Soil Nutrient Studies

On February 28, 2019, the Agricultural Waste Control Regulation was replaced by the Agricultural Environmental Management Code of Practice. This page is being updated to be consistent with the new regulation.

Soil nutrient studies have been conducted for agronomic and environmental purposes, in three regions of British Columbia: Hullcar Valley (2016 and 2017), the Lower Fraser Valley (2012 and 2005), and the Okanagan-Similkameen Valley (2007).

2017 Post-Harvest Nitrate Study: Hullcar Valley

Highlights of Progress Report

Monitoring the year-to-year trends of post-harvest soil nitrate is useful for improving the efficiency of nitrogen use
In the fall of 2017, 39 agricultural fields over or near the Hullcar Aquifer 103 were sampled for a Post-Harvest (Soil) Nitrate Test (PHNT) to compare with 2016 results
In 2017, PHNT values were high or very high in 5 (or 13%) fields, and low or medium in 34 (or 87%) fields
In 2016, PHNT values were high or very high in 18 (or 46%) fields, and low or medium in 21 (or 54%) fields
Results from 2016-2017 did not support the use of the PHNT soil test as a measure of environmental risk of nitrate leaching in the study area
Additional monitoring continues during the period between the 2017 and 2018 seasons of crop growth to determine the potential use of the PHNT to assess risk of nitrate leaching

Read the Progress Report: