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PUBLICATIONSUseful publications from other projects
Agricultural Development and Nutrient Flows in the Baltic States and Sweden after 1988. Stefan Lofgren, Arne Gustafson, Staffan Steineck an Per Stahlnacke. AMBIO Vol. 28 No.4 June 1999. www.ambio.kva.se/1999/Nr4_99/Jun99_4.html Summary During March - August 1990, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania proclaimed independence from the Soviet Union. After independence, agriculture in the Baltic states changed from a state controlled economy with huge collective farms to a market economy with privately owned family farms. Due to the financial situation, the use of mineral fertilizers dropped to the 1950s level. During 1994, the yields of forage grass and fodder grain were only 40% and 50%, respectively, of Swedish yields. Due to the loss of export possibilities, the total production of meat, milk and eggs in the Baltic states declined by 40 - 50 % between 1989 and 1994. The aim of this study is to demonstrate changes in nitrogen and phosphorus flows within agriculture in the Baltic states after independence and to make comparisons with the situation in Swedish agriculture during the same period of time. A special study was made of whether the changes in nutrient runoff from the Baltic states to the Baltic Sea. *** Phospate Run-off in the Nevezis (Lithuania) River. Antanas Sigitas Sileika, Saulius Kutra and Laima Berankiene. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 78: 153-167, 2002. Kluwer Academic Publishers. Abstract. The long-term (40 years) observation results of phosphates phosphorus concentration and its run-off in the Lithuanian fourth largest river Nevezis are analised. Amounts and peculiarities of background run-off, agricultural runoff, and point source pollution from towns were studded for various periods. It has been determined that phosphates enter into the river Nevezis mainly from towns (76.5 %), from agriculture – only up to 16 %, and the background run-off makes up 7.5 %. Considerable agricultural influence was observed in 1979-1991, when the phosphate run-off increased to 22 kgPkm-2 a-1 and made up 33% in 1984 of the entire run-off. A relation of the phosphates run-off from agriculture for the entire study period was obtained with the number of animals in the river’s basin. Since 1990, when number of animals started to decrease, the run-off of phosphates decreased too. Now phosphates run-off from agriculture makes only 2% of the entire run-off. Water in the river Nevezis is heavily polluted with phosphate according to the EU general classification of rivers water quality, although the Lithuanian pollution norms for effluents discharging to surface water are not exceeded. Norms for effluents discharging into the rivers from point-sources pollution should be made stricter and the highest permitted ratio between the phosphorus load into the river and river’s water discharge should be established. Keywords: phosphate, run-off, concentration, background pollution, agricultural pollution, concentrated pollution.
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Summary Most of the developed countries have already convinced that sooner or later the intensification of production results in economically ineffective extra investments that become harmful for the environment and people's health. Therefore, the only progressive way of humanity is economically and ecologically balanced development. EU countries reduce their support for agriculture in the case when farmers do not take measures for the protection of the environment. Although our country is not a member of the EU, we still should follow the requirements in order to be accepted to the EU later. In the chapter "Environment" of the Lithuanian pre accession negotiations with EU, the Nitrate Directive 91/676/EEB (further ND) is one of most important. The objective of the ND is to reduce water pollution caused or induced by nitrates from agricultural sources and to prevent further such pollution. The ND estimates the agricultural pollution by the quality of surface and ground water. Considering those two criteria, Lithuania has admitted that the whole country's territory is vulnerable for nitrate pollution. Therefore our country has taken obligations to apply the requirements of the ND from the date of accession to the EU. The ND requirements include: the elaboration of the Code of Good Agriculture Practices (CGAP) which would restrict fertilization considering the properties of vulnerable zones; the determination of fertilization rates, animal density, ratio of perennial and annual plant areas; the establishment of periods when the application of certain fertilizers is forbidden; the arrangement of manure storages bigger than the ones necessary for manure accumulation for the longest period of time when manure application is forbidden in vulnerable zones. Lithuania's CGAP was prepared and presented for the European Nitrate Committee in 2000. No major economic problems causes the ND requirements set for fertilization rates, cattle density, the ratios of perennial and annual plant areas and the periods when the application of certain fertilizers is forbidden. The main problem causes the requirement to establish manure storages for manure storage no less than 6 months on farms keeping over 10 animal units (AU)1. In the negotiations' chapter "Environment" with the EU, Lithuania has taken obligations to establish manure storages on large farms with more than 300 AU as well as on newly established farms containing over 150 AU within a 4-year period after its entering the EU. All the rest farms with more than 10 AU endangering the environment with nitrates will also have to reconstruct their barns later. As the construction of manure storages requires large investments, the attention in this report is mainly focused on the assessment of the economic and ecological consequences of establishment manure storages, as well as on the proposals for the implementation of ND. Dairy farms. It is necessary to construct 446.5 thou m˛ of manure pads and 472.7 thou mł of urine reservoirs for storage of all manure accumulated on dairy farms. The main part of manure storages fall to Joniškis, Kėdainiai, Marijampolė, Pakruojis, Panevėžys, Pasvalys, Radviliškis, Šakiai and Šiauliai districts. Large farms with more than 300 animal units (here building of manure storages is most urgent) will need 179.9 thou m˛ (78.1%) of manure pads and 181.1 thou mł (78.6%) of urine reservoirs. Total requirement of funds for the construction of manure storages on all farms containing over 21 livestock (more than 10 AU) is 253.5 m Lt. Establishment of manure pads and urine reservoirs will require 78.0 and 175.4 m Lt respectively. The largest amount of funds should be allocated on the realization of the first stage of the program when manure storages should be built on large farms with more than 300 AU. Here the establishment of manure storages will cost 81.3 m Lt, which makes up 32% of total manure storage construction price. The arrangement of manure pads and urine reservoirs on these farms will demand 27.6 and 53.7 m Lt respectively. Considering the prognosis of Lithuanian Agricultural and Rural Development Strategy, by the year 2008 Lithuania will have to invest 684.9 m Lt into the construction of manure storages on dairy farms. The establishment of manure storages reduce gross margin by 50% on dairy farms and milk production profitability decreases almost twice. The expenses on the construction of manure storages on farms with less than 30 cows makes up about 18% of all expenses for one AU (including 10.4% for depreciation). The expenses on farms containing 31-100 cows and over 100 cows make up 15% and 11% respectively (including 9.8% and 9.9% for depreciation accordingly). Taking into account existing production cost, dairy farms with 10-30 cows and the ones containing over 100 cows would manage to establish manure storages only if the wholesale milk price was over 0.98 Lt/kg (the situation on large farms is better, because there it is easier to save larger sums in a shorter time). Farms with 31-80 animal units would be financially capable to pay 53% of manure storages construction cost (co-financing according to SAPARD program) only if the average wholesale price of base quality milk was over 0.75 Lt/kg. There is prognosis of one third of all cows to be kept on farms containing over 10 AU in 2008. Here the milk yield will reach 0.8-1.0 m t (about 45% of the total). Thus, without a state support, milk losses will reach 500 thou t by 2004 and 1890 thou t by 2008. In such case farms with smaller animal herds would mostly influence on the decrease of total milk yield. Here the losses of milk yield would make up 46% of total milk yield losses. The largest part of governmental funds should be allocated for the barns modernization (i. e. construction of manure storages and in barn equipment). As the enhancement of cow productivity enables to reduce significantly the cost price of milk and to increase income, the government should also support the acquisition of purebred livestock. The increase in the amount of milk yield and the improvement of milk quality will result in the increase of farm incomes. Cattle-breeding farms. At the existing beef meat wholesale purchase price and production cost, a cattle breeding is unprofitable even without construction of manure storage. The expenses for the establishment of manure storages on farms with 10-30 AU would make up about 14% of all expenses for one AU (including 5% for depreciation), the expenses on farms containing 31-80 and over 80 animal units would make up 15% and 16% respectively (including 5% and 4% for depreciation accordingly). The establishment of manure storages would result in the reduction of income mainly on smaller farms. At the existing beef prices (3200 Lt/t in the first six months of 2001) farmers are incapable to save enough money from cattle breeding for the modernization of barns. For establishment of manure storages at the cattle barns, the following state support is necessary: 1) direct payments (300-400 Lt for the realization of a beef bigger than 400 kg); 2) payments for the acquisition of purebred meat-cattle. Construction of slaughterhouses satisfying the EU requirements will increase meat export from Lithuania as well as the number of cattle. In 2004 the number of cattle bred for meat will reach 340 thousand. Farms with 10-80 beef will be rather numerous. In 2001 the number of cattle on farms with 10 AU made up about 27% of the total, meanwhile, in 2008 this number will reach 42%, and over 70% of cattle meat will be realized from farms keeping more than 10 AU. All these farms will need to establish manure storages. Changes in beef wholesale prices will positively response on manure storages construction for cattle-breeding farms. After the implantation of the EU Carcass Classification System (in May 1, 2002), beef prices will be differentiated by meat quality. The price of meat breed cattle is usually higher by 25%. Average realization price of cattle for meat will increase by 2008, though insignificantly, because milk breed cattle (not the ones for meat) will still prevail in herds. There is a hope that beef prices will rise in 2004, after Lithuania's entering the EU. Average beef price will rise from 3140 Lt/t in 2001 up to 3730 Lt/t in 2008 (of live weight). In the future the meat of pure meat-breed livestock will be in greater demand, therefore its price will rise by 30-40% to compare with the present price of milky-meaty cattle. The results of a comparative analysis of beef cost and market price show that a without a state support cattle-breeding would be unprofitable on all farms by 2004, like it is now, and there would be no financial possibilities for the establishment of manure storages. From 2004, with the rise of average beef price up to 3410 Lt/t, beef production would become profitable on cattle-breeding farms with more than 100 AU. However, here beef production profitability would reach only 3-5%, and large farms would also be financially incapable to construct manure storages. Economic calculations show that the state support is necessary for the arrangement of manure storages on cattle-breeding farms: 1) direct payments for bulls of certain weight sold for meat; 2) payments for the acquisition of pure breed meat-cattle. Direct payments (300-400 Lt) should be granted when the weight of a sold animal unit exceeds 400 kg. Without state support significant decrease of beef production, particularly on farms with small herds, by 2004 (until Lithuania's entering EU) is expected. The losses of beef meat would reach 117 thou t by 2004 and 280 thou t by 2008. Pig-breeding farms. In 2000, farms with more than 10 AU contained 23311 fattened pigs and 792 sows. Here 39.8 thou mł of urine reservoirs are to be established. Construction works will cost 15.95 m Lt. The breeding of pigs on pig-breeding complexes is most concentrated. On 11 such complexes (out of 30) urine reservoirs are not large enough. There is a need for extra 1341.4 thou mł of urine reservoirs to be constructed here. The construction works of such reservoirs will cost about 26.4 m Lt. Having estimated the need of urine reservoirs on large private farms it has been determined that 113.3 thou mł of urine reservoirs are to be established at all, the construction works of which will demand 42.3 m Lt. This cost calculation does not evaluate expansion of pig-breeding farms in future. According the Lithuanian Agricultural and Rural Development Strategy (approved by the Parliament of Lithuania on June 13, 2000), the number of pig-breeding farms should increase until Lithuania's entering the EU. Considering the expansion of pig breeding according the Strategy, Lithuania will have to invest about 100.4 m Lt into the construction of slurry reservoirs on pig-breeding farms by 2008. With existing wholesale prices and production cost, pig breeding is profitable even if manure storages were arranged. The expenses for the establishment of urine reservoirs are comparatively small due to a large production turnover. The construction works of urine reservoirs do not influence much the cost price of realized production either - it rises only by 8 %. Therefore, there is a possibility for funds to be collected for the construction works of manure storages. Thus, pig-breeding farms are the first to have proper manure storages arranged. The rise of pork price may result in the increase in number of pigs in the nearest future. The increase in number of pigs will mostly be influenced by the construction of new modern pigsties containing 100-500 AU. Manure storages will have to be arranged at these new pigsties. In 2008, one third of all pigs will be kept on farms that need to have manure storages established. Considering the changes in pork demand and its market price, pork production amount will increase from 82.1 thou t in 2000 up to 180-200 thou t in 2008. Poultry farms. At present there are 5 large poultry farms in Lithuania, where manure storages should be arranged. Urine reservoirs are not need, as the manure of poultry does not contain liquid fraction. Only one poultry farm out of five has a manure pad the area of which is considered to be too small. Here the arrangement of extra manure pad will cost about 2341 thou Lt. Alternatives for the nt of manure storages. Monolithic or prefab concrete manure storages are recommended to construct at the existing large barns and the new ones containing more than 50 AU. Metal reservoirs with anti-corrosive coating are possible alternatives for urine reservoirs. The background of manure pad is to be of concrete and its sides should be embanked by ground at the barns of 10-50 AU. The bottom and sides of urine reservoirs should to be covered with a thick layer of polythene foil (over 0.5 mm thick). On small farms, with less than 10 AU, manure should be accumulated on elevation of field, so that it would not be flooded during flood season or within the period of heavy rains. A 50-cm thick layer of waterless peat or a 70 cm thick layer of chopped straw or leaves should be spread in manure storage place for urine absorption. Manure heap should be surrounded by a 50-cm high dike and covered with a polythene foil, or a 20-cm thick layer of peat or chopped straw. The State should support the extraction of biogas out of manure by providing legal and financial privileges. In Lithuania biogas obtained from manure could satisfy about 3% of the needs of energy. The impact of the construction of manure storages on the environment. The arrangement of manure accumulation system on farms reduces significantly the leaching of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds into the drainage. Having arranged proper manure storages on new cattle-breeding farms, neither ground water nor drainage water is being polluted. The arrangement of manure storages would reduce the pollution of the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea with nitrogen from agriculture by 10%. The demand for mineral fertilizers would decrease down to about 3.5 m Lt per year. In order to reduce nitrate leaching on small farms, manure should be accumulated properly. A well-arranged manure storages would ensure the realization of the Nitrate Directive and enable Lithuania to be recognized as a territory non-polluted with nitrates, which would increase the competitiveness of Lithuania's agricultural production in the EU market. One animal unit equals to 100 kg of nitrogen that get into the soil having spread the whole amount of manure accumulated in a manure storage per year, including the amount of manure left in fields after cattle grazing. Such amount of nitrogen is found in the manure of one cow with 5000-kg milk yield per year. *** Demonstration Watersheds In Lithuania. A.S.Sileika. Ecologically Improved Agriculture - Strategy for Sustainability. P.43 - 54. Kungl. Skogs-och Lantbruksakademiens, Arg. 140*Nr.6*Ar 2001. ISSN 0023-5350. Summary Implementation of the 1988 Ministerial Declaration revealed that none of the Contracting Parties had achieved the overall target to reduce nutrient load to the Baltic Sea on 50% by 1995. In Lithuania phosphorus load from 1986 to 1998 decreased four times, meantime nitrate nitrogen discharge increased 1.6 times. Ammonium nitrogen and phosphorus load in upper reaches of the rivers, where agricultural run-off is dominating, have changed very little but load of nitrate nitrogen have increased very much. Results of investigation show that not always fertilization is the main factor causing increase of nitrogen leaching. Significant increase of nitrate nitrogen load at the outlet of the river Nemunas and its coincidence of agricultural rivers load shows rather big input of Lithuanian agriculture on the nutrient load to the Baltic Sea. The overall objective of the Demonstration Watershed project was to determine and implement the most effective measures for reduction of nutrient load from agriculture to the Baltic Sea. The project focuses on monitoring, demonstration field trials, information and legislation activities. Small agricultural watershed approach was adopted as a main tool for investigation of agricultural run-off origination. Two Demonstration Watersheds, one in middle plain of Lithuania and another in the eastern hilly part of Lithuania were established. Field trials of crop rotation and fertilisation impact on nutrients leaching to drainage established in Graisupis watershed shows that nitrate nitrogen loss-coefficients change from year to year for the same field but dependence on land use and fertilization is evident. The least nitrate nitrogen losses are from pasture (5.5 kg/ha year) and non-fertilized ley (11.7 kg/ha year). The highest losses are sowing crop after crop (26.9 kg/ha year) and form intensively fertilized sugar beet field (23.6 kg/ha year). Load from sugar beets field to the drainage is significant not looking on its long growing season. Nitrate nitrogen load decreases when non-fertilized ley is included in the crop rotation as well as perennial grass protective zone at a drinking water well Four years observation of trees and bushes buffer strip established at the ditch did not reveal noticeable decrease of nitrate nitrogen concentration. The reason could be that sub-surface drainage intercept and transports agricultural run-off directly to a ditch not letting to reach ground water. Ploughing of pastures increases nitrate nitrogen losses significantly for some years. During the first five month after ploughing 23,9 kg/ha of nitrate nitrogen was transported within drainage run-off from non-ploughed pasture, while 59,6 from ploughed on average. Average yearly nitrate nitrogen losses-coefficient derived from two and half-year observation was for ploughed pasture - 94,2 kg/ha, while for non-ploughed 12,8 kg/ha. Construction of manure storage is an effective measure for prevention of nutrient leaching when the number of animals is increasing in new farms. Water quality of the drainage system draining big barns' territory is very poor. Concentration of total nitrogen from 400 cows barn was up to 201 mg/l (permitted limit for drainage water draining barn territory is 12 mg/l). Highest concentration of total phosphorus during first five months of observation was 15 mg/l (the limit is 1.5 mg/l). Very high concentration of BOD7 and ammonium nitrogen in the drainage water (up to 850 mgO2/l and 106 mgN/l) confirmed that sewage from the barn was directed to the drainage system. Monitoring of drainage water and special action plans for manure handling should be implemented on all big animal farms. *** Use of nutrient balance for environmental impact calculations on experimental field scale. Kutra G., Aksomaitienė R. Element balances as a sustainability tool. JTI-rapport Lantbruk & Industri 2001 Nr. 281. p. 99-101. ISSN 1401-4963. Summary First nutrient balance on the country level in Lithuania was made in 1968-1970 year [1]. Plant fertilization and yield increase was the main objective of balance calculations. Nutrient balance as a measure for evaluation of agriculture environmental impact was started to use in international projects supported by the Swedish Government beginning from 1993. Leaching of nutrients is the most important factor concerning water pollution. In average, agriculture is estimated to account for 30-35 % of the nitrogen load [2]. Elaboration of the proper procedures in agriculture protecting water and environment quality that would allow avoiding errors, which were committed in developed countries, is nowadays the main task for countries in transition such as Lithuania [3]. Crop structure and rotations oriented to environmentally sound agriculture development will help to reach this task. In this presentation we demonstrate five years field experiment seeking to reveal influence of different crop rotations on nutrient leaching and relationship with plant nutrient use, accumulation in soil and balance. A network of representative experimental fields was established in the Experimental Department of LIWM in village Lipliunai, Kedainiai region. In every field (treatment) crop rotation is different. Crop rotation for all five fields in 1996-2000 is presented in table. On the fields the following parameters were measured: drainage water discharge, soil moisture, soil, water and plants nutrient content, main and supplementary production, residues yield and nutrient content. *** Results from water quality monitoring in typical watersheds of the main hydrological regions of Lithuania and the abatement practices. Sileika A.S, Gaigalis K., Kutra G. . Scientific basis to mitigate the nutrient dispersion into the environment. Falenty IMUZ Publisher, 2000, p. 209-215, ISBN 83-85735-96-8 Summary Statistical data of agricultural development compared with riverine water quality monitoring data revealed that in central part of Lithuania where agriculture is most intensive there are tendencies of higher concentration of phosphorus and nitrogen. Land use is the main factor influencing nutrient leaching in the monitored watersheds of small rivers in the main physical-geographic regions of Lithuania. High nutrient losses happen in spring and winter when soils are not protected by plant cover. Increased areas of perennial grasses and winter crops reduce nutrient leaching in plains as well as in hilly regions. In order to introduce new more environmentally sound technologies and improved management the demonstration farm was established on the base of Liutkevicius family farm. Nutrient balance, manure storage, handling and improved fertilisation planning as well as more environmentally sound crop rotation were recommended and are being implemented in the demonstration farm. *** Peculiarities of nitrogen and phosphorus leaching in agroecosystems. Gaigalis, K., Rackauskaite, A., Water Management Engineering, Transactions. Vol. 16 (38) P. 39-46, Lithuanian University of Agriculture, Lithuanian Institute of Water Management, Kaunas-Akademija, Vilainiai 2001. ISSN 1392-2335. (In Lithuanian). Summary The article presents an investigation that has been continued for five years in three small agricultural watersheds that represent a different Lithuanian physical geographic zone each. In the installed river water monitoring posts water flow is measured continuously, river and precipitation water quality is determined every month, besides, land use is registered throughout the whole territory of the watersheds. The research evaluates diffuse nitrogen and phosphorus pollution on a watershed level that originates in agricultural areas and determines peculiarities of the nutrient leaching in the different physical geographic zones of Lithuania at different time of a year. The research has approved that the highest nutrient leaching occurs in spring when the biggest water flow happens and when high nutrient concentrations are usually observed. Only in western Lithuania the highest nitrogen and phosphorus leaching occurs in winter. It was evaluated that the average runoff of total nitrogen is from 6.1 to 14.4 kg/ha per year and the runoff of total phosphorus is from 0.153 to 0.382 kg/ha. Precipitation brings 14-18 and 0.61-0.88 kg/ha of nitrogen and phosphorus per year to the territory of the watersheds. *** Rivulets water quality. Kutra G., Rackauskaite A., Water Management Engineering, Transactions. Vol. 16 (38) P. 34-38. Lithuanian University of Agriculture, Lithuanian Institute of Water Management, Kaunas-Akademija, Vilainiai 2001. ISSN 1392-2335. (In Lithuanian) Summary Rivers (and also the Baltic Sea) are polluted by nutrients and especially by nitrogen due to agricultural activity. Previous investigations determined that diffuse agricultural pollution is increasing during transition to market economy in Lithuania and other countries. In this article we analyse farming impact on rivulets water quality in the Middle Plain region of intensive agricultural activity (Graisupis watershed) and in the hilly Baltic and Žemaičiai Highlands Highlands (Vardas and Lyžena watersheds). Crop structure is worst from a nutrient leaching point in Graisupis watershed. Perennial grasses occupy only 15 % of the watershed territory. In Vardas and Lyžena watersheds 50 % of the area is occupied by perennial grasses. In order to evaluate fertilisation impact on environment we have calculated nitrogen balance on the watersheds’ level. Surplus nitrogen accumulates only in Graisupis watershed: it was equal to 28.5 kgN/ha in 1996 and it increased up to 34.5 kgN/ha in 2000 year. In Vardas watershed the balance remained negative: -28.2 and -26.1 kgN/ha. Nitrogen concentration every year and nitrogen runoff in 2000 year was considerably bigger in Graisupis watershed than in Vardas, only in 1996 nitrogen runoff was smaller in Graisupis watershed because of particularly low water flow. There were analysed territories that gave the highest nutrient leaching. The highest nitrogen concentrations (24 mg/l on average) were determined in drainage water coming from the surroundings of barns and farmsteads. 11 mg/l on average were found in drainage water from ploughed lands and 4.8 mg/l of total nitrogen from perennial grasses fields. Data on crop structure, nutrient balance on a farm and a watershed level (when proper book keeping is performed on farms) could be used for rivulets water quality management. *** Dynamics of mineral nitrogen reserve and quality of drainage water by a crop rotation field. Aksomaitiene R., Kutra G., Petrokiene Z. Summary In the paper there are the study results presented that has been carried out in 5 pilot areas within the Graisupis watershed in 1996 – 1998. The objective of the study was to estimate soil wetness regime, drainage run-off, reserve of mineral nitrogen in soil, including its dynamics as well as to make an assessment of quality of drainage water, and nitrogen leaching process within the five sub-surface drainage systems there (5 different crop rotation fields). It was to identify the regularities of agricultural impact on water contamination and the pollution dependency both upon the crop farmed and land use intensity. It was established that the most intensive processes of nitrogen leaching occurred in the pilot areas under the root crop (study area II: sugar beet, fodder beans, sugar beet cultivated), i.e., the nitrogen leached was 21.4 kg/ha per year. While in the other study areas it varied between 8 kg/ha and 12 kg/ha per year. Besides, it little depended upon the crop cultivated and quality of the nitrogen fertilizers applied there. Thus, it was established that the leaching depended on the run-off intensity. However, an impact of nitrogen concentration in drainage water on the leaching intensity can be seen when an average annual concentration is more than 15 – 20 mg/l. Although there was no reliable link established between the nitrogen leached and its amount in soil, it was considered the factor that the nitrogen concentration in drainage water depended upon the mineral nitrogen found in soil. Key words: drainage run-off, nitrogen concentration, nitrogen reserve in soil, soil wetness, crop rotation. *** Comparison between major nutrient balance and leaching process via pipe line in different pilot areas. R. Aksomaitienė G. Kutra. Water Management Engineering, Transactions. Summary In the paper there are the 3-year study results presented that has been carried out in 5 pilot areas with different crop structure. In the first two pilot areas (area I and area II) there were root crop produced, in the other two (areas III and V) there was crop rotation applied, and in the last one (IV) perennial grasses were cultivated. Balance of major nutrients has been explored per area, from which only major production would be transported (quantity entering together with precipitation, quantities in soils, that are accumulated in the harvest both of main and sub-production, and those vegetable remnants). It was estimated both farm and detailed nutrient balance. Nitrogen leaching via drain pipes from different crop rotation fields was 23 - 65 kg N/ha in the course of 3 year period. The leaching extent depended on nitrogen balance. In case of nitrogen surplus, its concentration in water as well as leaching were greater compared to that event when there was deficit balance. The surplus balance dominated in the crop rotation field when sugar beet was produced for two years(area II) and annually 114 kg/ha of nitrogen would be inserted together with fertilizers as well as having the nitrogen balance surplus when cultivating grain crops (area III) 66 kg/ha. The reason for the surplus might have been a low yield obtained due to the fact of the cereals re-planting. The nitrogen concentration in these fields was 19.7 mg/N/l and 14.6 mg/N/l accordingly. In the fields covered by perennial grasses (area IV) and crop rotation fields with perennial grasses (area I) the concentration was 8.7 mg/N/l and 9.4 mg/N/l accordingly. Phosphorus and potassium losses were minimal when having both the deficit and surplus balances (phosphorus leached varied from 0.09kg/ha to 0.25 kg/ha; and potassium from 1.7 kg/ha to 3.5 kg/ha) – they were covered by the nutrient that came in with precipitation. *** Investigation of biogenic water pollution in the watershed of the river Graisupis. Šileika A.S., Gaigalis K., Milius P., Kutra G. Water Management Engineering, Transactions. Lithuanian University of Agriculture, Lithuanian Institute of Water Management, Kaunas-Akademija, Vilainiai. 1998. Vol. 5 (27), p.14-26. ISSN 1392-2335 (In Lithuanian). Summary A monitoring system for the investigation of nutrient runoff and leaching in agricultural land was established in the watershed of the river Graisupis. This watershed covers an area of 13,65 km2. Water quality was analysed in the river, sub-surface drainage, drinking water wells, piezometers of 5 m depth and precipitation. Primary attention was paid to nitrate nitrogen and phosphate phosphorus leaching. In order to determine nutrient loads, water discharge was measured in the river and drainage at the sampling sites. According to the EC classification of surface water based on general parameters of water pollution, the concentration of nitrate nitrogen in the river Graisupis indicates that it is significantly polluted. The nitrate nitrogen concentration in the river depends on water discharge, air temperature and the nitrate nitrogen concentration in precipitation. Nitrate nitrogen enters the river Graisupis primarily through sub-surface drainage. Two maxima were identified during the investigation: late autumn-early winter and winter-early spring. During the winter-early spring period, when microbiological processes are slow because of low temperature, a high concentration of nitrate nitrogen is the result of high nitrate concentration in precipitation. In the period of late autumn-early winter, when precipitation is low, leaching of nitrate caused mineralization of organic matter. Three years of monitoring data demonstrates that the nitrate nitrogen load in the watershed of the river Graisupis is determined by meteorological factors, hydrogeological conditions and agricultural production practices. During the winter-spring peak, a rather large part of the nitrogen load enters the watershed from precipitation. For more than 15 years, groundwater under farmsteads has been polluted, even after the farmsteads have been removed. At the same time, the adjacent pasture groundwater is clean. It appears that impermeable underground layers localise the nitrate nitrogen pollution of groundwater. No corellations of phosphorus migration with meteorological and/or hydrological factors, land use or other causes have been identified. This could be because phosphorus compounds are less mobile. The highest phosphorus concentration was observed in the period of small discharge and winter time. Rather high phosphorus concentrations occurring in precipitation could be caused by a phosphorus fertiliser plant existing in the same district. *** The economical and ecological estimation of structure of crops in crop rotation. Ginutis Kutra, Ramutė Aksomaitienė. Water Management Engineering, Transactions. Lithuanian University of Agriculture, Lithuanian Institute of Water Management, Kaunas-Akademija, Vilainiai 2000. Vol. 13 (35) p. 62-69. ISSN 1392-2335 (In Lithuanian). Summary In this article the income and expenditure change dynamics and its influence on environment are analysed by growing crops of different structure in five crop rotation fields. The analysis was made on the base of production income and expenditure, plant nutritious matter balances and the data of leached nutritious matter together with the drainage runoff. The most profitable rotation was the one where sugar beet prevailed (55 % of the crop), although ecologically it was one of the worst variants - the amount of leached mineral nitrogen was about 63.7 kg/ha. In the crop structure variant which was the worst one economically (profitableness - 3), when cereals were sown year by year, the amount of leached nitrogen was almost two times bigger to compare with the amount of it when cereals were alternated with other plants. When perennial grass was included into rotations the leaching decreased most efficiently. The graphs of income and expenditure dependence upon quantity of nitrogen fertilizers show that the increasement of fertilizers correlate with the expenditure increasement for production (regression coefficient 14), but the incoming profits increased more quickly (regression coefficient 19.2). Nitrogen balances and leaching researches show that extending the amounts of fertilizers the leaching increases as well, therefore it must be achieved that the amount of nutritious matter getting into the soil together with fertilizers would not exceed the amount of it which is necessary for plants to grow. In order to choose plants for crop rotation, maximizing profits, we offer to apply the restriction because of the possible negative impact on environment. On the conditions of our investigation, when monoculture was cereals, the coefficient expressing profit restriction would be 0.48; and having extend sugar beet areas up to 50 % the profit restriction coefficient would be 0.63. *** Agricultural run-off Management Study in Estonia. Carlson G., Cedrins R., Gustafson A., Lund S., Lofgren S. and Steineck S. Final Report, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Swedish Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Uppsala, 108 pp 1993 *** Agricultural run-off Management Study in Latvia. Carlson G., Cedrins R., Gustafson A., Lund S., Lofgren S. and Steineck S. Final Report, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Swedish Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Uppsala, 110 pp 1993 *** Agricultural run-off Management Study in Lithuania. Carlson G., Cedrins R., Gustafson A., Lund S., Lofgren S. and Steineck S. Final Report, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Swedish Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Uppsala, 112 pp 1993 *** Effectiveness of the tree and bush vegetation buffer strip. Gaigalis K., Kutra G., Rackauskaite A. Reduction of agricultural run-off to the Baltic sea: Proceedings of International Conference, 8-9 September 1999. -P.59-62. *** Water quality in the streams from agricultural areas Reduction of agricultural run-off to the Baltic sea. Gaigalis K., Marculanienė J. Proceedings of International Conference, 8-9 September 1999. -P.46-48. *** Environmentally sustainable agricultural practices in V. Liutkevicius demonstration farm. Reduction of agricultural run-off to the Baltic sea. Kutra G., Gaigalis K. Proceedings of International Conference, 8-9 September 1999. -P.51-55. Useful publications from other projectsPlant nutrient management and the environment. Claesson S., Steineck S. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden, Special Report 41, 69 pp. 1996 River run-off to the Baltic Sea: 1959 - 1990. Bergstrom S, Carlsson B. Ambio 23, 280 - 287 pp. 1994. Hydrology of the Baltic Basin. Inflow of fresh water from rivers and land for the period 1950 - 1990. Bergstrom S. and Carlsson B. SMHI Reports Hydrology No.7, 21 pp. 1993. Nitrate leaching from arable land in Sweden under four cropping system. Gustafson A. Swed. J. Agric. Res. 17, 169 - 177 pp. 1987. Effects of catch crop on leaching of nitrogen from a sandy soil: Simulation and measurements. Lewan E. Plant Soil 166, 137-152 pp. 1994. Episodic precipitation and discharge events and their influence on losses of phosphorus and nitrogen from tile-drained arable fields. Ulen B. Swed. J. Agric. Res. 25, 25-31 pp. 1995. Effects of differentiated applications of fertilizer N on leaching losses and distribution of inorganic N in the soil. Bergstrom L. and Brink N. Plant and Soil 93, 333-345 pp. 1986. The nitrogen cycle in UK arable agriculture. Johnston A.E. and Jenkinson D.S. Proc. Fert. Soc. 286, 1-24 pp. 1990. Soil tillage systems with and without a catch crop - nitrogen mineralization and risk of nitrate leaching. Aronsson H., Stenberg M., Linden B., Rydberg T., and Gustafson A. Proc. NJF-seminar no 245, The Use of Catch or Cover Crops to Reduce Leaching and Erosion. Ar/Knivsta, Sweden, 3-4 October 1994. Decomposition of soil organic nitrogen. Skjemstad J.O., Vallis I. and Myers R.J.K. Advances in Nitrogen Cycling in Agricultural Ecosystems. Wilson J.R. (ed.) CAB International, Wallingford, 134-144 pp. 1988. Leaching of nitrate from arable land into groundwater in Sweden. Gustafson A. Environ. Geol. 5, 65-71 pp. 1983. Water quality response to the dramatic reduction in the use of fertilizers in Latvia. Stalnacke P., Grimvall A. and Laznik M. Jordforsk Rep. 37. 1999. Evaluation of water quality response to sudden changes in the amounts of fertilizers used in Estonia. Loigu E. and Vasilyev A. Hydrology and Environment. Proceedings of the Baltic States Hydrology Conference, May 22-24, Lietuvos Energetikos Institutas. 1997. Trend assessment of water quality time series. McLeod A.-I., Hipel K.-W. and F.Comancho F. Water Resour. Bull 19, 537-547 pp. 1983. The nitrogen load to the Baltic Sea - present situation, acceptable future load and suggested source reduction. Enell M. and Feijes J. Water Air Soil Pollut. 85, 877-882 pp. 1995. Long term leakage of nitrate from bare unmanured soil. Addiscott T.M. Soil Use Mgmt. 4, 91-95 pp. 1988. |
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Construction of Manure Storage for Implementation Nitrate Directive 91/676
EEC. A.S. Sileika. Book in Lithuanian language. Kedainiai 2001, ISBN