Dominika Juszkowska

The aim of the study was to assess the P-PO4 and N-NH4 pollution of water in grasslands located on peat soils and to identify the impact of groundwater level on this pollution formation. The research was conducted in 2000– 2010 on grounds of ITP-PIB in Biebrza village (Poland). Within lowland fen a total of 18 monitoring points of groundwater and watercourses were established in 6 separate test stands. The subject of the research was water collected from drainage ditches/channels and groundwater, which was taken from wells installed in organic-soil layer and wells whose bottom was 15–20 cm below this layer. Water samples were collected several times a year, and in the case of groundwater, its level was also measured. It was found that: 1) due to concentration level of P-PO4 and N-NH4, about 46 and 39% of water samples from organic-soil layer and more than 40 and 37% of water samples from mineral- organic-soil layer respectively, were characterized by poor chemical status; 2) due to the exceeding of the limit values of P-PO4 and N-NH4 concentration, water samples from watercourses in over 30 and 27% respectively were not within 1st and 2nd class of surface water quality; 3) P-PO4 and N-NH4 concentrations in each water type were statistically significant and positively correlated with each other; 4) in organic-soil layer the groundwater level changing every 10 cm was a statistically significant factor differentiating the average P-PO4 concentration in groundwater associated with mineral-organic layer of peat soil and average N-NH4 concentration in each type of water.

Background: Nutrient leaching from agricultural fields is one of the main causes of pollution and eutrophication of the Baltic Sea. The quantity of nitrogen (N) leached from a particular field can be very different from the amount of N leached from other fields in a given region or even within a single farm. Therefore, it is necessary to estimate the quantity of N leached for each field separately. Methods: An opinion poll has been conducted on 31 farms within the Puck Commune, which is approximately 3.6% of all farms located in this commune. Farmers provided data on the manner of fertilizing and cultivating crops on all their farms. For each field individually, on the basis of collected data, an estimated amount of the N leaching from the field has been determined. Results: An interactive calculator to assist farmers in determining the quantity of N leaching from the agricultural field has been developed. The influence of factors shaping the amount of N leaching from a single field has been analyzed, and it has been determined that autumn plowing (specifically its absence) and the type of cultivated soil had the greatest average influence on this value in the studied sample. Discussion: Due to the possible ways of reducing N leaching from agricultural fields, most of the studied fields were fertilized in an appropriate manner. However, in the studied sample there were fields for which the fertilization intensity significantly exceeded the recommended doses. In this context, a tool in the form of an interactive, easy-to-use N leaching calculator should help farmers to select appropriate doses and optimal fertilization practices.

Background: In order to counteract the eutrophication of waterways and reservoirs, a basic risk assessment of phosphorus (P) losses in the surface runoff from agricultural land should be included in water management plans. A new method has been developed to assess the risk of P losses by estimating the degree of P saturation (DPS) based on the P concentration of the water extract water-soluble P. Methods: The risk of P losses in surface runoff from agricultural land in the Puck Commune on the Baltic Sea Coast was assessed with the DPS method. The results were compared to an agronomic interpretation of the soil test P concentration (STP). Research was conducted on mineral and organic soils from 50 and 11 separate agricultural plots with a total area of 133.82 and 37.23 ha, respectively. Phosphorus was extracted from the collected samples using distilled water on all soil samples, acid ammonium lactate on mineral soils, and an extract of 0.5 mol HCl·dm⁻³ on organic soils. The organic matter content and pH values were also determined. The results of the P content in the water extracted from the soils were converted into DPS values, which were then classified by appropriate limit intervals. Results and discussion: There was a high risk of P losses from the soil via surface runoff in 96.7% of the agricultural parcels tested (96% of plots with mineral soils and 100% of plots with organic soils). Simultaneously, a large deficiency of plant-available P was found in soils from 62% of agricultural plots. These data indicate that the assessment of P concentration in soils made on the basis of an environmental soil P test conflicts with the assessment made based on STP and create a cognitive dissonance. The risk level of P losses through surface runoff from the analyzed plots as determined by the DPS indicator is uncertain. This uncertainty is increased as the DPS index is not correlated with other significant factors in P runoff losses, such as the type of crop and area inclination.

Background. Risk assessment of Phosphorus (P) losses in surface runoff from agricultural land is the basic measure that should be used as a part of actions taken to counteract the water eutrophication in watercourses and water reservoirs. To assess this risk, a new method has been recently developed based on the determination of degree of P saturation (DPS) which depends on P content in soil determined with the use of distilled water (water-soluble P – WSP). Methods. Based on DPS method, the risk of P losses in surface runoff from agricultural land in Puck Commune (Baltic Sea Coast) was assessed and a critical analysis of assessment results was carried out. The research was conducted on mineral and organic soils from 50 and 11 separate agricultural plots with a total area of 133.82 and 37.23 ha, respectively. In collected soil samples, P content was determined using distilled water (all soil samples), Egner-Riehm method (mineral soils) and extract of 0.5 mol HCl ∙ dm^-3 (organic soils). The results of determinations P content in water extract from soils were converted to DPS values, which were classified by appropriate limit intervals. Results & Discussion. It was found that on 96.7% of tested agricultural parcels (96% plots with mineral soils and 100% plots with organic soils) there was a potentially high risk of P losses from soil by surface runoff. At the same time, it was ascertained that in soils from 62% of agricultural plots, there was a large deficiency of plant available P. Due to the above, as well as due to the lack of connection with other factors affecting the P losses in surface runoff such as type of crop and area inclination, it was considered that the assessment based on the DPS index may be unreliable.

Background. Risk assessment of Phosphorus (P) losses in surface runoff from agricultural land is the basic measure that should be used as a part of actions taken to counteract the water eutrophication in watercourses and water reservoirs. To assess this risk, a new method has been recently developed based on the determination of degree of P saturation (DPS) which depends on P content in soil determined with the use of distilled water (water-soluble P – WSP). Methods. Based on DPS method, the risk of P losses in surface runoff from agricultural land in Puck Commune (Baltic Sea Coast) was assessed and a critical analysis of assessment results was carried out. The research was conducted on mineral and organic soils from 50 and 11 separate agricultural plots with a total area of 133.82 and 37.23 ha, respectively. In collected soil samples, P content was determined using distilled water (all soil samples), Egner-Riehm method (mineral soils) and extract of 0.5 mol HCl ∙ dm^-3 (organic soils). The results of determinations P content in water extract from soils were converted to DPS values, which were classified by appropriate limit intervals. Results & Discussion. It was found that on 96.7% of tested agricultural parcels (96% plots with mineral soils and 100% plots with organic soils) there was a potentially high risk of P losses from soil by surface runoff. At the same time, it was ascertained that in soils from 62% of agricultural plots, there was a large deficiency of plant available P. Due to the above, as well as due to the lack of connection with other factors affecting the P losses in surface runoff such as type of crop and area inclination, it was considered that the assessment based on the DPS index may be unreliable.

Background: Leaching of nutrients from agricultural areas is the main cause of water pollution and eutrophication of the Baltic Sea. A variety of remedial actions to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses from agricultural holdings and cultivated fields have been taken in the past. However, knowledge about the risk of nutrient leaching has not yet reached many farmers operating in the water catchment area of the Baltic Sea. Methods: The nutrient balance method known as “At the farm gate” involves calculating separate balances for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). After estimating all the components of the nutrient balance, the total balance for NPK is calculated and the data obtained is expressed as the ratio of total change (surplus) to the area of arable land on a farm. In addition, the nutrient usage efficiency on a farm is also calculated. An opinion poll was conducted in 2017 on 3.6% (n = 31) of the farms located in commune of Puck. The total area of the farms including arable and grass land ranged from 5 to 130 ha with an average of 45.82 ha. The arable land was on average 30.79 ha ranging from 4.45 to 130 ha while the grassland averaged 12.77 ha and ranged from 0 to 53 ha. Results: The average consumption of mineral fertilizer in the sample population of farms was 114.9 kg N, 9.3 kg P, and 22.9 kg K·ha⁻¹of agricultural land (AL), respectively. N balance in the sample farms being ranged from −23.3 to 254.5 kg N·ha⁻¹AL while nutrient use efficiency ranged from 0.40% to 231.3%. In comparison, P surplus in the sample farms was 5.0 kg P·ha⁻¹AL with the P use efficiency of 0.4–266.5%. Discussion: Mean N fertilizer consumption in the tested farms was higher than the average usage across Poland and in the Pomeranian Voivodeship. However, mean consumption of potassium fertilizers was lower than mentioned averages. Mean P fertilizer consumption was higher than in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, but lower compared to the entire country. Generally, on the basis of designated research indicators of farm pressures on water quality, concentrations of total nitrogen and total phosphorus were obtained. CalcGosPuck (an integrated agriculture calculator) will help to raise farmers’ awareness about NPK flow on farm scale and to improve nutrient management.

Background. Leaching of nutrients from agricultural areas is the main cause of water pollution and eutrophication of the Baltic Sea. A variety of remedial actions to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses from agricultural holdings and cultivated fields have been taken in the past. However, knowledge about the risk of nutrient leaching has not yet reached many farmers operating in the water catchment area of the Baltic Sea. Methods. The nutrient balance method known as "at the farm gate" involves calculating separate balances for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). After estimating all the components of the nutrient balance, the total balance for NPK is calculated and the data obtained is expressed as the ratio of total change (surplus) to the area of arable land on a farm. In addition, the nutrient usage efficiency on a farm is also calculated. An opinion poll was conducted in 2017 on 31 farms within the commune of Puck which is approximately 3.6 percent of all farms located in this commune. The area of the farms is variable ranging from 5 – 130 ha with an average of 45.82 ha including areas of arable and grass land. The former are on average 30.79 ha with a range of 4.45 to 130 ha while the latter has an average area of 12.77 ha and ranges from 0 to 53 ha. Results. The average consumption of mineral fertilizer in the sample population of farms was 114.9 kg N, 9.3 kg P, and 22.9 kg K∙ha^-1of agricultural land (AL), respectively. N surplus in the sample farms being ranged from -23.3 to 254.5 kg N∙ha^-1AL while nutrient use efficiency ranged from 0.40 to 231.3 percent. In comparison, P surplus in the sample farms was 5.0 kg P∙ha^-1AL with the P use efficiency of 0.4-266.5 percent. Discussion. Individual N fertilizer consumption in the tested farms was higher than the average usage across Poland and in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, compared to the lower consumption of potassium fertilizers. Phosphorus fertilizer consumption was higher than in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, but lower compared to the entire country. Generally, on the basis of designated research indicators of farm pressures on water quality concentrations of total nitrogen and total phosphorus were obtained. CalcGosPuck (an integrated agriculture calculator) will help to raise farmers’ awareness about NPK flow on farm scale and thus to improve nutrient management.

Background. Leaching of nutrients from agricultural areas is the main cause of water pollution and eutrophication of the Baltic Sea. A variety of remedial actions to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses from agricultural holdings and cultivated fields have been taken in the past. However, knowledge about the risk of nutrient leaching has not yet reached many farmers operating in the water catchment area of the Baltic Sea. Methods. The nutrient balance method known as "at the farm gate" involves calculating separate balances for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). After estimating all the components of the nutrient balance, the total balance for NPK is calculated and the data obtained is expressed as the ratio of total change (surplus) to the area of arable land on a farm. In addition, the nutrient usage efficiency on a farm is also calculated. An opinion poll was conducted in 2017 on 31 farms within the commune of Puck which is approximately 3.6 percent of all farms located in this commune. The area of the farms is variable ranging from 5 – 130 ha with an average of 45.82 ha including areas of arable and grass land. The former are on average 30.79 ha with a range of 4.45 to 130 ha while the latter has an average area of 12.77 ha and ranges from 0 to 53 ha. Results. The average consumption of mineral fertilizer in the sample population of farms was 114.9 kg N, 9.3 kg P, and 22.9 kg K∙ha^-1of agricultural land (AL), respectively. N surplus in the sample farms being ranged from -23.3 to 254.5 kg N∙ha^-1AL while nutrient use efficiency ranged from 0.40 to 231.3 percent. In comparison, P surplus in the sample farms was 5.0 kg P∙ha^-1AL with the P use efficiency of 0.4-266.5 percent. Discussion. Individual N fertilizer consumption in the tested farms was higher than the average usage across Poland and in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, compared to the lower consumption of potassium fertilizers. Phosphorus fertilizer consumption was higher than in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, but lower compared to the entire country. Generally, on the basis of designated research indicators of farm pressures on water quality concentrations of total nitrogen and total phosphorus were obtained. CalcGosPuck (an integrated agriculture calculator) will help to raise farmers’ awareness about NPK flow on farm scale and thus to improve nutrient management.