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Performance Indices for Surface N Fertigation |
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| Authors: | D. Zerihun C. A. Sanchez K. L. Farrell-Poe F. J. Adamsen D. J. Hunsaker |
| Affiliation: | 1Assistant Research Scientist, Yuma Agricultural Center, Univ. of Arizona, Yuma, AZ?85364-9623. 2Soil and Water Scientist and Director, Yuma Agricultural Center, Univ. of Arizona, Yuma, AZ?85364-9623. 3Associate Professor and Water Resources Extension Specialist, Dept. of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and Yuma Agricultural Center, Univ. of Arizona, Yuma, AZ?85364-9623. 4Research Soil Scientist, U.S. Water Conservation Laboratory, 4331 E. Broadway Rd., Phoenix, AZ?85040. 5Research Agricultural Engineer, U.S. Water Conservation Laboratory, 4331 E. Broadway Rd., Phoenix, AZ?85040. |
| Abstract: | The application of N fertilizers mixed with a surface irrigation stream (surface N fertigation) is widely practiced in the southwestern United States. Procedures for the optimal design and management of surface N fertigation systems are needed. The purpose of this work is to identify and define a set of performance indices that can be used to assess the relative merits of alternative design and management scenarios. Equations and solutions for quantifying the performance indices are proposed. Sample performance calculations are presented for a fertigation field experiment in which bromide ion was used as a tracer to simulate the movement of nitrate on the surface and through the soil profile. |
| Keywords: | Fertilizers Nitrates Soils Agricultural engineering |