Nitrate in nature: product of soil cover

Data about nitrogen mineralization and nitrification processes were collected from nine different soil-ecological sites The plots were fertilized with NPK and with PK fertilizers. Models of nitrogen mineralization and nitrification processes have been derived from the results. The maps of nitrogen mineralization processes (1:500,000 and 1:1,000,000) were created with the help of models and on the basis of Geographical Information System about Soils of Slovakia. Higher intensities of nitrogen mineralization and nitrification processes were found in more productive soils in comparison with less productive soils. Nitrogen fertilizers have a stimulating effect on nitrification processes, mainly in more fertile soils. About 160 kg mineral nitrogen is produced in agricultural soils of Slovakia (on average) and about 45–50 kg nitrate nitrogen from that during the vegetation period (non-N-fertilized soils). When nitrogen fertilizers were applied the nitrogen transformations are much more intensive (mainly in more fertile soils).