C.L. van Beek : "Nutrient losses from grassland on peat soil"

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20 Apr 2007 13:30
Unit: Wageningen University
Location: Aula, building 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisation: Wageningen University
Promotor: prof.dr.ir. O. Oenema (Nutrient Flows and Manuring)
Co Promotor: G.L. Velthof

 In the western part of The Netherlands outstretched peat lands can be found, which are typically intersected by many shallow ditches. The water quality of these ditches is often poor and it is generally assumed that dairy farming, which is the dominant land use in this area, is the main contributor of the relatively high nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations in surface water. Annual field surpluses were about 130 kg N ha-1 and 5 kg P ha-1, of which 17% leached to the surface water (N and P), while the remainder was volatilized into the atmosphere (N) and sorbed to the soil (P). Direct inputs from dairy farming accounted for less than 50% of the N and P loading of the surface water. The scope for improving the surface water quality in this area by restricting N and P inputs at farm level is limited due to the relatively small leaching fractions, the uneven distribution of surpluses and the limited contribution of easy to control nutrient sources on nutrient loading of surface water.
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