Nitrate leaching from residual fertilizer N after spring thaw in two corn agro-ecosystems

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 477-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Q. Zhang ◽  
A. F. MacKenzie ◽  
B. C. Liang
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays L ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
Continuous Corn ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
N Rates ◽  
Residual Fertilizer N ◽  
Percolation Water

Water samples at zero tension were collected using an open-ended lysimeter and analyzed for NO3−-N from a Chicot sandy clay loam and a Ste. Rosalie clay soil under continuous corn (Zea mays L.) in 1993 and 1994, shortly after spring thaw. There was negligible leaching of NO3−-N at previous fertilizer N rates of 0 and 170 kg ha-1 in both soils. However, NO3−-N concentrations of the leachates from soils receiving 285 and 400 kg N ha-1 yr-1 varied from 1.4 to 80 mg L-1, depending on the initial levels of soil residual NO3−-N and the supply of percolation water. When the initial levels of soil NO3−-N were relatively high and percolation of water was relatively slow in 1993, NO3−-N concentrations of the leachates ranged from 20 to 80 mg L-1. Nitrite-N concentrations were from 1.4 to 15.6 mg L-1 when the initial levels of soil residual NO3−-N were relatively low and percolation was relatively fast in 1994. The occasional higher NO3−-N concentrations in the leachate from the previous higher N applications indicated a potential for contaminating surface and ground waters as a result of NO3−-N leaching in the early spring. Key words: Residual N, nitrate-N leaching, soil solution, continuous corn, N fertilization

Sunola response to nitrogen fertilization

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 783-789 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. J. Beckie ◽  
S. A. Brandt
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Black Soil ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Rate Of Return ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Marginal Rate ◽  
Brown Soil ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
Soil Site ◽  
Marginal Rate Of Return

The response of sunola (Helianthus annuus L. 'AC Sierra') to nitrogen (N) fertilization under conventional and direct seeding tillage systems was examined in field experiments at sites in the semiarid Dark Brown and subhumid Black soil climatic zones over a 2-yr period of normal to above-normal growing season precipitation. Urea-N fertilizer was banded at the time of seeding at varying rates to a maximum of 150 kg N ha−1. Tillage treatment did not influence sunola response to N fertilization. Sunola seed yield responded greater to fertilization at the Black soil site compared with the Dark Brown soil site in both years. Sunola harvest indices were comparable across sites and years, ranging from 0.10 to 0.18. Seed oil concentration averaged about 4% higher at the Black compared with the Dark Brown soil site, and responded to fertilization differently between locations. Sunola water use efficiency was markedly higher in 1994 than in 1993 at both sites, primarily due to lower water consumption by the crop. Fertilizer recommendations can be based on a desired yield goal or marginal rate of return. A minimum acceptable marginal rate of return of 1, 1.5 and 2 times the cost of the fertilizer, indicated that fertilizer N plus soil nitrate-N levels of greater than 94, 66 and 38 kg N ha−1, respectively, were uneconomical at Scott; respective rates at Melfort were 183, 174 and 154 kg N ha−1. However, fertilizer rates in excess of 100 kg N ha−1 in the Black soil climatic zone can result in potentially high levels of residual nitrate-N in the soil profile, and thus have greater potential for N leaching and denitrification losses. Key words:Helianthus annuus L., nitrogen

scholarly journals Isotopic composition of maize as related to N-fertilization and irrigation in the Mediterranean region

2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Berta Lasa ◽  
Iosu Irañeta ◽  
Julio Muro ◽  
Ignacio Irigoyen ◽  
Pedro María Aparicio Tejo
Keyword(s):  
Isotopic Composition ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Isotope Composition ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Furrow Irrigation ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
C And N ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Impact

Nitrate leaching as a result of excessive application of N-fertilizers and water use is a major problem of vulnerable regions. The farming of maize requires high N fertilization and water inputs in Spain. Isotopic techniques may provide information on the processes involved in the N and C cycles in farmed areas. The aim of this work was studying the impact of sprinkler and furrow irrigation and N input on maize (Zea mays L.) yields, and whether isotopic composition can be used as indicator of best farming practices. Trials were set up in Tudela (Spain) with three rates of N fertilization (0, 240 and 320 kg urea-N ha-1) and two irrigation systems (furrow and sprinkler). Yield, nitrogen content, irrigation parameters, N fate and C and N isotope composition were determined. The rate of N fertilization required to obtain the same yield is considerably higher under furrow irrigation, since the crop has less N at its disposal in furrow irrigation as a result of higher loss of nitrogen by NO3--N leaching and denitrification. A lower δ13C in plants under furrow irrigation was recorded.The δ15N value of plant increased with the application rate of N under furrow irrigation.

scholarly journals Responses of yield and N use of spring sown crops to N fertilization, with special reference to the use of plant growth regulators

1999 ◽  
Vol 8 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 423-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. PIETOLA ◽  
R. TANNI ◽  
P. ELONEN
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Growth Regulators ◽  
Spring Wheat ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Soil Mineral N ◽  
Soil Mineral ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
N Rates

The role of plant growth regulators (PGR) in nitrogen (N) fertilization of spring wheat and oats (CCC), fodder barley (etephon/mepiquat) and oilseed rape (etephone) in crop rotation was studied in 1993–1996 on loamy clay soil. Carry over effect of the N fertilization rates (0–180 kg ha-1 ) was evaluated in 1997. N fertilization rate for the best grain/seed yield (120–150 kg ha-1 ) was not affected by PGRs. The seed and N yields of oilseed rape were improved most frequently by recommended use of PGR. The yields of oats were increased in 1995–96. Even though PGR effectively shortened the plant height of spring wheat, the grain yield increased only in 1995. N yield of wheat grains was not increased. Response of fodder barley to PGR was insignificant or even negative in 1995. The data suggest that PGRs may decrease some N leaching at high N rates by improving N uptake by grain/seeds, if the yield is improved. The carryover study showed that in soils with no N fertilization, as well as in soils of high N rates, N uptake was higher than in soils with moderate N fertilization (60–90 kg ha-1 ), independent of PGRs. According to soil mineral N contents, N leaching risk is significant (15–35 kg ha-1 ) only after dry and warm late seasons. After a favourable season of high yields, the N rates did not significantly affect soil mineral N contents. ;

OVERWINTER LOSSES OF NITROGEN-15 LABELLED UREA FERTILIZER

1986 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 513-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. B. BOLE ◽  
W. D. GOULD
Keyword(s):  
Field Studies ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Nitrification Inhibitors ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Key Words Denitrification ◽  
Support Practices ◽  
Residual Fertilizer N ◽  
Fall Application ◽  
Irrigated Soils

Field studies using 15N microplots were conducted to quantify the uptake and disappearance of fall- and spring-applied urea N on low organic matter, irrigated soils. Urea was mixed with the surface soil to maximize the potential for overwinter nitrification and subsequent losses of the fertilizer N. In three irrigated soils, losses of fall-applied urea averaged 24–31% compared with 11–21% of that applied at seeding. Barley took up 33–42% of spring-applied urea N but only 16–36% of fall-applied urea N. The lower uptake of fall-applied N apparently resulted from higher N losses rather than from the immobilization of fall-applied urea. Fall application resulted in lower soil reserves of residual fertilizer N after the growing season, as compared to spring application, in two of the three studies. Sixty percent of the fertilizer N recovered from the soil remained in the surface 15 cm. The application of 50 mm of water in the fall or 100 mm in the early spring, to intensify any effects of moisture, had a minimal effect on N losses or the distribution of N in the soil. This suggests that an individual rainfall event would not greatly affect the uptake or losses of fall-applied fertilizer on well-drained soil. The observed fertilizer losses, however, support practices such as concentrating fall-applied fertilizers in bands or the use of nitrification inhibitors. Key words: Denitrification, nitrogen, fertilizer, N balance, N losses, urea

scholarly journals Improving wheat grain yield via promotion of water and nitrogen utilization in arid areas

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Tan ◽  
Qiang Chai ◽  
Guang Li ◽  
Cai Zhao ◽  
Aizhong Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Water Uptake ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Utilization Efficiency ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
Local Practice ◽  
N Utilization ◽  
N Rates

AbstractCrop yield is limited by water and nitrogen (N) availability. However, in Hexi Corridor of northwestern China, water scarcity and excessive fertilizer N in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production causes serious conflicts between water and N supply and crop demand. A field experiment was conducted from 2016 to 2018 to evaluate whether reducing of irrigation and fertilizer N will reduce grain yield of wheat. There were two irrigation quotas (192 and 240 mm) and three fertilizer N rates (135, 180, and 225 kg N ha−1). The results showed that reducing irrigation to 192 mm and N rate to 180 kg N ha−1 reduced water uptake, water uptake efficiency, and N uptake of spring wheat as compared to local practice (i.e., 240 mm irrigation and 225 kg N ha−1 fertilizer). Whereas, it improved water and N utilization efficiency, and water and N productivity. Consequently, the irrigation and N rate reduced treatment achieved the same quantity of grain yield as local practice. The path analysis showed that interaction effect between irrigation and N fertilization may attributable to the improvement of grain yield with lower irrigation and N rate. The enhanced water and N utilization allows us to conclude that irrigation quota at 192 mm coupled with fertilizer N rate at 180 kg N ha−1 can be used as an efficient practice for wheat production in arid irrigation areas.

scholarly journals The effect of decreasing fertilization on agricultural nitrogen leaching: a model study

2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 376 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. GRANLUND ◽  
I. BÄRLUND ◽  
T. SALO
Keyword(s):  
Root Zone ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Agricultural Catchments ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
Model Study ◽  
Different Parts

In Finland, the use of agricultural nitrogen (N) fertilizers has decreased since the beginning of the 1990’s but there is not yet any clear response in observed water quality in the monitored agricultural catchments and river basins. It is therefore important to analyse how the reduction in N fertilization affects N leaching at the root zone scale. In this study the nutrient leaching model ICECREAM was used to demonstrate the effects of climatic conditions and decreased N input on N leaching. Ten years (1991–2000) of climatic input data from five stations located in different parts of the country were used as input to simulate nitrate N (NO3-N) leaching from barley cultivation with i) constant N fertilization (Baseline simulation, 90 kg N ha–1) and ii) decreasing N fertilization (N Reduction Scenario simulation: annual linear decrease from 110 to 90 kg N ha–1). The annual and regional variation of simulated N leaching was considerable in both the Baseline and N Reduction Scenario simulations. In the Baseline simulation the average annual NO3-N leaching was 24% of the N fertilization amount. From 1991 to 2000, the annual N leaching decreased close to Baseline leaching values in the N Reduction Scenario simulations, but the decrease was not linear due to high variability in N losses caused by changes in annual weather conditions. The model results indicate that it is possible to achieve a reduction in root zone N leaching by adjusting the fertilizer levels.;

scholarly journals Nitrogen Form and Concentration Affect Nitrogen Leaching and Seedling Growth of Prosopis velutina

HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 239-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn S. Hahne ◽  
Ursula K. Schuch
Keyword(s):  
Plant Morphology ◽  
Biomass Accumulation ◽  
Sand Culture ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Nitrogen Form ◽  
Prosopis Velutina ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
Photosynthate Allocation ◽  
N Rates ◽  
Growth Of Seedlings

Velvet mesquite [Prosopis velutina Woot., Syn.: P. juliflora (Swartz) DC. var. velutina (Woot.) Sarg.] has become more popular in arid landscapes of the southwestern U.S., but little information on N requirements during the seedling stage is available. In addition to optimize growth of seedlings, minimizing N in runoff during production is an important consideration. Experiments were conducted to determine how biomass production and N leaching were affected first by different ratios of ammonium and nitrate N in sand culture and second by different N concentrations when seedlings were grown in two substrates. Mesquite seedlings produced the greatest biomass after 120 days when fertigated with a solution of 33 NO3–: 67 NH4+. Loss of N through leachate was 40% greater when NH + 4 comprised two thirds or more compared to one third or none in the fertigation solution. Nitrogen in leachate was highest after 16 weeks of treatment, coinciding with the reduced growth rate of seedlings. The second experiment utilized either sand or commercial growing media and a fertigation solution of 33 NO3–: 67 NH4+. Fertigation with 200 mg·L–1 N after 60 days in either substrate produced greatest biomass, while rates of 25, 50, or 100 mg·L–1 N produced about half of that biomass. With few exceptions, less N in either form was found in leachate when seedlings were grown in media and were fertigated with the two higher N rates compared to seedlings grown in sand at the two higher N rates. Plant morphology, biomass accumulation, photosynthate allocation, and the fate of N in the growing substrate and in leachate were strongly affected by the choice of growing substrate.

Nitrate leaching as influenced by fertilization in the Brown soil zone

1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 387-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
F. Selles ◽  
O. O. Akinremi
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
Brown Soil ◽  
Soil Zone ◽  
N Rates

The possibility of nitrates being leached into groundwater supplies from improper use of fertilizers is a concern to society. Two experiments were conducted on a loam soil in the Brown soil zone at Swift Current, Saskatchewan. In the first experiment, continuous wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), grown under various fertilizer-N management systems and with and without cereal trap strips (tall stubble, 0.4–0.6 m) to capture snow and enhance soil-moisture storage, was compared with short stubble cut at the standard height (0.15–0.2 m). Prior to seeding in spring 1991, tall stubble had stored 14.7 ha-cm of soil moisture at 0–1.2-m depth compared with 10.9 ha-cm under short-stubble treatment. Because growing-season precipitation in 1991 was much higher than normal (302 mm from 1 May to 31 My), considerable NO3-N was leached below the rooting zone of wheat (1.2 m), particularly in the tall-stubble treatment. Leaching patterns were as expected in short stubble, with major leaching occurring only at the highest N rate (125 kg ha−1), where yield and N-uptake response had levelled off. However, in tall stubble, the amount of NO3-N leached beyond the root zone under the 0 and 25 kg N ha−1 rates was similar to that under the 125 kg N ha−1 rate. This result was attributed to poor tillering obtained at low N rates, which contributed to lower evapotranspiration, thereby permitting more moisture to be leached and enhancing N mineralization. When we used a leaching model (NLEAP) to simulate our results, it gave lower estimates of NO3 leached and did not reveal the interaction of NO3-N leaching with N rates that was observed under tall stubble. The second experiment measured soil NO3-N distribution to 2.4 m under two fallow–wheat–wheat systems after a 24-yr period. One system received only N, the other, N + P fertilizer. The results corroborated those obtained under tall stubble in the first experiment: the poorly fertilized system had the most NO3-N below the root zone. The results of this study suggest that the key to reducing nitrate leaching is the adoption of proper fertilization practices, since too little fertilization may potentially be as detrimental to groundwater pollution as too much. Key words: Fertilizer N, N uptake, snow management, crop rotations, NO3 leaching

scholarly journals Fate of a 15N-labeled Urea Pulse in Heavily Fertilized Banana Crops

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 666
Author(s):  
Line Raphael ◽  
Sylvie Recous ◽  
Harry Ozier-Lafontaine ◽  
Jorge Sierra
Keyword(s):  
Crop Residues ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
N Recovery ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Total Recovery ◽  
Available N ◽  
Banana Crops

Banana crops in the Caribbean are characterized by the use of high rates of nitrogen (N) fertilization which causes severe environmental damages. The aim of this study was to assess the fertilizer N use efficiency (NUE) of banana crops in the field. To do so, a field trial was carried out during the first (GS1) and the fourth (GS4) growing seasons of banana crops, and the fate of a 15N-labeled pulse applied late in the growing season (flowering stage) was determined. At harvest, NUE (average 24% 15N applied) and the total recovery of fertilizer 15N in the soil–plant system (i.e., 40% in GS1 and 62% in GS4) were low. Low NUE resulted mainly from the dilution in a large soil mineral N pool derived from earlier applications of the labeled-N fertilizer applied at flowering, combined with leaching caused by numerous high-intensity rainfall events (>20 mm d−1). Crop residues from previous cycles present at time of fertilizer application in the fourth growing season, promoted fertilizer N immobilization, which in turn favored fertilizer N recovery by decreasing N leaching. The results suggest that N fertilization after the first season could be reduced by 30% (i.e., −90 kg N ha−1) corresponding to the suppression of two applications from flowering to harvest with the current fertilizer management, as available N derived from earlier applications is sufficient to meet plant requirements.

scholarly journals DOUBLE-CROP FALL CABBAGE AS A SCAVENGER OF RESIDUAL FERTILIZER NITROGEN

HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 758c-758
Author(s):  
David C. Ditsch ◽  
Richard T. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Sweet Corn ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Winter Rye ◽  
Soil Mineral N ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
Soil Mineral ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Residual Fertilizer N

High-value crops (tobacco and sweet corn) often receive high levels of N fertilizer during the growing season rather than risk yield and/or quality reductions. Following harvest, small-grain winter cover crops are sown to reduce soil erosion and recover residual fertilizer N. Fall cole crops, such as cabbage, grow rapidly in early fall, respond well to N fertilization, and have the potential to be sold for supplemental income. The objectives of this study were to 1) compare fall cabbage and winter rye as scavengers of residual fertilizer N and 2) determine if a relationship between fall soil mineral-N (NO–3 +) levels and fall cabbage yield response to N fertilization exists. Soil mineral N levels following sweet corn and tobacco ranged from 22 to 53 mg·kg–1 in the surface 30-cm and declined with depth. Fall cabbage appeared to be as effective as rye at reducing soil mineral N levels. No fall cabbage dry matter yield response to applied N was measured in 1993 and 1995. However, following sweet corn in 1994, a small cabbage yield response to N at 56 kg·ha–1 was measured when the soil mineral level, prior to fall fertilization, was 22 mg·kg–1.

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