The! Management Systems Evaluation Area (MSEA) project was initiated in 199
0 to evaluate existing and develop new N management technologies to reduce
the potential adverse impacts of agricultural practices on surface and grou
nd water quality, Field research sites were established in nine Midwestern
states. Results from MSEA research showed that nitrate leaching was greatly
reduced by changing from furrow to sprinkler irrigation. At least 95% of t
he nitrate N percolating through tiled soils was intercepted and discharged
into surface waters. Computer models indicated that routing tile discharge
through wetlands would greatly reduce the nitrate load. Nitrate losses als
o were reduced by establishing controlled water tables using drainage lines
for subirrigation. Preplant and presidedress soil nitrate tests were effec
tive in determining proper N fertilizer rates and reducing nitrate losses.
Banding ammoniated fertilizers slowed nitrification rates and nitrate leach
ing, especially if soil over the bands was packed, A major new technology w
as proof that crop greenness can be used to monitor crop N sufficiency, and
that N deficiencies after the V8 stage can be corrected by sidedressing or
fertigation (reactive N management). Inexpensive sensors or aerial photogr
aphs can be used to assess crop greenness. Using Global Positioning Systems
(GPS), N-deficient areas of the field ran he managed differently from the
remainder of the field. These results point to the need to develop site-spe
cific or precision farming systems to control nitrate losses to water resou
rces and reduce the impart of natural variability in both soils and weather
.