Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement (Jan 2010)
L'isotope stable 15N et le lysimètre, des outils complémentaires pour l'étude de la lixiviation de l'azote dans les sols agricoles
Abstract
Stable 15N isotope and lysimeter, complementary tools in order to study the nitrogen leaching in agricultural soils. Stable 15N was used in lysimetric trials conducted with the aim to study nitrate leaching of agricultural soils. At Gembloux, a rate of 200 kg N.ha-1 as 15NH4 15NO3 with an isotopic abundance of 2.161 At%15N was applied in two lysimeters before a spinach crop, followed by beans and winter wheat; in the first lysimeter, total recovery by crops was less than 39.8% while in second lysimeter, recovery was 62.2%. Concentrations of N-NO3 - in leached water were always higher in lysimeter 2 than lysimeter 1, probably due to less microbial immobilization of nitrogen. At Remicourt and Omal, a simulated mineral residue of 150 kg N.ha-1 (rate of 15NH4 15NO3 applied in autumn) has completely disappeared from the soil profile (0-90 cm) already in July of the following year. At Omal, a winter crop has recovered no more than 9% of nitrogen rate applied in autumn. Measurement of N-NO3 - concentration in leached water has shown clearly higher levels at Remicourt (even more than 70 mg N.l-1 probably caused by an application of high rate of compost rich in nitrogen) than is Omal. Stable 15N isotope could not be analyzed in leaching water probably due to a leak of sensitiveness of the analytical equipment.
