WATER MANAGEMENT AND N, P LOSSES FROM PADDY FIELDS IN SOUTHERN KOREA1

Assessment and control of nutrient losses from paddy fields is important to protect water quality of lakes and streams in Korea. A four‐year field study was carried out to investigate water management practices and losses of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in rice paddy irrigation fields in southern...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the American Water Resources Association 2006-10, Vol.42 (5), p.1205-1216
Main Authors: Yoon, Kwang‐Sik, Cho, Jae‐Young, Choi, Jin‐Kyu, Son, Jae‐Gwon
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
agriculture
drainage
Groundwater
irrigation
Nonpoint source pollution
Nutrients
Oryza sativa
Pollution control
Rice
Studies
water conservation
Water pollution
water quality
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Summary:Assessment and control of nutrient losses from paddy fields is important to protect water quality of lakes and streams in Korea. A four‐year field study was carried out to investigate water management practices and losses of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in rice paddy irrigation fields in southern Korea. The amount and water quality of rainfall, irrigation, surface drainage, and infiltration were measured and analyzed to estimate inputs and losses of N and P. The observed irrigation amount surpassed consumptive use, and approximately 52 to 69 percent of inflow (precipitation plus irrigation) was lost to surface drainage. Field data showed that significant amounts of irrigation water and rainfall were not effectively used for rice paddy culture. Water quality data indicated that drainage from paddy fields could degrade the recipient water environment. The nutrient balance indicated that significant amounts of nutrients (29.5 percent of total N and 8.6 percent of total P compared to input) were lost through surface drainage. Furthermore, up to half the nutrient losses occurred during nonstorm periods. The study results indicate that inadequate water management influences N and P losses during both storm and nonstorm periods. Proper water management is required to reduce nutrient losses through surface drainage from paddy fields; this includes such measures as minimum irrigation, effective use of rainfall, adoption of proper drainage outlet structures, and minimized forced surface drainage.
ISSN:1093-474X
1752-1688
DOI:10.1111/j.1752-1688.2006.tb05295.x