COMPARING NITRATE-N LOSSES THROUGH LEACHING BY FIELD MEASUREMENTS AND NITROGEN BALANCE ESTIMATIONS

APARICIO V, A ,; COSTA JL; HERNÁN SAINZ ROZAS; DANIEL GIMENEZ; FERNANDO GARCÍA

COMMUNICATIONS IN SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT ANALYSIS

TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC

Año: 2015

0010-3624

The nitrogen (N) balance method is a valuable tool to estimate N losses. However, this technique could lead to incorrect estimates of the amount of nitrate (NO3?N) leaching if  processes relevant to N losses are not considered properly. The aim of this study was to compare NO3--N leaching losses estimated using an N balance (non-recovered N: Nne) with data of NO3 --N leaching losses (Nl). The experiment was made on a Typic Argiudoll soil planted with corn (five growing seasons) under 0, 100 and 200 kg N ha-1. The ceramic soil?water suction samplers were installed (1m of depth). Drainage was estimated by the LEACH-W  model. The greatest over-estimation with the N balance method occurred for years with annual rainfall below the historical average and at times of high NO3--N availability. Future research should focus on investigating mechanisms of N losses relevant under limited water availability.