A simulation of the economic and environmental impact of variable rate nitrogen application

This analysis shows that there is some potential yield benefit from site-specific application of nitrogen in winter wheat, barley and rape seed based on static knowledge about the soil structure and soil conductivity. A presumption is that some spatial variability of the soil structure occurs on the field. However, findings from this also indicate that changing climatic conditions have a significant impact on yield response from variable nitrogen application. The study also establishes that site-specific N-application seems to have a positive but also small impact on nitrate leaching in cereals.