Time domain reflectometry measurements of nitrate transport in manure-amended soil

H. H. Nissen*, P. Moldrup, K. Henriksen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

40 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

To obtain more detailed information about N processes in agricultural soils, nondestructive measurement techniques with high spatial and temporal resolution are needed. The ability of time domain reflectometry (TDR) in combination with small polysulfone hollow fiber (PHF) solution samplers to follow NO3 - production and transport in soil fertilized with cattle slurry and exposed to different rainfall events was investigated. The experiments were conducted in minilysimeters using a coarse sandy soil and two different slurry application methods: (i) surface application followed by harrowing (homogenous incorporation) or (ii) direct injection (incorporation as a manure string). Comparison between soil-water electrical conductivity (ECw) obtained with TDR and the sum of NO3 - and Cl- concentrations in the soil water measured with solution samplers showed a good agreement both with respect to concentration levels and temporal and spatial development. Except for an initial leaching of the natural ion content in the soil water when water application was started, NO3 - released from the manure was the dominating anion in the soil water and changes in NO3 - corresponded well to changes in ECw. Both slurry and water application strategy had a large effect on the temporal development in nitrification and NO3 - leaching. In the case of homogeneously incorporated slurry and constant water application for 3 wk, NO3 - formation and leaching started after 4 to 5 d, while it started after 9 to 10 d in the case of directly injected slurry. If water was applied only in the last (third) week to the directly injected slurry system, a large amount of the NH4 + in the slurry was oxidized to NO3 - before water application and subsequently leached. The TDR measurements of ECw with high spatial and temporal resolution combined with a few measurements of ion concentrations by PHF solution samplers is a new, valuable method for analyzing turnover and transport of nonconservative ions in soil.

Original languageEnglish
JournalSoil Science Society of America Journal
Volume62
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)99-109
Number of pages11
ISSN0361-5995
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1998

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