Quantification of Intra- vs. Inter-Row Leaching of Major Plant Nutrients in Sloping Vineyard Soils

Nutrient leaching from agricultural soils presents an economic loss for farmers and can degrade the quality of surrounding environment. Thus, leachates 18 in situ wick lysimeters, installed at 40 cm soil depth vineyard hilltop, backslope, footslope intra- inter-row area (SUPREHILL Critical Zone Observatory, Croatia) were collected monthly over two years analyzed major plant nutrient ions. Our objectives to quantify losses via hilltop towards backslope footslope, compare vine rows (intra-row) with grassed areas between (inter-row). We found that concentrations nitrate, orthophosphate, potassium significantly higher as compared only not positions, while ammonium was independent slope row positions. The intra-row is identified probable spatial origin along slope, thus confirming spatially different contributions overall hillslope nutrients leaching. experimental field scheme used this study, which separately analyses inter-row, confirmed be adequate approach optimizing management practices.