Simulating soil water flow and nitrogen dynamics in a sunflower field irrigated with reclaimed wastewater

Soil water flow and nitrogen dynamics were simulated in sunflower field during and after the growing period, in Northern Greece. Soil water and nitrogen dynamics were evaluated using a one-dimensional simulation model based on the Galerkin finite element method. We examined the effects of irrigation with reclaimed wastewater and nitrogen fertilizer applications on plant growth, water and nitrogen distribution in the soil profile, water and nitrogen balance components and nitrogen leaching to groundwater. The model simulated the temporal variation of soil water content with reasonable accuracy. However, an over estimation of the measured data was observed during the simulation period. Relatively good agreement was found between the simulated and measured NH4-N and NO3-N concentrations over time and depth, whereas fluctuations at greater depths were relatively small. Most of the cumulative nitrate-N leaching (44.7 kg N ha−1) occurred during the winter.