Effects of salinity and fertigation practice on cotton yield and N recovery

The purpose of optimal water and nutrient management is to maximize water and fertilizer use efficiency and crop production, and to minimize groundwater pollution. In this study, field experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of soil salinity and N fertigation strategy on plant growth, N uptake, as well as plant and soil ¹⁵N recovery. The experimental design was a 3 × 3 factorial with three soil salinity levels (2.5, 6.3, and 10.8 dS m⁻¹) and three N fertigation strategies (N applied at the beginning, end, and in the middle of an irrigation cycle). Seed cotton yield, dry matter, N uptake, and plant ¹⁵N recovery significantly increased as soil salinity level increased from 2.5 to 6.3 dS m⁻¹, but they decreased markedly at higher soil salinity of 10.8 dS m⁻¹. Soil ¹⁵N recovery was higher under soil salinity of 10.8 dS m⁻¹ than those under soil salinity of 6.3 dS m⁻¹, but was not significantly different from that under soil salinity of 2.5 dS m⁻¹. The fertigation strategy that nitrogen applied at the beginning of an irrigation cycle had the highest seed cotton yield and plant ¹⁵N recovery, but showed higher potential loss of fertilizer N from the root zone. While the fertigation strategy of applying N at the end of an irrigation cycle tended to avoid potential N loss from the root zone, it had the lowest cotton yield and nitrogen use efficiency. Total ¹⁵N recovery was not significantly affected by soil salinity, fertigation strategy, and their interaction. These results suggest that applying nitrogen at the beginning of an irrigation cycle has an advantage on promoting yield and fertilizer use efficiency, therefore, is an agronomically efficient way to provide cotton with fertilizer N under the given production conditions.     

Effect of salinity on yield and nitrogen uptake of four grain legumes and on biological nitrogen contribution from the soil

Broadbean, chickpea, lentil and soybean were grown in a tank experiment and irrigated with waters of three different levels of salinity. The nitrogen uptake of the crop was determined from the yield of aereal biomass and grain, and the corresponding nitrogen contents. The biological contribution of the soil from nitrogen fixation and transformation of organic nitrogen was calculated as difference between the plant uptake and the amount supplied by fertilizer and irrigation minus the loss by drainage.Soil salinity affected crop yield, crop total nitrogen uptake and the nitrogen contribution of the soil. The latter decreased in % of plant uptake at increasing salinity and also decreased stronger than the plant uptake, pointing to a salinity effect on the mineral nitrogen production by biological activity in the soil through nitrogen fixation and transformation of organic nitrogen. A salinity effect on nitrogen fixation could explain, at least partly, the salt sensitivity of grain legumes.     

Interactive effects of soil salinity,fertility, and irrigation on field corn

Summary A line-source field experiment was conducted to study the interactive effects of four levels of soil salinity, five rates of applied nitrogen fertilizer and six levels of irrigation on the production of field corn (Zea mays L.). In general, increased levels of soil salinity and decreased irrigation reduced grain and stover (stems and other above-grand dry matter) yields. Increased quantities of irrigation, presumably through maintenance of high (less negative) total soil water potential, were effective in decreasing the effect of salinity, and as a result improved yield. The highest salinity level (9.6 mmho/cm) resulted in dry matter yield reductions of 41 and 93 percent of the maximum observed yield at the highest (479 mm) and lowest (210 mm) irrigation levels respectively, averaged over all fertility levels. Under the same conditions grain yield declined by 48 and 96 percent. Yield was not improved as a result of applying nitrogen. Main effects on yield of salinity (1% level), water (1% level) and nitrogen (5% level) were found. Interactive effects upon yield were demonstrated for salinity X nitrogen (1% level) and salinity X water (1% level) combinations. Nitrogen content of stover and grain rose with increased levels of soil salinity and nitrogen, and declined with increased irrigation. A salinity X nitrogen interaction effect was demonstrated for nitrogen content of the grain, and a salinity X water effect demonstrated for stover. Multiple regression equations for stover and grain yields as functions of salinity, fertility and irrigation were developed (R ² = 0.88 and 0.85 respectively).Utah Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Paper No. 2331Present address of the senior author: FAO, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia     

Deficit irrigation and nitrogen effects on seed cotton yield, water productivity and yield response factor in shallow soils of semi-arid environment

A field experiment was conducted for 2 years to investigate the effects of deficit irrigation, nitrogen and plant growth minerals on seed cotton yield, water productivity and yield response factor. The treatment comprises six levels of deficit irrigation (Etc 1.0, 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6 and 0.5) and four levels of nitrogen (80, 120, 160 and 200 kg N ha⁻¹). These were treatments superimposed with and without plant growth mineral spray. Furrow irrigation treatments were also kept. Cotton variety Ankur-651 Bt was grown during 2006 and 2007 cotton season. Drip irrigation at 1.0 Etc saved 26.9% water and produced 43.1% higher seed cotton yield over conventional furrow irrigation (1.0 Etc). Imposing irrigation deficit of 0.8 Etc caused significant reduction in seed cotton yield to the tune of 9.3% of the maximum yield. Further increase in deficit irrigation from 0.7 Etc to 0.5 Etc significantly decreased seed cotton yield over its subsequent higher irrigation level. Decline in the yield under deficit irrigation was associated with reduction in number of bolls plant⁻¹ and boll weight. Nitrogen at 200 kg ha⁻¹ significantly increased mean seed cotton yield by 36.3% over 80 kg N ha⁻¹. Seed cotton yield tended to increase linearly up to 200 kg N ha⁻¹ with drip Etc 0.8 to drip Etc 1.0. With drip Etc 0.6-0.5, N up to 160 kg ha⁻¹ provided the highest yield, thereafter it had declined. Foliar spray of plant growth mineral (PGM) brought about significant improvement in seed cotton yield by 14.1% over control. The water productivity ranged from 0.331 to 0.491 kg m⁻³ at different irrigation and N levels. On pooled basis, crop yield response factor of 0.87 was calculated at 20% irrigation deficit.     

The effect of irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer on rapeseed (Brassica napes) production in South-Eastern Australia

Summary A field trial was conducted to determine the response of rapeseed (Brassica napus cv. Marnoo) to two irrigation treatments and six nitrogen fertilizer treatments. Dry matter accumulation, leaf area development and seed yield were measured. The dry matter and seed yield response to applied nitrogen was greater under irrigated compared to rainfed conditions. Maximum seed yield (approx. 3.8 t ha^–1) was obtained from the irrigated treatment receiving 100 kg N ha^–1 applied at sowing. This high rate of N application at sowing led to more rapid leaf area development and higher maximum LAI compared to treatments supplied with split application of the same amount of N at sowing and rosette stages. Greater partitioning of dry matter into the leaf component and higher specific leaf areas under the higher N regime were largely responsible for this increase. Higher maximum LAI's were associated with greater numbers of pods per plant, which combined with longer leaf area duration led to higher final seed yields.     

水肥耦合对棉花产量和氮累积利用的影响

研究膜下滴灌施肥条件下,不同滴灌水量和滴灌施肥用量对棉花产量、氮素动态累积和氮素利用效率的影响。通过设置5个滴灌施肥水平和3个水分水平的完全组合处理以及一个不施肥对照处理,研究了水肥耦合对棉花干物质动态累积量、籽棉产量、氮动态累积量和氮素利用效率的影响。在收获后棉花地上部分器官质量从高到低依次为棉铃,茎秆和叶,而氮素主要集中在棉铃内部,其次是叶片,茎秆最少。灌溉水量显著增加了棉花叶片,茎秆和棉铃质量,从而增加了干物质量和籽棉产量,同时灌溉水量显著增加氮累积量和氮肥利用率。水肥对氮肥偏生产力,氮肥农学效率和氮肥生理利用率影响显著。灌溉水量降低至60%ETc会抑制棉花对氮素的吸收,使干物质量和籽棉产量下降,但可以显著提高氮肥利用率,氮肥偏生产力,氮肥农学效率。在本试验条件下,灌水量在380 mm,施肥量(N-P2O5-K2O)为(250-100-50)kg/hm2时,可以获得低于最高产量6%的籽棉产量,并节省15%的灌水量和16.7%施肥量。     

Maize yield response to deficit irrigation during low-sensitive growth stages and nitrogen rate under semi-arid climatic conditions

Knowledge of crop production in suboptimal environmental conditions not only helps to sustain crop production but also aids in the design of low-input systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of water stress imposed at low-sensitive growth stages (vegetative, reproductive, and both vegetative and reproductive) and level of nitrogen (N) supply (100 and 200 kg ha⁻¹) on the physiological and agronomic characteristics of two hybrids of maize (Zea mays L.). A two-site field experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design with three replications and a split-factorial arrangement. A water deficit (WD) was induced by withholding irrigation at different stages of crop development. The results showed that proline content increased and the relative water content, leaf greenness, 100-kernel weight and grain yield decreased under conditions of WD. The highest IWUE was obtained when maize endured WD at vegetative stage at two sites. The limited irrigation imposed on maize during reproductive stage resulted in more yield reduction than that during vegetative stage, compared with fully irrigated treatment. The 100-kernel weight was the most sensitive yield component to determine the yield variation in maize plant when the WD treatments were imposed in low-sensitive growth stages. The results of the statistical regression analysis showed liner relationships between RGR during a period bracketing the V₈ or R₃ stages and 100-kernel weight in all the WD treatments. The increase of N supply improved yield and IWUE when maize plant endured once irrigation shortage at vegetative stage. But, the performance of high N fertilizer reduced and eliminated when water deficit imposed once at reproductive stage and twice at vegetative and reproductive stages, respectively. Furthermore, the response of T.C647 hybrid to increase of N supply was stronger than S.C647 hybrid.     

Nitrogen fixation in a white clover-grass pasture irrigated with saline groundwater

Nitrogen (N₂) fixation in an irrigated white clover-grass sward was estimated using the ¹⁵N isotope dilution technique following the addition of K¹⁵NO₃ at 0.5 gN m^–2 and 80 atom % ¹⁵N in a field study during the 1990–91 season. Two water salinity treatments (channel water; EC_w = 0.07 and groundwater; 2.4 dS m^–1) and four irrigation frequencies were included in a factorial design with four replicates. The channel water treatments were irrigated when pan evaporation minus rainfall equalled 50 mm, whereas the groundwater treatments were irrigated at deficits of 40, 50, 65 or 80 mm. Cumulative dry matter of the clover was significantly less in treatments irrigated with saline groundwater compared to channel water at day 164, and soil salinities (EC_e) increased on average from 2.3 to 5.07 dS m^–1. In contrast, salinity of the irrigation water had no effect on the cumulative yield of grass. Cumulative dry matter of the grass and clover were not affected by groundwater irrigation frequency. Total N accumulation by the grass did not differ significantly between treatments. However, total N accumulation in white clover was significantly less (P < 0.05) in all treatments irrigated with groundwater compared to channel water. Neither the N concentrations of the grass nor the clover differed significantly between the salinity treatments. Salinity and irrigation frequency had no effect on the proportion of clover N (P_atm) derived from N₂ fixation. The values of P_atm were high throughout, and increased progressively from 0.78 at day 39 to 0.91 at day 164 (P < 0.01). However, the yield of fixed N was lower in clover when watered with groundwater compared to channel water (P < 0.01). Thus low to moderate soil salinity did not affect the symbiotic dependence of clover, but the yield of biologically-fixed N was depressed through a reduction in the dry matter yield of the legume.     

The effects of irrigation regimes and nitrogen rates on some agronomic traits of canola under a semiarid environment

This study was aimed to investigate dual effects of irrigation regimes and N fertilizer rates on some agronomic traits (with emphasis on yield qualitative and quantitative characteristics) and finding optimized irrigation level and N application rate for two canola (Brassic napus L.) cultivars. For this purpose, two variety of canola (Zarfam and Modena), four irrigation regimes including 30%, 45%, 60% and 75% (I1-I4) of maximum allowable depletion (MAD) of available soil water (ASW) and four nitrogen rates (viz. 0, 90, 180 and 270 kg N ha⁻¹ (N1-N4) were involved in Karaj, Iran for two successive years (2007-2008). Our results revealed special fertilizer threshold for each irrigation regime in respect to seed yield. Response rate to fertilizers was ceased in lower fertilizer rates by prolonging irrigation. The response rate showed a decrease of 15.4%, 17.2% and 30.7% in I2, I3 and I4 in comparison with I1, but I2 response to fertilizer ceased in higher N rate as N_critical (189.8 kg N ha⁻¹). This implies that I2 improved response of canola cultivars to N fertilizer, which was accompanied by its higher WUE. Also, all estimated N_criticals for all irrigation levels were higher than the current recommendation of 130 kg N ha⁻¹. This show the capability of increasing canola cultivars yield in study region by reasonable increasing of fertilizer rate (decreasing gap between recommended N rate and estimated values) in advisable irrigation regime (I2). Cultivars tended to respond similarly to irrigation and nitrogen for seed yield in both years, but Zarfam was more efficient than Modena in respect to response to diverse treatments.     

节水减氮对温室番茄生长及水氮利用率的影响

为研究番茄生长对不同生育期节水和不同施氮水平的敏感程度,通过温室小区试验,设4个灌水水平和3个施氮水平;分析番茄地上、地下生长指标对不同灌水和施氮水平的响应,并探究节水减氮对番茄水氮利用率的影响.结果表明:番茄株高、茎粗及产量均随着灌水量和施氮量的减少而减小,均在处理W1N1(常规水氮)下达到最大值;而整根特征参数随灌水量和施氮量的减少先增大后减小,在处理W2N2(苗期节水50%,施氮300 kg/hm²)下番茄总根长、细根总根长、总表面积及总体积最大,分别较W1N1 高33%,34%,46%和67%,常规灌水施氮会促进表层(0~30 cm)根系的发育,而节水减氮会使根系深扎.处理W2N2根系最发达,灌溉水利用效率最高,且有较高的氮肥偏生产力,在略有减产(8%)的同时节省了水(20%)肥(25%)资源,是本试验条件下最佳的节水减氮组合.     

氮肥减施对节水灌溉稻田NH3与N2O排放及氮肥利用的影响

为探究节水灌溉模式下黑土稻田NH₃、N₂O排放及氮肥吸收利用对减施氮肥的响应规律，以黑龙江省黑土稻田为研究对象，于2021年进行了大田试验，试验设置常规淹灌(F)和控制灌溉(C)2种灌溉模式，全生育期施氮量设置常规施氮水平(N,110 kg/hm²)、减氮10%(N1,99 kg/hm²)和减氮20%(N2,88 kg/hm²) 3个水平，并在F和C灌溉模式下分别设置不施氮肥处理(CK1和CK2)作为对照组，共8个处理。分析了不同灌溉模式下减施氮肥对水稻全生育期NH₃挥发速率和N₂O排放的影响，计算了氮肥气态损失量和损失率，并基于同位素示踪技术进一步估算了水稻对氮肥的吸收利用量及水稻收获后土壤中的氮肥残留量。结果表明：2种灌溉模式下的氮肥气态损失量及损失率均随着施氮量的减少而降低。控制灌溉模式的应用增加了黑土稻田氮肥气态损失，其各处理的氮肥气态损失量及损失率均高于常规淹灌模式下相同施氮量处理。然而同位素示踪结果表明，采用控制灌溉模式能...     

咸水淡水轮灌模式及施肥量对玉米生长和土壤盐分的影响

试验设置6种不同的灌溉模式,分别为淡-淡-淡-淡、咸-淡-淡-淡、淡-淡-咸-淡、淡-咸-咸-淡、咸-淡-咸-淡和咸-咸-淡-淡,并以淡水灌溉作为对照(CK),咸水灌溉采用矿化度为3 g/L的微咸水,结合灌溉模式设置2个施肥水平,研究了不同咸淡轮灌模式及施肥量对玉米生长及土壤盐分累积的影响。结果表明,不同咸淡轮灌模式及施肥量对玉米生育指标和籽粒的品质指标影响显著,增加施肥量可促进玉米生长发育,提高产量;微咸水灌溉可提高玉米籽粒品质,但影响玉米生长发育、降低玉米产量,特别是灌溉2轮咸水的处理,株高和叶面积受到的影响较大,产量降低较明显;咸水灌溉次数越多、施肥量越大,土壤盐分累积程度越明显。因此,采用咸-淡-淡-淡的组合灌溉顺序配合560 kg/hm~2的施肥方式为该试验的最优方案。     

Cotton yield and water use efficiency at various levels of water and N through drip irrigation under two methods of planting

The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the effect of various levels of water and N application through drip irrigation on seed cotton yield and water use efficiency (WUE). In this experiment three levels of water (Epan 0.4, 0.3, and 0.2) and three levels of N (100, 75, and 50% of recommended N, 75 kg/ha) through drip were compared with check-basin method of irrigation under two methods of planting (normal sowing, NS; paired sowing, PS). The results revealed that when the same quantity of irrigation water and N was applied through drip irrigation system, it increased the seed cotton yield to 2144 from 1624 kg/ha (an increase of 32%) under check-basin method of irrigation. When the quantity of water through drip was reduced to 75%, the increase in seed cotton yield was 12%; however, when water was reduced to 50%, it resulted 2% lower yield than check-basin. The decrease in N through fertigation resulted in reduction in seed cotton yield at all the levels of water supply, but the magnitude of reduction was the highest at highest level of water supply. In paired sowing (PS), 20% higher seed cotton yield was obtained as compared with check-basin method under NS along with 50% saving of water. In paired sowing the sacrifice of 9% seed cotton yield as compared with NS resulted in saving of 50% water as well as the cost of laterals because there was one lateral for two paired rows. The WUE increased by 26% (22.1 from 17.6 kg/ha cm) in drip irrigation system when same quantity of water and N fertilizer was applied as compared with check-basin. WUE was not affected with quantity of water but decrease in rate of N caused a decrease in WUE at all the quantities of water applied. In general, WUE was higher in PS as compared with NS. The agronomic efficiency of nitrogen increased from 21.65 to 28.59 kg of seed cotton per kg of N applied when same quantity of water and N was applied through drip irrigation as compared with check-basin. However, decrease in quantity of water applied resulted in a decrease in agronomic efficiency of N but reverse was true for rates of N applied. When the same quantity of water and N was applied under both the methods of planting, PS produced 22% higher seed cotton yield and along with reduced cost owing to half the number of laterals required.     

The effect of irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer on rapeseed (Brassica napus) production in South-Eastern Australia

Summary A field trial was conducted to determine the response of rapeseed (Brassica napus cv. Marnoo) to two irrigation treatments and six nitrogen fertilizer treatments. Response to nitrogen was greater with than without irrigation. Oil content was increased with irrigation but decreased under increasing nitrogen application, and was inversely related to seed nitrogen concentration. Oil yields averaged 1,168 kg ha^–1 under irrigated treatments compared with 835 kg ha^–1 under rainfed treatments. Maximum oil yield (approx. 1,557 kg ha^–1) was obtained from the irrigated treatment fertilized with 100 kg N ha^–1 applied at sowing.     

Effects of salinity on germination,growth and yield of cowpea

Summary Adequate information on salt tolerance is lacking for cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.), a crop grown under both dryland and irrigated conditions. A two-year field plot study was conducted to determine the responses of both the vegetative and dry seed yield of cowpea to a range of soil salinities. Four salinity levels were imposed each year on a Pachappa fine sandy loam (mixed, thermic, Mollic Haploxeralf). Vegetative growth, dry seed yield, and several components of seed yield were measured.Vegetative yield was decreased more by increasing soil salinity than was dry seed yield. Vegetative growth was reduced 9.0% for each unit increase in electrical conductivity of the soil saturation extract beyond a threshold value of 1.6 dS/m. Dry seed yield was reduced 12% for each unit increase beyond 4.9 dS/m. Fewer pods per plant accounted for nearly all of the seed yield reduction associated with increasing salinity levels.Germination was significantly reduced when electrical conductivity in sand cultures exceeded 12.0 dS/m.     

无压灌溉条件下不同滴灌施氮量对樱桃生长发育及产量的影响

研究无压灌溉条件下不同滴灌施氮量对樱桃生长发育以及产量的影响,为果树水肥科学调控,实现高效节水、高产目标提供理论依据。以樱桃树为试验材料,研究不同出水孔径和施氮量对樱桃生长、生理、产量和灌溉水利用效率的影响。设2个水分水平(出水孔径为8 mm,W1;6 mm,W2和3个施氮水平[N1,N2,N3(200、400、600kg/hm2)]。结果表明:不同出水孔径和施氮量对樱桃树干周、新梢生长量、产量均有显著影响(P0.05),水肥交互作用对灌溉水利用效率和氮肥偏生产力有极显著性影响(P0.01)。樱桃植株的干周和新梢生长量随出水孔径和施氮量的增加而增加。W1处理下的樱桃平均干周生长量、新梢生长量和产量分别比W2处理高15.91%,18.72%和2.5%。W1N1处理的单果重和产量均最大,分别达到9.4g和13 077kg/hm2。综合考虑水肥协同效应、节水节肥及高产等多种因素,W1N1处理能兼顾生长、产量、水分利用效率和经济效益,是比较适宜的滴灌施肥水肥组合。     

沙漠绿洲灌区不同水氮水平对甜瓜产量和品质的影响

选用河西地区广泛应用的甜瓜品种,采用裂区设计,研究河西灌区甜瓜生长期不同水氮投入量对甜瓜产量和品质的影响。在试验条件下,增加灌水和施氮均能促使产量和品质提高,且氮素作用大于灌水效应;在一定范围内,甜瓜产量随着灌水量和施氮量的增加而提高;在灌水量达到2 700m3/hm2、施氮量达到240kg/hm2时,甜瓜产量最高,为53 849kg/hm2,水分利用率达到19.94%,氮肥利用率达到22.22%。继续增加灌水、施肥量,产量和品质有下降趋势;综合产量、品质和水氮利用率,灌水量为2 700m3/hm2,施氮量240kg/hm2为较适宜水平。     

水氮耦合对烤烟生长、产量和品质的影响

[目的]探讨贵州省黔东南州烤烟种植适宜的水氮耦合模式。[方法]采用田间小区试验,设置4种灌水水平,分别为0水平(W0:0L/株)、1水平(W1:0.5L/株)、2水平(W2:1.0L/株)、3水平(W3:2.0L/株),2种施氮水平,分别为1水平(N1:90kg/hm2)、2水平(N2:120kg/hm2),研究了不同施氮量和灌水量8个耦合处理对烤烟生长、烟叶产量和品质的影响。[结果]在试验范围内,烤烟成熟期,施氮量相同时,与W0N2处理相比,W3N2处理烟株的株高、最大叶面积、叶片数、茎围、节间距和根体积分别增加了13.22%、13.77%、14.36%、10.91%、10.63%和19.95%;当灌水量相同时,与W3N1处理相比,W3N2处理烟株的株高、最大叶面积、叶片数、茎围、节间距和根体积分别增加了5.39%、7.27%、7.43%、7.45%、0.74%和23.84%,烟叶产量提高2.06%;各等级烟叶中总糖、还原糖、总氮和总钾量均与灌水量极显著正相关,烟碱、蛋白质和含氯量均与灌水量负相关,灌水量和施氮量对烟叶中的化学成分存在显著交互作用;水氮耦合处理各等级烟叶的外观质量和评吸品质均表现较好。[结论]总体来看,以灌水量1.0~2.0L/株,施氮量120kg/hm2的水氮耦合处理烟株生长状况较佳,烟叶产量较高,品质较好。     

Efficacy of mulching, irrigation and nitrogen applications on bottle gourd and okra for yield improvement and crop diversification

An on-farm irrigation trial conducted on the upland of Chitwan valley of Nepal evaluated the amount and frequency of irrigation as well as the effect of nitrogen fertilizer and straw mulch applications on the performance of bottle gourd and okra vegetables. The experiment was laid out on split-split-plot design with fertilizer as main-plot factor, frequencies of irrigation as sub-plot factor, and amount of irrigation as sub-sub-plot factor. Data analysis revealed that frequency and amount of irrigation had a significant interaction effect on the number of nodes that emerge before the opening of the first flower in bottle gourd. Likewise, a significant effect of mulching was observed on the number of primary branches (P = 0.05). Number of nodes and primary branches both contributed to higher production of bottle gourd. Results also indicated that frequent application of higher amount of irrigation to bottle gourd could lead to reduced water productivity and suffer from yield losses. In the case of okra, low level of nitrogen application (30 kg N ha⁻¹) with low but daily watering had significantly higher yield (1,365 g plot⁻¹) than from higher level of nitrogen application (90 kg ha⁻¹) (P = 0.01). Interaction effect of all factors was also significant (P = 0.05) on the fruit yield of okra which implied greater value of smaller irrigation to contribute to increased returns to farmers by improving production level of okra in this area of Nepal     

Effect of sodium and nitrogen on yield function of irrigated maize in southern Portugal

Salinization and nitrate leaching are two of the leading threats to the environment of the European Mediterranean regions. Inefficient use of water and fertilizers has led to a nitrate increase in the aquifers and reduction in crop yields caused by salts. In this study, a triple emitter source irrigation system delivers water, salt (Na⁺), and fertilizer (N) applications to maize (Zea mays L.). The objective of the study was to evaluate the combined effect of saline water and nitrogen application on crop yields in two different textured soils of Alentejo (Portugal) and to assess if increasing salinity levels of the irrigation water can be compensated by application of nitrogen while still obtaining acceptable crop yield. Maximum yield was obtained from both soils with an application of 13 g m⁻² of nitrogen. Yield response to Na⁺ application was different in the two studied soils and depended on the total amount of Na⁺ or irrigation water applied. No significant interaction was found between nitrogen and sodium, but a positive effect on maize yield was observed in the medium textured soil for amounts of Na⁺ less than 905 g m⁻² when applied in the irrigation water.