Trends of Lysimeter Studies to Investigate Nutrient Leaching Loss

Abstract

Lysimeter is used to monitor water and nutrient transport through soil profiles under minimum disturbance conditions. In this study, we focused on the researches about nutrient leaching loss using a lysimeter in the world. We aimed at reviewing key studies and planning further research directions using the weighable lysimeters in Korea. In response to climate changes, environmental issues, and policies for sustainable agriculture, the experiments using a lysimeter were performed to better understand the nutrient leaching loss in the soils. The research topics were about crop rotation, soil amendment, nitrification inhibitors and what were better practices for reducing nutrient leaching including nitrogen. In addition, some researches focused on developing optimal models to predict the nutrient leaching loss in the soils that have a variety of environments. Current study suggests that the studies of the nutrient leaching loss combined with water dynamics using weighable lysimeters in Korea are to be fostered so that they may provide scientific guidelines on the issues and policies such as sustainable agriculture, climate change, fertilizer recommendation, and nutrient balance. Lysimeter research topics on nutrient leaching in Korea and around the world.