Agronomic and Environmental Benefits of Water‐Table Management
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 119, Issue 6
Abstract
The benefits of water‐table management for increasing crop yields, and reducing nitrate pollution were assessed for the St. Lawrence lowlands region of eastern Canada. Soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr. cvs. Apache and KG 30] were grown in 0.4‐m I.D. field lysimeters in relatively wet (1990) and dry (1991) years, and subjected to controlled water tables of 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 m. The latter was regarded as conventional, free‐outlet drainage. Plant parameters, including yield, as well as nitrate, ammonium, and moisture distributions in the soil profile (0.3 m and 0.7 m) were measured. Seed and pod number per plant, and percent nitrogen in the seed were approximately 20% higher for the 0.4‐, 0.6‐, and 0.8‐m water‐table treatments, compared to the conventional drainage treatment. No significant differences were observed between the three shallowest water‐table depths. Soil nitrate levels were higher in the conventional drainage treatment, compared to the controlled water tables, particularly at the 0.7‐m sampling depth. There were no significant differences in nitrate between the three shallower water‐table depths. Soil ammonium levels were lowest under conventional drainage and increased throughout the growing season, particularly at the 0.7‐m sampling depth. Due to lack of significant differences in yield and soil nitrate for the 0.4‐, 0.6‐, and 0.8‐m water tables, it is recommended that water tables be maintained at 0.6 to 0.8 m. This practice will result in reduced nitrate contamination of water resources and maximum soybean yield.
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Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 119 • Issue 6 • November 1993
Pages: 1052 - 1065
Copyright
Copyright © 1993 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 18, 1992
Published online: Nov 1, 1993
Published in print: Nov 1993
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