Irrigation management, nitrogen fertilization and nitrogen losses in the return flows of La Violada irrigation district (Spain)
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Date
2012
Authors
Barros García, RocíoIsidoro Ramírez, Daniel
Aragüés Lafarga, Ramón
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ArticleAbstract
Nitrogen (N) pollution induced by irrigated agriculture is a significant environmental problem. The main N inputs and outputs were measured or estimated in the semi-arid La Violada irrigation district (Spain). Data on two periods (1995–1998 and 2006–2008) were compared and related to observed changes during the decade in cropping patterns and N fertilization and irrigation management. N fertilization exceeded crop N uptake due to over-fertilization of corn (426 kg N/ha in 1995–1998 and 332 kg N/ha in 2006–2008) and alfalfa (62 kg N/ha). Between the two periods, N fertilization decreased by 56%, primarily due to a change from corn to alfalfa and barley. Accordingly, N losses in the irrigation return flows (IRF) diminished from 31% of the applied fertilizer in 1995–1998 to 20% in 2006–2008. NO3− concentrations and NO3-N loads in the IRF decreased from 40 mg/L and 106 kg N/ha in 1995–1998 to 21 mg/L and 22 kg N/ha in 2006–2008, due to lower N fertilization, lower corn area and improved irrigation efficiency. N contamination in the IRF will be minimized by increasing the irrigation efficiency and decreasing the corn area and its N fertilization rates, particularly when supplemental organic N is applied at pre-sowing.
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Keywords
Nitrogen use efficiency, Non-point pollution, Fertilization, Nitrate, Nitrogen balance, Irrigation efficiency, La Violada irrigation district
Bibliographic citation
R. Barros, D. Isidoro, R. Aragüés. “Irrigation management, nitrogen fertilization and nitrogen losses in the return flows of La Violada irrigation district (Spain)”. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, vol. 155, (15 July 2012), p. 161–171
Other field subjects
RiegoGestión
Nitrógeno
Control de la contaminación
Polución difusa
Suelos y riegos