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Impact of controlled drainage on subsurface drain flow and nitrate load: A synthesis of studies across the U.S. Midwest and Southeast

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  • Helmers, M.J.
  • Abendroth, L.
  • Reinhart, B.
  • Chighladze, G.
  • Pease, L.
  • Bowling, L.
  • Youssef, M.
  • Ghane, E.
  • Ahiablame, L.
  • Brown, L.
  • Fausey, N.
  • Frankenberger, J.
  • Jaynes, D.
  • King, K.
  • Kladivko, E.
  • Nelson, K.
  • Strock, J.

Abstract

Controlled drainage (CD), sometimes called drainage water management, is a practice whereby the drainage system outflow is managed during specific periods to retain more water in the field. Although CD has been shown to reduce downstream nitrate-N (NO3--N) load, seasonal patterns have been less consistent which can potentially impact the effectiveness of conservation practices. The main objective of this study was to assess the regional and seasonal impact of conventional free drainage (FD) and CD on drainage flow and nitrate-N load. Using experimental data from ongoing and historical CD experiments across the Corn Belt and in North Carolina, we evaluated subsurface drain flow, nitrate-N load, and performance of CD systems. Across the data set and regions, there was little difference in annual flow from FD conditions. Seasonally, more northern and western sites experienced a greater percentage of the annual flow occurring in the spring. There was no nitrate-N concentration reduction with CD. Flow and nitrate-N load reductions with CD did not vary by plant hardiness zone across the region, but the season with the greatest reduction did shift from winter to spring moving north and west in the study area. Absolute flow reductions (in mm) were similar regardless of precipitation category. Consequently, the percent reduction was lower as the amount of precipitation (category) increased. Overall, this analysis found CD to be an effective practice for reducing drain flow and nitrate-N loading directly delivered by the drains to downstream water bodies across the region.

Suggested Citation

  • Helmers, M.J. & Abendroth, L. & Reinhart, B. & Chighladze, G. & Pease, L. & Bowling, L. & Youssef, M. & Ghane, E. & Ahiablame, L. & Brown, L. & Fausey, N. & Frankenberger, J. & Jaynes, D. & King, K. &, 2022. "Impact of controlled drainage on subsurface drain flow and nitrate load: A synthesis of studies across the U.S. Midwest and Southeast," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:259:y:2022:i:c:s0378377421005424
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2021.107265
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wang, Zhiyu & Shao, Guangcheng & Lu, Jia & Zhang, Kun & Gao, Yang & Ding, Jihui, 2020. "Effects of controlled drainage on crop yield, drainage water quantity and quality: A meta-analysis," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 239(C).
    2. Ross, Jared A. & Herbert, Matthew E. & Sowa, Scott P. & Frankenberger, Jane R. & King, Kevin W. & Christopher, Sheila F. & Tank, Jennifer L. & Arnold, Jeffrey G. & White, Mike J. & Yen, Haw, 2016. "A synthesis and comparative evaluation of factors influencing the effectiveness of drainage water management," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 366-376.
    3. Schilling, Keith E. & Streeter, Matthew T. & Vogelgesang, Jason & Jones, Christopher S. & Seeman, Anthony, 2020. "Subsurface nutrient export from a cropped field to an agricultural stream: Implications for targeting edge-of-field practices," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    4. Williams, M.R. & King, K.W. & Fausey, N.R., 2015. "Drainage water management effects on tile discharge and water quality," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 43-51.
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    1. Moursi, Hossam & Youssef, Mohamed A. & Poole, Chad A. & Castro-Bolinaga, Celso F. & Chescheir, George M. & Richardson, Robert J., 2023. "Drainage water recycling reduced nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment losses from a drained agricultural field in eastern North Carolina, U.S.A," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    2. Youssef, Mohamed A. & Strock, Jeffrey & Bagheri, Ehsan & Reinhart, Benjamin D. & Abendroth, Lori J. & Chighladze, Giorgi & Ghane, Ehsan & Shedekar, Vinayak & Fausey (Ret.), Norman R. & Frankenberger, , 2023. "Impact of controlled drainage on corn yield under varying precipitation patterns: A synthesis of studies across the U.S. Midwest and Southeast," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 275(C).
    3. Shokrana, Md Sami Bin & Ghane, Ehsan & Abdalaal, Yousef & Nejadhashemi, A. Pouyan, 2023. "Predicting the effect of weir management on the discharge of a controlled drainage system in a changing climate," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 289(C).

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