Numerical Evaluation of Nitrate Distributions in the Onion Root Zone under Conventional Furrow Fertigation

摘要

HYDRUS (2D/3D) model was used to simulate spatial and temporal distributions of nitrate-nitrogen (NO_3-N) within and below the onion root zone under conventional furrow fertigation with the urea-ammonium-nitrate (UAN) liquid fertilizer. The simulated water contents in the furrow irrigated onion field agreed well with the measurements. Simulations produced similar patterns of the measured NO_3-N concentration profiles throughout the growing season. NO_3-N concentrations remained higher and accumulation of NO_3-N was observed within the root zone. Higher NO_3-N within the root zone was dependent on the rate of the UAN fertilizer application, quantity of NO_3-N removed by root uptake, and NO_3-N drainage fluxes below the root zone. Simulations also suggested that NO_3-N below the root zone during different growth stages remained much higher than a recommended (for drinking water) standard concentration level (10 mg L~(-1)). This resulted in higher NO_3-N drainage fluxes, particularly during the fertigation events between the establishment and vegetative growth stages. This indicates the need to apply most fertigation events at an early stage of bulb formation to provide the maximum NO_3-N demands by onions and to reduce potential NO_3-N leaching.