Evaluation of Changes in the Efficiency of Nitrogen Utilization in Agricultural Production of Poland

Abstract

The aim of the study was evaluation the use of nitrogen in Polish agriculture, at national (NUTS-0) and regional (NUTS-2) levels. The conducted analysis between 2002 and 2014, based on the gross nitrogen balance, showed an improvement in the use of this macronutrient in the agricultural production process in Poland. Despite the continuing negative relationship between N:P:K in applied mineral fertilizers, the efficiency of nitrogen utilization has far exceeded 60% in recent years. The use of this nutrient has also improved in most Polish voivodeships. However the differences between them are quite significant and range from 55% in wielkopolskie to 84% in the podkarpackie voivodeships. The efficiency of nitrogen utilization is significantly negatively correlated with its balance surpluses (r2 = 0.77).

Regional Variation in Changes in Agricultural Production in Poland in the Context of Environmental Impact

“…It can be said that the provinces of this "region" are heading towards non-livestock agricultural production, which is characteristic of the Dolnoslaskie and Opolskie or Zachodniopomorskie provinces. In this respect, the distance between these groups of voivodships is significantly reduced (Kopiński 2017c).…”

“…The ratio of N: P: K nutrients in the applied mineral fertilisation is constantly increasing in favour of nitrogen. This is a disadvantageous trend, not only for production but also for environmental reasons, as it leads to the depletion of soil in terms of bioavailable forms of phosphorus and potassium, causing also a decrease in technical and economic efficiency (Kopiński 2017c Change / Zmiana The degree of utilisation of nitrogen fertilisers is particularly important in the context of progressive soil acidification (Kopiński et al 2013).…”

“…11). Since the beginning of the 21st century, including the period of Poland's membership in the EU, the situation in animal production in Poland has been relatively stable, if its assessment is limited only to the stocking i ekonomicznej (Kopiński 2017c). Stopień wykorzystania nawozów azotowych jest istotny szczególnie w kontekście postępującego zakwaszenia gleb (Kopiński i in.…”

“…Its changes were strongly influenced by changes in the level of mineral fertilisation with nitrogen. As a result of the quantitative and structural changes of individual elements of both sides of the gross nitrogen balance, there is a slight increase in the efficiency of the use of this component (Kopiński 2017c). In the analysed period, this increase concerned all provinces of Poland, with the exception of Dolnoslaskie province.…”

“…Na jego zmiany silny wpływ miały zmiany poziomu nawożenia mineralnego azotem. Efektem zmian ilościowych i strukturalnych poszczególnych elementów obu stron bilansu azotu brutto jest niewielki wzrost efektywności wykorzystania tego składnika (Kopiński 2017c). W analizowanym okresie wzrost ten dotyczył wszystkich województw Polski, z wyjątkiem dolnośląskiego.…”