Evaluation of nitrogen application in the row by potatoes

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Nitrogen mineralization of two manures as influenced by contrasting application methods under laboratory conditions

The decomposition and the associated nitrogen (N) dynamics of organic N sources are affected by their contact with soil. While several authors have examined the effect of surface application or incorporation of crop residues on their decomposition rate, less information is available about the relationship between the placement of animal manure and their N mineralization rate. This study investigated the influence of chicken manure and cattle manure placement on soil N mineralization. The manures were incorporated or surface applied at 175 mg N kg(-1), and N release was periodically determined over 56 days by measuring inorganic N [nitrate (NO3-) N and ammonium (NH4+) N] in a 2 M potassium chloride (KCl) extract at a ratio of 1: 0 (w/v). Results indicated that the control soil released a maximum of 64 mg N kg(-1) soil at day 21, a sixfold increase over the initial concentration, which indicates its substantial mineralization potential. Manure treatments showed an initial increase in net NO3--N content at the start of the experiments (until day 7) before an extended period of immobilization, which ended at day 21 of the incubation. A small but positive net N mineralization of all manures was observed from 28 days of incubation. At each sampling time, the mean mineral N released from the control was significantly less (P < 0.01) than surface-applied chicken manure, incorporated chicken manure, and surface-applied cattle manure. Treatments exceptions were at days 21 and 28 where N immobilization was at its peak. In contrast, incorporation of cattle manure showed a different N-release pattern, whereby the mineral N amount was only significantly greater than the control soil at days 42 and 56 with 84 and 108 mg N kg(-1) soil respectively. Incorporation of chicken manure and cattle manure did not favor nitrification as much as surface application and cattle manure caused a much greater immobilization when incorporated than when surface applied

Diagnostic pastoral en alpage

The pastoral diagnosis is a work that has been done conjointly by Cemagref, CERPAM and INRA-SAD in the National Park of Ecrins. In view of a global management of the alpine pastures, the diagnosis includes the pastoralism, the natural heritage protection (fauna, flora) and the multiple uses. A methodological sequence is proposed. It includes the morphological analysis of the pastoral unit, the estimation of the forage resource, the inventory of the inside and outside constraints of the grazing system, the pastoral aptitude of the sections of grazingland, the present utilisation analysis, and finally the actual diagnosis with management proposals. / Le diagnostic pastoral est un travail mené conjointement pa le Cemagref, le CERPAM, et l'INRA-SAD dans le Parc National des Ecrins. Dans la perspective d'une gestion globale des alpages, le diagnostic intègre le pastoralisme, la protection du patrimoine naturel (faune, flore) et le multiusage. Un itinéraire méthodologique est proposé. Il comprend l'analyse morphologique de l'unité pastorale, l'estimation de la ressource fourragère, l'inventaire des contraintes internes et externes au système pastoral, l'aptitude pastorale des secteurs d'utilisation, l'analyse de l'utilisation actuelle, enfin le diagnostic proprement dit assorti de propositions de gestion

Consultations en télésoin pharmaceutique avec dispensation médicamenteuse dématéralisée en contexte sanitaire exceptionnel : preuve de concept et perspectives

International audienceDuring the exceptional health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a program of telepharmacy consultations, associated with dematerialized dispensing of treatments with delivery to the home or drive, was set up by the pharmacy department of our institution. The system has concerned 25 % of the ambulatory dispensations of the PUI over the period of the first containment, and allowed 351 patients to avoid coming to the hospital pharmacy, while maintaining a quality pharmaceutical service. Although certain limitations were identified, such as access to technology or the increase in dedicated pharmaceutical time, this system, appreciated by patients and physicians, has enabled a privileged relationship to be maintained with many patients. Expert clinical pharmacists now also perform PT, and treatments are now sent to patient's pharmacies.Lors du contexte de crise sanitaire exceptionnelle provoquée par la pandémie de COVID-19, un programme de consultations en télésoin pharmaceutique, associées à des dispensations dématérialisées de traitements avec envoi à domicile ou drive, a été mis en place par le service de la pharmacie de notre établissement. Le dispositif a concerné 25 % des dispensations ambulatoires de la PUI sur la période du premier confinement et a permis à 351 patients de ne pas se rendre à la pharmacie de l’hôpital, tout en conservant une prestation pharmaceutique de qualité. Si certaines limites ont été relevées, comme l’accès à la technologie ou l’augmentation du temps pharmaceutique dédié, ce dispositif, apprécié des patients et des médecins, a permis de maintenir, voire de renouer, un lien pharmaceutique privilégié avec de nombreux patients

Evaluation of the current Belgian N fertilisation advice system for butterhead lettuce grown under glass

N fertilization advice systems for lettuce are designed to meet EU regulations to control nitrate concentrations in edible plant parts. This study evaluates current fertiliser practice on the uptake and loss of N for butterhead lettuce. Field trials were carried out in 8 greenhouses in the province of West-Flanders, Belgium. Results show that under normal lettuce growth, N uptake varied between 90 and 120 kg N ha(-1) and the NO3--limit was never exceeded. Although product-quality was assured, discrepancies between decrease of N-min expected residual soil N-min at harvest and measured residual soil N-min were observed. As N uptake mainly occurs from the 0-30 cm layer (rooting depth), a residual N-min of 60-80 kg N ha(-1) (0-30 cm) and low N-min values in the 30-120 cm layer were expected. However, during winter there was no decrease in the soil mineral N and N-min values (0-30 cm) up to 300 kg N ha(-1) were measured. During spring and early summer, the decrease in the upper soil layer greatly exceeded maximum N uptakes, sometimes leaving less than 60 kg N ha(-1) in the upper layer, possibly because of gaseous N2O and N-2 losses. In addition, high N-min values (30-120 cm), of up to 900 kg N ha(-1), were measured. To avoid on the one hand high residual soil N-min at harvest and possible high leaching losses and on the other N deficiency and possible gaseous losses, measures were evaluated to minimise the difference between the available nitrogen in the soil profile and the N need of the crop. An alternative mineral N balance method is proposed, where in addition to uptake and residual N-min, N mineralisation and N losses will be considered. This method should result in an improved use of N fertilisers with minimal impact on the environment