GIS, MODELING, AND OTHER INNOVATIVE NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT TOOLS THAT CAN BE USED TO ASSESS NITRORGEN FERTILIZER USE EFFICIENCY FROM AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS.

Authors: Delgado, Jorge

Submitted to: National Congress Mexican Society for Soil Science
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/26/2004
Publication Date: 11/8/2004
Citation: Delgado, J.A. 2004. Gis, modeling, and other innovative nutrient management tools that can be used to assess nitrorgen fertilizer use efficiency from agricultural systems. National Congress Mexican Society for Soil Science. CD-ROM.

Interpretive Summary: Since nitrogen (N) is one of the most mobile and dynamic elements, its management in agricultural systems is a difficult task. Nutrient managers need to integrate crop, weather, hydrology and management practices to increase N use efficiency (NUE). Management becomes even harder with the spatial and temporal variability of the fields. Global NUE has been reported to be about 50%, and we need to continue developing new best management practices (BMP) to improve NUE across agricultural fields. The NLEAP model has been a good tool to predict BMP effects on NUE (P<0.05). There is a potential to use these new tools, such as sensors and other in-situ management tools to improve NUE. This invited paper, which is to be presented at the Mexican Society of Soil Science annual meeting, will present the potential to use management techniques that can help us link soil, crop, weather and hydrological factors with cultural and irrigation practices to increase nitrogen fertilizer efficiency while maintaining and or sustaining yield production and quality.

Technical Abstract: This paper, which is to be presented at the 2004 Mexican Society of Soil Science annual meeting, will discuss the potential to use management techniques that can help us link soil, crop, weather and hydrological factors with cultural and irrigation practices to increase nitrogen fertilizer efficiency while maintaining and or sustaining yield production and quality. The science of nutrient management has advanced in large steps during the last decade. New technologies have been developed and tested during this period that can improve nitrogen management. This paper will present examples of potential uses of new technologies and the integration of new developments in the areas of computers, simulation models, GIS, GPS and other in-situ sensors with traditional best management practices for cropping systems management. Additionally, the paper will discuss potential use of these best management practices and technologies to increase nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency while contributing to maximize yields and reduce off-site transport of nitrogen and conservation of our biosphere.