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.