N-TOOLBOX: Toolbox of cost-effective strategies for on-farm reductions in N losses to water
The aim of this supporting action was to develop a “toolbox” of cost-effective technologies to be implemented at the farm level to protect water from nitrate pollution. The first component of the toolbox was a catalogue of technologies for reducing N losses on the farm, produced using previous research results and local experience. Technologies were prioritized based on their cost-effectiveness and efficiency at reducing N losses and listed according to region and production-system. The second toolbox component was an enhanced decision support tool (NDICEA) which can be used at the farm level to illustrate options for improved N management and assist farmers in reaching their goals of compliance with the Nitrates Directive.The results were:
• The NDICEA model can be used in England, Denmark and Spain
• It is strongly recommended to use the model in combination with a validation scheme with sufficient soil mineral N measurements spread over the season
• Under arid conditions the Penman-Monteith equation for calculating evapotranspiration should be used instead of the Makkink equation.
• Model performance could be improved by changes in the crop sub model, by adaptations in the release of nitrogen out of artificial fertilizers and by creating a multi-layer soil sub model.
NDICEA model can be downloaded from http://www.ndicea.nl/ and the manual to use it for the purposes of any farm is given in http://www.ndicea.nl/docs/Manual_UK_NDICEA_6_2.pdf
Using this model, N losses can be reduced significantly.
See also: https://smart-akis.com/SFCPPortal/#/app-h/technologies?techid=96
Smart-AKIS: European Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) towards innovation-driven research
in Smart Farming Technology
Ongoing | 2016-2018
in Smart Farming Technology
- Main funding source
- Horizon 2020 (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Greece