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Nitrate-Nitrogen Concentrations in Percolate from Lysimeters Planted to a Legume-Grass Mixture

USDA-ARS, North Appalachian Experimental Watershed, P.O. Box 478, Coshocton, OH 43812.

^* Corresponding author.

ABSTRACT

Growing concern that N from agricultural sources is a major pollutant of groundwater has stimulated research on NO₃-N concentrations in groundwater under crops receiving N fertilizer. Knowledge of the effects of legumes on groundwater quality and their potential for reducing NO₃-N concentrations is limited. Three Coshocton monolith lysimeters (Y-102A, B, and C) containing a well-drained silt loam soil on a 13% slope, and four lysimeters (Y103A, B, C, and D) containing a moderately well-drained silt loam soil on a 6% slope were used to study the effects of a legume-grass mixture on groundwater quality. Between experiments with corn (Zea mays L.), an alfalfa-orchard grass mix (70% Medicago sativa L. + 30% Dactylis glomerata L.), was grown for 2 yr and 3 yr on the Y102 and Y103 lysimeters respectively. The corn, some of which received high rates of N fertilizer, produced NO₃-N concentrations in percolate ranging from 15 to 40 mg/L. Under alfalfa, NO₃-N concentrations in leachate often were less than 5 mg/L, especially on the moderately well-drained lysimeters. The highest NO₃-N percolate concentrations under all treatments occurred during the winter/early spring months.

Contribution from USDA-ARS.

Received for publication April 5, 1989.

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