Reduction of agricultural non-point pollution source by scenarios of best management practices on cropping system alternatives of main upland crop in Saemangeum Watershed

Nonpoint pollution sources from agricultural activities are a major cause of water quality impairment. A nutrient management program utilizes farm practices that maintain efficient crop production systems and control agricultural nonpoint pollution sources. The objectives of present study were to identify appropriate best management practices (BMPs) according to changes of cropping system of main upland crop for reducing AGNPs loadings and to simulate the effects of the application of the several BMPs scenarios in Saemangeum watershed. The selected BMP scenarios were: 1) to convert naked barley and hulled barley to hairy vetch or chinese milk vetch, 2) to convert red pepper to soybean crop, and 3) to combine two scenarios, converting naked barley and hulled barley to hairy vetch or chinese milk vetch + converting red pepper to soybean crop. As a result of BMPs application, the crop requirement of nitrogen and phosphorus for upland crop reduced nitrogen by 41% and phosphorus by 47% in scenario 1, whereas scenario 2 reduced nitrogen by 30% and phosphorus by 23%. Overall, scenario 3 reduced nitrogen by 72% and phosphorus by 70% in agricultural non-point pollution sources associated with chemical fertilizer and livestock manure in Saemangeum watershed.