Dicyandiamide (DCD) reduces nitrate losses from Irish soils

Abstract

Nitrate leaching is a concern for both environmental and public health reasons. Because of this European farmers are being increasingly regulated to reduce nitrate losses. Dicyandiamide (DCD) has been shown to reduce nitrate losses from grazed pastures in New Zealand, and could potentially be used to satisfy European regulations. In this trial DCD was applied in autumn to urine-treated lysimeters in Ireland and leachate was collected for 12 months following urine application. DCD reduced peak nitrate concentrations by up to 55 %, and reduced total annual nitrate losses by up to 45 %. These results confirm that DCD application has the potential to be a useful tool for Irish farmers to satisfy their environmental obligations.