Nitrate Information Service (Baden-Württemberg)
The nitrate information service is the agricultural nitrogen fertilizer advice system of the state of Baden-Württemberg .
Nitrogen is one of the most important plant nutrients and is therefore indispensable for plant growth. A targeted nitrogen fertilization adapted to the needs is a prerequisite for optimal plant yields and healthy food production. Excessive nitrogen fertilization, on the other hand, leads to damage in numerous crops, excessive nitrogen pollution pollutes the groundwater and can form harmful chemical compounds in the human body. Nitrogen fertilization according to good professional practice is therefore of great economic and ecological importance.
The nitrate information service offers agricultural businesses in Baden-Württemberg during the growing season a nitrogen fertilizer recommendation based on the needs of the plants. This recommendation is based on the analysis of the nitrogen available for plants in the soil. This mineral nitrogen ( Nmin ) can be determined with the help of soil samples . Since the mineral nitrogen in the soil is very mobile, different soil depths are sampled and the samples must be kept cool until analysis. In Baden-Württemberg there are special transport boxes with green, white and black cups for floor depths of 0–30 cm, 30–60 cm and 60–90 cm in circulation. If the Nmin content of the soil is known, the required amount of fertilizer can be calculated either manually or with the software of the nitrate information service. The following basic information incorporated the farm in the calculation: Attached main culture with the expected yield, grown the previous crop and catch crop , the soil and the livestock .
The data collected by the laboratories approved by the Agricultural Technology Center Augustenberg are evaluated centrally there, and regional fertilizer recommendations are made from this. These recommendations are published in the Landpost and other weekly newspapers.