Aerated irrigation improves tomato yield and nitrogen use efficiency while reducing nitrogen application rate

Ya-Dan Du, Qian Zhang, Bing-Jing Cui, Jun Sun, Zhen Wang, Li-Hui Ma and Wen-Quan Niu

Agricultural Water Management, 2020, vol. 235, issue C

Abstract: Optimizing nitrogen (N) fertilization is an integral component of maximizing crop yields while minimizing environmental harm. Aerated irrigation (AI) significantly improves the soil permeability and water productivity, and is increasing in popularity. However, little information is available on the effects of AI on soil characteristics, crop yield and N use efficiency (NUE). The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of AI under different N fertilization rates on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) soil environment and N dynamics, and to determine the optimal N application rate for maximizing yield under AI. A two-year greenhouse experiment consisting of two irrigation methods (AI and conventional irrigation [CK]) and five application N rates (0, 50, 150, 200 and 250 kg ha−1) was conducted in Yangling, Shaanxi province, China. Our results indicated that soil water-filled pore space was lower than 60 % at 150 and 200 kg N ha-1, which increased the oxygen content of the soil. Soil urease and catalase activities under AI at 150 and 200 kg N ha−1 also increased, providing sufficient inorganic N for tomato growth. Use of AI increased tomato plant N uptake and translocated more N to fruit due to prolonging the periods when N accumulates quickly and of reproductive growth. The N dilution curves for tomato established under AI and CK showed that AI could accumulate 5% more dry matter than CK for the same amount of N uptake. The maximum tomato yield occurred with 200 kg N ha−1 for the CK treatment, but similar yield was observed with the 150 kg N ha−1 application rate under AI. The NUE with 150 kg N ha−1 was substantially higher than with 200 kg N ha−1. AI increased tomato yield and NUE of this treatment by 3.9–5.4 % and 3–13.2 %, respectively. Thus the N application rate could be reduced to 150 kg N ha−1 under AI without reducing tomato yield. Additionally, the AI system is simple and easy to operate, and could be widely used to improve crop yield and NUE while reducing N application rate. These results have important implications for the development of management strategies to maintain yield while reducing environment risks.

Keywords: Aerated irrigation; Tomato; Enzyme activity; Soil oxygen; N dilution curve (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:235:y:2020:i:c:s0378377419309977

DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2020.106152

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