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Lysimeter Study of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Irrigation Rates on Quality of Recharge Water and Corn Yield

Department of Soil Science, North Dakota State Univ., Walster Hall, P.O. Box 5638, Fargo, ND 58105.

^* Corresponding author.

ABSTRACT

Accrual of NO₃-N to groundwater as a result of agricultural practices is a focus of environmental concern. This inquiry was conducted to quantify precisely in a replicated experiment the rate of N loading to groundwater resulting from inputs of N and irrigation water to corn (Zea mays L.). Input levels were designed to balance potential for high production with minimum loading of NO₃-N to groundwater. Four large (2.4 by 2.4 m and 2.3 m deep) drainage lysimeters with reconstructed Hecla loamy fine sand (Aquic Haploborolls) were employed in this southeast North Dakota study. Grain yields at N fertilizer rates of 95 and 145 kg/ha were 10.3 and 11.3 Mg/ha, respectively. Differences in yield due to irrigation and irrigation by N interaction were nonsignificant. There was no residual effect of N fertilizer on yield. The higher irrigation rate caused increases in drainage of water within about 30 d. The higher rate of N fertilizer, however, was not reflected by increased concentration of NO₃-N in the drainage water until 325 d after application. The increased concentrations then persisted to 500 d. Flow-weighted means of NO₃-N concentrations for this period were 8.6 and 12.3 mg/L for the low and high N rates, respectively. For this soil and climate, irrigation and N management can be tailored to produce NO₃-N concentrations below 10 mg/L with continuous corn. However, the 5:1 economic return produced by 50 kg/ha of incremental N fertilizer means that producers are unlikely to adopt the needed practices without incentives.

Contribution of the North Dakota Agric. Exp. Stn. Journal no. 1888.

Received for publication April 23, 1990.

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