A model, is presented with which calculations on the nitrogen balance of a soil can be performed. The processes considered include leaching, transformation of mineral and organic N, adsorption, and plant uptake. Model calculations on the nitrogen balance for conditions of continuous leaching during the growing season in the humid tropics show a reasonable agreement between N uptake as predicted on the basis of observed root distribution and actually measured uptake. Practical possibilities for increasing nutrient use efficiency through better synchronization and synlocalization of nutrient supply in relation to nutrient demand by the crop are discussed.
Publication year
1989
Authors
De Willigen P; van Noordwijk, M.
Language
English
Keywords
synchronization, nitrogen
