Nitrate accumulation under cropping in the Ferrosols of Far North Queensland wet tropics

Soil Research ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 329 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Rasiah ◽  
J. D. Armour
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Nitrate Accumulation ◽  
Retention Capacity ◽  
Soil Matrix ◽  
Far North ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
Wet Tropics ◽  
Crop Root

Recent research on the fate of applied fertiliser N in the Ferrosols of the wet tropics of Far North Queensland (FNQ) has shown that the nitrate leaching below the crop root-zone is a major pathway of N loss from paddocks. Information on the fate of this nitrate is essential to develop best N fertiliser management practices and for the long-term sustainability of land and water resources. Because of the ability of Ferrosols to adsorb anions in the soil matrix, it was speculated that the leached nitrate may be accumulating at depth in the Ferrosol profiles. The objectives of this study were to (i) verify whether the leached nitrate has been accumulating in the Ferrosols under the major cropping systems in the Johnstone River Catchment (JRC) of FNQ, and (ii) provide preliminary estimates for nitrate retention capacity of the Ferrosols. Soil cores to a depth of 10 m were taken from under sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum-S), banana (Musa (AAA group, Cavendish subgroup) cv. Williams), dairy pasture, and rainforest in JRC during August 1995. The cores were segmented at 0.5-m depth increments and soil samples were analysed for nitrate- and ammonium-N, cation- (CEC) and anion- (AEC) exchange capacities, pH, Ca2+ , Mg 2+ , K + , Na + , and Cl – . Nitrate-N concentration under sugarcane was as high as 33 mg/kg, compared with 6.9 mg/kg for banana, 0.3 mg/kg under rainforest, and that under pasture was below detection limit. Nitrate-N load in the top 10 m of the profiles under sugarcane ranged from 345 to 1875 kg nitrate-N/ha compared with 145 kg/ ha for banana, and 21 kg/ha under rainforest. Most of the nitrate accumulation was found between 2 and 8 m, i.e. well below the crop root-zone. From 7% to 70% of the nitrate that leached below crop root-zone was retained at depths >1 m. In general, Cl – and total cation (TC = sum of Ca2+ , Mg 2+ , K + , and Na + ) concentrations in the profiles under cropping were higher than those under rainforest, and the pH under sugarcane was more acidic. Simple correlation analysis indicated associations existed between the accumulated nitrate and Cl – , pH, AEC, or TC. The estimated nitrate holding capacity of the Ferrosols ranged from 17 to 32 t N/ha. The results show that large quantities of the nitrate that leached below crop root-zone have accumulated at depth under long-term sugarcane and banana cropping in the Ferrosols of FNQ.

LONG-TERM TILLAGE AND CROP ROTATION EFFECTS ON RESIDUAL NITRATE IN THE CROP ROOT ZONE AND NITRATE ACCUMULATION IN THE INTERMEDIATE VADOSE ZONE

1997 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 1321-1327 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Katupitiya ◽  
D. E. Eisenhauer ◽  
R. B. Ferguson ◽  
R. F. Spalding ◽  
F. W. Roeth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Vadose Zone ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Nitrate Accumulation ◽  
Crop Root ◽  
Residual Nitrate

scholarly journals Managing Phosphorus Loss from Agroecosystems of the Midwestern United States: A Review

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 561
Author(s):  
Gurbir Singh ◽  
Gurpreet Kaur ◽  
Karl Williard ◽  
Jon Schoonover ◽  
Kelly A. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Additional Research ◽  
Soil Matrix ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Midwestern United States ◽  
P Loss

Best management practices (BMPs) are site-specific and their implementation, long-term management, and maintenance are important for successful reduction of phosphorus (P) loss into headwater streams. This paper reviews published research on managing P loss from agricultural cropping systems in the Midwestern United States and classified the available research based on BMPs and their efficacy in reducing P loss. This review paper also identifies the areas where additional research could provide insight for managing P losses. Our literature review shows that cover crops, reduced tillage, saturated buffers, and constructed wetlands are the most evaluated areas of current research. However, additional research is necessary on the site-specific area to measure the effectiveness of BMPs in managing P loss. The BMPs that serve as a sink of P need further evaluation in long-term field-scale trials. Studies evaluating adsorption and desorption mechanisms of P in surface and subsurface soils with materials or amendments that bind P in the soil are needed. The time required and pathways, where the flush of available P is lost or fixed in the soil matrix, need further investigation. Measured P loss from BMPs like bioreactors and saturated buffers supplemented with P adsorption materials or filters need to be simulated with models for their prediction and validation. Field evaluations of P index and critical source area concepts should be investigated for identifying problematic areas in the watersheds. Identification of overlapping areas of high P source and transport can help in strategic planning and layout, thereby resulting in reducing the cost of implementing BMPs at field and watershed scales.

Nitrate retention under sugarcane in wet tropical Queensland deep soil profiles

Soil Research ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 1145 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Rasiah ◽  
J. D. Armour ◽  
N. W. Menzies ◽  
D. H. Heiner ◽  
M. J. Donn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anion Exchange ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Organic C ◽  
River Catchment ◽  
Nitrate Retention ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
Average Maximum ◽  
Nitrate Adsorption ◽  
Crop Root

Nitrate leaching below the crop root-zone in variable charge soils may be adsorbed at anion exchange sites, thereby temporarily reducing the risk of contamination of water bodies. The objectives of this study were (i) to investigate whether nitrate adsorption, accumulation, and retention in the Johnstone River Catchment of Far North Queensland wet tropics is widespread; (ii) to assess the capacity of soil in the Johnstone River Catchment to retain nitrate; and (iii) to deduce the consequences of nitrate adsorption/desorption on contamination of water bodies. Soil cores ranging from 8 to 12.5 m depth were taken from 28 sites across the catchment, representing 9 Ferrosol soil types under sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum-S) cultivation for at least 50 years and from rainforest. The cores were segmented at 0.5-m depth increments and subsamples were analysed for nitrate-N, cation and anion exchange capacities, pH, exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg, K, Na), soil organic C, electrical conductivity, sulfate-S, and chloride. Nitrate-N concentration under sugarcane ranged from 0 to 72.5 mg/kg, compared with 0 to 0.31 mg/kg under rainforest, both Pin Gin soils. The average N load in 1–12 m depth across 19 highly oxidic profiles of the Pin Gin soil series was 1550 kg/ha, compared with 185 kg/ha under 8 non-Pin Gin soils and 11 kg/ha in rainforest on a Pin Gin soil. Most of the nitrate retention was observed at depth of 2–12 m, particularly at 4–10 m, indicating that the accumulation was well below the crop root-zone. The average maximum potential nitrate retention capacity was 10.8 t/ha for the Pin Gin and 4.7 t/ha for the non-Pin Gin soil. Compared with the current N load, the soils still possess a large capacity to adsorb and retain nitrate in profiles. Retention of large quantities of the leached nitrate deep in most of the profiles has reduced the risk of contamination of water bodies. However, computations show that substantial quantities of the nitrate leached below the root-zone were not adsorbed and remain unaccounted for. This unaccounted nitrate might have entered both on- and off-site water bodies and/or have been denitrified.

Tillage and cropping effects on soil organic carbon: biodegradation and storage in density and size fractions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Plant Residue ◽  
Soil Matrix ◽  
Experimental Treatments ◽  
Plough Layer

<p>Improvements in management practices can prevent the decline of soil organic carbon (SOC) storage caused by conventional tillage practice in Northeast China. Density and size fractionation can track the transformation of plant residue into SOC and its location in soil matrix. We used a long-term field study in China to evaluate these changes as a result of improved management involving tillage and cropping systems. Experimental treatments included no-till (NT) and moldboard ploughing (MP) under monoculture maize (Zea mays L.) (MM) and maize-soybean (Glycine max Merr.) rotation (MS); these were compared to the traditional management involving conventional tillage (CT) under MM. An incubation study was conducted to evaluate mineralization and the biodegradability of SOC. The soils were also physically fractionated by density (light fraction, LF) and size (sand, silt, clay). With improved management, the SOC storage in the clay showed the largest increase across all fractions. This increase was greater for MS than MM. The NTMS treatment resulted in a decline in silt-OC storage compared to CTMM. The SOC mineralization (mg CO<sub>2</sub>-C g<sup>-1</sup> soil) was affected by tillage and driven by LF-OC and was observed in the order: NTMM (2.06) > MPMM (1.72) ≈ NTMS (1.71) > CTMM (1.52) ≈ MPMS (1.41). Both cropping and depth affected the biodegradability of SOC. Considering the plough layer (0-20 cm), treatments under MM had larger proportion of biodegradable SOC than under MS. We conclude that the significant differences in SOC storage in physical fractions and SOC biodegradation were caused by differences in soil management.</p>

Evaluation of the Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM) for Southern Ontario: Part II. Simulating Long-Term Effects of Nitrogen Management Practices on Crop Yield and Subsurface Drainage Water Quality

2007 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imran Ahmed ◽  
Ramesh Rudra ◽  
Kevin McKague ◽  
Bahram Gharabaghi ◽  
John Ogilvie
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Crop Yield ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Drainage Water ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Quality Model ◽  
Loam Soil

Abstract Loss of nitrogen from the agricultural production system is of concern in Ontario. The challenge for researchers and farmers is to fulfill crop water requirements while limiting chemical movement with surface and subsurface runoff. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of current N management practices for corn production for two different soil types using the Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM) for southern Ontario conditions. The model simulated the amount of subsurface tile drainage, residual soil nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N), NO3-N in subsurface drainage water, and crop yield. The validated RZWQM for silt loam and sandy loam soils showed that the relative long-term effectiveness of the most economic rate of nitrogen (MERN) for corn production fluctuates significantly from year-to-year in response to weather patterns. In addition, soil type had a small but significant effect on the MERN. Side-dress application of N on sandy loam resulted in significant reduction in corn yield and NO3-N loss to shallow groundwater. Also, crop rotation from corn-soybean to corn-soybean-soybean resulted in a greater reduction of NO3-N loads in the tile outflow on silt loam soil than on sandy loam soil. Overall, the RZWQM simulated tile drain flow, NO3-N loss, and crop yield with reasonable accuracy. However, more field work is needed to assist with identifying suitable values for a number of coefficients used in the RZWQM's nutrient component for Ontario conditions.

Salinity and nutrient distribution in soil profiles of long-term crop rotations

1994 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-234
Author(s):  
G. J. Beke ◽  
H. H. Janzen ◽  
T. Entz
Keyword(s):  
Root Zone ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
Cropping Sequence ◽  
Extractable P ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Semi Arid

The effect of cropping systems on salt and nutrient movement in soil has been studied mainly at relatively short-term (< 20 yr) experimental sites or at commercial sites without documented history. This study investigated the impact of two similar, unfertilized, long-term crop rotation experiments, differing in duration and experimental design, on soil EC (salinity), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), nitrate-N, and extractable-P distributions in semi-arid southern Alberta. The experiments, established in 1911 and 1951 at the Lethbridge Research Station on moderately well drained soils, included continuous spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) fallow-wheat-wheat and fallow-wheat cropping sequences. Regardless of length of experiment or cropping sequence, the salinity and SAR values increased with soil depth. Leaching of salts had occurred to a minimum depth of 150 cm, depending on the nature of the parent material and soil-drainage volumes. Within the 90- to 150-cm depth, most salt leaching had taken place under the fallow-wheat rotation and least under the continuous-wheat cropping sequence. Downward movement of nitrate-N generally peaked in the lower root zone, regardless of cropping system or duration of the experiment. Deep leaching of nitrate-N had occurred in the fallow-wheat soil. Movement of extractable P was restricted to the 0- to 30-cm depth. Significant deep leaching of salts had taken place over the 35-yr period of the 1951 experiment whereas the longer, 75-yr period of the 1911 experiment was required to cause significant deep leaching of nitrate-N and of extractable P movement in the 0- to 30-cm depth. Key words: Dryland crop rotations, summerfallow, semi-arid region, soil salinity, soil nitrate and phosphate

Managing Landscape Irrigation to Avoid Soil and Nutrient Losses

EDIS ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
George Hochmuth ◽  
Laurie Trenholm ◽  
Don Rainey ◽  
Esen Momol ◽  
Claire Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Environment ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Nutrient Losses ◽  
County Agents ◽  
The Right ◽  
Soil And Water

Proper irrigation management is critical to conserve and protect water resources and to properly manage nutrients in the home landscape. How lawns and landscapes are irrigated directly impacts the natural environment, so landscape maintenance professionals and homeowners must adopt environmentally-friendly approaches to irrigation management. After selecting the right plant for the right place, water is the next critical factor to establish and maintain a healthy lawn and landscape. Fertilization is another important component of lawn and landscape maintenance, and irrigation must be applied correctly, especially following fertilization, to minimize potential nutrient losses. This publication supplements other UF/IFAS Extension publications that also include information on the role of soil and the root zone in irrigation management. This publication is designed to help UF/IFAS Extension county agents prepare materials to directly address nutrient losses from lawns and landscapes caused by inadequate irrigation management practices. This 6-page fact sheet was written by George Hochmuth, Laurie Trenholm, Don Rainey, Esen Momol, Claire Lewis, and Brian Niemann, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss586

Field Measurements and Simulation of Nitrogen Fate under Citrus Production

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 498c-498
Author(s):  
A. Fares ◽  
A.K. Alva ◽  
S. Paramasivam
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Irrigation Scheduling ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Citrus Production

Water and nitrogen (N) are important inputs for most crop production. The main objectives of nitrogen best management practices (NBMP) are to improve N and water management to maximize the uptake efficiency and minimize the leaching losses. This require a complete understanding of fate of N and water mass balance within and below the root zone of the crop in question. The fate of nitrogen applied for citrus production in sandy soils (>95% sand) was simulated using a mathematical model LEACHM (Leaching Estimation And Chemistry Model). Nitrogen removal in harvested fruits and storage in the tree accounted the major portion of the applied N. Nitrogen volatilization mainly as ammonia and N leaching below the root zone were the next two major components of the N mass balance. A proper irrigation scheduling based on continuous monitoring of the soil water content in the rooting was used as a part of the NBMP. More than 50% of the total annual leached water below the root zone was predicted to occur in the the rainy season. Since this would contribute to nitrate leaching, it is recomended to avoid N application during the rainy season.

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