Water and Nutrient Management Planning -- Monitoring of Irrigation and Fertilization Practices

摘要

Nutrient management regulations are a reality or on the horizon for agricultural operations in many states of the U S.A. The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may soon enforce laws regarding non-point (diffuse) sources of nutrient loadingto the nation's rivers and streams. These are the section 303(d) provisions of the Clean Water Act that have been law since 1972 (EPA, 2000a), which have not been enforced until now. Knowing the efficiency of irrigation water and nutrient applications innursery and greenhouse operations is important, since it not only allows for a proactive environmental assessment of management practices, but it also can allow for cost savings in water and fertilizer inputs. A water and nutrient management planning process will help a grower assess the efficiency of these cultural practices, and gain the necessary information to write a plan. This information will allow a grower to evaluate changes that can improve his pr eduction efficiency, implement best management practices and reduce nutrient runoff without sacrificing plant quality or production time.