Nutrient balance of ecological and conventional cropping system

Milan Macák,Štefan Žák

doi:10.15414/afz.2015.18.si.166-168

Abstract

The field trial was conducted during 1999–2005 at the RIPP in Piesťany in water protected zone. The nutrient balance of N, P, K, Mg and Ca was calculated for individual crops and for six crop rotation pattern as a whole. Incorporation of straw, catch crops and FYM was used. Crop rotation pattern of common pea – winter wheat – early potato – spring barley – red clover – winter wheat was growing under ecological system and conventional system with two level of nitrogen input. Balance of nutrients for the whole crop rotation in both systems was positive. Incorporation of fertility building crops (green manures and catch crops) in sufficient way positively influence the nutrient balance across the whole crop rotation. In ecological system balance of main nutrients in kg ha-1 was as follows: N+52.5, P+1.2, K+35.8, Mg+7.3, Ca+95.9. Keywords: ecological system, conventional system, crop rotation, nutrient balance

Highlights

The basic parameter predisposing positive result of nutrient balance in the soil is crop rotation pattern
In winter wheat growing after common pea, the higher active balance (+39.2 kg ha-1) of nitrogen was in ecological system at higher level of fertilization (ES-N2) opposite to conventional system CS-N1 with negative balance of nitrogen (-17.0 kg ha-1)
Winter wheat growing after common pea as a forecrop, reached the higher active balance in ES – N2 with the same tendency for all treatments with accordance with wheat growing after red clever

Summary

Introduction

The basic parameter predisposing positive result of nutrient balance in the soil is crop rotation pattern. Well-designed crop rotation in interaction with fertilization and soil cultivation ensures sufficient mobility of accessible nutrients, while maintaining a balanced account of the organic matter and total nutrient content in the soil (Lacko-Bartošová et al, 2005). Tillage and crop rotation affect soil N, P and K. The inadequate fertilization regarding soil conditions and plant needs, can cause severe nutritional unbalances, which lead to a significant regression of production and quality and increased the environmental load (Ondrišík et al, 2009; Benoit et al, 2014). Incorporation of fertility building crops (green manures and catch crops) strongly reduced N leaching loss (Thorup-Kristensen, 2014)

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Conclusion