The effects of a liquid Nitrogen Fertilizer on the reproduction of birds

The aims of agriculture, wildlife management and nature conservation are no t entirely similar, yet their interests coincide in providing the essential conditions for our natural wildlife. The natural living-space of wildlife is shrinking due to human activities. 70% of the hunting areas are cultivat ed today. The majority of wild animals is squeezed into the plough-lands, w here they are threatened not only by harvesters and mowers, but also by the adverse effects of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. The experiment was aimed at modelling the effects of NIKROL - UAN solution on chick embryos. In alfalfa-fields different solutions of NIKROL are used for manuring: conc entrated solution for basic fertilization, 50% solution for mulching and 20 % solution for foliar fertilization. The time of foliar fertilization coinc ides with the egg-laying and hatching period of pheasants and partridges, t hus endangering the reproductive success of these species. In the experimen t the effects of different NIKROL - UAN solutions (concentrated, 50%, 20%, 1%) on embryonic development were determined. Main results: Concentrated, 50% and 20% solutions of NIKROL injected into t he eggs caused 87-96% embryonic mortality right after treatment. Embryomortality slightly decreased (27-80%) when eggs were immersed in the solutions, but still was dose-dependent. 29 different morphological deformi ties were detected of which the most frequent ones were stunted growth (16% ) and cyst over the embryo (14%). Statistical analysis showed that in the second 5 days of incubation NICROL did not influence the weight gain of living embryos when eggs were immersed in the solutions. NIKROL - UAN solution proved to be dangerous to small games nestling in alf alfa- and winter-cereal fields. This fact calls for the extention of resear ch on the postembryonic development of birds, and other animal species (dee r, rabbit, etc.). Neglecting fertilization is inconceivable these days, bur the application of fertilizers should be carried out with circumspection. In order to protect birds foliar fertilization should be completed at a tim e not coinciding with the egg-laying and hatching period. The protection of other animal species accounts for the reduction of the amount of fertilize r applied. Nowadays there are numerous biological methods for nutrient supp ly and yield-increase (green manure, compost, bacterial inoculation of soil , etc.).