Data from: Assessing Nitrate Leaching During Drought and Extreme Precipitation: Exploring Deep Vadose-Zone Monitoring, Groundwater Observations, and Field Mass Balance

Our research on nitrate leaching during drought and extreme precipitation involved a multi-faceted methodology, combining field-level mass balance, deep vadose-zone monitoring, and shallow groundwater observation. The study was conducted in a 34-ha field in Yolo County, California, with a focus on a processing tomato-cucumber rotation. Groundwater monitoring wells and a deep vadose-zone monitoring system were used to assess nitrate leaching throughout the growing and rainy seasons.
Field-level water and nitrogen mass balances were calculated using irrigation data, crop evapotranspiration (measured via eddy covariance and remote sensing), and soil water storage changes. Nitrogen inputs and outputs were meticulously recorded, considering fertigation practices, mineralization, and plant uptake.
The study adhered to ethical and legal standards, with all data collection approved by relevant authorities, ensuring compliance with environmental monitoring regulations. Our results highlight the variability and uncertainty in nitrate leaching estimates, underscoring the importance of continuous monitoring to accurately assess agricultural impacts on groundwater quality.
This methodology can be reproduced by following the detailed steps outlined in our data description and published paper.
The necessary context, methodology, and techniques, along with information on legal and ethical adherence, are detailed in the attached files 'Data description' and 'Manuscript'.