Nitrogen and Irrigation Management Practices to Improve Nitrogen Uptake Efficiency and Minimize Leaching Losses

Nitrogen (N) is the most important nutrient for plant growth and production. Nitrogen uptake efficiency is dependent on a number of factors. Water management influences the transformation of N sources applied to the soil and transport of the nitrate form of N in the soil. Nitrate-N is the final product of N transformations and is quite mobile in soils with the water front. Leaching of nitrate below the rootzone is an economic loss and contributes to non-point source pollution of groundwater. In this chapter we summarize the factors influencing the N uptake efficiencies for various crops and production systems, and chemical and biological processes that influence the N transformation or losses. Recent advances leading to development of N and irrigation best management practices that support sustainable crop production and net returns while minimizing the non-point source nitrate pollution of groundwater are also discussed. (C) 2005 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.