scholarly journals Irrigation Management Affects Soil Solution NO3-N Concentration

HortScience ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 755E-755
Author(s):  
Denise Neilsen ◽  
Gerry H. Neilsen ◽  
Peter Parchomchuk ◽  
Eugene J. Hogue
Keyword(s):  
Soil Solution ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Drip Irrigation ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Sprinkler Irrigation ◽  
Loamy Sand ◽  
Silt Loam ◽  
Silt Loam Soil ◽  
N Concentration ◽  
Loam Soil

Direct application of fertilizers in irrigation water (fertigation) has been advocated as an efficient method of fertilizing fruit trees. However, more information is needed on the relationship between irrigation and N inputs in order to target fertigation to meet plant demands. Soil solution NO3-N concentration was measured at three sites in response to the method of fertilizer application in which 25 g N/tree per year was either spring-broadcast with sprinkler irrigation or fertigated at 8 weekly intervals through drip irrigation; the amount of irrigation water in which 50 g N/tree per year was given in 63 daily fertigations with either 4 or 8 liters of water/day for two soil types and the concentration of fertigated N in which either 75 or 150 ppm NO3-N was given in 63 daily fertigations. Soil solution NO3-N concentration decreased rapidly for broadcast fertilizer with sprinkler irrigation and was lower than for weekly fertigation with drip irrigation. Doubling the amount of irrigation water effectively halved the soil solution NO3-N concentration in both the silt loam and loamy sand soils, although concentrations were higher in the silt loam soil. Movement of applied N below the root zone was halted for the silt loam soil by mid-summer with the lower amount of irrigation water, but was only delayed in the loamy sand soil. Doubling the average concentration of N in the irrigation water resulted in a doubling of the concentration of NO3-N in the root zone. A simple model was devised to predict the soil solution NO3-N concentration based on N and water inputs and fitted to measured values for daily and weekly fertigation.

scholarly journals Using Soil Solution Monitoring to Determine the Effects of Irrigation Management and Fertigation on Nitrogen Availability in High-density Apple Orchards

1998 ◽  
Vol 123 (4) ◽  
pp. 706-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Neilsen ◽  
P. Parchomchuk ◽  
G.H. Neilsen ◽  
E.J. Hogue
Keyword(s):  
Soil Solution ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Sprinkler Irrigation ◽  
Loamy Sand ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Silt Loam ◽  
N Concentration ◽  
Loam Soil

Direct application of fertilizers in irrigation water (fertigation) is an efficient method of supplying nutrients to fruit trees. Information is needed on the relationship between irrigation and N inputs on N availability in order to target nutrient applications to meet plant demands. Soil solution was collected from permanently installed suction lysimeters and NO3-N concentration was measured over the growing season in three experiments: 1) comparison of sprinkler irrigation + broadcast fertilizer with weekly fertigation + daily drip irrigation; 2) comparison of (NH4)2SO4 or Ca(NO3)2 as N sources under daily fertigation; and 3) comparisons of combinations of irrigation applied at either fixed rates or to meet evaporative demand and fertilizer (Ca(NO3)2) applied daily either at fixed rates or to maintain a given concentration in the fertigation solution in two soil types—loamy sand and silt loam. Trials are located in high density apple plantings of either `Gala' or `Empire' apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) on M.9 rootstock. Nitrate-N concentration in the soil solution measured at 30 cm deep remained higher, over more of the growing season, for weekly fertigation + daily drip irrigation than for a single broadcast fertilizer application + sprinkler irrigation. With daily Ca(NO3)2 fertigation, soil solution NO3- N concentrations increased and decreased rapidly with the onset and end of fertigation respectively, remained relatively constant during the intervening period and were directly proportional to either the amount of N or the amount of irrigation water added. Daily fertigation with (NH4)2SO4 resulted in less control of NO3-N availability in the root-zone than with Ca(NO3)2, which may be problematic for precise timing of N nutrition. Except for the fixed irrigation rate applied to the loamy sand soil, soil solution NO3-N concentrations at 30 cm beneath the emitter were similar to average concentrations in the fertigating solution, for all methods of irrigation management in both soil types. Elevated NO3-N concentrations in soil solution below the root zone (75 cm deep) were detected in the loamy sand regardless of methods of N application and irrigation although there was some evidence of less leaching to this depth, under scheduled irrigation. In the silt loam soil, considerably lower concentrations of NO3-N were found beneath the root zone than at 30 cm deep for all of irrigation procedures and frequently there was insufficient water moving to 75 cm to provide sample. Tree growth in the loamy sand was less than in the silt loam soil; was limited by low application of irrigation water in 1992 and 1993; was unaffected by NO3-N concentration in the root zone, indicating that N inputs could be minimized by adding N to maintain concentrations of 75 μg·mL-1 or possibly less. Nitrogen inputs may also be reduced if fertilizer N and irrigation water could be retained within the root zone. For coarse-textured soils this will require precise additions of water and possibly soil amendments to improve water holding capacity.

scholarly journals VEGETATIVE GROWTH AND NUTRIENT LEVELS OF LINGONBERRIES GROWN IN FOUR ALASKAN SUBSTRATES

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 969-977 ◽  
Author(s):  
PATRICIA S. HOLLOWAY ◽  
ROBERT M. VAN VELDHUIZEN ◽  
CECIL STUSHNOFF ◽  
DAVID K. WILDUNG
Keyword(s):  
Vegetative Growth ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Leaf Size ◽  
Maximum Growth ◽  
Stem Length ◽  
Dry Matter Accumulation ◽  
Silt Loam ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Silt Loam Soil ◽  
Loam Soil

Vegetative growth of lingonberries was observed on plants growing in four unsterilized, native-Alaskan substrates: coarsely-ground Lemeta peat, Fairbanks silt loam soil, a mixture of peat and silt loam soil and washed Chena very fine sandy loam soil. Following three growing seasons, plants in the peat treatment showed the greatest increase in vegetative growth as revealed by the number of new stems produced, stem length and dry weight per plant. Leaf size did not differ among substrate treatments. The leaves on plants grown in the peat substrate remained green throughout the entire experiment. The leaves of plants in all other treatments showed varying degrees of chlorosis followed by reddening and necrosis. Differences in concentration of N, P, K, Mn, Fe, Zn and Al in whole-plant tissue samples were recorded. The results indicate lingonberries should be grown in a peat substrate for maximum growth and dry matter accumulation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document