scholarly journals Nitrate-N Leaching Losses into Field Tile Drains as Affected by Irrigation Regime and N-Fertilizer Doses in Clay Soil under Maize Plant

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 887-894
Author(s):  
H. Khafagy ◽  
Mona Abdel-Razek ◽  
M. Shabana ◽  
M. Abd-Eladel
Keyword(s):  
Clay Soil ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Maize Plant ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Irrigation Regime ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
Tile Drains

scholarly journals The implications of lag times between nitrate leaching losses and riverine loads for water quality policy

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. McDowell ◽  
Z. P. Simpson ◽  
A. G. Ausseil ◽  
Z. Etheridge ◽  
R. Law
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Mean Transit Time ◽  
Lag Time ◽  
Practice Change ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Lag Times

AbstractUnderstanding the lag time between land management and impacts on riverine nitrate–nitrogen (N) loads is critical to understand when action to mitigate nitrate–N leaching losses from the soil profile may start improving water quality. These lags occur due to leaching of nitrate–N through the subsurface (soil and groundwater). Actions to mitigate nitrate–N losses have been mandated in New Zealand policy to start showing improvements in water quality within five years. We estimated annual rates of nitrate–N leaching and annual nitrate–N loads for 77 river catchments from 1990 to 2018. Lag times between these losses and riverine loads were determined for 34 catchments but could not be determined in other catchments because they exhibited little change in nitrate–N leaching losses or loads. Lag times varied from 1 to 12 years according to factors like catchment size (Strahler stream order and altitude) and slope. For eight catchments where additional isotope and modelling data were available, the mean transit time for surface water at baseflow to pass through the catchment was on average 2.1 years less than, and never greater than, the mean lag time for nitrate–N, inferring our lag time estimates were robust. The median lag time for nitrate–N across the 34 catchments was 4.5 years, meaning that nearly half of these catchments wouldn’t exhibit decreases in nitrate–N because of practice change within the five years outlined in policy.

Nitrogen leaching from sheep-, cattle- and deer-grazed pastures in the Lake Taupo catchment in New Zealand

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 416 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Hoogendoorn ◽  
K. Betteridge ◽  
S. F. Ledgard ◽  
D. A. Costall ◽  
Z. A. Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Organic N ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
Grazed Pastures ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
Ammonium N ◽  
The Impact

A replicated grazing study measuring nitrogen (N) leaching from cattle-, sheep- and deer-grazed pastures was conducted to investigate the impact of different animal species on N leaching in the Lake Taupo catchment in New Zealand. Leaching losses of nitrate N from intensively grazed pastures on a highly porous pumice soil in the catchment averaged 37, 26 and 25 kg N/ha.year for cattle-, sheep- and deer-grazed areas, respectively, over the 3-year study and were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Leaching losses of ammonium N were much lower (3 kg N/ha.year for all three species of grazer; P > 0.05). Amounts of dissolved organic N leached were significantly higher than that of mineral N (nitrate N + ammonium N), and over the 3-year study averaged 44, 43 and 39 kg N/ha.year for cattle-, sheep- and deer-grazed areas, respectively (P > 0.05). On a stock unit equivalence basis (1 stock unit is equivalent to 550 kg DM consumed/year), cattle-grazed areas leached significantly more mineral N than sheep- or deer-grazed areas (5.5, 2.9 and 3.4 g mineral N leached/24 h grazing by 1 stock unit, for cattle, sheep and deer, respectively) (P < 0.001). Likewise, based on the amount of N apparently consumed (estimated by difference in mass of herbage N pre- and post-grazing), cattle-grazed pastures leached more mineral N than sheep- or deer-grazed pastures (123, 75 and 75 g mineral N/kg N apparently consumed for cattle, sheep and deer, respectively) (P < 0.01). This study gives valuable information on mineral N leaching in a high-rainfall environment on this free-draining pumice soil, and provides new data to assist in developing strategies to mitigate mineral N leaching losses from grazed pastures using different animal species.

scholarly journals Response of Lettuce to Water and Nitrogen on Sand and the Potential for Leaching of Nitrate-N

HortScience ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles A. Sanchez
Keyword(s):  
Sandy Soils ◽  
Sprinkler Irrigation ◽  
The United States ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Alluvial River ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
Water Rates ◽  
N Management

The low desert region of Arizona is the major area of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) production in the United States during the winter. Lettuce is commonly grown on the loam, clay loam, and clay soils of the alluvial river valleys. There is some interest in moving a portion of the vegetable production onto the sandy soils of the terraces (mesa) above the alluvial river valley to partially relieve the intensive production pressure being placed on lands in the valley. Of major concern in these sandy soils is water and N management. Studies were conducted during two seasons to evaluate the response of crisphead lettuce to sprinkler irrigation and N fertilizer and to evaluate the potential for leaching of nitrate-N on a coarse-textured soil. Lettuce yields increased in response to water and N, and were maximized by 55 cm of water and 271 kg·ha–1 N in 1991–92 and 76 cm water and 270 kg·ha–1 N in 1992–93. These water and N rates exceeded those typically required on finer-textured alluvial valley soils. At N and water rates required for maximum yields, 88% and 77% of the applied N was not recovered in the aboveground portions of the plant during the 1991–92 and 1992–93 seasons, respectively. Overall, data for the amount of N fertilizer not recovered, estimates of nitrate-N leaching determined during one growing season, and analysis of soil samples collected after harvest indicate the potential for large N leaching losses on this coarse-textured soil. Alternative production methods that enhance water and N use efficiencies, such as drip irrigation and/or the use of controlled-release fertilizers, should be considered on this sandy soil.

scholarly journals Response of Vertical Migration and Leaching of Nitrogen in Percolation Water of Paddy Fields under Water-Saving Irrigation and Straw Return Conditions

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 868 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengxin Zheng ◽  
Zhanyu Zhang ◽  
Yunyu Wu ◽  
Richwell Mwiya
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Migration ◽  
Growth Stage ◽  
Nitrogen Leaching ◽  
Water Saving ◽  
Paddy Fields ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
Leaching Loss ◽  
Straw Return ◽  
Percolation Water

The use of water-saving irrigation techniques has been encouraged in rice fields in response to irrigation water scarcity. Straw return is an important means of straw reuse. However, the environmental impact of this technology, e.g., nitrogen leaching loss, must be further explored. A two-year (2017–2018) experiment was conducted to investigate the vertical migration and leaching of nitrogen in paddy fields under water-saving and straw return conditions. Treatments included traditional flood irrigation (FI) and two water-saving irrigation regimes: rain-catching and controlled irrigation (RC-CI) and drought planting with straw mulching (DP-SM). RC-CI and DP-SM both significantly decreased the irrigation input compared with FI. RC-CI increased the rice yield by 8.23%~12.26%, while DP-SM decreased it by 8.98%~15.24% compared with FI. NH4+-N was the main form of the nitrogen leaching loss in percolation water, occupying 49.06%~50.97% of TN leaching losses. The NH4+-N and TN concentration showed a decreasing trend from top to bottom in soil water of 0~54 cm depth, while the concentration of NO3−-N presented the opposite behavior. The TN and NH4+-N concentrations in percolation water of RC-CI during most of the rice growth stage were the highest among treatments in both years, and DP-SM showed a trend of decreasing TN and NH4+-N concentrations. The NO3−-N concentrations in percolation water showed a regular pattern of DP-SM > RC-CI > FI during most of the rice growth stage. RC-CI and DP-SM remarkably reduced the amount of N leaching losses compared to FI as a result of the significant decrease of percolation water volumes. The tillering and jointing-booting stages were the two critical periods of N leaching (accounted for 74.85%~86.26% of N leaching losses). Great promotion potential of RC-CI and DP-SM exists in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, China, and DP-SM needs to be further optimized.

scholarly journals Nitrogen Leaching and Nitrogen Balance under Differing Nitrogen Fertilization for Sugarcane Cultivation on a Subtropical Island

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 740
Author(s):  
Ken Okamoto ◽  
Shinkichi Goto ◽  
Toshihiko Anzai ◽  
Shotaro Ando
Keyword(s):  
N Uptake ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
N Recovery ◽  
N Application ◽  
Fertilizer Application Rate ◽  
Sugarcane Yield ◽  
Cropping Seasons

Fertilizer application during sugarcane cultivation is a main source of nitrogen (N) loads to groundwater on small islands in southwestern Japan. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of reducing the N fertilizer application rate on sugarcane yield, N leaching, and N balance. We conducted a sugarcane cultivation experiment with drainage lysimeters and different N application rates in three cropping seasons (three years). N loads were reduced by reducing the first N application rate in all cropping seasons. The sugarcane yields of the treatment to which the first N application was halved (T2 = 195 kg ha−1 N) were slightly lower than those of the conventional application (T1 = 230 kg ha−1 N) in the first and third seasons (T1 = 91 or 93 tons ha−1, T2 = 89 or 87 tons ha−1). N uptake in T1 and T2 was almost the same in seasons 1 (186–188 kg ha−1) and 3 (147–151 kg ha−1). Based on the responses of sugarcane yield and N uptake to fertilizer reduction in two of the three years, T2 is considered to represent a feasible fertilization practice for farmers. The reduction of the first N fertilizer application reduced the underground amounts of N loads (0–19 kg ha−1). However, application of 0 N in the first fertilization would lead to a substantial reduction in yield in all seasons. Reducing the amount of N in the first application (i.e., replacing T1 with T2) improved N recovery by 9.7–11.9% and reduced N leaching by 13 kg ha−1. These results suggest that halving the amount of N used in the first application can improve N fertilizer use efficiency and reduce N loss to groundwater.

scholarly journals Factors Affecting Microbial Formation of Nitrate-Nitrogen in Soil and Their Effects on Fertilizer Nitrogen Use Efficiency

2001 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 122-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Olness ◽  
Dian Lopez ◽  
David Archer ◽  
Jason Cordes ◽  
Colin Sweeney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Decision Aid ◽  
Pore Space ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
Soil Clay ◽  
Soil Clay Content

Mineralization of soil organic matter is governed by predictable factors with nitrate-N as the end product. Crop production interrupts the natural balance, accelerates mineralization of N, and elevates levels of nitrate-N in soil. Six factors determine nitrate-N levels in soils: soil clay content, bulk density, organic matter content, pH, temperature, and rainfall. Maximal rates of N mineralization require an optimal level of air-filled pore space. Optimal air-filled pore space depends on soil clay content, soil organic matter content, soil bulk density, and rainfall. Pore space is partitioned into water- and air-filled space. A maximal rate of nitrate formation occurs at a pH of 6.7 and rather modest mineralization rates occur at pH 5.0 and 8.0. Predictions of the soil nitrate-N concentrations with a relative precision of 1 to 4 μg N g–1of soil were obtained with a computerized N fertilizer decision aid. Grain yields obtained using the N fertilizer decision aid were not measurably different from those using adjacent farmer practices, but N fertilizer use was reduced by >10%. Predicting mineralization in this manner allows optimal N applications to be determined for site-specific soil and weather conditions.

scholarly journals Effect of Winter Cover Crops on Soil Nitrogen Availability, Corn Yield, and Nitrate Leaching

2001 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 22-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kuo ◽  
B. Huang ◽  
R. Bembenek
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Corn Yield ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Soil N Availability ◽  
N Concentration ◽  
Fertilizer Rates

Biculture of nonlegumes and legumes could serve as cover crops for increasing main crop yield, while reducing NO3leaching. This study, conducted from 1994 to 1999, determined the effect of monocultured cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), and bicultured rye/vetch and ryegrass/vetch on N availability in soil, corn (Zea mays L.) yield, and NO3-N leaching in a silt loam soil. The field had been in corn and cover crop rotation since 1987. In addition to the cover crop treatments, there were four N fertilizer rates (0, 67, 134, and 201 kg N ha-1, referred to as N0, N1, N2, and N3, respectively) applied to corn. The experiment was a randomized split-block design with three replications for each treatment. Lysimeters were installed in 1987 at 0.75 m below the soil surface for leachate collection for the N0, N2, and N3treatments. The result showed that vetch monoculture had the most influence on soil N availability and corn yield, followed by the bicultures. Rye or ryegrass monoculture had either no effect or an adverse effect on corn yield and soil N availability. Leachate NO3-N concentration was highest where vetch cover crop was planted regardless of N rates, which suggests that N mineralization of vetch N continued well into the fall and winter. Leachate NO3-N concentration increased with increasing N fertilizer rates and exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s drinking water standard of 10 mg N l�1 even at recommended N rate for corn in this region (coastal Pacific Northwest). In comparisons of the average NO3-N concentration during the period of high N leaching, monocultured rye and ryegrass or bicultured rye/vetch and ryegrass/vetch very effectively decreased N leaching in 1998 with dry fall weather. The amount of N available for leaching (determined based on the presidedress nitrate test, the amount of N fertilizer applied, and N uptake) correlated well with average NO3-N during the high N leaching period for vetch cover crop treatment and for the control without the cover crops. The correlation, however, failed for other cover crops largely because of variable effectiveness of the cover crops in reducing NO3leaching during the 5 years of this study. Further research is needed to determine if relay cover crops planted into standing summer crops is a more appropriate approach than fall seeding in this region to gain sufficient growth of the cover crop by fall. Testing with other main crops that have earlier harvest dates than corn is also needed to further validate the effectiveness of the bicultures to increase soil N availability while protecting the water quality.

scholarly journals Nutrient losses in drainage and surface runoff from a cattle-grazed pasture in Southland

2000 ◽  
pp. 99-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.M. Monaghan ◽  
R.J. Paton ◽  
L.C. Smith ◽  
C. Binet
Keyword(s):  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
Drainage Water ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
Drinking Water Standard ◽  
Nitrate N

In response to local concerns about the expanding Southland dairy herd, a 4-year study was initiated in 1995 with the primary objective of quantifying nitrate-N losses to waterways from intensively grazed cattle pastures. Treatments were annual N fertiliser inputs of 0, 100, 200 or 400 kg N/ha. Stocking rate was set according to the pasture production on each of these four treatments, and over the 4 years of study ranged between the equivalent of 2.0 cows/ha for the 0N treatment, to 3.0 cows/ha for the treatment receiving 400 kg N/ ha/year. Mean annual losses of nitrate-N in drainage were 30, 34, 46 and 56 kg N/ha for the 0, 100, 200 and 400 kg N/ha/year treatments, respectively. Corresponding mean nitrate-N concentrations in drainage waters were 8.3, 9.2, 12.5 and 15.4 mg/ l, respectively. Very little direct leaching of fertiliser N was observed, even for drainage events in early spring, shortly after urea fertiliser application. The increased nitrate-N losses at higher rates of N fertiliser addition were instead owing to the indirect effect of increasing returns of urine and dung N to pasture. In Years 2 and 3, leaching losses of Ca, Mg, K, Na and sulphate-S averaged 61, 9, 11, 28 and 17 kg/ha/year, respectively, in the 0N fertiliser treatment. Increasing fertiliser N inputs significantly increased calcium and, to a lesser extent, potassium leaching losses but had no effect on losses of other plant nutrients. Surface runoff losses of Total-P, nitrate-N and ammonium- N were less than 0.5 kg/ha/year. For this well-drained Fleming soil, surface runoff was a relatively minor contributor of N to surface water, even for plots receiving high rates of fertiliser N and at a stocking rate of 3.0 cows/ha. Extrapolating these results to a 'typical' dairy pasture in Eastern Southland would suggest that the safe upper limit for annual fertiliser N additions to this site to achieve nitrate in drainage water below the drinking water standard is approximately 170 kg N/ha. Although losses of Ca in drainage were large, returns of this nutrient in maintenance applications of superphosphate-based products and lime should ensure Ca deficiencies are avoided in Southland dairy pastures. Keywords: cation-anion balances, dairy, N fertiliser, nitrate leaching, surface runoff, Southland

Nitrogen dynamics of oats, sorghum, black gram, green panic and lucerne on a clay soil in south-eastern Queensland

1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (8) ◽  
pp. 1113 ◽  
Author(s):  
VR Catchpole
Keyword(s):  
Clay Soil ◽  
Nitrate Nitrogen ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Panicum Maximum ◽  
Black Gram ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
N Yield ◽  
Cropping Season ◽  
Winter Crop ◽  
Plant Shoots

Changes in the distribution of nitrate-nitrogen (N) in a clay soil (Pellustert) under oats (Avena sativa cv. Minhafer), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor cv. E57), black gram (Vigna mungo cv. Regur), green panic (Panicum maximum cv. Petrie), and lucerne (Medicago sativa cv. Hunter River), and the uptake of N into plant shoots, were measured at Narayen on the brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) lands of south-eastem Queensland over each cropping season in 1975-85. Nitrate-N accumulated in the subsoil (30-150 cm) under sorghum and black gram, but not under oats. Green panic depleted nitrate-N after 2 years, and lucerne after 1 year. Losses of nitrate-N during 2 wet years reached 300 kg/ha under sorghum and black gram, and 57 kg/ha under oats, but were negligible under green panic and lucerne. Leaching to below 150 cm in the soil was the probable cause. The supply of soil N to oats, sorghum, and black gram was adequate during the 10 years, but the N yield of green panic decreased from 239 kg/ha to 150 kg/ha after 5 years. Accumulation of nitrate-N under sorghum and black gram could be utilised by rotating these crops with green panic or lucerne. This would also improve the productivity of green panic pastures. Rotating the summer crops with oats (winter crop) or with deeprooted crops (e.g. sunflowers) should also be tested. Alternatively, reduction of production of nitrate-N in the soil could be attempted. Zero or reduced tillage could do this, but it may also increase leaching by increasing the entry and movement of water in the soil.

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