The Distribution of Roots, Water and Minerals as a Result of Trickle Irrigation1

Abstract

The effect of trickle irrigation on the distribution of roots, water and minerals was studied in a 3-dimensional soil profile. Root exploration was shallow, mainly to a depth of 10 cm and coned close to the nozzles. The content of soluble salts, including those added as fertilizer, was high in the upper 3 cm, especially midway between adjacent nozzles. When P and N were added with the irrigation water, P tended to accumulate beside and below the nozzles, while the N was leached below the nozzles and also accumulated in the area between them.