Community approach in mitigating nitrte leaching in groun water
2005
Aguinaldo, A. C. | Mercado, B. S. | Liboon, S. P. | Grospe, R. H. | Castro, R. C.
Early studies conducted in Magnuang, Batac, Ilocos Norte [Philippines] by the Rainfed Lowland Rice Consortium showed that the ground water is contaminated with high amount of nitrate (49 ppm). They claim that this was due to the excessive application of nitrogen fertilizers in pepper production. Because of the detrimental effect of high nitrate level to humans, strategies to mitigate the nitrate level in the ground water were showcased in demonstration trials. Three strategies to mitigate nitrate level were tested, as follows; direct seeded technology for rice during the fallow period, use of recommended fertilizers requirement for pepper and planting catch crop like indigo and corn. Eight farmers in the community were tapped as cooperators. Instead of the fallow period (May-August), the farmers direct seeded PSB Rc14, PSB Rc18, and PSB Rc72H. After rice, pepper was planted and the recommended fertilizer rate was followed. After the pepper, corn and indigo were planted to serve as nitrogen catch crops. The demo farms of pepper applied with the recommended fertilizer rate had an average income of P136,641/ha. Adjacent farms with excessive application of nitrogen had an average net income of P 118,404/ha. For direct seeded rice, an average income of P 11,590/ha was obtained while an average income of P 89,481 was recorded in corn. Results of demonstration farm were dessiminated to the people in the community during meetings and field days. Massive information campaign was also undertaken.
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