BEFORE
 
|
AFTER
|
|
|
STEP 3 Measure Use
Soil Management 1: Eutrophication
| Agricultural run off and leaching can lead to eutrophication of fresh and marine waters and be detrimental to sensitive vegetation and have negative environmental consequences. This is a result of the enrichment by nitrogen or phosphorus, causing algae and higher forms of plant life to grow rapidly, reducing the light supply to other existing plant systems and thus disturbing the balance of the existing eco-system.
Fertiliser Application identifies certain steps that can be taken to reduce the impact of nitrate and phosphate on the environment. Important sources of contamination are from erodable soils, run off following fresh applications of manures or fertilisers and from fertilisersaturated soils. Suggestions on methods for minimising contamination through two major processes - leaching and erosion, are identified below:
|
Leaching
- Analyse soil and manure.
- Farm nutrient budgeting.
- Restrict crop P and N applications.
- Slow release fertilisers.
|
|
Eutrophication Explained
|
Erosion
- Reduce cultivation.
- Winter cover crops.
- Crop planning and the managing of crop waste.
- Rough seed beds and the use of tie-bunds to prevent irrigation erosion.
- Establishment of cover crop, to prevent damage to vulnerable crops e.g. drilling barley in young carrots crops.
|
 SOIL MANAGEMENT 2
|
