Downward Movement and Leaching of NO3~--N from Nitrogen-Fertilized Corn on Dryland Soil

Field lysimeter method was employed to investigate the downward movement and leaching of N applied to summer corn (Zea may L.) on dryland soil in Beiling. A N-fertilizer (120 kg N hm-2) and a control treatment were arranged for the study. Soil solution was collected at depths of 20, 40, 60, 120 and 170 cm,while leachate was collected at the bottom (200 cm) of the lysimeter. The results showed that the downward movement of NO3-N in soil profile was greatly affected by rainfall pattern. The peak of leached NO3-N from both treatments coincided with the peak of the rainfall. In addition, leached NO3-N from both treatments and rainfall were significantly correlated (P<0.05). The amount of leached NO3-N was not great in the N-fertilizer treatment. The results also suggested that N fertilization could cause NO3-N contamination of groundwater during the rainy season.