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Title: Assessment of mineral nitrogen dynamic and its concentration in the soil profile with the updated NLEAP V.2 model: A case study in South Central Bulgaria

Author
item ANGUELOV, GUEORGUI - FL A&M, TALLAHASSEE, FL
item Delgado, Jorge
item SHAFFER, M - USDA-ARS, RERIRED

Submitted to: Soil and Water Conservation Society Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/12/2007
Publication Date: 7/21/2007
Citation: Anguelov, G., Delgado, J.A., Shaffer, M.J. 2007. Assessment of mineral nitrogen dynamic and its concentration in the soil profile with the updated NLEAP V.2 model: A case study in South Central Bulgaria. Soil and Water Conservation Society Proceedings. Abstract. Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Meeting, Tampa, FL, July 21-25-2007. p. 64.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Nitrogen fertilization management is important to maximize use efficiencies and reduce losses, especially under irrigated cropping systems grown on sandy soils. The simulation modeling approach provides a fast and efficient means of integrating management effects with soil and climate information to evaluate the effect of management on nitrogen losses. There is the need to test quick assessment tools that can be used to evaluate management practices for cropping system in south central Bulgaria. This study uses experimental data and revised NLEAP model simulations of a four-field cropping system corn (Zea mays L), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L. saccharifera) carried out on Flufisols in southern Bulgaria. The model will be used to evaluate effects of nitrogen-fertilization techniques such as N fertilizer rates and time of application. The initial version of the NLEAP model was parameterized using the experimental crop and soil data. Nitrogen dynamics in the top 0.3 m and residual nitrogen in the 0 -0.9 m soil profile were monitored and simulated. This preliminary testing with the NLEAP model suggested that NLEAP can be used to evaluate best management practices for this European region. A deeper analysis will be conducted with the new NLEAP V.2 model to assess how best management practices can be used to reduce nitrogen losses without reducing yields for this region of Bulgaria. These new results and analysis will be presented at the 2007 SWCS annual meetings.