scholarly journals Additives incorporated into urea to reduce nitrogen losses after application to the soil

2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 194-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioná Rech ◽  
José Carlos Polidoro ◽  
Paulo Sérgio Pavinato
Keyword(s):  
Ammonia Volatilization ◽  
Elemental Sulphur ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Urease Inhibitors ◽  
Soil Columns ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
N Volatilization ◽  
Urea Granules ◽  
Made In

Abstract: The objective of this work was to develop urea-based fertilizers with internal incorporation of urease inhibitors and other additives in the granule. The effects of the incorporation of NBPT, copper (Cu+2), boric acid (H3BO3), elemental sulphur (Sº), and a clay mineral from the zeolite group in powder urea - with ten different combinations of these additives - were evaluated as to N losses by volatilization and leaching. The losses in laboratory-developed formulations were compared with those of commercial fertilizers coated with the same additives (Super N, FH Nitro Mais, and FH Nitro Gold). The evaluations were made in greenhouse conditions, using a Ultisol accommodated in PVC columns. Nitrate and ammonium leaching was evaluated in the solution percolated through the soil columns. Ammonia volatilization was measured with a semi-open static chamber. The incorporation of urease inhibitors (NBPT, H3BO3, and Cu+2) into the urea granules was efficient to reduce N volatilization. Ammonia volatilization in the laboratory-developed ureas was lower than in commercial fertilizers coated with the same additives, while ammonium sulfate losses by leaching were similar. The addition of zeolite does not reduce N volatilization. Mineral N leaching in the soil profile is not affected by urease inhibitors.

Field storage conditions for cattle manure to limit nitrogen losses and optimise fertiliser value

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (10) ◽  
pp. 2148 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Viaene ◽  
V. Nelissen ◽  
B. Vandecasteele ◽  
K. Willekens ◽  
S. De Neve ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Farmyard Manure ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Storage Conditions ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Bulking Agents ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Volumetric Moisture Content ◽  
Soil Temperatures

Storage and application of cattle farmyard manure (CFM) can cause considerable environmental problems through nutrient losses to soil, water and air, if not properly handled. We investigated different storage conditions of CFM at field scale to reduce nitrogen (N) losses to the soil, meanwhile optimising the agronomical quality of the CFM. The treatments differed in terms of storage method (stockpiling, extensive composting or co-composting with bulking agents) and coverage (no cover, plastic or geotextile cover). Over the different treatments, the ammonium-N concentrations under the piles in the 0–90 cm soil layer amounted to a maximum of 4.2% of the initial manure N content. We were able to assess the relative importance of each of the two processes resulting in a higher mineral N concentration under the piles, i.e. direct leaching from the CFM to the soil on the one hand, and a smaller indirect effect of elevated soil temperatures (up to 37°C) under the piles resulting in higher N mineralisation in the top soil on the other hand. NH4+-N was the most important component of mineral N under all heaps due to limited oxygen diffusion to the soil. N leaching and end-product quality were affected by a combination of treatment option (i.e. storage and cover) and initial manure characteristics. When CFM was characterised by a low volumetric moisture content and high C : N ratio, so in case of straw-rich CFM or CFM with added bulking agents, composting led to the least N leaching and most stable end product. When CFM was characterised by a high volumetric moisture content and low C : N ratio, stockpiling and covering (plastic or geotextile) resulted in lower N leaching to the soil. Stockpiling and covering the CFM with a geotextile resulted in a more stable end product than did covering with a plastic.

scholarly journals Microbial N Transformations and N2O Emission after Simulated Grassland Cultivation: Effects of the Nitrification Inhibitor 3,4-Dimethylpyrazole Phosphate (DMPP)

2016 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun-Feng Duan ◽  
Xian-Wang Kong ◽  
Andreas Schramm ◽  
Rodrigo Labouriau ◽  
Jørgen Eriksen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Ammonia Oxidation ◽  
Nitrification Inhibitor ◽  
Transcript Abundance ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
N Transformations ◽  
Ammonia Oxidizing Archaea

ABSTRACT Grassland cultivation can mobilize large pools of N in the soil, with the potential for N leaching and N2O emissions. Spraying with the nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) before cultivation was simulated by use of soil columns in which the residue distribution corresponded to plowing or rotovation to study the effects of soil-residue contact on N transformations. DMPP was sprayed on aboveground parts of ryegrass and white clover plants before incorporation. During a 42-day incubation, soil mineral N dynamics, potential ammonia oxidation (PAO), denitrifying enzyme activity (DEA), nitrifier and denitrifier populations, and N2O emissions were investigated. The soil NO3 − pool was enriched with 15N to trace sources of N2O. Ammonium was rapidly released from decomposing residues, and PAO was stimulated in soil near residues. DMPP effectively reduced NH4 + transformation irrespective of residue distribution. Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) were both present, but only the AOB amoA transcript abundance correlated with PAO. DMPP inhibited the transcription of AOB amoA genes. Denitrifier genes and transcripts (nirK, nirS, and clades I and II of nosZ) were recovered, and a correlation was found between nirS mRNA and DEA. DMPP showed no adverse effects on the abundance or activity of denitrifiers. The 15N enrichment of N2O showed that denitrification was responsible for 80 to 90% of emissions. With support from a control experiment without NO3 − amendment, it was concluded that DMPP will generally reduce the potential for leaching of residue-derived N, whereas the effect of DMPP on N2O emissions will be significant only when soil NO3 − availability is limiting. IMPORTANCE Residue incorporation following grassland cultivation can lead to mobilization of large pools of N and potentially to significant N losses via leaching and N2O emissions. This study proposed a mitigation strategy of applying 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) prior to grassland cultivation and investigated its efficacy in a laboratory incubation study. DMPP inhibited the growth and activity of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria but had no adverse effects on ammonia-oxidizing archaea and denitrifiers. DMPP can effectively reduce the potential for leaching of NO3 − derived from residue decomposition, while the effect on reducing N2O emissions will be significant only when soil NO3 − availability is limiting. Our findings provide insight into how DMPP affects soil nitrifier and denitrifier populations and have direct implications for improving N use efficiency and reducing environmental impacts during grassland cultivation.

scholarly journals Ammonia volatilization losses in Tanzania grass fertilized with urea

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 253-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecílio Viega SOARES FILHO ◽  
Ulysses CECATO ◽  
Ossival Lolato RIBEIRO ◽  
Cláudio Fabrício da Cruz ROMA ◽  
Tatiane BELONI
Keyword(s):  
Ammonia Volatilization ◽  
Repeated Measurements ◽  
N Loss ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Total N ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Completely Randomized Design ◽  
N Volatilization

<p>Gaseous losses are the main factors affecting the efficiency of nitrogenous fertilizers in pastures. To evaluate NH<sub>3</sub>-N volatilization losses in Tanzania grass fertilized with urea in autumn, spring and summer, a completely randomized design with repeated measurements over time and fifteen replicates was used. Plots were represented by urea levels (50; 100 and 150 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> N) and subplots by time after fertilization (1; 2; 3; 6; 9; 12 and 15 days). The interaction between fertilization leveland time after urea application was significant for the accumulated NH<sub>3</sub>-N volatilization. Urea application leads to higher percentage N losses in the first three days after application. The average cumulative NH<sub>3</sub>-N loss for the three occasions (different seasons of the year) was 28%, 20% and 16% of N applied for fertilizer doses of 50; 100 and 150 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>of N, respectively. The season of the year influenced NH<sub>3</sub>-N loss pattern and volume, with the lowest values recorded in spring, followed by summer and autumn. The cumulative NH<sub>3</sub>-N volatilization loss varies from 78 to 90% up to the third day after application of the total N-NH3 loss.</p>

Effect of slurry application and mineral nitrogen fertilization on N leaching in different crop combinations

1997 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. SIELING ◽  
O. GÜNTHER-BORSTEL ◽  
H. HANUS
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Oilseed Rape ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Pig Slurry ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Soil System ◽  
Preceding Crop

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer not used by the crop can increase the risk of nitrate leaching into the groundwater. In two growing seasons, 1990/91 and 1991/92, the relationships between N fertilization and yield, N uptake by the grain and the N leaching in the subsequent percolation period were investigated in a multifactorial field experiment at Hohenschulen Experimental Station near Kiel in NW Germany. The crop rotation was oilseed rape – winter wheat – winter barley, and effects of soil tillage (minimum tillage without ploughing, conventional tillage), application of pig slurry (none, application in autumn, application in autumn and in spring), mineral N fertilization (none, 80 or 200 kg N ha−1 to oilseed rape and 120 or 240 kg N ha−1 to cereals) and application of fungicides (none, intensive) were all tested. In each year, the rotation and the treatments were located on the same plots. Mineral N fertilization and fungicide application increased yield and N uptake by grain or seed in all crops. In contrast, the application of slurry, especially in autumn, had only small effects on yield and N uptake. Nitrogen losses by leaching (measured using porous ceramic cups) were affected mainly by the year and the crop. In 1992/93, averaged over all factors, 80 kg N ha−1 was leached compared with 28 kg N ha−1 the previous year. Oilseed rape reduced N losses, whereas under winter wheat up to 160 kg N ha−1 was leached. Due to a lower N-use efficiency, autumn applications of slurry increased N leaching, and mineral N fertilization of the preceding crop also led to higher N losses.Since the amount of leached N depends both on the nitrogen left by the preceding crop (unused fertilizer N as well as N in residues) and on N uptake by the subsequent crop, it is not possible to apportion the N losses to any particular crop in the rotation. The cropping sequence, together with its previous and subsequent crops, must also be considered.To minimize leaching, N fertilization must meet the needs of the growing crop. In order to improve the efficiency further, investigations must be conducted in order to understand the dynamics of N in the plant–soil system in conjunction with the weather and crop management practices.

Influence of dicyandiamide on nitrogen transformation and losses in cow-urine-amended soil cores from grazed pasture

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jagrati Singh ◽  
S. Saggar ◽  
N. S. Bolan
Keyword(s):  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
N2o Emissions ◽  
Gaseous Emissions ◽  
Soil Cores ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Undisturbed Soil ◽  
N Transformations

In New Zealand, urine deposited by grazing animals represents the largest source of nitrogen (N) losses, as gaseous emissions of ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O), and leaching of nitrate (NO3−).We determined the effect of dicyandiamide (DCD) on gaseous emissions from pasture with increasing rates of urine-N application, mineral N transformations and potential leaching of N using undisturbed soil cores of Manawatu sandy loam at field capacity. The treatments included four levels of urine-N applied at 0 (control), 14.4, 29.0 and 57.0 g N/m2 with and without DCD at 2.5 g/m2. Results showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in NH3 and N2O-N emissions as urine application was increased. The addition of DCD to corresponding urine treatments reduced N2O emissions by 33, 56 and 80%, respectively. The addition of DCD with urine to the intact soil cores at field capacity moisture content resulted in a significant increase in the soil ammonium-N (NH4+-N) concentration but little change in NH3 emissions. Addition of DCD to urine reduced potential NO3−-N leaching by 60–65% but potential NH4+-N leaching increased by 2–3.5 times. There was no difference in pasture dry matter production with and without DCD treatments.

The effects of grassland management on nitrogen losses from grazed swards through ammonia volatilization; the relationship to excretal N returns from cattle

1989 ◽  
Vol 112 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. C. Jarvis ◽  
D. J. Hatch ◽  
Daphne H. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Ammonia Volatilization ◽  
Grassland Management ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
N Fluxes ◽  
Grazing Period ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Grazed Swards

SummaryAmmonia (NH3)-N fluxes from three swards, grazed by cattle and with different N managements, were measured using the mass balance micrometeorological method after a 7-day grazing period in the spring of 2 years. At the same time the impact of the sward managements on N returns in dung and urine was examined in housed animals and the effects of the changes in excreted returns on NH3-N losses examined. The treatments were ryegrass swards receiving either 420 or 210 kg N/ha per year, and a mixed ryegrass/white clover sward receiving no mineral N. There was little difference in the faecal N returns between treatments but there were differences in the N returned in urine, thus 74, 60 and 56% of the excreted returns from 420 N, 210 N or grass/clover treatments, respectively, were in urine. The fluxes of NH3-N from the grazed swards were greatest whilst the animals were present and there were large differences between treatments, the ratio of total NH3 losses from 420 N grass to those from 210 N grass and grass/lover being 7·8:1. The NH3-N losses were equivalent (i) to 12,5 and 7 % of the urinary N returns to 420 N, 210 N grass and grass/clover swards, or alternatively (ii) to 9 and 3% of the fertilizer addition to 420 and 210 N swards and 3% of the estimated rate of N2 fixation in the grass/clover sward. Throughout the investigation there was little difference between the effects with the 210 N grass swards and those with grass/clover.

scholarly journals Ammonia volatilization of urea in the out-of-season corn

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 1685-1694 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamilton Seron Pereira ◽  
Anabelisa Ferreira Leão ◽  
Adriana Verginassi ◽  
Marco Aurélio Carbone Carneiro
Keyword(s):  
Urease Activity ◽  
Ammonia Volatilization ◽  
Urease Inhibitors ◽  
Urease Inhibitor ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Coated Urea ◽  
Polymer Coated Urea

The aim of this study was to evaluate the N losses due to volatilization at different rates of common urea, polymer coated urea and urease inhibitor-treated urea in the out-of-season corn, using semi-open static collectors. The treatments consisted of N levels on side-dressing fertilization with urea in different treatments: (a) control (without N), (b) urea 40 kg ha-1 N, (c) urea 80 kg ha-1 N, (d) polymer coated urea 40 kg ha-1 N, (e) polymer coated urea 80 kg ha-1 N and (f) urea with the urease inhibitor (UI) N 80 kg ha-1 N. The results showed that the treatments with polymer coated urea and with urease inhibitor-treated urea reduced the volatilization of N around 50 % compared to common urea, either in the first and the second N side-dressing fertilizations. Thus, they demonstrate that the polymer coat and the urease inhibitors were effective in reducing the volatilization of urea N applied in coverage, which resulted in higher productivity. There was also increasing urease activity in the treatments with application of common urea.

scholarly journals Effects of Zeolitic Urea on Nitrogen Leaching (NH4-N and NO3-N) and Volatilization (NH3) in Spodosols and Alfisols

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 1921
Author(s):  
Ayaz Ahmad ◽  
Shahzada Sohail Ijaz ◽  
Zhenli He
Keyword(s):  
Soil Amendment ◽  
Ammonia Volatilization ◽  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Nh3 Volatilization ◽  
N Loss ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Urea Nitrogen ◽  
Urea Fertilizer ◽  
Very High

Global use of urea nitrogen (N) fertilizer is increasing, but N losses are still very high (40–70%). Zeolites have the capability of holding NH4+, thus reducing N losses when applied as a soil amendment. However, application of a large quantity of zeolite is costly and inconvenient. In this study, zeolitic fertilizers were evaluated to select the best formulation with reduced leaching of NH4-N and NO3-N and NH3 volatilization in agricultural soils (Alfisol and Spodosol). The treatments included the following: T0 = control, T1 = urea fertilizer, T2 = zeo-urea (1:1), T3 = zeo-urea (2:1), T4 = zeo-urea (3:1), T5 = zeo-urea (1:2), and T6 = zeo-urea (1:3). Leaching was performed at 4, 8, 12, 19, 25, 32, 39 and 45 days after the soils were treated with the designated fertilizers, including control, and packed into columns. Leachate samples were collected after each leaching event and analyzed for the concentrations of NH4-N and NO3-N and the quantity of leachate. Ammonia volatilization was recorded at days 1, 5, 9, 13 and 20 of soil treatments. Results indicate that zeolitic fertilizer formulations effectively reduced N losses. NH4-N loss was reduced by 13% and 28% by zeo-urea (1:1) in Alfisol and Spodosol soils, respectively, whereas zeo-urea (2:1) and zeo-urea (3:1) effectively decreased NO3-N leaching in Alfisol. Volatilization loss of NH3 was reduced by 47% in Spodosol and 32% in Alfisol soil with zeo-urea (1:1) as compared with that of urea fertilizer. The results suggest that zeo-urea (1:1) is an effective fertilizer formulation for reducing N losses, especially in Alfisol, as compared with conventional urea fertilizer.

scholarly journals Urease Inhibitors Effects on the Nitrogen Use Efficiency in a Maize–Wheat Rotation with or without Water Deficit

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 684
Author(s):  
Raúl Allende-Montalbán ◽  
Diana Martín-Lammerding ◽  
María del Mar Delgado ◽  
Miguel A. Porcel ◽  
José L. Gabriel
Keyword(s):  
Ammonia Volatilization ◽  
Urease Inhibitors ◽  
Urease Inhibitor ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
N Loss ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Wheat Field ◽  
Promising Strategy ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
N Use

The use of urease inhibitors in irrigated systems decreases both soil ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3−) availability, and, thus, could be an easy tool to reduce N loss due to ammonia volatilization and NO3− leaching. The main goal of this experiment was to assess the effect of urease inhibitors on N use efficiency, N losses, and their economic impact in a maize-wheat field experiment. In this study, 10 treatments were compared, combining the urea fertilizer with or without urease inhibitor, applied in one or two dressings, and under optimal or sub-optimal irrigation. A single application of urease inhibitor (IN1d), coupled with the conventional urea, helped to reduce the nitrate leaching risk both during the maize period (even when compared to the two dressing treatment) and after harvest. In addition, this improvement was achieved together with an increase in economic benefit, even when compared with the application of the same amount of regular urea split into two dressings. Under low water availability systems, the benefits of applying urease inhibitors increased with respect to the application of regular urea, making this technique a very promising strategy for adaptation to climate change in arid and semiarid regions.

scholarly journals Nitrogen stocks and flows in an acid sulfate soil

2020 ◽  
Vol 192 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Markku Yli-Halla ◽  
Seija Virtanen ◽  
Kristiina Regina ◽  
Peter Österholm ◽  
Betty Ehnvall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yields ◽  
Drainage Water ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Emission Rates ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Acid Sulfate ◽  
Total N ◽  
Stocks And Flows ◽  
N Loading

AbstractBesides causing acidification, acid sulfate (AS) soils contain large nitrogen (N) stocks and are a potential source of N loading to waters and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. We quantified the stocks and flows of N, including crop yields, N leaching, and N2O emissions, in a cultivated AS soil in western Finland. We also investigated whether controlled drainage (CD) and sub-irrigation (CDI) to keep the sulfidic horizons inundated can alleviate N losses. Total N stock at 0–100 cm (19.5 Mg ha−1) was smaller than at 100–200 cm (26.6 Mg ha−1), and the mineral N stock was largest below 170 cm. Annual N leaching (31–91 kg N ha−1) plus N in harvested grain (74–122 kg N ha−1) was 148% (range 118–189%) of N applied in fertilizers (90–125 kg N ha−1) in 2011–2017, suggesting substantial N supply from soil reserves. Annual emissions of N2O measured during 2 years were 8–28 kg N ha−1. The most probable reasons for high N2O emission rates in AS soils are concomitant large mineral N pools with fluctuating redox conditions and low pH in the oxidized subsoil, all favoring formation of N2O in nitrification and denitrification. Although the groundwater level was higher in CD and CDI than in conventional drainage, N load and crop offtake did not differ between the drainage methods, but there were differences in emissions. Nitrogen flows to the atmosphere and drainage water were clearly larger than those in non-AS mineral soils indicating that AS soils are potential hotspots of environmental impacts.

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