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Related Experiment Videos

Controlling nitrate leaching in irrigated agriculture.

R F Spalding1, D G Watts, J S Schepers

  • 1Dep of Agronomy, Univ of Nebraska, Lincoln 68583-0844, USA. rspalding1@unl.edu

Journal of Environmental Quality
|July 31, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Improved irrigation and nutrient management significantly reduced nitrate leaching into groundwater. Center pivot irrigation with reduced nitrogen fertilizer protected groundwater quality while maintaining crop yields.

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Area of Science:

  • Agricultural Science
  • Environmental Science
  • Hydrology

Background:

  • Groundwater quality is crucial for ecosystems and human use.
  • Agricultural practices, particularly irrigation and nitrogen (N) fertilization, significantly impact groundwater nitrate (NO3-N) levels.
  • Assessing the effectiveness of different management strategies is vital for sustainable agriculture.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of improved irrigation and nutrient management practices on groundwater quality.
  • To compare the effects of conventional furrow irrigation versus surge and center pivot irrigation with reduced N inputs.
  • To analyze the influence of crop type (corn vs. alfalfa) on groundwater quality.

Main Methods:

  • Groundwater quality was monitored from 1991 to 1996 at 31 multilevel samplers across four management fields.

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  • Data were collected at 16 depths, three times annually.
  • Groundwater dating (3H/3He) was used to determine water age and aquifer stratification.

    • Main Results:

    • Center pivot irrigation with reduced N fertilizer and water inputs significantly decreased N leaching compared to conventional furrow irrigation.
    • A wet growing season in 1993 diluted NO3-N concentrations in shallow groundwater.
    • Nitrate levels beneath center pivot-irrigated corn fields remained lower than conventional and surge-irrigated fields, indicating reduced leaching.

    Conclusions:

    • Sprinkler irrigation combined with N fertigation is an effective strategy to reduce nitrogen leaching into groundwater.
    • These improved practices can significantly reduce N leaching with minimal impact on crop yield.
    • Management strategies can be tailored to protect groundwater resources while supporting agricultural productivity.