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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fort Collins, Colorado » Center for Agricultural Resources Research » Soil Management and Sugarbeet Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #339454
Research Project: Management Practices for Long Term Productivity of Great Plains Agriculture

Location: Soil Management and Sugarbeet Research

Title: Nitrate leaching index

Author
item VAN ES, H. - Cornell University
item Delgado, Jorge

Submitted to: Encyclopedia of Soil Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/15/2016
Publication Date: 1/15/2017
Citation: Van Es, H.M., Delgado, J.A. 2017. Nitrate leaching index. Encyclopedia of Soil Science. In: Lal, R. editor. Encyclopedia of Soil Science. 3rd Edition. New York, NY:Taylor & Francis. p. 1535-1537.

Interpretive Summary: The Nitrate Leaching Index (NLI) is a rapid assessment tool that evaluates N leaching potential based on basic soil and climate information. It is the basis for many nutrient management planning efforts but has considerable limitations because of: 1) an oversimplification of the processes affecting N leaching and 2) a lack of management considerations. Improved N management in the landscape requires a new NLI that considers the complex interactions of climate conditions, soil characteristics, crop type, off-site factors, and management scenarios. A tiered approach is proposed to achieve these multiple objectives.

Technical Abstract: The Nitrate Leaching Index is a rapid assessment tool that evaluates nitrate (NO3) leaching potential based on basic soil and climate information. It is the basis for many nutrient management planning efforts, but it has considerable limitations because of : 1) an oversimplification of the processes affecting NO3 leaching; and 2) a lack of management considerations.