A DYNAMIC ECONOMIC-ANALYSIS OF NITRATE LEACHING IN CORN PRODUCTION UNDER NONUNIFORM IRRIGATION CONDITIONS

We develop a dynamic economic model that includes control variables fo r both nitrogen fertilizer and irrigation water to analyze interseason al corn production and nitrate leaching in the presence of irrigation system nonuniformity. The economic model is used to estimate profit-ma ximizing nutrient management plans under varying levels of system unif ormity. The model is also used to appraise several policy options that have been proposed in the nitrate leaching literature as a means of r egulating water quality. Investments in technology are considered, as well as limits on nitrate leaching, nitrogen fertilizer, and irrigatio n water.