Deep soil desiccation hinders nitrate leaching to groundwater in the global largest apple cultivation area

• Published in: Journal of hydrology (Amsterdam) Vol. 637; p. 131334
• Main Authors: Ge, Dong, Gao, Xiaodong, Jiang, Pengyan, Li, Bin, He, Nana, Wu, Yabiao, He, Qinghai, Cai, Yaohui, Li, Changjian, Zhao, Xining
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.06.2024
• Subjects: Apple orchard; apples; atmospheric precipitation; China; China’s Loess Plateau; cultivation area; Deep vadose zone; fertilizer application; groundwater; groundwater contamination; Nitrate; nitrates; nitrogen; nitrogen fertilizers; orchards; risk; soil; Soil desiccation; stand age; vadose zone; water management; China; China’s Loess Plateau; Apple orchard; Soil desiccation; Nitrate; Deep vadose zone

•Residual nitrate was mainly accumulated in the 4.0–8.8 m in apple orchards of CLP.•Nitrate accumulation varied with mean annual precipitation and stand age.•Mean annual precipitation (MAP) and N fertilizer application amounts dominated nitrate accumulation in the soil.•Deep soil desiccation hinders...