Naslov
Mulching decreases nitrate leaching in bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivation. Agricultural Water Management
(Mulching decreases nitrate leaching in bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivation.)

Autori
Romić, Davor ; Romić, Marija ; Borošić, Josip ; Poljak, Milan

Izvornik
Agricultural Water Management (0378-3774) 60 (2003), 2; 87-97

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Bell pepper; Drip fertigation; Lysimeter; Mulching material; Nitrate leaching

Sažetak
A 2-year study was conducted in the Vrana Valley (Mediterranean region of Croatia) to evaluate the effects of application of different mulching materials and drip-fertigation on nitrate leaching in bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivation. Nitrate-N leaching from the root zone of bell pepper was compared in three treatments: control without mulch, with black polyethylene mulch and with biodegradable cellulose mulch. In the first year, the highest quantities of nitrogen were leached in the treatment without mulch (26 kg ha-1) following by the treatment with cellulose mulch (18 kg ha-1) and the lowest nitrogen leaching (10 kg ha-1) was observed in the treatment with black PE mulch. At the end of the harvest, cellulose mulch which is a microbiologically degradable material started decomposing and disintegrating, which resulted in the cellulose mulch treatment behaving similarly than the control treatment without mulch. In the second year, significant leaching occurred after the last harvest in September. Because the bell pepper yield was significantly lower than expected and calculated for fertilization, the plants did not use all the nitrogen supplied by fertilization, which resulted in higher concentrations of unused nitrate in the soil. These nitrate concentrations became subject to leaching caused by precipitation, a regular occurrence in the autumn and winter in this region. However, mulched surfaces showed lower quantities of nitrate leached in comparison with the treatment without mulching. Mulching with black PE film, beside producing higher yields, reduces the leaching of nitrate ferilizers, and combined with can reduce a potential risk of surface and ground water pollution by nitrate.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Poljoprivreda (agronomija)

POVEZANOST RADA