Articles
SUSTAINABLE NITROGEN MANAGEMENT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA RASPBERRY CROPS
Article number
777_65
Pages
435 – 438
Language
English
Abstract
In south coastal BC ground water was found to contain elevated levels of nitrates believed to be due in part to application of commercial fertilizers and manure to raspberry crops.
A four year program was undertaken to assess, demonstrate and encourage production practices which would minimize nitrate leaching while still maintaining viable, high yielding raspberry production.
From 2000 to 2003, a survey of raspberry fields showed post-harvest nitrate values ranging from 6.25 to 115 ppm.
In 72% of fields where manure and commercial sources of nitrogen were used, post-harvest nitrate levels were over 55 ppm, a level presenting a high risk of aquifer contamination.
Of fields that used commercial nitrogen only (no manure), only 24% had nitrate levels over 55 ppm.
Several initiatives were undertaken to encourage improved nutrient and crop management.
A nitrogen credit calculator was developed to help growers estimate crop requirement, account for all sources and determine the rate of nitrogen fertilizer to apply.
Seeding a cereal cover crop after harvest to capture residual nitrates was promoted – in the years of the program, cover cropping increased from 24% to 40% of raspberry fields.
A four year program was undertaken to assess, demonstrate and encourage production practices which would minimize nitrate leaching while still maintaining viable, high yielding raspberry production.
From 2000 to 2003, a survey of raspberry fields showed post-harvest nitrate values ranging from 6.25 to 115 ppm.
In 72% of fields where manure and commercial sources of nitrogen were used, post-harvest nitrate levels were over 55 ppm, a level presenting a high risk of aquifer contamination.
Of fields that used commercial nitrogen only (no manure), only 24% had nitrate levels over 55 ppm.
Several initiatives were undertaken to encourage improved nutrient and crop management.
A nitrogen credit calculator was developed to help growers estimate crop requirement, account for all sources and determine the rate of nitrogen fertilizer to apply.
Seeding a cereal cover crop after harvest to capture residual nitrates was promoted – in the years of the program, cover cropping increased from 24% to 40% of raspberry fields.
Publication
Authors
M. Jeffries, G. Hughes-Games, M. Sweeney, C. Mouritzen
Keywords
raspberry, nitrogen, aquifer
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