| Abstract: | A lysimeter experiment on mineral fertilizer use and soil type was begun in 1985 to study the interrelationships between the level of mineral fertilization and the leaching of nutrients. Increased application of mineral fertilizers brought about not only a significant reduction in effluence build-up, but also a significant increase in yield. The lowest levels of nitrogen leaching were found in clay-sand soil in use as grassland, and the highest in sandy soil used as arable land. Unexpectedly, the study was unable to prove statistically that a reduction in N, P and K leaching follows automatically from a reduction in mineral fertilization. Hence, suboptimal fertilization cannot be the only corrective measure if a noticeable or marked reduction in the adverse impact on water quality due to nutrient leaching is to be achieved. Interim plantings should be integrated in crop rotations. Agricultural crops must be siteadapted and suited to the fertilization regime. |
