Abstract. An analysis of factors influencing effective soil acidification management is reported. This analysis was conducted simultaneously at both national and local levels. These investigations were accomplished in three stages: (i) validation of acid soil spatial patterns using systems analysis and geoinformation methods; (ii) spatial statistical analysis of soil pH diversity using a statistical grid method; and (iii) development of the concept of soil acidity management. Results indicate the national spatial distribution of topsoil reaction is a natural and stable phenomenon related to Quaternary sub-surface deposits. However, secondary effects of topsoil liming are evident in both spatial and temporal soil reaction patterns.

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The aim of the work was to evaluate the effect of different forms (granular or liquid) of nitrogen fertilizers on nitrate concentration and nitrogen leaching from a sandy loam Haplic Luvisol (LVh), to identify precipitation infiltration differences in fertilized and unfertilized soils. It was revealed that fertilization with nitrogen (on average 120 kg ha -1 N), compared to the unfertilized soil, increased the average annual nitrate concentration in leachate by 37.5-54.3% (P < 0.05). Slightly higher nitrate concentration was revealed after application of liquid fertilizer UAN 32. Compared to unfertilized soil, the impact of fertilizers on the increase of nitrate concentration in leachate was significant during summer (by 6.2-40.4 mg L -1 NO 3 ; P < 0.05) and autumn (by 32.2-52.3 mg L -1 NO 3 , or 49.8-80.8%; P < 0.05). Nitrogen leaching from nitrogen-fertilized soil increased by on average 6.3-9.5 kg ha -1 N per year, as compared with the unfertilized soil. Compared with ammonium nitrate and liquid complex fertilizer Lyderis 9-9-9, significantly more nitrogen (by 2.7-3.2 kg ha -1 N; P < 0.05) was leached from the soil applied with liquid fertilizer UAN 32. An average of 6.0-8.9% of applied nitrogen fertilizer content was leached per year. Thicker and more vigorous crops formed in fertilized soil, this reduced the average rainfall infiltration by 13.7-16.2% per year and by 31.6-38.8% during summer period, compared with unfertilized soil. This reduced the overall nitrogen leaching losses resulting from application of fertilizers.

The average annual rate of atmospheric precipitation is about 38-40% on the territories of the Republics of Lithuania and Belarus. On agricultural land, with runoff waters various chemical elements leach into the subsoil and cause negative impact on the quality of water bodies. The main objectives of this study were to assess the influence of climate variability on the infiltration of atmospheric precipitation in Lithuania (Vilnius) and Belarus (Minsk). The long-term lysimetric experiment (lysimeter surface area of 1.75-2.0 m 2 ) data of the precipitation infiltration during 1987-2008 was used in the study. It was determined that in 1987-2007 precipitation amount on the studied territory in Lithuania (Vilnius) slightly increased (+10 mm) compared with the climate norm, while in Belarus it significantly decreased (−109 mm), precipitation amount in separate months changed, and it had an impact on the amount of precipitation infiltration. In Lithuania, strong correlation between the amounts of precipitation and infiltrated water was established during the summer period (R 2 = 0.77, t r = 99.9%), moderate correlation -in autumn (R 2 = 0.48, t r = 99.9%). In Belarus, a strong correlation was established in spring (R 2 = 0.978, t r = 99.9%), moderate correlation -in summer (R 2 = 0.537, t r = 99.9%), and winter (R 2 = 0.592, t r = 99.9%) periods. During 1987During -2008 in Lithuania a significant increase (p < 0.05) in infiltration of atmospheric precipitation in the course of the spring period was established. The trend of increased infiltration in summer and reduced infiltration during the autumn period is also established (correlation is insignificant). In Belarus (Minsk), due to lower amount of atmospheric precipitation in 1987-2007, the infiltration decreased during all seasons of the year, but because of the variation of the climatic conditions, no statistically significant trends (p > 0.05) of change in infiltration were established.

Please use the following format when citing the article: Tripolskaja L., Ražukas A., Šidlauskas G., Verbylienė I. AbstractNew forms of mineral fertilizers containing bioactive components or substances controlling dissolution of granules in the soil are being developed to increase their efficiency and decrease negative environmental impacts. The present study was aimed to compare the effects of different complex fertilizers and complex fertilizer containing a nitrification inhibitor DMPP (3,4-dimethylpyrazole-phosphate) on barley and potato yield and quality, and nitrogen leaching. Experiments were carried out at Vokė Branch of the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry during 2012-2016. Experiments were performed in lysimetric facilities on a sandy loam Luvisol (LV) with a surface area of 1.75 m 2 and a test soil layer of 0.60 m thickness. Experimental treatments: 1) granular simple NPK fertilizers, 2) complex fertilizer nitrogenphosphate NP 33:3, 3) complex NPK fertilizer with bioactive components Eurofertil 35 and 4) complex NPK fertilizer with a nitrification inhibitor NovaTec classic. The investigated simple NPK and complex fertilizers (nitrogenphosphate NP 33:3, Eurofertil 35 and NovaTec classic) had a similar effect on the grain yield of barley, but significantly increased (7.7%, P < 0.05) the tuber yield of potatoes. Application of the fertilizer with a nitrification inhibitor improved the quality of barley grain and potato tubers and lowered the concentration of nitrates in tubers. Compared with simple fertilizers (ammonium nitrate, granular superphosphate and potassium chloride), the application of complex fertilizers nitrogenphosphate NP 33:3, Eurofertil 35, containing bioactive substances, and NovaTec classic, supplemented with a nitrification inhibitor, affected the dynamics of nitrogen leaching during specific periods, but no significant changes were estimated for nitrogen leaching per hydrological year.