Abstract
Available soil N is critical for N fertilizer management in crop production but the effects of alternate partial root-zone drying (PRD) on the dynamics of N and the impact of these effects on perennial crops such as alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) have not been evaluated. A field experiment was conducted to compare two irrigation modes (PRD and conventional furrow irrigation (CFI)) in combination with four irrigation levels (70% ETc (evapotranspiration), 85% ETc, 100% ETc, and 115% ETc). PRD improved the mineralization of organic matter to increase available N and the NO3−-N/NH4+-N ratio. Thus, it increased N uptake, water productivity and maintained seasonal forage yield. The combination of PRD and irrigation level (100% Etc) produced maximum NO3−-N stock. These results present an evaluation of how PRD influences soil N availability to N-fixing perennial crops.
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