The effect of different fetigation strategies and dripper discarge on nitrate leaching from sandy and loamy soils

This study aims to determine and identify the effects of different fertigation strategies on nitrate leaching in soils having different texture. To this end, the best time to start and end fertigation during irrigation was determined in sandy and loamy soil using different drippers discharging of 2 and 4 l/s, to ensure that fertilizer is left at the desired depth of soil. The study has been performed in pots in greenhouses located at the Akdeniz University. Fertigation strategies have been formulated through differentiation of the time of mixing of fertilizer solution to water during irrigation process. To this end, the following fertigation options have been elaborated: F1 : feeding of fertilizer solution during the second half of irrigation period F2 : feeding of fertilizer solution during the first half of irrigation period F3 : feeding of fertilizer solution between 1/4th and 3/4th of irrigation period F4 : feeding of fertilizer solution during the whole irrigation period As a conclusion, considering the total leached NO3-N masses (mg) for loamy soil, it is determined that dripper disharge and fertigation strategies have statistically significant effect on NO3-N leaching. As for sandy soil, fertigation strategies are determined to have significant effects on leaching, while dripper discharge had no statistically significant effect. For loamy soil applications, F4 strategy at 4 L/s discharge is suggested, while for sandy soil applications, F3 strategy at 2 L/s discharge is suggested.