Last Reviewed: April 2004

1. Background to the nitrate problem in the UK

Background
Basic information on the nitrogen cycle
Nitrate levels in groundwater
Nitrate levels in river waters
Sources of nitrate
Recent European Union developments

2. Management strategies for inorganic fertiliser use

3. Organic manures and nitrate leaching

Nature of the problem
Factors influencing nitrate leaching
Time of application
Crop
Summary
Key management points

4. Autumn and winter land management

Introduction
Mineralisation of soil organic matter
Effect of cultivation
Mineralisation or organic N from residues of current year's crop
Fertiliser residues
Organic manures
Atmospheric inputs
Crop cover during winter
Summary
Key management points

References: there are various sources including:

• MAFF PB 1092 Solving the Nitrate Problem - Progress in Research and Development. 1995
• MAFF PB4401 Tackling Nitrate from Agriculture Strategy from Science. 1999
• MAFF (1998) Managing Livestock Manure, three related booklets:
  (1) Making better use of livestock manures on arable land.
  (2) Making better use of livestock manures on grassland.
  (3) Spreading systems for slurries and solid manures.

All available from Defra Publications, Admail 6000, London, SW1A 2XX. Tel: 08459 556000