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NITROGEN AND IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT TO REDUCE RETURN-FLOW POLLUTION IN THE COLUMBIA BASIN
Citation:
McNeal, B. AND B. Carlile. NITROGEN AND IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT TO REDUCE RETURN-FLOW POLLUTION IN THE COLUMBIA BASIN. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-76/158 (NTIS PB259328), 1976.
Description:
Cooperative field studies have evaluated dissolved-N levels and leaching, and corresponding crop yields, for potato production practices in the Columbia Basin area of Washington. High dissolved-N levels (with resultant high potential for return-flow pollution) were found throughout the growing season in well-managed potato fields, with levels decreased by decreasing fertilization rate, use of slow-release N fertilizers or nitrification inhibitors, or sprinkler application of N fertilizers. Careful water management with solid-set sprinkler proved capable of maintaining dissolved-N within the root zone of subsequent crops by season's end, even on very sandy sites. Alternate-furrow irrigation proved effective in 'trapping' banded fertilizer N within the plant root zone on heavier-textured furrow-irrigated soils.