate leaching studies.     

Quantifying the contribution of dissolved organic matter to soil nitrogen cycling using N isotopic pool dilution

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) has been recognised as a key carbon and nitrogen (N) pool involved with soil-plant-microbe interactions. Yet few studies have quantified this contribution in agricultural soils. In this study we leached DOM from a sandy loam and sandy clay loam soil under either grassland or arable cropping. Two weeks after DOM removal microbial respiration from soils was not altered. However, a significant (P<0.05) decline in microbial biomass-N, potentially mineralizable-N, gross N mineralization and gross nitrification occurred after leaching. This data illustrate that whilst DOM is a small component of the soil OM it contributed up to 25% of microbial N supply within these agricultural soils.     

Agricultural soil acidity and phosphorus leaching risk at farm level in two focus areas

Poland has the largest agricultural area within the Baltic Sea drainage basin and reducing the risk of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) leaching from Polish soils to water is therefore essential. Increased acidity is known to reduce soil fertility and may trigger P leaching from non-calcareous soils. As part of advisor training, 25 farms each in Pomerania and north-western Mazovia were visited and 1500?ha arable soil, including 180?ha grassland soil, were monitored in 2013–2014. The soil was mainly coarse textured, but 25% of the Pomeranian farms were dominated by silty or clayey soils. More or less regular drainage systems were found on 20% of the farms, while 50% had simpler, older (>30 years) systems with a few single pipes. The farmers often used only ammonium sulphate or other acidifying N mineral fertiliser. Median pH on the Pomeranian farms, analysed in potassium chloride solution [pH_(KCl)], was 5.2 and liming was advised for fields on most (72%) of these farms. Soil P content, measured by double-lactate extraction (P_DL), was positively and significantly correlated (Pearson coefficient 0.57; p?DL (P given in elemental form) tended to be lower on dairy farms and arable farms and was significantly lower (mean 51?mg?P_DL?kg^?1 soil) on mixed farms (with just a few cows and poultry) than on pig farms (mean 122?mg?P_DL?kg^?1 soil). Farm-gate balances indicated deficits of P and potassium (K) on many of the small mixed farms in Pomerania and the soil can be expected to be nutrient depleted. In contrast, the pig farms demonstrated surplus farm-gate P balances (mean 27?kg?ha^?1). The P leaching risk is discussed relative to soil threshold values and to results from Swedish long-term field experiments.     

Nitrogen and phosphorus management on Dutch dairy farms: legislation and strategies employed to meet the regulations

 The high input of nutrients through the use of fertilizers, manure and animal feed make it possible to reach high levels of agricultural production. However, high nutrient inputs may also result in large nutrient losses and thus have adverse effects on groundwater, surface water, and the atmosphere. To minimize nutrient emissions from agriculture, the Dutch government has introduced regulations on nutrient use. These include: (1) a ban on spreading animal manure on agricultural land during the winter, (2) the obligation to cover storage facilities for animal manure, (3) compulsory low-emission applications of animal manure to land, and (4) applying levies when the maximum permissible annual N and P surpluses for farms are exceeded. The nutrient surplus is the difference between nutrient input into the farm and nutrient output from the farm. The maximum permissible N surpluses for 2000 are 250 kg N ha^–1 year^–1 and 125 kg N ha^–1 year^–1 for grassland and arable land, respectively, and for P, 35 kg P₂O₅ ha^–1 year^–1 for both grassland and arable land. When the annual permissible levels are exceeded, farmers are charged with a levy. Results obtained at the experimental dairy farm "De Marke" showed that a reduction in nutrient inputs via fertilizers and purchased food, in combination with restricted grazing, reduced the N surplus in such a way that the NO₃ ^– concentration in the groundwater decreased to about the maximum permissible level of 50 mg NO₃ ^– l^–1. Since these results were obtained on a sandy soil that is very sensitive to NO₃ ^– leaching, it is suggested that all dairy farmers should be able to sufficiently reduce NO₃ ^– leaching by improving their farm management. Received: 13 July 1999     

Winterliche N-Mineralisation in sandigen Böden des ‘Fuhrberger Feldes’ (Hannover)

N mineralization in sandy soils of the ‘Fuhrberg well field’ (Hannover) during winter Net N mineralization was measured under field conditions during winter and spring 1991/92 in sandy arable soils (Gleyic Podzols, Mollic Gleysols, Gleyic Arenosols) of the ‘Fuhrberg well field’, a drinking water catchment north-east of Hannover. The aim was to assess leaching losses of nitrate from mineralization processes during the winter on soils formerly used as grassland. Two field procedures were used: the incubation of soil material in polyethylene bags at its original location and rain sheltered fallow plots. Between 6 and 40 (100) kg N ha^?1 were mineralized during 73 days from Dec., 17th to March, 2nd. Mineralisation rates were closely correlated to the organic N and C contents of the soils (r² ± 0.9). In the uncovered soils, the NO₃ was completely leached out. On five out of seven fields the process ‘N-mineralization during winter’ alone was sufficient to exceed the official limit for drinking water (50 mg 1^?1 NO₃^? ) in the uppermost groundwater. It is concluded that even 15 years after converting grassland into arable land the N_org and C_org levels in the soils had not reached a new equilibrium.     

Nitrate leaching losses and their control in a mixed farm system in the Cotswold Hills, England

Abstract. Nitrate leaching was measured for four years at the Royal Agricultural College 's Coates Farm in the Cotswolds, England. Coates is a typical Cotswold mixed farm with thin, well-drained calcareous soils especially prone to leaching. Over the duration of this study there were dairy, sheep and arable enterprises on the farm. A 'Farm Gate' nitrogen (N) budget was constructed. Small 120 m × 20 m 'farmlets' were sited in ten fields across the farm, covering all parts of the rotation, as the sites for detailed measurements. Each farmlet received the same management as the rest of the field in which they were situated. Using ceramic probes inserted to 60 cm, soil water was sampled every two weeks throughout the winter drainage season. The annual drainage varied from 135 mm under grassland in 1996/7 to 600 mm under cereals in 1998/9. Average N losses by leaching were determined mostly by rainfall and were 65 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1, accounting for 25% of the N inputs. Especially leaky parts of the rotation were the ploughing out of a lucerne ley and the grazing of stubble turnips with sheep, both typical Cotswold farm practices. The research highlights some of the difficulties in developing practicable, profitable management practices to decrease nitrate losses.     

华北潮土冬小麦-夏玉米轮作包气带氮素淋溶机制

合理水氮管理可以实现作物目标产量和品质、维持土壤肥力和降低环境污染。然而,自20世纪90年代以来,我国农田过量施氮和大水漫灌等问题突出,引起农业面源污染日趋加重,地下水硝酸盐污染成为一个普遍现象。本文以华北潮土区冬小麦-夏玉米体系为研究对象,采用数据整合和文献分析的方法,阐明了典型农田硝态氮淋溶的时空特征及影响因素,研究了地表裂隙和土壤大孔隙对硝态氮淋溶的影响,定量了氮素在地表-根层-深层包气带-地下水的垂直迁移通量及过程。结果表明,农户常规管理的冬小麦-夏玉米轮作体系氮素盈余较高(299～358kg·hm~(-2)·a~(-1)),导致土壤根区和深层包气带累积了大量的硝态氮。冬小麦季硝态氮的迁移主要受灌溉影响,以非饱和流为主,且迁移距离较短;春季单次灌溉量低于60 mm,可以有效控制水和硝态氮淋溶出根区。冬小麦耕作和灌溉引起的地表裂隙对水氮运移的贡献不大。雨热同期的夏玉米季,土壤水分经常处于饱和状态,再降雨就可以导致硝态氮淋溶出根层进入深层包气带。夏玉米季极易发生硝态氮淋溶事件(占全年总淋溶事件的81%左右),硝态氮淋溶量占全年总淋溶量的80%左右,且单次淋溶事件的淋溶量较高。大孔隙优先流对夏玉米季根区硝态氮淋溶的贡献率在71%左右,这些硝态氮脱离了作物根系吸收范围,反硝化作用对硝态氮去除具有一定作用。在华北气候-土壤条件下,特别应注意冬小麦收获后土壤不应残留过多硝态氮,以避免夏玉米季降雨发生大量淋溶;夏玉米季需要注意施氮与作物需氮的匹配。由于夏玉米追肥困难,生产上提倡一次性施肥措施,控释肥应该能够发挥更大作用。未来气候变化,导致夏季极端高强度降雨事件的频率增加,将会加剧包气带累积硝态氮通过饱和流或优先流向地下水的迁移。合理的水氮管理是从源头上减少硝态氮向深层包气带和地下水迁移的主要措施。     

Vertikaler Wasser- und Nitrattransport in tiefere Bodenschichten süddeutscher Ackerstandorte

Vertical water and nitrate movement into deeper soil layers on fields located in the south of Germany In Southern Bavaria, selected fields from deep loess and sandy sediments were sampled to a depth of maximum 10 m every 4 months, in order to determine the basic processes of water and nitrate movement in the course of the year. The downward movement of water and nitrate followed the principle of piston flow only in the intermediate vadose zone of loess soils with a leaching distance amounting 0.8 m per year. On the other hand, an accelerated as well as a delayed transport was observed in the zone of evapotranspiration of loess soils and in the whole profile of sandy soils, not being in accordance with the simple simulation model FLOTRA based on the classic theories of transport (Darcy flow, convection-dispersion-equation). Preferential flow led to the leaching of nitrate from the top soil to the lower boundary of the evapotranspiration zone of loess soils in 2 m depth, in winter and spring. In sandy soils nitrate was leached to the groundwater table in 4–6 m depth after extensive rainfall.     

Nitrogen Fertilizer Replacement Value of Concentrated Liquid Fraction of Separated Pig Slurry Applied to Grassland

Seven grassland experiments on sandy and clay soils were performed during a period of 4 years to estimate the nitrogen (N) fertilizer replacement value (NFRV) of concentrated liquid fractions of separated pig slurry (mineral concentrate: MC). The risk of nitrate leaching when applying MC was compared to when applying mineral fertilizers. Grassland yields in 2009–2012 fertilized with MC were compared with grassland fertilized with two mineral fertilizers: granulated calcium ammonium nitrate and liquid ammonium nitrate (LAN). The mineral fertilizers comprised 50% nitrate-N and 50% ammonium-N, and MC comprised 95–100% ammonium-N. Treatment application rates included zero N and three incremental rates of N fertilization. The liquid fertilizers were shallow injected (0–5 cm). The NFRV of MCs was 75% on sandy and 58% on clay soil with granulated ammonium nitrate as reference, and 89% on sandy and 92% on clay soil with LAN as reference. Risk of nitrate leaching after application of MC, measured in residual soil mineral N post-growing season and N in the upper groundwater in the following spring, was equal to that for mineral fertilizers.     

褐土区农田土壤氮磷淋溶特征及其管理措施

自20世纪90年代以来,持续过量氮磷化肥投入导致农业面源污染日益严重,了解农田土壤氮磷淋溶特征是降低地下水污染的基础。基于田间调查、长期定位肥料试验和田间试验,分析褐土区氮磷的盈余状况,阐明该区农田土壤氮磷的盈余变化、淋溶特征;评价田间管理措施对农田土壤氮磷淋溶的影响。结果表明,典型褐土区关中平原过量施氮的土壤达到83%以上,大量土壤硝态氮已经迁移到100cm土层以下,15%的水井地下水的硝态氮含量超过10 mg·L~(-1)(WHO饮用水标准);80%耕层土壤有效磷(Olsen-P)含量已超过20mg·kg-1,富磷土壤已出现可溶性磷素向耕层以下迁移的现象。氮肥和磷肥的投入量、氮磷吸收量和土壤氮磷残留量之间存在着3个发展阶段:环境友好-资源高效阶段、环境低风险-资源低效阶段和环境有害-资源无效阶段。与当地常规水肥投入量相比,在保证产量的前提下,化肥减量、降低灌溉量、施用生物炭或秸秆还田都可以降低氮磷淋失量;其中化肥减量、降低灌溉可显著降低氮磷的淋失,其次是施用生物炭和秸秆。施用秸秆条件下,阻控硝态氮淋失与微生物生物量碳氮的提高、土壤硝化势降低或反硝化势升高有关。此外,需要关注褐土区粮果复合系统中土壤氮磷淋溶的环境效应、地下水硝酸盐污染的溯源等问题。     

The effect of grassland renovation on soil mineral nitrogen and on nitrate leaching during winter

Renovation of grassland may increase the mineralization of organic material and leads to a high amount of mineral N in soil which can be leached in the winter period. Soil mineral N (SMN) in autumn and calculated nitrate leaching during winter were measured after the renewal of 8 y–old cut grassland on a sandy soil in NW Germany in 1999 to 2002. Several factors, which may influence the intensity of N mineralization, were investigated in the 2 years following renewal: the season of renovation (spring or late summer/early autumn), the technique (rotary cultivator or direct drilling), and the amount of N fertilization (0 or 320 kg N ha^–1 y^–1 in the 7 years before the renovation). Calculated nitrate‐N leaching losses during winter were significantly higher following renewal in early autumn (36–64 kg N ha^–1) compared to renewal in spring (1–7 kg N ha^–1). This effect was only significant in the first, not in the second winter after renovation. The renovation technique had a significant effect on the nitrate‐N leaching losses only in the first year after the renovation. Direct drilling led to higher leaching losses (35 kg N ha^–1) than the use of a rotary cultivator (30 kg N ha^–1) in the same year. Calculated nitrate losses (on average over 60 kg N ha^–1) were highest after renewal of N‐fertilized grassland in late summer/early autumn. To minimize N leaching losses, it would be more effective to plan grassland renewal in spring rather than in late summer/autumn. Another, however, less effective option is to reduce N fertilization before a renovation in autumn.     

Microbial biomass,N mineralization,and the activities of various enzymes in relation to nitrate leaching and root distribution in a slurry-amended grassland

High rates of cattle slurry application induce NO _inf3 ^sup- leaching from grassland soils. Therefore, field and lysimeter trials were conducted at Gumpenstein (Austria) to determine the residual effect of various rates of cattle slurry on microbial biomass, N mineralization, activities of soil enzymes, root densities, and N leaching in a grassland soil profile (Orthic Luvisol, sandy silt, pH 6.6). The cattle slurry applications corresponded to rates of 0, 96, 240, and 480 kg N ha^-1. N leaching was estimated in the lysimeter trial from 1981 to 1991. At a depth of 0.50 m, N leaching was elevated in the plot with the highest slurry application. In October 1991, deeper soil layers (0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40, and 40–50 cm) from control and slurry-amended plots (480 kg N ha^-1) were investigated. Soil biological properties decreased with soil depth. N mineralization, nitrification, and enzymes involved in N cycling (protease, deaminase, and urease) were enhanced significantly (P<0.05) at all soil depths of the slurry-amended grassland. High rates of cattle slurry application reduced the weight of root dry matter and changed the root distribution in the different soil layers. In the slurry-amended plots the roots were mainly located in the topsoil (0–10 cm). As a result of this study, low root densities and high N mineralization rates are held to be the main reasons for NO _inf3 ^sup- leaching after heavy slurry applications on grassland.     

Quantitative und qualitative Veränderungen im A-Horizont von Sandböden nach Umwandlung von Dauergrünland in Ackerland

Quantitative and qualitative changes in soil properties of A- horizons of sandy soils caused by conversion of grassland to arable land Changes in physical soil properties and in soil organic matter of the A-horizons due to the conversion of permanent grassland to arable land are quantified and described as a function of time for sandy soils. The study was carried out in an area northeast of Hannover. A decrease of about 100 t/ha C_org (- 57%), 5 – 6 t/ha N_org (- 58%) and 1 t/ha S_t (- 58%) was measured for a period of 2 – 4 years after grassland conversion. Thereby the quality of the soil organic matter remains unchanged (no changes of the C/N ratio and of the distribution of N_org in 5 N-fractions). However, an increase of soil bulk density from 1.0 to 1.3 g/cm³ and a decrease of total pore volume from 0.59 to 0.47 were observed. The fast mineralization of soil organic matter in the A-horizon following the conversion of grassland soils results in a temporary heavily increased nitrate input into the groundwater. Furthermore mineralization and leaching of nitrate and sulfate induces an acidification push in the soil by a proton release in the order of 350 keq/ha during a 2 – 4 years period. However, this proton production is compensated quantitatively by several applications of lime or marl by farmers and by the buffering of bases cations released from mineralized soil organic matter.     

Measurement of Fertilizer Leaching from the Root Zone Using an Automated Infiltration Soil Water Sampler in an Unsaturated Sandy Field

In sandy fields with vegetable cultivation, fertilizer leaching may occur and it should be well-controlled. The development of a direct soil water sampler is necessary to examine solute transport and fertilizer leaching in the vadose zone, since soil water reflects timely monitoring of data more accurately than groundwater. We developed a Suction-Controlled Flux Sampler to collect infiltration soil water in a sandy soil. In the present study, we monitored fertilizer leaching in an unsaturated sandy field during the rainy season, while evaluating the sampling performance of SCFS for the sampling of infiltration water. SCFS directly collected the infiltration water effectively over a period of several months in the sandy field and recorded the Water-Collecting Efficiency from 92 to 115% under various infiltration conditions during a period of 50 d. WCE was affected by the rainfall intensity as well as by previous rainfall, which enhanced WCE. The results obtained from the use of SCFS and several sensors demonstrated that the amount of leached water remained low as long as irrigation was applied according to the cultivation manual. However, an unexpected heavy rainfall event led to fertilizer leaching. The fertilizer leaching trend was effectively monitored by several sensors inserted into the soils, while detailed analysis of the components was performed after collection by using SCFS. Direct access to infiltration water enabled to examine the infiltration process and detailed variations in the amounts of discharged anions. The sensor-equipped monitoring system together with SCFS is suitable for precise management of fertilizer and irrigation application.     

Die Phosphatmobilität im Hochmoorboden in Abhängigkeit von der Düngung

Phosphate mobility in relation to fertilizing effects in raised-bog peat The phosphate solubility of raised-bog peat soils is very different from the phosphate solubility of mineral soils. Compared to mineral soils the losses of phosphates by leaching are 10 to 20 times higher. This mobility of phosphates is destined by the quantity, kind and time of fertilizing, land use (grassland or arable land) and fertilizing technique. Field and lysimeter trials with raised-bog peat soils show: 1. Water soluble phosphates are quickly translocated and leached. 2. Water insoluble phosphates are quickly solved and leached in raised-bog peat soils. The mobility of the phosphates decreases with increasing pH-value of the top soil and topdressing. At a pH-value of 4,O nearly 80% of Thomasphosphat and nearly 70% of Hyperphos phosphates are leached in lysimeter trials; at pH-value of 4 3 only 17 % of Thomasphosphat and 15 % of Hyperphos phosphates are leached. 3. To minimize leaching losses phosphate fertilizingin spring is recommended to reduce the phosphate leaching. 4. The phosphate leaching in grassland is twice or thrice less than in arable land.     

Nitrate leaching and residual soil nitrogen supply following outdoor pig farming

Abstract. Large nitrogen (N) inputs to outdoor pig farms in the UK can lead to high nitrate leaching losses and accumulation of surplus N in soil. We investigated the residual effects of three contrasting outdoor pig systems as compared to an arable control on nitrate leaching and soil N supply for subsequent spring cereal crops grown on a sandy loam soil during 1997/98 and 1998/99 harvest seasons. Previously, the pig systems had been stocked for 2 years from October 1995 and were designated current commercial practice (CCP, 25 sows ha^?1 on stubble), improved management practice (IMP, 18 sows ha^?1 on undersown stubble) and best management practice (BMP, 12 sows ha^?1 on established grass). Estimated soil N surpluses by the end of stocking in September 1997 were 576, 398, 265 and 27 kg ha^?1 N for the CCP, IMP, BMP and continuous arable control, respectively. Nitrate leaching losses in the first winter were 235, 198, 137 and 38 kg ha^?1 N from the former CCP, IMP and BMP systems and the arable control, respectively. These losses from the former pig systems were equivalent to 41–52% of the estimated soil N surpluses. Leaching losses were much smaller in the second winter at 21, 14, 23 and 19 kg ha^?1 N, respectively. Cultivation timing had no effect (P>0.05) on leaching losses in year 1, but cultivation in October compared with December increased nitrate leaching by a mean of 14 kg ha^?1 N across all treatments in year 2. Leaching losses over the two winters were correlated (P<0.001) with autumn soil mineral N (SMN) contents. In both seasons, spring SMN, grain yields and N offtakes at harvest were similar (P>0.05) for the three previous pig systems and the arable control, and cultivation timing had no effect (P>0.05) on grain yields and crop N offtake. This systems study has shown that nitrate leaching losses during the first winter after outdoor pig farming can be large, with no residual available N benefits to following cereal crops unless that first winter is much drier than average.     

Nitrogen fertilization and nitrate leaching into groundwater on arable sandy soils

Nitrate leaching depending on N fertilization and different crop rotations was studied at two sites with sandy soils in N Germany between 1995 and 2000. The leaching of NO was calculated by using a numerical soil‐water and N model and regularly measured N_min values as input data. Also the variability of N_min values on the sandy soils was determined along transects. They reveal the high variability of the N_min values and show that it is not possible to confirm a significant N_min difference between fertilizer treatments using the normal N_min‐sampling intensity. Nitrate‐leaching calculations of five leaching periods showed that even strongly reduced N‐fertilizer applications did not result in a substantially lower NO leaching into the groundwater. Strong yield reductions of even more than 50%, however, were immediately measured. Mean NO concentrations in the groundwater recharge are >50 mg L^–1 and are mainly due to mineralization from soil organic matter. Obviously, the adjustment of the N cycle in the soil to a new equilibrium and a reduced NO ‐leaching rate as a consequence of lower N inputs need a much longer time span. Catch crops are the most efficient way to reduce the NO concentrations in the groundwater recharge of sandy soils. Their success, however, strongly depends on the site‐specific development possibilities of the catch crop. Even with all possible measures implemented, it will be almost impossible to reach NO concentrations <50 mg L^–1 in sandy soils. The only way to realize this goal on a regional scale could be by increasing areas with lower nitrate concentrations in the groundwater recharge like grassland and forests.     

Agricultural nitrogen balance and water quality in the UK

Abstract. Nutrient balance calculations have been advocated as indicators of the risk of nitrate loss from agricultural land. To explore this concept, a spatially distributed UK agricultural nitrogen balance was derived using annually updated statistics. The mean UK N surplus for 1995 was 115 kg N ha^–1, made up of 51 kg ha^–1for arable land, 140 kg ha^–1 for agricultural grassland (excluding rough grazing) and an additional 14 kg N ha^–1for agricultural land from pig and poultry units. Nitrogen surpluses were greater in lowland grassland (mainly in western, wetter areas) than in arable areas. However nitrate concentrations in rivers were generally greater in arable areas. The relationship between N balance and nitrate leaching was very different for grassland and arable systems, and was also sensitive to climate, level of inputs and management practices. Nitrogen surplus was therefore weakly or even negatively correlated with river nitrate concentrations or loads. A positive correlation was found only where the comparison was restricted to grassland-dominated catchments. Nitrogen surplus calculations identified areas of very high livestock densities, which would be associated with increased risk of pollution. However their use in isolation as indicators of N leaching, or of progress towards mitigation, could be misleading especially if comparing areas differing in land use, climate or soil type.     

洛克沙胂在土壤柱中的淋溶迁移

畜禽粪便中残留的兽药进入土壤后的移动性是评价其淋溶能力（对地下水的污染风险）的重要信息。通过土壤柱稳定流实验,考察了不同淋溶剂、粪浸液等对洛克沙胂在不同深度（0～20、20～50、50～80 cm）灰潮土中的迁移行为影响。结果表明,水、0.01mol.L^-1 CaCl2、0.01 mol.L^-1 EDTA-Na2淋溶剂,对不同深度土壤柱中洛克沙胂的淋溶穿透曲线（BTCs）呈现不同程度的不对称性,在不同深度土壤柱中对洛克沙胂的淋出率分别为：水为92.3%～97.1%,0.01 mol.L^-1 CaCl2为71.0%～84.9%,0.01 mol.L^-1 EDTA-Na2为75.4%～91.2%;土壤柱先用粪浸液通过后,洛克沙胂的穿透曲线峰时间均有不同程度的提前,淋出率均有增加,在不同深度土壤柱中的淋出率分别为：水为96.4%～110.4%,0.01 mol.L^-1 CaCl2为94.5%～106.8%,0.01 mol.L^-1 EDTA-Na2为90.8%～103.2%。说明洛克沙胂随粪便进入土壤后可较快地淋溶迁移,可进入地表水和地下水中,对水环境质量的影响较大。