Title: Effect of alternate partial root-zone drying (PRD) on soil nitrogen availability to alfalfa

Authors: Jing Zhang, Ying Ying Chen, Wen Hui Liu, Zheng Gang Guo*

Journal: Agricultural Water Management

Impact factor: IF₂₀₂₀=4.516

Abstract: Available soil N is critical for N fertilizer management in crop production but the effects of alternate partial rootzone drying (PRD) on the dynamics of N and the impact of these effects on perennial crops such as alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) have not been evaluated. A field experiment was conducted to compare two irrigation modes (PRD and conventional furrow irrigation (CFI)) in combination with four irrigation levels (70% ETc (evapotranspiration), 85% ETc, 100% ETc, and 115% ETc). PRD improved the mineralization of organic matter to increase available N and the NO₃^- -N/NH₄⁺-N ratio. Thus, it increased N uptake, water productivity and maintained seasonal forage yield. The combination of PRD and irrigation level (100% Etc) produced maximum NO₃^- -N stock. These results present an evaluation of how PRD influences soil N availability to N-fixing perennial crops.

Linkage: doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2021.107167