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Fertilizer Nitrogen Distribution Under Irrigation Between Soil, Plant, and Aquifer
Author(s) -
Gerwing J. R.,
Caldwell A. C.,
Goodroad L. L.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1979.00472425000800030003x
Subject(s) - loam , fertilizer , sowing , nitrogen , irrigation , agronomy , soil horizon , environmental science , aquifer , leaching (pedology) , growing season , chemistry , groundwater , hydrology (agriculture) , soil science , soil water , geology , biology , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry
A field experiment was established on a Sverdrup sandy loam in Central Minnesota to evaluate the effects of amounts and timing of nitrogen (N) fertilizer applications on N uptake by irrigated corn ( Zea mays L.) and the movement of N into the aquifer 4.5 m below the soil surface. Nitrogen was applied as urea at rates of 179 and 269 kg N/ha in one application at planting or in split applications through the season. Soil solution analysis showed NO 3 moving below the rooting zone in all plots with much higher concentrations below the one‐time fertilizer applications. Split applications of N had only minimal effect on the concentration of NO 3 ‐N in the aquifer but one‐time applications increased the concentration by 7 and 10 ppm. The use of 13 N showed that splitting the 179‐kg rate increased the N in the plant derived from fertilizer from 33.1 to 54.5%, and increased the recovery of fertilizer N by the plant from 30.4 to 52.1%, even though whole plant yields were not affected. Nearly one‐fourth of the applied N remained in the upper 45‐cm soil layer at harvest regardless of treatment. No accumulation of NO 3 was found in the soil profile or underlying material to a depth of 3.0 m.