Benefits and risks of nitrogen fertilizers for support of straw decomposition

The methodology evaluates the benefits and risks of generally used nitrogen application to support cereal straw decomposition. The possibilities of reduction of the commonly recommended nitrogen doses were verified. The appropriate fertilization manners are suggested with regard to nutrient availability for following crops including optimal N doses in cases when the N supply is necessary. The recommendations represent the result of field trials in different soil-climatic conditions and also on farms, where different nitrogen fertilizers have been applied to winter wheat straw. The results showed that depending on the weather, the fertilization with nitrogen in the summer and autumn period decomposes 30-50% of the straw in the given year, and without fertilizing then 25-30%. Based on the obtained results, there is recommended to reduce fertilization with nitrogen mineral fertilizers to 4-5 kg N/t of straw If the following crop id the oilseed rape or intercrop with higher nitrogen nutrition demands, there is possible to increase N dose to 6-10 kg N/t straw. This recommendation is related also on liquid manure and organic fertilizers containing nitrogen also in organic form. Lower doses of above mentioned range are recommended if no following crop is sown, higher does if possible to apply before sowing of winter crops or intercrops. Overall straw decomposition was higher after application of fertilizers on straw leaved 3 weeks on soil surface. Straw on soil surface reduces water losses from soil and warming in warm summer period, which improves water, carbon and nutrient retention in a soil

Winter Wheat Straw Decomposition under Different Nitrogen Fertilizers

The climate changes and increased drought frequency still more frequent in recent periods bring challenges to management with wheat straw remaining in the field after harvest and to its decomposition. The field experiment carried out in 2017–2019 in the Czech Republic aimed to evaluate winter wheat straw decomposition under different organic and mineral nitrogen fertilizing (urea, pig slurry and digestate with and without inhibitors of nitrification (IN)). Treatment Straw 1 with fertilizers was incorporated in soil each year the first day of experiment. The Straw 2 was placed on soil surface at the same day as Straw 1 and incorporated together with fertilizers after 3 weeks. The Straw 1 decomposition in N treatments varied between 25.8–40.1% and in controls between 21.5–33.1% in 2017–2019. The Straw 2 decomposition varied between 26.3–51.3% in N treatments and in controls between 22.4–40.6%. Higher straw decomposition in 2019 was related to more rainy weather. The drought observed mainly in 2018 led to the decrease of straw decomposition and to the highest contents of residual mineral nitrogen in soils. The limited efficiency of N fertilisers on straw decomposition under drought showed a necessity of revision of current strategy of N treatments and reduction of N doses adequately according the actual weather conditions

Methodological guidance for management in vulnerable zones:2nd edition; Certified methodology

The methodology describes measures for protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources in vulnerable zones of the Czech Republic. The methodology clearly describes individual requirements of the 4th Action Programme of the Nitrates Directive for the period 2016–2020 as ratified by CR government for reduction of nitrogen losses by nitrates leaching into surface water and groundwater, reduction of surface water eutrophication and reduction of nitrates transmission to the neighboring countries in waters flowing from the territory of the Czech Republic. The aim is to reduce water pollution by nitrogen compounds from agricultural sources into the aquatic environment, the results of which are such as to cause hazards to human health, harm to living resources and to aquatic ecosystems, damage to amenities or interference with other legitimate uses of water. The publication also includes links to selected technical publications and related legislation. The second updated edition responds to amendment to the Government Regulation No. 262/2012 Coll., On determining the vulnerable areas and action programme, issued in 2018 as No. 27/2018 Coll

Methodology for use of technological waters on agricultural land:2nd edition; Certified methodology for practice

The production of technological waters from stables is evaluated in the methodology for the use of technological waters in agriculture. The corresponding legislation is described. Attention is focused on technological waters from livestock breeding and simple processing of plant products. The production of technological waters is evaluated from the point of view of individual operations in which the technological waters are produced, particularly in milking and cooling equipment. The characteristics of technological waters, particularly the nutrient contents and potential risks of their use on the agricultural land are also evaluated in the methodology. The influence of technological waters on the growth of plants and microbial biomass content and activity in the soil was experimentally verified. The methodology contains the recommendation for the application of technological waters on the agricultural land

Methodology for use of technological waters on agricultural land (3rd ed.)

The production of technological waters from stables is evaluated in the methodology for the use of technological waters in agriculture. The corresponding legislation amended in 2021 is described. Attention is focused on technological waters from livestock breeding and simple processing of plant products. The production of technological waters is evaluated from the point of view of individual operations in which the technological waters are produces, particularly in milking and cooling equipment. THe characteristics of technological waters, particuarly the nutrient contents and potential risks of their use on the agricultural land are also evaluated in the methodology. the influence of tehcnological eaters on the growth of plants and microbial biomass content and activity in the soil was experimentally verified. The methodology contains the recommendation for the application of technological waters on the agricultural land

Winter Wheat Straw Decomposition under Different Nitrogen Fertilizers

The climate changes and increased drought frequency still more frequent in recent periods bring challenges to management with wheat straw remaining in the field after harvest and to its decomposition. The field experiment carried out in 2017–2019 in the Czech Republic aimed to evaluate winter wheat straw decomposition under different organic and mineral nitrogen fertilizing (urea, pig slurry and digestate with and without inhibitors of nitrification (IN)). Treatment Straw 1 with fertilizers was incorporated in soil each year the first day of experiment. The Straw 2 was placed on soil surface at the same day as Straw 1 and incorporated together with fertilizers after 3 weeks. The Straw 1 decomposition in N treatments varied between 25.8–40.1% and in controls between 21.5–33.1% in 2017–2019. The Straw 2 decomposition varied between 26.3–51.3% in N treatments and in controls between 22.4–40.6%. Higher straw decomposition in 2019 was related to more rainy weather. The drought observed mainly in 2018 led to the decrease of straw decomposition and to the highest contents of residual mineral nitrogen in soils. The limited efficiency of N fertilisers on straw decomposition under drought showed a necessity of revision of current strategy of N treatments and reduction of N doses adequately according the actual weather conditions

The methodology proposes criteria for determination of the content of micro-nutrients in soils and their evaluation via useing of the extraction method Mehlich 3:certified methodology for practice

The methodology proposes criteria for determination of the content of micro-nutrients in soils and their evaluation via useing of the extraction method Mehlich 3. Extraction procedure Mehlich 3 is the official analytical method currently used in testing system of agricultural soils for the determination of the content of available P, K, Mg and Ca. There are criteria for valuation of content of these available nutrients - see Decree No. 275/1998 Coll., on Agrochemical Testing of Agricultural Soil and Land Surveys of Forest Lands, as amended). The existing criteria for above mentioned nutrients are due to this methodology extended by next five elements (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn and B), marked in field of plant nutrition as micro-nutrients. The simple and easy Mehlich 3 analytical procedure applicable to a variety of different elements, is already used in a wide range of laboratories, allows to extend the criteria for the others elements. In addition, many laboratories can use the multi-elementar analytical instruments ICP-OES. Suggested criteria will also serve for farmers for valuation of soil supply by micro-elements

Soil Agrochemical Changes after Kieserite Application into Chernozem and its Effect on Yields of Barley Biomass

A two-year pot experiment (5 kg of soil - Mitscherlich pots) was established in a vegetation hall in Brno (Czech Republic) in the years 2016‒2017. Spring barley, variety KWS Irina, was grown. Chernozem from Brno (with a good magnesium (Mg) content and alkali soil reaction - 7.37) was used for this experiment. The rates of Mg (0.075-0.15-0.3 g per pot) and sulphur (S) (0.1-0.2-0.4 g per pot) were increased by using the ESTA Kieserite fertiliser (25% MgO; 20% S), treatments 2-4. Nitrogen was applied in the form of Calcium Ammonium Nitrate - CAN (27% N) at a rate of 1 g N per pot in all the treatments including the control. The effect of the year was found to be significant on all the parameters under study, with the exception of the soil reaction. The exchangeable soil reaction (pH) after the harvest did not differ in all the fertilised treatments (7.40-7.50) compared to the unfertilised control treatment (7.40-7.45) in both years. The content of post-harvest soil Mg and S increased significantly with the applied rate (285-354 mg Mg/kg in fertilised treatments compared to 276-284 mg Mg/kg in unfertilised control and 47-112 mg S/kg in fertilised treatments compared to 24-54 mg S/kg in unfertilised control, respectively). Dry matter yields of the aboveground biomass were significantly the lowest in the control treatment not fertilised with Mg and S during both years (23.00 and 29.02 g DM per pot) and increased after applications of Mg and S: 27.75-29.25-28.25 in 2016 and 30.33-31.00-34.50 in 2017 (g DM per pot)