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Nutrient Management Research Database
General Information
Research Title
Nutrient Management in Cool-Season Vegetables
Link to File
Research Specifications
Crop: Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Celery, Cucumber, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard
Soil Type:
State: California
Year:
Authors
Stuart Pettygrove, Tim Hartz, Richard Smith, Tom Lockhart, Blaine Hanson, Louise Jackson, Steve Grattan
Summary/Abstract from Original Source
Research Highlights
Design and Methods
Water pollution resulting from fertilization practices has become a serious environmental issue in coastal vegetable production systems.
This paper provides the reader with a strong foundation in understanding the role of coastal vegetable production in nitrogen and phosphorus water pollution.
Results
The common practice of double or triple cropping requires careful irrigation and N fertilizer management, particularly when planting short rooted crops such as lettuce, broccoli, or cauliflower.
Soil Nitrogen
There are 6 possible fates for residual soil N:
- Leaching below the rooting zone
- Soilborne erosion loss
- Denitrification
- Immobilization in soil organic matter
- Remain for the following crops
- Ammonia volatilization
The following topics related to soil N are covered:
- N fertilizer forms
- In-season nitrogen dynamics
- Spring planting
- Summer planting
- Crop growth stage and N requirements
- Influence of irrigation
Phosphorus
Water pollution with phosphorus can be avoided in the following ways:
- Fertilize only when soil testing suggests a fertilization response.
- Band P fertilizer to maximize fertilization efficiency.
- Implement a tailwater return system
- Institute erosion control practices