Irrigation well water: Essential nutrient contents and other properties

Abstract Water nutrient concentrations and other properties were surveyed by sampling water from 642 irrigation wells in Nebraska. The amount of Ca, Mg, S, and Cl applied in irrigation exceeds removal in 15 Mg ha−1 of corn (Zea mays L.) grain harvest for most wells. Irrigation supply exceeded corn g...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Charles S. Wortmann
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-01-01
Series:Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20137
_version_ 1818878923450089472
author Charles S. Wortmann
author_facet Charles S. Wortmann
author_sort Charles S. Wortmann
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Water nutrient concentrations and other properties were surveyed by sampling water from 642 irrigation wells in Nebraska. The amount of Ca, Mg, S, and Cl applied in irrigation exceeds removal in 15 Mg ha−1 of corn (Zea mays L.) grain harvest for most wells. Irrigation supply exceeded corn grain harvest removal of K, B, Mn, and Mo for >20% of the wells. The supply of P, Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mo was generally very low but sufficient with some wells to be considered in nutrient management plans. The median level of nitrate N was 4.4 mg kg–1 with 25% of the wells having >10 mg kg–1 NO3–N, which is above the suitability limit for human consumption. The agricultural lime equivalent applied with 1 or 2 Ml of irrigation was enough to neutralize the acidifying effect of 200 kg ha−1 of fertilizer N for 70 or 89% of the wells. Nutrient and lime supply was relatively low for Sandhills wells and relatively high for wells in river valleys of <30.5 m (100 ft) depth. No wells had excessive Na levels but 0.3% of the wells had high salinity levels. A grouping of wells into 11 aquifer–geology–depth categories accounted for >20% of the variation for most water properties but much variation occurred within categories. Sampling of the well water is needed for optimized nutrient and soil management. Information on nutrients supplied through irrigation should be complemented by regular soil testing and the use of recommended nutrient management guidelines.
first_indexed 2024-12-19T14:21:53Z
format Article
id doaj.art-7993fcf13374441db66d8612fbd51899
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2639-6696
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-19T14:21:53Z
publishDate 2021-01-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment
spelling doaj.art-7993fcf13374441db66d8612fbd518992022-12-21T20:17:45ZengWileyAgrosystems, Geosciences & Environment2639-66962021-01-0141n/an/a10.1002/agg2.20137Irrigation well water: Essential nutrient contents and other propertiesCharles S. Wortmann0Dep. of Agronomy and Horticulture Univ. of Nebraska‐Lincoln Lincoln NE 68583, USAAbstract Water nutrient concentrations and other properties were surveyed by sampling water from 642 irrigation wells in Nebraska. The amount of Ca, Mg, S, and Cl applied in irrigation exceeds removal in 15 Mg ha−1 of corn (Zea mays L.) grain harvest for most wells. Irrigation supply exceeded corn grain harvest removal of K, B, Mn, and Mo for >20% of the wells. The supply of P, Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mo was generally very low but sufficient with some wells to be considered in nutrient management plans. The median level of nitrate N was 4.4 mg kg–1 with 25% of the wells having >10 mg kg–1 NO3–N, which is above the suitability limit for human consumption. The agricultural lime equivalent applied with 1 or 2 Ml of irrigation was enough to neutralize the acidifying effect of 200 kg ha−1 of fertilizer N for 70 or 89% of the wells. Nutrient and lime supply was relatively low for Sandhills wells and relatively high for wells in river valleys of <30.5 m (100 ft) depth. No wells had excessive Na levels but 0.3% of the wells had high salinity levels. A grouping of wells into 11 aquifer–geology–depth categories accounted for >20% of the variation for most water properties but much variation occurred within categories. Sampling of the well water is needed for optimized nutrient and soil management. Information on nutrients supplied through irrigation should be complemented by regular soil testing and the use of recommended nutrient management guidelines.https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20137
spellingShingle Charles S. Wortmann
Irrigation well water: Essential nutrient contents and other properties
Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment
title Irrigation well water: Essential nutrient contents and other properties
title_full Irrigation well water: Essential nutrient contents and other properties
title_fullStr Irrigation well water: Essential nutrient contents and other properties
title_full_unstemmed Irrigation well water: Essential nutrient contents and other properties
title_short Irrigation well water: Essential nutrient contents and other properties
title_sort irrigation well water essential nutrient contents and other properties
url https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20137
work_keys_str_mv AT charlesswortmann irrigationwellwateressentialnutrientcontentsandotherproperties