Nitrate leaching under vegetable field above a shallow aquifer in Slovenia

In the search for new technologies that would ensure optimum yield and environmental sustainability, various irrigation, nitrogen and cropping system management strategies for the production of vegetables with a shorter growing period were assessed at a benchmark site in Slovenia for the years 2006 and 2007. In the studied years four irrigation and fertilization treatments were applied: (1) 50% drip irrigation of plants water requirements ETcrop and the farmer's practice of fertilisation (broadcasting), (2) fertilisation and 100% drip irrigation (fertigation), (3) the farmer's practice of irrigation (sprinkler irrigation using water stored in plastic tanks) and fertilisation, and (4) control (the farmer's practice of irrigation but no fertilisation). An equivalent of 80, 80 and 200 kg ha−1 of nitrogen (N), 50, 50 and 80 kg ha−1 of phosphorous (P) and 120, 120 and 300 kg ha−1 of potassium (K) was added for iceberg lettuce, endive and cabbage, respectively. Nitrogen (N) labelled fertilizer (15N) was applied to trace the movement of the applied N fertiliser. The tested irrigation and fertilisation techniques for the production of vegetables with a shorter growing period in the Slovenian climate showed that environmentally sustainable practices (split application of nutrients compared to broadcast incorporating fertilisation) should be a practice of choice in water protection zones. The results confirm that fertigation and improved irrigation scheduling can be an effective way of minimizing nitrate leaching, and should be considered for vegetable production in or close to groundwater protection zones.

► Farmer's practice with broadcast fertilisation resulted in the highest yields.
► Frequent precipitation makes application environmentally friendly fertigation difficult.
► The lowest estimated N losses (kg ha−1) were under fertigation treatment.
► Legislative and monetary endorsement of environmentally friendly practices is imperative.