Influence of Crop Management Practices on Nutrient Movement Below the Root Zone in Nebraska Soils

Deep profile sampling under different water and crop management systems revealed limited movement of N and none of P from the rooting profile of nonirrigated Nebraska soils. Leaching of N to the water table was apparent in most irrigated soils located on valley positions and in sandy soils of the uplands. Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.), with its deep rooting system, was noted to be an effective scavenger of inorganic N that may have accumulated under prior annual crops.