Transfer of mineral nitrogen in maize root zone soil under different furrow irrigation modes

The objective of this study was to explore the distribution of mineral nitrogen in maize root zone soils under alternative furrow irrigation. To that end, micro-field rain-shield experiments were conducted to determine the effects of three different furrow irrigation modes conventional furrow irrigation (CFI), alternative furrow irrigation (AFI) and fixed furrow irrigation (FFI) on NO₃^--N and NH₄⁺-N transfer in maize root zone soils. Results showed that NO₃^--N content in AFI root zone soils was similar to that in CFI. Also NO₃^--N in furrow profile occurred along centre line ridge symmetry. Under FFI, NO₃^--N content in wet furrow was less than that in dry furrow. The content in dry furrow steadily increased after fertilization. At harvest, NO₃^--N residue in AFI was slightly higher than that in CFI. Compared with NO₃^--N, NH₄⁺-N content was very little. There was no significant difference in furrow and ridge in terms of NO₃^--N and NH₄⁺-N content.