Considering Residual Soil Mineral Nitrogen in Corn Fertilizer Recommendations in an Irrigated Mediterranean Area


İBRİKÇİ H., Koca Y. K., ÇETİN M. T., KARNEZ E., Koca G. B., SAĞIR H., ...More

COMMUNICATIONS IN SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT ANALYSIS, vol.49, no.2, pp.202-214, 2018 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

Abstract

Management of nitrogen (N) fertilization for economic crop production in water-stressed areas relies heavily on irrigation. The objectives were to determine the depth distribution of mineral N (N-min) at pre-plant and post-harvest seasons and assess the residual mineral N pool as a potential source of plant-available N for irrigated corn (Zea mays L.) in southern Turkey. Pre-plant and post-harvest composite soil samples were collected randomly from farmer's fields at 0-30, 30-60 and 60-90 cm depths, respectively, analyzed for nitrate (NO3) and ammonium (NH4) concentrations, and the N-min values were correlated with corn yields and N uptake. Results showed that substantial amounts of pre-plant (76 to 94 kg N-min/ha) and post-harvest (70-78 kg N-min/ha) N-min accumulation at different soil depths. However, the N-min did not correlate with crop yields and N uptake. Results suggested that residual N-min could be the basis for recommending N fertilization to support crop production.