{"id":189,"date":"2017-02-15T08:00:15","date_gmt":"2017-02-15T16:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/?p=189"},"modified":"2026-04-02T13:09:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T20:09:26","slug":"research-update-fertilizer-value-of-nitrogen-in-irrigation-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/research-update-fertilizer-value-of-nitrogen-in-irrigation-water\/","title":{"rendered":"Research Update: Fertilizer Value of Nitrogen in Irrigation Water"},"content":{"rendered":"

Research Project: <\/strong>Determining the Fertilizer Value of Ambient Nitrogen in Irrigation Water – Cahn, M. et al.<\/em><\/p>\n

Status: <\/strong>Final year of study<\/p>\n

\"Manifold<\/a>

Manifold and injection system used for simulating irrigation water with different concentrations of nitrate-N.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Issue: <\/strong>Irrigation water from many wells on the Central Coast contains a significant amount of nitrate-nitrogen (NO3<\/sub>-N). The N content in irrigation water has not been accounted for in growers\u2019 nitrogen fertilization plans because it is unclear how to reliably calculate the \u2018fertilizer value\u2019 of this N. \u00a0Michael Cahn, Richard Smith and Tim Hartz began a study in 2013 to develop information and guidelines for utilizing ambient N in irrigation water for lettuce and broccoli, two of the primary crops in this region. Two trials focused on determining how well lettuce recovers N already present in irrigation water under various nitrate concentration and irrigation efficiency. The remaining trials examined the practical contribution of irrigation water N to crop fertility under a range of typical irrigation and N fertigation regimes.<\/p>\n

Methods\/Locations: <\/strong>These are field studies that are being carried out in Monterey County.<\/p>\n

Main findings: <\/strong>Results to date have demonstrated that ambient N in irrigation water has fertilizer value for shallow rooted vegetable crops, such as lettuce, as well as deeper rooted vegetables, such as broccoli, even when the N concentration in the water was relatively low (12 ppm NO3<\/sub>-N). These results demonstrate that crop recovery of N from a water source has a similar recovery efficiency as a fertilizer source of N. These results were attained under a well-managed drip irrigation system, with a high distribution uniformity, irrigation efficiency and frequent irrigations (2 to 3 times per week), which likely minimized leaching losses, even under the high water application rate treatment. It is possible that under poor water management or less efficient irrigation methods (e.g. furrow), recovery of N would be less than was reported in these trials. However, potential reductions in crop N recovery caused by any of these scenarios would likely be similar for fertilizer N.<\/p>\n

Potential Impact: <\/strong>Accounting for nitrate in irrigation water could significantly reduce total nitrate leaching to groundwater, not only in the Salinas Valley but statewide.<\/p>\n

Link to Full Project Report: <\/strong>https:\/\/www.cdfa.ca.gov\/is\/docs\/12-0455-SACahn.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Research Project: Determining the Fertilizer Value of Ambient Nitrogen in Irrigation Water – Cahn, M. et al. Status: Final year of study Issue: Irrigation water from many wells on the Central Coast contains a significant amount of nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N). The N content in irrigation water has not been accounted for in growers\u2019 nitrogen fertilization plans because it is unclear how …<\/p>\n

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These grants will fund six projects that will improve the efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of fertilizer\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "FREP Grant Program"","block_context":{"text":"FREP Grant Program","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/frep-grant-program\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":334,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/grants-to-begin-funding-january-2018\/","url_meta":{"origin":189,"position":1},"title":"Grants to Begin Funding January 2018","author":"Brooke Elliot","date":"January 2, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"The Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is pleased to announce the award of almost $800,000 in grant funds to agricultural organizations and universities this year. These grants will fund four projects that will improve the efficiency and reduce the environmental\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "FREP Grant Program"","block_context":{"text":"FREP Grant Program","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/frep-grant-program\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":228,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/research-update-train-the-trainer\/","url_meta":{"origin":189,"position":2},"title":"Research Update: Train the Trainer","author":"Brooke Elliot","date":"August 15, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Research Project: Train the Trainer: A Nitrogen Management Training Program for Growers. Klassen, P. et al. Status: Second year of a three year study Issue: Growers who belong to California\u2019s Central Valley Water Quality Coalitions and who are in designated high vulnerability areas are under new Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "All"","block_context":{"text":"All","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Larry Schwankl, UCCE Irrigation Specialist, presenting to CCAs at a Train the Trainer course in November 2015.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/LS-trains-trainers-300x225.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1252,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/nitrate-quick-test\/","url_meta":{"origin":189,"position":3},"title":"Nitrate Quick Test","author":"Brooke Elliot","date":"June 25, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"The nitrate quick test (NQT) is a cost-effective tool that can be used in nutrient management planning to determine the residual soil nitrate concentration. The results from the test can be used to improve fertilizer management and assist growers in accurately meeting crop needs. Here is an outline of the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Instructions"","block_context":{"text":"Instructions","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/instructions\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/NQT-infographic.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/NQT-infographic.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/NQT-infographic.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/NQT-infographic.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/NQT-infographic.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/NQT-infographic.png?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":72,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/cdfa-accepting-concept-proposals-for-2016-fertilizer-research-and-education-grants\/","url_meta":{"origin":189,"position":4},"title":"CDFA Accepting Concept Proposals for 2016 Fertilizer Research and Education Grants","author":"Brooke Elliot","date":"December 29, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"The California Department of Food and Agriculture\u2019s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is currently accepting concept proposals for the 2016 grant cycle. FREP\u2019s competitive grant program funds research that advances the agronomic and environmental performance of fertilizing materials. The 2016 Request for Proposals (RFP) includes several initiatives put forth\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "FREP Grant Program"","block_context":{"text":"FREP Grant Program","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/frep-grant-program\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":212,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/events-for-march-2017\/","url_meta":{"origin":189,"position":5},"title":"Events for March 2017","author":"Brooke Elliot","date":"February 27, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Efficient Irrigation and Nitrogen Use Workshop What: Hosted by the California Almond Sustainability Program, this workshop gives almond growers an opportunity to learn about tools and techniques to increase irrigation efficiency through Almond Board of California\u2019s (ABC\u2019s) Irrigation Continuum, and to improve the accuracy of nitrogen applications through the use\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nutrient Management Events"","block_context":{"text":"Nutrient Management Events","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/category\/nutrient-management-events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/189","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5516"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=189"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/189\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":192,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/189\/revisions\/192"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=189"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=189"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=189"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}