Research Projects

Research Organisation Partners

• Geološki zavod Slovenije
• KGZS – Kmetijsko gozdarski zavod Maribor

Abstract

The project "Development of Sustainable Agricultural Practices to Reduce the Impact of Nitrates on Soil and Groundwater Quality (NITRAT)" addresses the challenges of implementing modern agricultural practices and technological solutions in farming to protect water from nitrate pollution. It also encourages farmers to adopt measures outlined in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). In Slovenia, the entire territory is designated as a vulnerable area, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding groundwater, a key source of drinking water. As a result, agricultural holdings must adhere to specific practices:

• Fertilizing only when plants need nutrients for growth.
• Adjusting nutrient doses according to plant requirements.
• Using appropriate mechanization.
• Ensuring adequate storage capacity for livestock manure during periods when fertilization is prohibited.

Nitrogen, a crucial plant nutrient, promotes the growth of green plants and is absorbed from the soil in nitrate and ammonium forms. Fertilization helps replenish the nutrients that crops remove from agricultural land. However, nutrients that remain unused in the soil can leach into groundwater, causing pollution. Slovenia has established an operational program to reduce nitrogen input into the soil, as outlined in the Regulation on the Protection of Waters from Nitrate Pollution from Agricultural Sources, to mitigate this. Compliance with this Regulation is mandatory for all agricultural holdings in Slovenia.

Additionally, guidelines have been created to assist farmers and advisory services in meeting these requirements. The project will specifically examine alluvial groundwater aquifers in poor condition. Many of these aquifers are protected under regulations designed to safeguard water sources intended for drinking. In 2021, water protection areas encompassed 3,532 km², representing 17.4% of Slovenia's land area. However, the goal of having all public drinking water supply catchments protected by national legislation has not yet been achieved. Drinking water protection zone (WPZ) and associated regimes are crucial for safeguarding drinking water for public supply now and in the future. Within WPZ 16% of agricultural land and 20% of cropland land in Slovenia is located. Through various projects (CRP VVO, CRP TriN, ARRS URAVIVO, EIP VODE, doctoral dissertations), we have assessed the effectiveness of selected agricultural practices and regulations from the WPZ and CAP on groundwater resources in vulnerable areas (Dravsko-Ptujsko polje, Krško-brežiško polje). This involved preparing nutrient balances considering agricultural activities, urban discharges, and natural background levels. Our findings indicate that while many administrative measures and restrictions exist, the quality of their implementation and farmers' interest in practical application often fall short due to issues such as implementation costs and lack of engagement. The challenge lies in enhancing or redesigning CAP measures and restrictions to improve their implementation quality and interest among farmers. The results of this project will serve as a foundation for action at both systemic (strategic plans, regulations, conventions, directives) and practical levels (transferring knowledge into practice).

The project aims to promote modern agricultural practices and technological solutions to protect Slovenian water from nitrate pollution.

The research will be conducted in five steps:

1. Analyze, upgrade, and monitor agricultural practices and technological solutions to reduce nitrate contamination of soil and groundwater from agricultural sources.

2. Measure nitrate content in soil and groundwater.

3. The model proposed environmental (water bodies) and socio-economic (agricultural economy) measures to lower nitrate levels in soil and groundwater.

4. Assess and recommend changes to Slovenia's environmental policies and CAP measures.

5. Transfer knowledge about agricultural practices and technological solutions that mitigate the impact of nitrates on soil and groundwater to farmers and the professional community.

Researchers

Biotechnical Faculty UL – Lead partner

28495 - Matjaž Glavan (R)

19259 - Vesna Zupanc (R)

10024 - Marina Pintar (R)

10584 - Andrej Udovč (R)            

21843 - Anton Perpar (R)             

54403 - Janja Rudolf (R)              

Slovenian Geological Survey – partner

35387 - Anja Koroša (R)

32051 - Sonja Cerar (R)

01259 – Nina Mali (R)

17247 - Miroslav Medić (T)

56294 - Nejc Bizjak (T)

KGZS KGZ Maribor – Institute of Agriculture Maribor – partner

25513 - Tamara Korošec (R)

54409 - Gregor Kramberger (R)

52678 - Mojca Hribernik (R)

The phases of the project and their realization

DS1 AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR REDUCING NITRATES IN GROUNDWATER (1-30 months) (led by KGZS KGZ MB, participating UL BF)

1.1 Overview of existing agricultural practices or technologies for nitrate reduction (1-4 months) (KGZS KGZ MB, UL BF)

1.2 Possibilities for upgrading agricultural practices and technologies (4-6 months) (KGZS KGZ MB, UL BF)

1.3 Upgrading and monitoring of agricultural practices and technological solutions for reducing soil and groundwater nitrate pollution from agricultural sources (1-30 months) (KGZS KGZ MB, UL BF)

DS2 NITRATE ANALYSES AND MEASUREMENT (1-24 months) (led by GeoZS, participating KGZS KGZ MB, UL BF)

2.1 Data analyses of existing and archived water status monitoring programs (1-24 months) (GeoZS)

2.2 Nitrate monitoring (6-24 months) (GeoZS)

2.3 Isotopic composition of water and nitrogen (6-24 months) (GeoZS)

2.4 Microbial DNA in a water source (6-24 months) (BF UL)

 2.5 Plant and soil nitrate tests (6-30 months) (KGZS KGZ MB)

2.6 Lysimeters in test fields and assessment of the impact of agricultural practices on reducing soil and groundwater nitrate pollution (6-24 months) (GeoZS)

DS3 MODELING OF PROPOSED ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC MEASURES (18-30 months) (waters UL BF)

3.1 Scenarios of agricultural practices and measures from the perspective of environmental acceptability at the level of selected groundwater bodies (18-30 months) (BF UL)

3.2 Scenarios of agricultural practices and measures from the perspective of socio-economic acceptability at the level of selected farms (18-30 months) (BF UL)

DS4 MEASURES AND RESTRICTIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY (6-24th month) (led by UL BF, participating GeoZS, KGZS KGZ MB)

4.1 Assessment of CAP measures from the perspective of agricultural practices and restrictions to reduce nitrate losses into the environment (24-33 months) (UL BF, KGZS KGZ MB, GeoZS)

4.2 Proposals for changes to measures and restrictions to reduce the impact of nitrates on soil and groundwater (30-36 months) (UL BF, KGZS KGZ MB, GeoZS)

DS5 KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER, DISSEMINATION AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT (1-36 months) (led by UL BF, participating GeoZS, KGZS KGZ MB)

5.1 Knowledge transfer (1-36 months) (BF UL, GeoZS, KGZS KGZ MB) Within the framework of the “Partnership for Drinking Water”, with the support of MOPE, we are planning at least the following meetings or workshops with key stakeholders:

• Project presentation, individual workshops with farmers in selected groundwater body areas with information collection and knowledge transfer (1-6 months);
• Workshop or online course with farmers on effective and expertly supported agricultural practices, production technology and precise fertilizer use in groundwater body areas. The workshops will be organized to mark World Water Day (22 March) or World Earth Day (22 April) or World Food Day (16 October) (6-36 months);
• Educational online course for agricultural advisors, specialists responsible for promoting Nitrates Directive measures and restrictions, water resources, environment, production technologies, as well as field advisors with the aim of transferring knowledge to persons who have the most contact and the highest level of trust with end users (27-36 months);
• Final presentation of the project and expert meeting with presentations of the final project report (MOPE, MNVRP, MAGF, ARSO, KGZS, SKZGS, Water companies, farmers, ...) (34-36 months).

5.2 Dissemination (24-36 months) (BF UL, GeoZS, KGZS KGZ MB)

5.3 Project coordination (1-36 months) (BF UL)