The soil is the farmer’s first and greatest asset. Every farmer seeks to improve soil nutrients to support plant growth. In their bid to do this, they resort to the use of fertilizers and manure to supply two important nutrients – nitrogen and phosphorus to the soil to improve crop yield. However, in some situations where the soil is unable to absorb all nutrients, the excess nutrients may be washed away when it rains or carried away when it is windy. This may lead to pollution of water and air respectively. Furthermore, these chemicals may leach into underground water structures and cause pollution. Among several other ways, we can prevent through the following nutrient management practices.
First of all, the best way to protect your farm when nutrient management is concerned is by the proper application of fertilizer. Always endeavour to apply the right quantity of fertilizer at the right time using the appropriate procedures and placement. It is important to reduce the number of fertilizers and rather result in the use of organic fertilizers from manure. You may also rotate the cultivation of crop nitrogen–producing crops to augment nitrogen supplies in the soil. Minimizing the use of chemical fertilizers on your farm is a viable way to eliminate nutrient pollution.
Cover cropping is another great method. Cover cropping is a great way to prevent the soil from being bare and exposed to harmful chemicals. In addition, cover crops ensure that excess nutrients in the soil are used up. If you have a water body close to your farm, it would be great to plant trees, and shrubs along the banks of water bodies. This is because rain and run-off water may wash nitrogen into water bodies. Planting cover crops will help in the absorption of these nutrients which would otherwise end up in the water body and contaminate them.
Furthermore, conservation of tillage can be considered. Deep tilling of land may expose soil to erosion, runoff and soil compaction, and therefore increase the chance of nutrients reaching waterways through runoff to cause pollution. It is important as a farmer to consider reducing the intensity of tillage to avert these adverse effects and to improve general soil health.
One of the most effective methods is also wastewater treatment. Wastewater when left untreated aggravates nutrient pollution to surrounding water bodies. Soapy water used for cleaning and washing on the farm may contain nitrogen from detergents and if not properly treated and disposed of may contribute to nutrient pollution. To avoid this, make sure to deploy a wastewater treatment facility on your farm.
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