Nutrient management to save soil
The best soil management practices will likely involve regular use of fertilizers, legumes or manure. In time, these will increase the nitrogen supplying power of the soil.
The potential for increasing mineral nitrogen production also means greater potential for nitrogen loss, but this is unlikely to occur if the land is cropped annually.
Long-term research shows nitrate losses through leaching and denitrification can be reduced. The goal is to keep the applied nitrogen in an ammonium form until it is needed by the crop. That can be done by banding, spoke injection or nesting.
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Proper timing for applying nitrogen is essential to reduce leaching loss. But most important is to determine the nitrogen requirements by testing the soil and by keeping summerfallow to a minimum.
It’s a common misconception that fertilizer is harmful to the soil. There is substantial evidence that fertilizer, when used properly, benefits soil quality and productivity.
Long-term crop rotation studies in western Canada show judicious use of fertilizer increases crop yields, builds soil organic matter and improves the quality of organic matter.
Organic residue a benefit
Increased organic residue, as a result of fertilization, improves physical properties and tilth, which increase water infiltration rates. Fertilizers, legumes or any other nitrogen source may acidify some soils but this is not a major problem on the Prairies.
Are organic sources of nitrogen, such as manures and legumes, better for the environment than fertilizers?
There is no evidence to suggest one nitrogen source is better than another. Long-term research in the black soil zone shows nitrate leaching is possible from legume green manure or hay-containing systems and from fertilized systems.
Nitrates in ground water can originate from soil humus, fertilizers, manure or decaying residue. In fact, nitrogen from organic sources may result in greater nitrate leaching
because the timing of release may not coincide with crop requirements.
Lime buffers acidity
All fertilizers containing ammonium and sulphur can acidify the soil. Fortunately, most western Canadian soils have an alkaline pH and contain free lime which buffers the soil against acidity.
Many soils have high clay content which further resist changes in pH. Soils with pH less than six may eventually require limestone to neutralize the acidity caused by fertilization.
The need can be monitored by regular soil testing. There have been no reported cases on the Prairies where liming has been required to counteract acidity caused by fertilizer.
Burning stubble and other crop residues, or other practices which reduce surface trash, can be harmful. Surface trash protects soil against erosion loss from wind and water, conserves water, helps insulate from temperature extremes and helps build organic matter.
Burning crop residue releases valuable crop nutrients, which can then be lost through leaching. Heat generated by burning also destroys soil humus.
– Semiarid Prairie Agricultural
Research Centre
