Seminar “Precision Fertilisation and Environmentally Friendly Measures in the Dovinė River Basin”

On 24 October, an important seminar entitled “Precision Fertilisation and Environmentally Friendly Measures in the Dovinė River Basin” was held in Simnas (Alytus District), organised by partners of the LIFE SIP Water project and dedicated to improving the status of water bodies in the Dovinė basin. The seminar was attended by project partners—scientists who presented key ideas on how to improve the condition of water bodies in the Dovinė basin. The event was also attended by the project team leader, Ieva Pociūnienė, and activities coordinator, Dominyka Sivickienė.

Dr Zenonas Gulbinas, Project Manager at the Nature Heritage Fund (GPF), presented research-based ideas on how to improve the status of water bodies in the Dovinė basin. According to him, water quality could be improved by applying a combination of nature-based and engineering solutions aimed at reducing pollution sources from agricultural activities.

The scientist’s key recommendations included establishing protective buffer strips, as grassy vegetation in fertilised fields near streams reduces the runoff of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) into water bodies. He also emphasised the importance of restoring wetlands and retention ponds, which help naturally filter surface runoff. Preventing soil erosion is equally important—by limiting intensive ploughing on slopes and applying minimum tillage practices. Maintaining natural water bodies and grasslands is also essential. According to the scientist, applying these measures would not only reduce nutrient inputs into rivers but also improve biodiversity and the ecological condition of the landscape.

Sustainable solutions that can contribute to improving the status of water bodies were also discussed by Dr Lina Šarūnaitė, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Agriculture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry (LAMMC), Department of Plant Nutrition and Agroecology. She emphasised that the main sustainable solutions are linked to well-planned fertilisation and nutrient management. To improve water quality, fertiliser application rates must be precisely calculated and based on soil testing and crop needs. Cover crops are essential, as they retain nitrogen during non-growing periods and reduce leaching. Another important factor is crop rotation planning—rotating crops grown in the same area helps balance nutrients and reduces the spread of pests and diseases. The scientist also highlighted the importance of proper timing of fertilisation, stressing that fertilisation should be avoided before heavy rainfall or when the soil is still frozen. By following these key recommendations, fertilisers can be used more efficiently, costs reduced, and water bodies protected from excessive nutrient loads.

Precision fertilisation is critically important

During the seminar, it was emphasised that precision fertilisation is one of the core principles of sustainable farming, as it:
enables accurate fertiliser dosing based on soil fertility, crop needs, and local conditions;
helps reduce nutrient runoff into water bodies, thereby lowering the risk of eutrophication;
reduces farmers’ costs by achieving greater efficiency with lower fertiliser inputs;
contributes to reducing greenhouse gas (N₂O) emissions resulting from excess nitrogen in soils.
The seminar concluded that the application of precision fertilisation directly contributes to improved water quality by reducing the main pollutants—nitrogen and phosphorus—that enter rivers and lakes from agricultural sources.

Why are farmers still not widely applying precision fertilisation?

The seminar also discussed the main barriers limiting the adoption of precision fertilisation:
lack of information and knowledge—not all farmers are aware of the methods or their benefits;
high technology costs—equipment, sensors, GPS systems, and software require investment;
limited soil sampling practices—only a small number of farmers regularly test their soils;
lack of advisory services—limited access to tailored guidance on applying technologies in specific locations. According to scientists, education, demonstration farms, and support measures are key factors that could significantly encourage wider adoption of precision fertilisation.

The seminar highlighted that improving the status of water bodies in the Dovinė River basin is closely linked to changes in farming practices. Precision fertilisation and nature-based solutions make it possible to balance agricultural activity with environmental protection, and their wider application would help achieve the goals of the LIFE SIP Water project—improving water quality and reducing the environmental impact of agriculture.