Optimized Border Irrigation Improved Nitrogen Accumulation, Translocation of Winter Wheat and Reduce Soil Nitrate Nitrogen Residue

Abstract

We aimed to optimize field border length in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of China (HPC) to reduce soil inorganic nitrogen residues and increase nitrogen absorption and utilization by wheat plants using a traditional border irrigation system. In a two-year experiment (2017–2019) conducted in the HPC, four border lengths were tested: 20 m (L20), 30 m (L30), 40 m (L40), and 50 m (L50). Supplementary irrigation was implemented during jointing and anthesis stages, and control fields received treatment without irrigation. The results showed that, compared with irrigation of other border lengths, L40 irrigation significantly increased nitrogen transport in stems and leaves. In ad-dition, L40 irrigation had the highest rate of grain nitrogen accumulation after anthesis. The risk of nitrate leaching to deep layers increased with increasing border length; however, L40 irrigation improved the plants’ capacity to absorb soil nitrogen, and the soil inorganic nitrogen residue was significantly lower than that with irrigation of other border lengths. Therefore, the grain yield and nitrogen fertilizer utilization under L40 irrigation were significantly higher than those under irrigation of other border lengths, and L40 was considered as the best border irrigation length.