Nitrate leaching in a silage maize field under different irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer rates

Quantification of the interactive effects of nitrogen (N) and water on nitrate (NO₃) loss provides an important insight for more effective N and water management. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of different irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer levels on nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃-N) leaching in a silage maize field. The experiment included four irrigation levels (0.7, 0.85, 1.0, and 1.13 of soil moisture depletion, SMD) and three N fertilization levels (0, 142, and 189 kg N ha⁻¹), with three replications. Ceramic suction cups were used to extract soil solution at 30 and 60 cm soil depths for all 36 experimental plots. Soil NO₃-N content of 0-30 and 30-60-cm layers were evaluated at planting and harvest maturity. Total N uptake (NU) by the crop was also determined. Maximum NO₃-N leaching out of the 60-cm soil layer was 8.43 kg N ha⁻¹, for the 142 kg N ha⁻¹ and over irrigation (1.13 SMD) treatment. The minimum and maximum seasonal average NO₃ concentration at the 60 cm depth was 46 and 138 mg l⁻¹, respectively. Based on our findings, it is possible to control NO₃ leaching out of the root zone during the growing season with a proper combination of irrigation and fertilizer management.     

Economic assessment of shade-cloth covers for agricultural irrigation reservoirs in a semi-arid climate

We assess the economics of investing in suspended shade-cloth covers (SSCCs) in agricultural water reservoirs (AWRs) to reduce evaporation losses and save water for irrigation in arid and semi-arid areas. In particular, we examine the use of SSCCs in the Segura River Basin (southeastern Spain). The decision to install a cover depends on the potential evaporation losses, reservoir characteristics, cover effectiveness, the value of water, filtration requirements, water salinity, government subsidies and the installation, operation and maintenance costs. The economic viability of the investment increases with the value of the saved water, i.e., with water scarcity, and is greater when water quality is poor. Hence SSCCs can be helpful in arid and semi-arid regions facing water shortages and water quality problems. The farm-level decision to install a cover depends largely on the cost of purchasing water, when water is generally available, and the profit from increased crop production or enlarged farmlands, when water is scarce.     

Long-term water balances in La Violada Irrigation District (Spain): II. Analysis of irrigation performance

The analysis of long-term irrigation performance series is a valuable tool to improve irrigation management and efficiency. This work focuses in the assessment of irrigation performance indices along years 1995-2008, and the cause-effect relationships with irrigation modernization works taking place in the 4000 ha surface-irrigated La Violada Irrigation District (VID). Irrigation management was poor, as shown by the low mean seasonal irrigation consumptive use coefficient (ICUC = 51%) and the high relative water deficit (RWD = 20%) and drainage fraction (DRF = 54%). April had the poorest irrigation performance because corn (with low water demand in this month) was irrigated to promote its emergence, whereas winter grains (with high water demands in this month) were not fully irrigated in water-scarce years. Corn, highly sensitive to water stress, was the crop with best irrigation performance because it was preferentially irrigated to minimize yield losses. The construction of a new elevated canal that decreased seepage and drainage fractions, the entrance in operation of six internal reservoirs that would increase irrigation scheduling flexibility, and the on-going transformation from surface to sprinkler irrigation systems are critical changes in VID that should lead to improved ICUC, lower RWD and lower DRF. The implications of these modernization works on the conservation of water quantity and quality within and outside VID is further discussed.     

Assessment and simulation of water and nitrogen transfer under furrow irrigation

The objective of this study is to simulate water and nitrogen transfers under two furrow irrigation technologies (every furrow irrigation (EFI) and alternative furrow irrigation (AFI)) on Chromic Luvisol in Sofia region, Bulgaria. A bi-dimensional water and solutes transport modeling approach, HYDRUS-2D model [Simunek, J., Sejna, M., Van Genuchten, M.T., 1999. The HYDRUS-1D and HYDRUS-2D codes for estimating unsaturated soil hydraulic and solutes transport parameters. Agron Abstr. 357] is adopted in order to consider the technology of irrigation and fertilization. The model is calibrated in six steps using detailed data observed in two cropped lysimeters. The data consist of water and nitrogen (N) profiles below ridge and furrow bed, precipitation, drainage and water/N uptake by plant. Hydrological components of the soil are derived from laboratory: water retention data (step (i)) and adjusted to field conditions when EFI is approximated by one-dimensional (step (ii)). Then a two-dimensional water flow is adopted in model simulations for parameter calibration and verification, under EFI (step (iii)) and under AFI technology (step (iv)). This model calibration and validation is then used to calibrate the solute transport parameters, that is the aim of step (v) and step (vi). EFI and particularly AFI technologies points out the necessary 2D model using for the N transfer simulation under specific fertilizer applications. Thus, this calibrated model allows predicting the impact of furrow irrigation practices and distribution uniformity on drainage and nitrogen leaching under the studied conditions.     

Summer cover crop impacts on soil percolation and nitrogen leaching from a winter corn field

The impacts of a leguminous summer cover crop (sunn hemp; Crotalaria juncea) on nitrogen leaching from a corn (Zea mays L.) field was evaluated by direct measurements of soil water content and nitrogen balance components, complemented by direct and inverse modeling as an exploratory tool to better understand water flow and nitrogen balances in the soil. Water and nitrogen inputs and outputs were measured during winter corn production in an experimental field located in the south Miami-Dade basin in southern Florida (USA). Data from the last two seasons (2001-2002 and 2002-2003) of a 4-year study are presented. The field was divided into six 0.13 ha plots. One-half of the plots were rotated with sunn hemp (CC plots) during the summer while the remaining plots were kept fallow (NC plots). Sweet corn management was uniform on all plots and followed grower recommended practices. A numerical model (WAVE) for describing water and agrochemical movement in the soil was used to simulate water and nitrogen balances in both types of plots during the corn seasons. The hydrodynamic component of WAVE was calibrated with soil water data collected continuously at three depths, which resulted in accurate soil water content predictions (coefficients of efficiency of 0.85 and 0.91 for CC and NC plots, respectively). Measured components of the nitrogen balance (corn yields, estimated nitrogen uptake, and soil organic nitrogen) were used to positively assess the quality of the nitrogen simulation results. Results of the modeled water balance indicate that using sunn hemp as a cover crop improved the soil physical conditions (increase in soil water retention) and subsequently enhanced actual crop evapotranspiration and reduced soil drainage. However, nitrogen simulation results suggest that, although corn nitrogen uptake and yields were slightly higher in the CC plots than in the NC plots, there were net increases of soil N content that resulted in increased N leaching to the shallow aquifer. Therefore, the use of sunn hemp as cover crop should be coupled with reductions in N fertilizer applied to the winter crop to account for the net increase in soil N content.     

An integrated modelling toolbox for water resources assessment and management in highland catchments: Model description

Water and land resource competition and environmental degradation pose difficult questions for resource managers. In particular, the ensuing trade-offs between economic, environmental, and social factors and their spatiotemporal variability must be considered when implementing management policies. This paper describes an integrated modelling toolbox that has been developed for highland catchments – specifically the Mae Chaem catchment in Northern Thailand. This toolbox contains models of crop growth, erosion and rainfall-runoff, as well as household decision and socioeconomic impact models. The approach described advances and complements previous approaches by: considering more complex interactions between land-use decisions and the hydrological cycle; modelling household decisions based on uncertain expectations; and assessing impacts of changes not only on flows and household income, but also on subsistence production and erosion. An example of the types of trade-offs and scenarios that can be assessed using the integrated modelling toolbox is also presented. This demonstrates that for the scenarios presented, the magnitude and direction of impacts simulated by the model is not dependent on climate. Further testing of the model is demonstrated in a companion paper. Overall, the plausibility of the model is shown.     

基于熵权-模糊层次分析法的痕灌草莓水肥效应评价

为了评价痕量灌溉条件下水肥耦合处理对温室草莓产量、品质和水肥利用效率的影响,确定最优灌水施肥量.文中采用基于熵权-模糊层次分析法的综合评价指数为应变量、水肥用量为自变量建立预测模型,分析水肥对草莓的影响并计算痕灌条件下温室草莓最优灌水量和施肥量.结果表明:当灌水下限为60.41%、灌水上限为90%、施肥量为N:721.96 kg/hm²,P₂O₅:360.98 kg/hm²,K₂O:721.96 kg/hm²时综合评价指数最大,此时产量为27 008.69 kg/hm²,灌水利用效率为84.48 kg/m³,化肥利用效率15.60 kg/kg.经优化后的痕量灌溉水肥管理模式增产27.26%,灌水利用效率提高22.27%,化肥利用效率提高26.35%.文中构建的预测模型具有较高的可靠性,提出最优水肥管理模式对于温室草莓生产具有指导意义.     

Is partial root-zone drying an effective irrigation technique to improve water use efficiency and fruit quality in field-grown wine grapes under semiarid conditions?

We investigated the effects of partial root-zone drying (PRD) applied at different periods on leaf water relations, vegetative development, fruit yield, must and wine quality in wine grapes (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Monastrell) during a 3-year field experiment in order to determine the importance of the timing of PRD application on physiological and agronomical vine response under semiarid conditions. Two irrigation treatments were applied: conventional drip irrigation (CI) and PRD. Both treatments received the same annual water quantity. Each year the PRD treatment was applied at different periods of the growth cycle. In 1999 PRD was applied from veraison to harvest (end July–early September); in 2000 from fruit set to harvest (mid June–early September); and in 2001 PRD from budburst to harvest (mid April–early September). Leaf water relations and gas exchange during the experimental period were not significantly affected by PRD treatment. In 1999 and 2000 there was no significant treatment effect on vegetative development, yield or fruit quality. However, in 2001 (when PRD was applied from budburst to harvest), reproductive and vegetative development was clearly altered in PRD vines. Fruit set percentage and vegetative development (shoot length, pruning weight and primary and lateral leaf area) were significantly increased in PRD vines compared to CI. This resulted in both higher yield (kg per vine) (43%) and water use efficiency (40%) compared to CI vines. Berry number per cluster and cluster weight were also significantly increased in PRD vines. Notwithstanding higher yield in PRD vines and a similar berry size, the must and wine quality was not significantly altered, indicating a higher synthesis and accumulation of photoassimilates and metabolites in the berries of PRD vines. We conclude that there was an positive effect on vegetative and reproductive growth when long-term PRD was applied from the beginning of growing season (budburst), suggesting that early onset of PRD is desirable to intensify PRD response under these semiarid conditions. Nevertheless from these results we need to further investigate the long- and short-term effects of PRD, with moderate water amounts, on vegetative and reproductive development such as flowering and fruit set processes in wine grapes.