What is a recommended approach to reduce nitrogen runoff from agricultural fields?

Implementing cover crops or buffer strips is a highly effective approach to reduce nitrogen runoff from agricultural fields. Cover crops, such as clover or rye, are planted during the off-season to protect the soil from erosion and absorb excess nutrients, including nitrogen, preventing them from leaching into waterways. Buffer strips are areas of vegetation planted between agricultural fields and water bodies, which act as barriers to absorb and filter nutrients before they reach the water. This dual strategy not only helps in improving soil health and fertility by enhancing organic matter but also plays a crucial role in maintaining water quality by mitigating the impacts of nutrient runoff.

Other strategies like using more fertilizers tend to exacerbate the problem of nitrogen runoff, as additional application can lead to surplus nutrients that the crops cannot utilize. Increasing tillage practices often disrupt soil structure and can lead to greater soil erosion and nutrient loss. Planting monocultures usually reduces biodiversity, making fields more susceptible to pests and diseases, while also increasing the likelihood of nutrient imbalances. Hence, the recommended approach leverages natural processes to create a more sustainable agricultural practice that safeguards both soil and water resources.