WHY IS NITROGEN MANAGEMENT IMPORTANT?
· Nitrogen causes water-quality problems in many parts of Delaware. Nitrogen pollution comes from a variety of sources within the state; however, agriculture is a significant contributor in many areas. This contribution can be greatly reduced by establishing or improving nutrient management. · An important goal of the Delaware Nutrient Management Program is to improve water quality while maintaining or enhancing agricultural profitability. One way to accomplish this goal is to balance the amounts, placement, and timing of nitrogen on cropland with crop needs. · Management techniques that increase our ability to use the nitrogen from applications of organic materials (such as animal manure or litter) and inorganic fertilizers will protect water quality and can increase the profitability of farming operations. WHAT ARE THE BASICS OF NITROGEN MANAGEMENT? · The first step in managing nitrogen is determining the needs based on the crop type, yield goals, and soil characteristics. University
