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Irrigation Quantity and Uniformity and Nitrogen Application Effects on Crop Yield and Nitrogen Leaching
Author(s) -
Pang X. P.,
Letey J.,
Wu L.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1997.03615995006100010036x
Subject(s) - leaching (pedology) , irrigation , nitrogen , yield (engineering) , environmental science , agronomy , chemistry , soil science , soil water , materials science , biology , organic chemistry , metallurgy
The combined effects of irrigation and N management on crop yield and NO 3 − leaching have not been extensively investigated. The objective of this study was to quantify the relationships between irrigation management (including uniformity) and N management on corn ( Zea mays L.) yield and NO 3 − leaching. Yield and N leaching were simulated using the CERES‐Maize (version 2.10) model for various combinations of irrigation amounts and uniformity and N amount and timing of split N applications for semiarid conditions typical of Tulare County in California. Simulated grain yield increased, reached a plateau, and then decreased with increase in applied water under uniform irrigation. The amount of applied water above which yield decreased was higher for the higher N application rate and the later simulated split N application. The simulated amounts of N leached were consistent with the yield results. The higher water applications that lead to reduced yields were associated with higher N leaching for a given N application amount. The effects of irrigation were simulated assuming Christensen's Uniformity Coefficient (CUC) of 100, 90, and 75. The results were only slightly affected by CUC = 90 compared with 100. A CUC of 75 caused a reduction in yield and increase in N leaching compared with uniform irrigation. The lowest CUC required a higher N application to achieve the same yield as uniform irrigation. Under nonuniform irrigation, it is impossible to manage either water or N application in a manner to achieve high yields without considerahle NO 3 − leaching. High yield and low NO 3 − leaching are compatible goals and can be achieved by appropriate irrigation and fertilizer management for irrigation systems that have a CUC of 90 or greater.