Abstract: The objective of this study was to explore the distribution of mineral nitrogen in maize root zone soils under alternative furrow irrigation. To that end, micro-field rain-shield experiments were conducted to determine the effects of three different furrow irrigation modes conventional furrow irrigation (CFI), alternative furrow irrigation (AFI) and fixed furrow irrigation (FFI) on NO₃^--N and NH₄⁺-N transfer in maize root zone soils. Results showed that NO₃^--N content in AFI root zone soils was similar to that in CFI. Also NO₃^--N in furrow profile occurred along centre line ridge symmetry. Under FFI, NO₃^--N content in wet furrow was less than that in dry furrow. The content in dry furrow steadily increased after fertilization. At harvest, NO₃^--N residue in AFI was slightly higher than that in CFI. Compared with NO₃^--N, NH₄⁺-N content was very little. There was no significant difference in furrow and ridge in terms of NO₃^--N and NH₄⁺-N content.