# Effect of Precision Nitrogen Fertilization of Grassland on Soil Microbial Structure
## 1 Introduction  
Soil is increasingly regarded as a non-renewable resource from the perspective of a human lifetime, as its regeneration process after degradation occurs extremely slowly. Due to the crucial importance of soil for plant and animal production, maintaining it in good condition is of utmost importance [1]. Modern agriculture, especially in developed countries, is characterized by its high intensity. During the growing season, heavy machinery is often used for cultivation, planting, and harvesting, and crops are intensively fertilized and treated with pesticides to maximize yields [2]. Agricultural management plays a key role in shaping soil processes and functions. However, due to the biophysical limitations of soil and the ongoing technological advancements, new methods for assessing it are emerging, the impact of which on soil processes remains largely unknown. This significantly hinders the analysis of the potential of these practices of sustainable intensification, developed in response to the growing demand for food and non-food products [3]. The growing demand for food resulting from population growth is the main reason for the intensification of agricultural production. The drive to increase yields on existing agricultural lands has led to the widespread use of fertilization as the primary method to achieve this goal [4]. The overuse of fertilizers has become a common practice worldwide, often resulting in negative impacts on crop productivity [5; 6]. Modern intensive agriculture is based on the assumption that short-term land management can significantly affect the long-term sustainability of food production [7]. A lack of understanding of fertilization principles and improper management have adverse effects on both the environment and the economics of production [8]. Precision agriculture offers a solution in the form of optimal nutrient distribution, tailored to the specific needs of individual crops [9]. This method allows for the maximization of the production potential of each plant within a given agricultural plot, treating it as a system with high variability in local parameters [10; 11]. This makes it possible to balance nutrients in the soil, ensuring optimal crop development across the entire plot [12]. A key element of this technology is the collection of spatial data specific to local application zones, which serve as the basis for creating application maps [13]. Soil sampling data are usually in a point format, so spatial prediction methods are used to estimate values for areas not covered by sampling [14]. Interpolation, one of the basic tools in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and geostatistics, enables forecasting values based on georeferenced samples and calculating a continuous surface [15]. Data from soil chemical analysis and GNSS observations are combined to create spatial maps of nutrient distribution, allowing for the observation of local variability and precise fertilization management [16]. Soil condition plays a key role in environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and the implementation of appropriate agricultural practices [17; 18; 19]. Agricultural activities significantly affect the composition of soil microorganisms, altering their diversity and activity both quantitatively and qualitatively. The intensification of agriculture, including the use of plant protection products, can disrupt soil ecosystem functions, negatively impacting its stability, as well as the diversity and productivity of plants [20; 21; 22]. Improving soil productivity to increase yields requires considering its physicochemical and microbiological characteristics. Effective agricultural management should be based on a comprehensive assessment of soil potential, taking into account the limited availability of easily accessible substrates that could support the long-term growth of microorganisms [23]. However, assessing soil quality is a challenge, as it is strongly dependent on land use and the available resources of the agroecosystem [24].