Movement of bromide as a tracer for nitrate in an Alfisol of the Indian Semi-Arid Tropics under rainfed condition

Patra, A K and Rego, T J (1996) Movement of bromide as a tracer for nitrate in an Alfisol of the Indian Semi-Arid Tropics under rainfed condition. Fertilizer Research, 45 (2). pp. 111-116. ISSN 0167-1731

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Abstract

The variable responses of crops to added nitrogen (N) in Alfisols of the Indian semi-arid tropics are partly due to variable rainfall and partly due to variable losses of available-N. To measure the losses of N through leaching, which can be appreciable under some circumstances, a field experiment was conducted during the rainy season (June-September) of 1992, using bromide (Br) as a tracer for NO 3 - . Bromide (as NaBr) was applied to bare fallow soil at a rate of 200 kg ha−1 in microplots (2 m × 2 m) and its vertical movement was monitored periodically. Data on rainfall and Br− distribution in the soil profile on different dates of soil sampling clearly indicated that the movement of Br− was strongly dependent on rainfall. During the first month (15 June-15 July) after Br− application, with scattered and light rainfall about 90% of the added Br− remained in the soil profile (0.6 m). After continuous heavy rainfall in early August more than 90% Br− had moved beyond 0.6 m depth. This indicates a very high risk of NO 3 - leaching in this soil, and it is unavoidable without special measures to protect the applied N

Item Type: Article
Divisions: UNSPECIFIED
CRP: UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords: Semi-arid tropics, Alfisol, nitrate, bromide, leaching
Subjects: Others > Soil Science
Depositing User: Ms K Syamalamba
Date Deposited: 10 Jan 2013 06:28
Last Modified: 07 Feb 2014 06:19
URI: http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/6396
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00790660
Projects: UNSPECIFIED
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement: UNSPECIFIED
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