| Popis: |
Publisher Summary This chapter describes practices and technologies that have either helped producers use nitrogen more efficiently or shown promise in doing so. Nitrogen from soil, fertilizer, and manure sources is generally inefficiently used (30–60%) in most crop production systems. As a consequence, unused inorganic nitrogen can move off crop fields and contaminate surface and groundwater resources. Local and national governments have responded with guidelines, standards, regulations, and in some cases fines when off-field losses of nitrogen have not been reduced. Along with these environmental pressures, soaring energy costs have resulted in commensurate increased costs for nitrogen fertilizers. These factors are real for crop producers and are compelling them to scrutinize their crop nitrogen management more closely than in previous decades. Numerous time-proven practices, established by research and in crop production settings, are available that will result in improved crop nitrogen use efficiency. |
