does any1 know any methods in which the use of nitrate fertilisers may be reduced?

Answer 1

Nitrogen can be added to soil by planting cover crops or adding compost. A cover crop like legumes ( there are many others too), is allowed to grow in the time between value crops. The cover crop is then worked into the soil to add nutrients & organic matter. Also, (and possibly even better) compost amendment is an excellent way to add nutrients, microorganisms and organic matter to the soil. I've recently returned from a compost study trip in Austria where a farmer told me that after building his soil with compost for 5 years, he no longer needed to add nitrate fertilizer to grow a good corn crop. That is significant because corn is so widely produced and demands a large amount of nitrogen for good yield.

For more info you might Google "Rodale Institute" and read their research on the topic.

I hope that helps.

Answer 2

Yes, but the farmers would have to rotate the crops and raise corn and wheat type crops like every five years. with the price of farm land what it is today have to get high yields. You have to replace what these crops take from the soil
without fertilizer for instance you would get 30 bushels per acre of corn instead of 100-150

Answer 3

Why? Nitrates are a wonderful source of N for nitrogen fixation and plant growth. I have not heard nitrates pollute the planet in any way. They are explosive, though.

Answer 4

Through crop rotation, with one of the crops being something like peanuts. President Carter was said to be a former peanut farmer, when is profit crop was actually tobacco. Peanuts put nitrogen into the soil.

Answer 5

yup

1. Manure of all kinds- human/plant waste, dead organisms, etal
2. Plant lentils, pea- their roots have excellent nitrogen fixating bacteria- absorb nitrogen from Atmosphere- plow again once the plants are about 6 inches long. The bacteria and nitrogen will stay.

Answer 6

Compost is a good alternative.