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Residual soil nitrate after potato harvest
Gilles Bélanger1, Noura Ziadi, John R Walsh
1Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Soils and Crops Research and Development Centre, 2560 Hochelaga Boulevard, Sainte-Foy, Québec, Canada G1V 2J3. Belangergf@agr.gc.ca
Journal of Environmental Quality
|April 24, 2003
Summary
Nitrogen fertilizer and irrigation significantly impact residual soil nitrate levels after potato harvest. Optimizing nitrogen application based on economic factors can maintain soil nitrate below 70 kg NO3-N ha(-1).
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Soil Science
- Agronomy
Background:
- Nitrogen (N) loss through leaching is a significant issue, especially for high-N-demand crops like potatoes.
- Understanding residual soil nitrate is crucial for efficient N management and environmental protection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of nitrogen fertilization and irrigation on residual soil nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) after potato harvests.
- To determine optimal N application rates that minimize residual soil NO3-N.
Main Methods:
- Field experiments were conducted over multiple years in New Brunswick, Canada.
- Evaluated varying N fertilization rates (0-250 kg N ha(-1)) with and without supplemental irrigation.
- Measured soil NO3-N content to a depth of 0.90 m.
Main Results:
- Residual soil NO3-N increased with N fertilization, reaching 160 kg NO3-N ha(-1) at 250 kg N ha(-1).
- Irrigation generally reduced residual soil NO3-N compared to non-irrigated conditions.
- Residual soil NO3-N in the top 0.30 m was highly correlated with the 0.90-m depth content (R2 = 0.94).
Conclusions:
- Residual soil NO3-N can be managed effectively by basing N fertilization on economically optimum rates.
- Maintaining residual soil NO3-N below 70 kg NO3-N ha(-1) is achievable with optimized N application.
- This approach helps mitigate N loss and improve fertilizer use efficiency in potato production.