Specialist brings it back to the basics of water

A popular topic of discussion among producers and ag specialists alike is that of nitrogen and its presence in water. 
Irrigated Cropping Systems Extension Educator Steve Melvin addressed said topic during an early February Nebraska Extension Ag Day in Aurora, but started by getting back to the basics of water.
“Keep in mind that every inch of water that goes through the profile, somewhere between 10 and 15 pounds of nitrogen goes with into that water,” he began, addressing a well-attended meeting. “So if we put on the right amount of nitrogen and then we over-irrigate by four or five inches, our corn is probably going to end up nitrogen deficient.”
It’s an important relationship, he added, and knowing the fundamentals is part of it.  
“The point is that ‘fundamentals first’ has been a focus,” Melvin said. “And I wanted to review some of those basic things with water today.” 
It’s a blue planet, he noted, water is everywhere. 
“Water covers about 71 percent of the Earth’s surface and look how that’s divided up,” he said. “Ninety-six and a half percent of the water is in the oceans, which has salt in it. There’s only about 2-1/2 percent freshwater and most of that’s tied up in glaciers and somewhere in groundwater. So it’s not that readily available. Surface water is about 1.2 percent.” 
And that surface 1.2 percent is tied up in permafrost and ground ice, he reported.
Melvin continued reviewing some of the basics, including its chemical formula and the fact that it’s “organic, transparent, tasteless, odorless and nearly colorless.” 
“It’s a pretty unique thing and vital for all life forms, even though it provides no calories and no nutrients,” he said. 

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