Nitrogen and Phosphorus Cycling in Long-Term Cropping Systems: Environmental and Agronomic Insights
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1
Division of Agricultural Chemistry, Institute of Agriculture, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
2
Faculty of Agriculture and Ecology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw
Corresponding author
Tomasz Niedziński
Division of Agricultural Chemistry, Institute of Agriculture, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
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ABSTRACT
The choice of nutrient management strategy within cropping systems significantly influences the dynamics of mobile nutrient forms, thereby modulating their susceptibility to leaching via soil water movement. Intensive mineral fertilization A-NPK, resulted in the highest recorded nutrient losses during the growing season - 664.4 g N-NO₃·ha⁻¹ and 23.9 g P-PO₄·ha⁻¹ - accompanied by substantial water outflow (83 m³·ha⁻¹). In contrast, systems integrating legumes, periodic liming, and farmyard manure (E-CaNPK, D-Ca+FYM) effectively reduced nutrient leaching - by up to 91% for nitrate - and significantly enhanced total nutrient uptake. The E-CaNPK system achieved the highest uptake values: 142.6 kg N·ha⁻¹ and 24.1 kg P·ha⁻¹, highlighting the synergistic effects of diversified crop rotation and organic inputs. Seasonal variability strongly affected leaching intensity, with early spring conditions - characterized by low evapotranspiration and moderate precipitation - triggering peak nitrate losses. Improvements in soil chemical properties, particularly pH regulation via liming, were essential for nutrient retention. Statistical analyses identified subsoil ammonium concentrations and FYM application as significant negative predictors of nitrogen uptake, while elevated topsoil ammonium was associated with reduced phosphorus uptake. These findings underscore the critical role of integrated fertilization and diversified rotations in mitigating nutrient losses, enhancing soil functionality, and supporting sustainable nutrient management in temperate agroecosystems.