Nitrate leaching assessment in a long-term experiment under supplementary irrigation in humid Argentina

V. Aparicio, J.L. Costa and M. Zamora

Agricultural Water Management, 2008, vol. 95, issue 12, 1361-1372

Abstract: Applying high rates of nitrogen (N) fertilizer to crops has two major disadvantages: (1) the low N fertilizer use efficiency and (2) the loss of N by leaching, which may cause groundwater nitrate (NO3-) pollution, especially in humid areas. The objectives of this study were to adjust and validate the LEACH-W model simulations with data observed in the field; to quantify nitrate concentrations in the soil solution; to estimate N loss by leaching; and to determine the moments during the year when greatest nitrate transport events occur beyond the rooting profile. A randomized complete block design with four replications was established on a typic Argiudoll. Crop fertilization treatments consisted of three N rates (0, 100, and 200 kg N ha-1) using urea and ammonium nitrate solution (UAN) as the N source. Corn (Zea mays L.) was planted and ceramic soil-water suction samplers were installed to depths of 1, 1.5 and 2 m. Drainage was estimated by the LEACH-W model, which adjusted very well the actual volume of water in the soil profile. Nitrogen losses were statistically analyzed as repeated measure data, using the PROC MIXED procedure. Losses of nitrate-nitrogen (NO3--N) during the study increased as the rate of N applied increased. At all depths studied, statistically significant higher values were found for 200 N compared to 100 N and 0 N, and for 100 N compared to 0 N (p

Keywords: Ceramic; soil-water; suction; samplers; Groundwater; quality; LEACH-W; model; Drainage; losses; Water; and; fertilizer; management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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