Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for crop growth. Insufficient nitrogen for growing plants can limit crop production. Soil organic matter, chemical fertilizers and livestock manure are sources of...
Description
Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for crop growth. Insufficient nitrogen for growing plants can limit crop production. Soil organic matter, chemical fertilizers and livestock manure are sources of nitrogen for crop production. Excess nitrogen not used by growing crops coverts to nitrate (NO3-), which can be very mobile in soils. Nitrate can leach through the root zone and contaminate shallow groundwater. Areas with coarse or sandy soils are at greater risk for nitrate leaching to groundwater. Nitrogen can also be carried in runoff and can contaminate surface waters. Nitrogen must be managed properly to increase crop yields and protect water quality. Manure is a valuable source of nitrogen on the farm; however, nitrogen from manure and chemical fertilizers can pollute both surface and groundwater.