Three-year investigations (2007-2009) of water quality in hydroameliorated agricultural areas were carried out at the experimental amelioration field “Jelenščak” Kutina, on hydroameliorated Gleyic Podzoluvisol. Soil was drained in four different drainpipe spacing variants (15 m, 20 m, 25 m and 30 m), set up in four replications. The areas of spacing variants were: 1425 m2, 1900 m2, 2375 m2 and 2850 m2. The same crop was grown in each research year in all variants and the same agricultural management practices were applied. Winter wheat was grown in 2007 and in 2009 and soybean in 2008. Samples of drainage water were taken at drainpipe outlets into the canal. The following parameters were determined in the samples: nitrate concentration and concentration of chlortoluron.
Based on the drainage water analysis, it was established that nitrate concentration as well as chlortoluron concentration exceeded the prescribed MAC values (10 mg.dm-3 NO3-N) in each year and in all variants. Nitrogen concentration in drainage water exceeded the MAC in five months (2006/07), in two months (2008) and in seven months (2008/09). Concentration of chlortoluron in drainage water exceeded the MAC (100 ŋg.dm-3) in five months (2006/07) and in seven months (2008/09). Maximum nitrate concentration was up to 28.42 mg.dm-3, and that of chlortoluron up to 365 ŋg.dm-3.

hydroameliorated soil; drainage water quality; nitrate; chlortoluron

Published by University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, CROATIA
Sponsored by Ministry Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia