Nitrogen and phosphorus leaching losses from paddy fields with different water and nitrogen managements

While many water-saving rice production techniques have been adopted in China, the environmental effects of these techniques require further investigation. This study aims to assess nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) leaching losses under real conditions in different water and N managements. Two water and three N treatments are conducted in the Taihu Lake region of China. Results show that the total N leaching losses during the rice season under flooding irrigation (FI) are 12.4, 9.31, and 7.17 kg ha⁻¹ for farmers’ fertilization practices (FFP), site-specific N management (SSNM), and controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer management (CRN), respectively. Under controlled irrigation (CI), the respective losses were 7.40, 5.86, and 3.79 kg ha⁻¹ for the same management methods. The total P leaching losses during the rice season under FI were 0.939, 0.927, and 0.353 kg ha⁻¹ for FFP, SSNM, and CRN, respectively. Under CI, the losses were 0.424, 0.433, and 0.279 kg ha⁻¹, respectively, for the same management methods. Ammonium and nitrate N accounted for 42.2–65.5% and 11.8–14.7% of the total nitrogen leaching losses under different water and N management methods, respectively. Due to significant decrease of volumes of percolation water and nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in percolation water, N and P leaching losses were reduced in the CI treatment compared to the FI treatment under the same N management. The reduction of N input and application of controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer can reduce N and P leaching losses from paddy fields.     

Effects of alternate wetting and drying irrigation on percolation and nitrogen leaching in paddy fields

The widely adopted alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation for rice production is increasingly needed to quantify the different water outflows and nitrogen leaching losses. We investigated the effects of AWD on percolation, water productivity, nitrogen leaching losses, and nitrogen productivity through in situ experiments. Results show that AWD reduced irrigation water without a significant impact on grain yields and increased the mean water productivity by 16.9 % compared with continuously flood irrigation (CFI). The mean nitrogen productivity of 135 kg ha^?1 N level was 22.2 % higher than that of 180 kg ha^?1 N level, although grain yields substantially increased because of nitrogen fertilization application. The percolation was also reduced by 15.3 % in 2007 and 8.3 % in 2008 compared to CFI. However, the cumulative percolation of the first 5 days after irrigation in AWD plots is significantly larger than that in CFI plots. The NH₄ ⁺–N and TN leaching losses of AWD and CFI had no significant variations while the NO₃ ^?–N leaching losses were increased caused by AWD. The total NH₄ ⁺–N, NO₃ ^?–N, and TN leaching losses of AWD in the first 3 days after irrigation were higher than that of contemporaneous CFI. The results indicate that the bypass or preferential flow and strengthened nitrification–denitrification nitrogen transformation processes because of alternate wetting and drying potentially decrease the water saving effectiveness and increase the NO₃ ^?–N loading to the groundwater.     

Study on the water and nitrogen balance in paddy fields with irrigation and drainage dual-purpose channel mode using the tank model

Paddy and Water Environment - In South China’s paddy irrigation area, irrigation and drainage dual-purpose channel mode (IDDCM) is applied to conserve farmland resources in rice cultivation...     

Reduction of effluent nitrogen and phosphorus from paddy fields

In order to reduce nitrogen and phosphorous loads flowing out from paddy fields, the effects of no-puddling and coated fertilizer were examined. First, pot examination was performed in order to clarify the influence of puddling on nitrogen and phosphorous concentration in the ponding water on paddy soils. The experiment was conducted three times under the condition of puddling or no-puddling, as the condition of fertilizing or no-fertilizing. By using the result, the storage term of the ponding water after puddling was considered for four soils.Next, a field experiment was conducted to compare the effect of the coated urea division with the conventionally cultivated division and the no-fertilizing division. By using coated urea, it was possible to reduce the amount of nitrogen fertilizer to about 60% of the conventionally cultivated division; thus, it showed clearly that coated urea has a great effect on reducing effluent nitrogen. Although there was less yield of hulled rice than that of the conventionally cultivated division, it was proven by the palatability test that the flavor of the rice from the coated urea division was better than that of the conventionally cultivated division rice.     

Effect of plastic-film mulching on leaching of nitrate nitrogen in an upland field converted from paddy

A lysimeter experiment was conducted to examine the effects of plastic film mulching on the leaching rate of nitrate nitrogen (NO₃-N) from chemical fertilizer that was applied to an upland field that had been converted from paddy rice production. Leaching was monitored in two lysimeters filled with sandy loam soil, which contained low soil organic matter content, under different surface mulch conditions. One was mulched only on the ridge (ridge-mulch treatment) and another one was mulched fully, including the furrow, with black plastic film (full-mulch treatment). Chemical fertilizer was mixed into the top 0.2 m of soil in the two lysimeters before installing the mulch. After transplanting broccoli, the amount of subsurface discharge water and the NO₃-N concentrations in the discharge water were measured every day. Larger NO₃-N discharges occurred in the ridge-mulch treatment for three days after heavy rainfalls in which cumulative precipitation exceeded 10 mm, and the daily NO₃-N load was twice as large as the full-mulch treatment. The differences in the amount of subsurface discharge water and NO₃-N discharged between treatments were not significant when there was no rainfall. Cumulative NO₃-N loads for the ridge- and full-mulch treatment during the last month of the experimental period were 0.246 and 0.195 g m^–2, respectively. The effect of mulching on the reduction of NO₃-N discharge rate was higher for the full-mulch treatment. This result showed that a plastic-film mulching system would be effective as an appropriate fertilizer management to reduce nitrate-leaching losses.     

Infiltration properties of paddy fields under intermittent irrigation

Puddling and recurring intermittent irrigation, common praxis in wet rice cultivation, modify the soil structure and therewith cause a temporal variation of the infiltration properties. This study attempts to evaluate the temporal variation of the infiltration rates of plough pan (vertical infiltration) and paddy fields’ surrounding bunds (bund infiltration) by analyzing (i) the infiltration rate as a function of time, (ii) the relationship between ponding water depth and infiltration rate, and (iii) the influence of cultivation age on vertical water loss and cross-flow through bunds. Two experimental fields with respective cultivation ages of 30 (A) and 7 (B) years were investigated. The results revealed that the time series of vertical infiltration rate (IR _v) was with time consistency and the persistency of the bund infiltration was uncertain. The mean infiltration rate into the plough pan of A and B was 3.34 and 1.01 cm d^?1, respectively. A total water depth of 230 and 85 cm would be, respectively, lost in A and B through the plough pan during rice growing season. The correlation coefficient between ponding water depth and IR _v was ?0.48 and ?0.81 in A and B, respectively, demonstrating that the dynamic IR _v in the old paddy field was less affected by the drying and wetting cycles. It is concluded that rice paddies which have been taken into cultivation since only a few decades may contribute to water losses. Maintenance of equilibrium condition between ponding and drying stages and careful preparation of bunds may reduce water loss.     

Model development for surface drainage loading estimates from paddy rice fields

A field experiment was performed at two Korean research sites to evaluate water and nutrient behavior in paddy rice culture operations for 2 years. One site was irrigated with groundwater, whereas the other site was irrigated with surface water. Both sites received average annual rainfall of about 1,300 mm, and about 70–80% of it was concentrated during July–September coinciding with rice growing season. Although most of the nutrient outflow was attributed to plant uptake, nutrient loss by surface drainage was substantial. The simplified computer model, PADDIMOD, was developed to simulate water and nutrient behaviors in the paddy rice field. The model predicts daily ponded water depth, surface drainage, and nutrient concentrations. It was formulated with a few equations and simplified assumptions, but its application and a model fitness test indicated that the simulation results reasonably matched the observed data. It is a simple and practical planning model that could be used to evaluate nutrient loading from paddy rice fields alone or in combination with other complex watershed models. Further validation might be required for general application of the PADDIMOD to the simulation of paddy rice fields with various agricultural environments.     

Storing and removing nitrogen in drainage from paddy field by using aquatic crops wetland

Paddy and Water Environment - Aquatic crop (Zizania latifolia Stapf–Ipomoea aquatica Forsk) wetlands were constructed to remove nitrogen (N) in drainage from paddy rice fields, with three...     

Assessment of nitrogen contamination of groundwater in paddy and upland fields

This study aims to assess the nitrogen contamination of groundwater in paddy and upland fields. A reactive chemical transport model PHREEQC and a variable saturated groundwater flow and transport model FEMWATER were used to evaluate the vertical transport of nitrogen compound in various soil types of paddy and upland. The shallow groundwater quality monitoring data of 2003, 2006, 2009 in the Choushui river alluvial fan, the major agriculture production area in Taiwan, were applied to support the validity of the numerical simulation findings. Results from PHREEQC and FEMWATER simulations showed that the organic-rich impermeable plow sole layer underneath the muddy layer of rice paddy can effectively reduce NO₃ ⁻ and N₂ to NH₄ ⁺ and retard the movement of NH₄ ⁺. However, in the upland field which has no plow sole layer, the NH₄ ⁺ can move easily to the shallow aquifer and contaminate the groundwater. The spatiotemporal distribution of NO₃ ⁻–N and NH₄ ⁺–N in the Choushui river alluvial fan revealed that high nitrate–N contamination areas were located mainly in the upland field of the proximal fan, where the granular unconfined aquifer was vulnerable to surface contaminants. Moreover, the unconfined nature of the aquifer allows the oxidization of NH₄ ⁺ to NO₃ ⁻ and accelerates the plume movement. High ammonium–N concentration areas were mostly dispersed in the distal-fan area where upland planting and aquacultural farming were prevailed. The high NH₄ ⁺–N found in the northern Choushui river alluvial fan was attributed to the alternative planting of rice and upland crops, and the plow sole layer was broken to maintain the quick drainage upland crop needs.     

Effects of water-saving irrigation on weed infestation and diversity in paddy fields in East China

The purpose of the article is to investigate the effects of water-saving irrigation on weed infestation and diversity in paddy fields; a two-year field experiment was conducted in Gaoyou Irrigation District, China. The responses of two irrigation treatments, controlled irrigation (CI) and traditional irrigation (TI), were observed and compared. The irrigation water use, yield, weed density, coverage ratio, height, species richness, density, dominant species, Shannon–Wiener index, and Pielou index were examined to analyze the water productivity, weed infestation, and diversity in paddy fields under the two treatments. The results showed that the water conditions were similar before the late tillering stage, and thereafter the CI fields were alternatively dry and wet with shallow standing water and low soil water content, while the TI fields were mostly continuously flooded by deep standing water and high soil water content. Irrigation water use for CI was 46.8% lower than TI. The CI treatment reduced weed density by 38.0%, decreased coverage ratio by 13.8%, and resulted in a 39.0% increase in weed height. Fewer species were found in CI fields than TI fields. The Shannon–Wiener index decreased by 11.5%, and the Pielou index increased by 3.2%. The changed water regime under CI not only impeded the growth of dominant species but also placed the whole weed community at a relatively stable level with reduced weed density. Meanwhile, aquatic weeds were well controlled; however, semi-aquatic weeds became the dominant species. In general, CI effectively reduced the risk of weed outbreaks, and weed diversity also decreased when it reduced irrigation water use.     

Dissolved nitrogen model for paddy field ponded water during irrigation period

Based on an experimental field study in Japan, a model was developed to simulate dissolved nitrogen in water ponded in a paddy field. As input data, the model uses meteorological data, water balance in the field, nitrogen concentration in inlet water, and the nitrogen contribution of applied fertilizer. Five model parameters need calibration. A practical application of the model is the simulation of NH₄-N and NO₂₊₃-N concentrations in water ponded in a paddy field. The model improves our understanding of the interactions between forms of dissolved nitrogen in ponded water and can explain the complex changes in dissolved nitrogen concentrations in water ponded on a paddy field.     

Effect of slope on surface drainage in converted rice paddy

Due to the recent regulation of rice production in Japan, it has become necessary to convert rice paddy to other field crops production. To achieve this, drainage conditions, especially for surface drainage, must be improved. We propose the introduction of a slight slope to improve surface drainage, but the optimal slope must be determined in order to prevent soil erosion caused by excessive slope, as well as increased cost. In Japan, a 0.1% slope has recently come into widespread use and, therefore, the impact on surface drainage must be quantified. In this report, observations were carried out to quantify the impact of a 0.1% slope for converted rice paddy and the following results were obtained: (1) An approximate 0.1% slope enables improvement of 46% of the soil surface saturation area as compared to flat conditions about 10 h after inundation; and (2) Inundated water remains on a flat field, while it moves downward toward the end on a sloped field. These results give a basis for determining a slope on a rice paddy in terms of surface drainage improvement. However, the optimal slope should be decided from various perspectives including engineering, agronomy, and economics etc.     

Nitrogen loss and its health risk in paddy fields under different drainage managements

Subsurface drainage is a prerequisite for year-round crop production in a large area of northern Iran^, s paddy fields. Minimizing environmental and health issues related to nitrogen (N) losses through subsurface drainage systems provides suitable condition for sustainable agriculture in these fields. A field study was conducted to evaluate nitrogen loss and its health risk in the conventional and subsurface-drained paddy fields. Ammonium, nitrate, and total N concentrations of subsurface drainage effluents, surface runoff, and leachates were monitored during three successive rice-canola-rice growing seasons from July 2011 to August 2012. Different components of N balance and health risk of nitrate leaching to groundwater were also investigated. Ammonium in drainage effluents collected during the experimental period ranged from approximately zero to 1.72 mg L^?1, while nitrate fluctuated from 0.5 to 28.6 mg L^?1. Average nitrate concentration in leachates of subsurface-drained area was 7.7–81.4 % higher than that in subsurface drainage effluents, while it was 126.8 % higher than that in surface runoff for the conventional field. Subsurface drainage provided a better utilization of soil N through providing winter cropping and reduced the potential for non-carcinogenic risks of nitrate leaching to groundwater. The results are encouraging for producers engaged in rice-canola production in the study area with respect to the environment and human health quality.     

Surface and subsurface losses of N and P from salt-affected rice paddy fields of Saemangeum reclaimed land in South Korea

The present study was carried out to evaluate nutrient losses that occur during the course of agricultural activity from rice paddy fields of reclaimed tidal flat. For this study, we chose a salt-affected rice paddy field located in the Saemangeum reclaimed tidal area, which is located on the western South Korean coasts. The plot size was 1,000 m² (40 m × 25 m) with three replicates. The soil belonged to the Gwanghwal series, i.e., it was of the coarse silty, mixed, mesic type of Typic Haplaquents (saline alluvial soil). The input quantities of nitrogen and phosphorus (as chemical fertilizer) into the experimental rice paddy field were 200 kg N ha⁻¹ and 51 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ per annum, and the respective input quantities of each due to precipitation were 9.3–12.9 kg N ha⁻¹ and 0.4–0.7 kg P ha⁻¹ per annum. In terms of irrigation water, these input quantities were 4.5–8.2 kg N ha⁻¹ and 0.3–0.9 kg P ha⁻¹ per annum, respectively. Losses of these nutrients due to surface runoff were 22.5–38.1 kg N ha⁻¹ and 0.7–2.2 kg P ha⁻¹ for the year 2003, and 26.8–29.6 kg N ha⁻¹ and 1.6–1.9 kg P ha⁻¹ for the year 2004, respectively. Losses of these nutrients due to subsurface infiltration during the irrigation period were 0.44–0.67 kg N ha⁻¹ and 0.03–0.04 kg P ha⁻¹ for the year 2003, and 0.15–0.16 kg N ha⁻¹ and 0.05–0.06 kg P ha⁻¹ for 2004. When losses of nitrogen and phosphorus were compared to the amount of nutrients supplied by chemical fertilizers, it was found that 11.3–19.1% of nitrogen and 0.5–1.7% of phosphorus were lost via surface runoff, whereas subsurface losses accounted to 0.2–0.8% for nitrogen and only 0.02–0.04% for phosphorus during the 2-year study period.     

氮肥运筹方式对油菜产量、氮肥利用率及氮素淋失的影响

通过盆栽模拟试验研究了不同氮肥运筹方式对油菜产量、氮肥利用率、氮素淋失及氮素平衡的影响。试验设5个处理:不施氮肥(CK),氮肥全部基施(TJ),氮肥60%基施、40%做越冬肥追施(TJD),氮肥60%基施、40%做薹肥追施(TJT),氮肥60%基施、20%做越冬肥、20%做薹肥追施(TJDT)。研究结果表明,氮肥分期施用可明显增加油菜产量,提高氮肥利用率,其中以TJDT处理效果最佳,与TJ处理相比,TJDT处理的产量、氮肥农学利用率及表观利用率分别提高了17.6%、2.1kg·kg-1氮和4.9%。同时,TJDT处理的氮素淋失量也最小。氮素平衡计算结果表明,不同时期追施氮肥对氮素平衡影响不大,但是均比氮肥集中做基肥施用(TJ)的表观损失明显减小。尽管油菜收获后,各施氮处理土壤氮素均有盈余,但分期施肥盈余量明显高于TJ。研究表明在油菜生产中,氮肥分期施用既能提高油菜籽的产量和氮肥的利用效率,又可获得较好的环境效应。     

Modeling irrigation return flow for the return flow reuse system in paddy fields

This research is to construct a water balance model to estimate the amount of return flow in an irrigation system. A simple computation framework for the model was established to include various irrigation applications in cropping seasons. The model was able to estimate evapotranspiration, deep percolation into groundwater aquifer, and return flow. Return flow can be split into two parts, which are surface and subsurface return flows. The water balance model was then applied at the irrigation system (rotational block No. 11-2 of five paddy field units) which is operated by the Taoyuan Irrigation Association in Taiwan as an example. Two study cases were simulated, in which one was for using return flow and the other one was for using no return flow. The study period for the model simulations is the first rice cropping term in 2010 which was from February 16 to July 10. As a result, return flows calculated by the model were 27, 27, 34, and 39% of outflows for sandy loam, sandy clay, clay loam, and light clay soil, respectively. Irrigation water at the downstream field unit with use of return flow was supplemented by the upstream field units, and the amount is 5?C8% of irrigation water for using no return flow. Furthermore, it can be seen from the simulations that increases in irrigation water provide increases of return flow. Increases of irrigation water result in slight increases of subsurface return flow, while increases of irrigation water cause nearly none of change in deep percolation.     

Binding forms and availability of Cd and Cr in paddy soil under non-flooding controlled irrigation

To quantify the change in the binding forms and the availability of heavy metals Cd and Cr in paddy soil under non-flooding controlled irrigation (NFI), field experiments were conducted with flooding irrigation (FI) as control. The multi-wetting–drying condition in NFI fields enhanced the transformation of Cd and Cr in surface soil from oxidizable (B3) to acid-soluble (B1) form, and inhibited the transformation of Cd and Cr from reducible (B2) to B1 form. The B1 form Cd in NFI soil was lower, but B1 form Cr was higher than in FI soil. Thus, B3 form may play a more important role in determining the solubility of Cr than B2 in paddy soil, but it is just reverse for the metal of Cd. As a result, NFI led to higher crop uptake of Cd and Cr, but lower Cd and Cr content in the 0–20-cm surface soil and less accumulation of Cd and Cr in 40–60-cm deep soil compared with FI. It indicates that NFI results in higher bioavailability and crop uptakes, and may led to high risks in food safety in short period. But in long term, NFI will result in lower accumulation of Cd and Cr in soils, and should eventually lower the crop uptakes of Cd and Cr.