1 AIT Asian Institute of Technology

Assessment of nitrogen dynamics on a daily basis in a tropical paddy field

AuthorPathak, Bipin Kumar
Call NumberAIT Thesis no.WM-01-13
Subject(s)Nitrogen
Soils--Nitrogen content
Water--Nitrogen content
NoteA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering
PublisherAsian Institute of Technology
AbstractAn assessment of N dynamics was conducted in the central region of Thailand. The objective of study was to assess the N mass balance, nitrate leaching to groundwater and N loss to the atmosphere from a tropical paddy. The study period was 87 days. Daily measurement of evapotranspiration, ponding depth, irrigation water, drainage water and precipitation were performed in the field. From the water balance, percolation water was determined. N fertilizers were applied at three different doses and total amount was 100 kg N ha-1. Vacuum lysimeters were installed to collect the soil water solution. The soil and water samples were collected at different time intervals and N concentrations were measured. N dynamics was analyzed daily to determine the relationship between daily N available and N loss to the atmosphere and water. It was observed that loss of N through the emission into the atmosphere and outflow to the water from the field corresponded to 36.08% of total applied N. This indicates that more than one third of fertilizer input is responsible for environmental pollution if the same conditions prevail. Decision-makers are recommended to formulate strategy and plan to reduce the loss of N. The observed average N03-N leached to the groundwater was 0.04 kg ha-1 d- 1. It was also observed that fertilizer application induced a five-fold increase of N03- N concentration. This indicates that groundwater aquifers under paddy fields are vulnerable due to N03-N leaching.
Year2002
TypeThesis
SchoolSchool of Engineering and Technology (SET)
DepartmentDepartment of Civil and Infrastucture Engineering (DCIE)
Academic Program/FoSWater Engineering and Management (WM)
Chairperson(s)Iida, Toshiaki
Examination Committee(s)Suphat Vongvisessomjai ;Clemente, Roberto S. ;Annachatre, Ajit P.
Scholarship Donor(s)The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
DegreeThesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2002


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