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Water pollution: the measures of the new decree of the national action program

The decree relating to the 7th national action program to be implemented in vulnerable zones in order to reduce water pollution by nitrates of agricultural origin (NAP) was published on January 30. The measures will apply in each region from the publication of the order revising the regional action program and no later than January 1, 2024. Here is an update on the main points specifically concerning oilseed crops.

Mineral nitrogen application in autumn on rapeseed

The main novelty is the possibility to apply a maximum of 30 kg/ha of mineral nitrogen in vegetation, after August 31, between the 4-leaf stage and October 15, for the purpose of integrated protection against larval infestations of autumn insects.

This possibility is reserved for situations where there is a risk of a nitrogen deficiency appearing at the end of autumn, with the aim of maintaining active growth and thus improving the tolerance of plants to these larval infestations.

This application is reserved for situations where :

    No type 0, I.a, I.b or II nitrogen fertilizer was applied before September 1, corresponding to more than 30 effective nitrogen units
    The rape was sown before August 25th
    And if at least one of the following conditions is respected :

o Rapeseed is planted after a previous cereal crop with buried crop residues and the historical frequency of application of type 0, I.a, I.b or II fertilizers is less than one year in three
o or soils with low nitrogen availability (specified by the regional action programs).

This measure will be reviewed in 2027. It will only be renewed if updated knowledge shows that this autumn application of nitrogen to vegetation does not lead to an increase in the risk of nitrate leaching or to an increase in the total amount of nitrogen applied to rapeseed.

If the decree revising the regional action program is published before the fall of 2023, this measure can be applied as of the fall of 2023. Otherwise, it can only be implemented in the fall of 2024.
Soil cover in long intercropping

During a long intercropping period after a sunflower crop and before a spring crop, soil cover can no longer be obtained by fine crushing of the canes followed by burying the residues within 15 days of harvest. A cover crop must be planted.

Soil cover during a short intercrop

During a short intercrop after winter rape and before an autumn sown crop, soil cover is mandatory. It can be obtained by dense and spatially homogeneous rapeseed regrowth that must be maintained for at least one month.

Under certain conditions, the regrowth can be destroyed every three weeks (infestation by the nematode Heterodera schachtii and receiving beets in the rotation) as well as on crop islands infested by the large-scale flea beetle when the harvest is late.

The measures concerning soil cover during intercropping may be subject to regional adaptations set by the regional action programs.