Demonstration of the feasibility in Catalonia of the nitrate concentration test at the base of the stem

• Total project budget: 29.965,00€

• Start Date: 01/09/2020

  End Date: 30/09/2022

The growth of the livestock sector at European and national level in recent decades has led to a growing generation of liquid waste that is often dumped on agricultural land, used as low-cost fertilizers. Excessive application of fertilizers to soils has resulted in groundwater contamination by nitrates. Consequently, the administration of Catalonia has taken regulatory measures that include, among others, the declaration of nitrate vulnerable zones (ZVN) and decree 153/2019 in accordance with Directive 91/676 / EC.

The creation of ZVN has led to a restriction on the amount of nitrogen (N) that can be applied to crops. Maize is one of the most demanding crops of N and represents around 50,000 ha in Catalonia. The Corn Stalk Nitrate Test (CSNT) was developed at Iowa State University and evaluates, at the end of the campaign, the availability of N corn. compares with the needs of N during the whole cycle of the crop, allowing to do adjustments in next campaigns.

The information provided by the CSNT is of great interest in the agricultural / livestock sector as it allows to adjust the maximum doses of N applicable in vulnerable areas if this test is performed, as well as measuring performance and splitting the cover into two or more applications. The CSNT can become a teaching tool for farmers, as it allows to demonstrate whether the N has been a limiting (or an excess) during the crop cycle

Activity financed through Operation 01.02.01 of Technology Transfer of the Rural Development Program of Catalonia 2014-2020