wein.plus
Attention
You are using an old browser that may not function as expected.
For a better, safer browsing experience, please upgrade your browser.

Log in Become a Member

Nmin method

Nmin method (GB)

The quality (creditworthiness) of a soil with regard to its suitability for agricultural use is determined by means of bonitur. Especially when planting new vines for the first time, a laboratory analysis of the soil must be carried out as a first measure. The Nmin method is a procedure for determining the mineral content of nitrogen in the soil that is available to the plants. This is referred to as "Nmin" (in contrast to the organically bound nitrogen known as "Norg"). The organically bound nitrogen is not yet available to plants and is only gradually converted into plant-available nitrogen by microorganisms in the course of the annual vegetation cycle.

Nmin-Methode - Fahrzeug mit Gerät für Probenentnahme

However, nitrogen is already needed at the beginning of vegetation. With the classical Nmin method, the amount available in the root zone in the form of ammonium and nitrates is determined up to a depth of 90 cm in three layers of 30 cm each at the beginning of vegetation. The picture shows a sample collection with a vehicle equipped with a power unit, electric impact hammer and puller. The target value indicates the amount that must be present in the intensively rootable soil profile at the beginning of vegetation and that fertilisation is not necessary. It is about 80 to 100 kg Nmin/ha.

If there is a deficit, mineral (not organic) fertiliser must be applied. The classical Nmin method is based on the determination of target values and requires a great deal of testing and calibration. Therefore, the modified Nmin method is increasingly used. It is based primarily on estimated values and is much easier to carry out. Another method is the EUF method. The planned establishment of a vineyard or the planting of vines in compliance with all laws, observance of all criteria and the necessary measures are described under vine establishment plan.

Image: by Dr. Eugen Lehle - Own work soil laboratory, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

Voices of our members

Roman Horvath MW

wein.plus is a handy, efficient guide to a quick overview of the colourful world of wines, winegrowers and grape varieties. In Wine lexicon, the most comprehensive of its kind in the world, you will find around 26,000 keywords on the subject of grape varieties, wineries, wine-growing regions and much more.

Roman Horvath MW
Domäne Wachau (Wachau)

The world's largest Lexicon of wine terms.

0 Keywords · 0 Synonyms · 0 Translations · 0 Pronunciations · 0 Cross-references
made with by our author Norbert F. J. Tischelmayer. About the Lexicon

EVENTS NEAR YOU

PREMIUM PARTNERS