Ammonia volatilization from urea nitricphosphate and urea applied to the soil surface

Urea nitricphosphate (UNP) is an N-P fertilizer prepared by solubilizing phosphate ore with nitric acid and conditioning the product with urea. The product is acidic, and its nutrient analysis is 23-12-0. Urea makes up 74% of the N component of this material and the remainder comes from the nitrate added as nitric acid. In volatilization trials, UNP lost significantly less N than did urea in a noncalcareous soil (13 and 31% respectively). In calcareous soils the urea-N component of UNP exhibited loss patterns similar to those of urea. Soil pH remained stable at the center of the granule placement site during UNP hydrolysis, thereby reducing NH₃ loss, whereas the pH of the same soil treated with urea rose almost 1.9 units. The urea component of UNP appeared to diffuse from the center of the acidic microsite allowing hydrolysis to take place and permitting limited NH₃ volatilization to occur. UNP appears to be an attractive NP fertilizer in terms of nutrient analysis and resistance of the N component to volatile N losses as NH₃.     

Estimated NH3-volatilization losses from surface-applied urea on a wet calcareous Vertisol

Severe losses of NH₃ by volatilization are often reported when urea is surface applied to calcareous soils. Applications on wet soils may increase these losses. This study with N rates of 0, 20, 40, 80, 160, and 320 kg ha^?1 estimates the efficiency of urea application and predicts NH₃-volatilization losses when urea is surface applied on a wet calcareous soil. Placements consisted of three different methods of applying urea on or in the dry soil just prior to irrigation and a surface-broadcast treatment following irrigation. There were no significant yield differences between dry-soil placements, but all dry-soil placements gave significantly higher yields than did broadcast placement of urea on the wet soil. Thus, a second-order regression equation relating N rate and yield for dry-soil placements and another for wet-soil placement were used to determine the efficiency of wet- vs dry-soil applications of urea and to predict NH₃-volatilization losses from the wet soil. The efficiency was determined by three different procedures. The first compared the amount of N needed for wet- vs dry-soil conditions to produce discrete yields. The second compared the slope of the yield curves at discrete yield levels to determine the ratio of the amount of N needed to produce one additional increment of yield under wet- vs dry-soil conditions. The third was an estimation of the availability coefficient according to a method recently developed by HR Tejeda and others. Predicted NH₃ -volatilization losses were calculated from the efficiency values because loss of NH₃ from urea applied on or in dry soil followed very shortly by an irrigation should be almost nil. The efficiency factors averaged 55% for the first procedure and 51% for the second while the availability coefficient was 59%. Thus, the average estimate for efficiency of urea on wet vs dry soil was 55% and predicted losses of N by NH₃ volatilization averaged 45% when urea was applied to the wet surface of this calcareous soil.     

Effects of initial soil calcium content on ammonia losses from surface-applied urea and calcium-urea

Ammonia loss from surface-applied urea occurs because urea hydrolysis increases the pH of the placement site microenvironment. Addition of Ca-salts with urea will control or reduce the microsite pH, thus reducing NH₃ losses. The degree of Ca-saturation of the cation exchange sites may influence the ratio of calcium:urea required to control ammonia loss. A laboratory study was conducted to determine if adsorbed Ca or CaCO₃ additions (acid soils only) had a measureable impact on Ca control of NH₃ loss from surface applied urea at various Ca:urea ratios.With urea alone applied to the soil surface varying the adsorbed Ca content of the treatment soil did not influence NH₃ loss. The addition of CaCl₂ with urea on the same pretreated soils generally resulted in NH₃ losses reflecting the initial pH of the soil. The Ca-saturated acid soils and those acid soils receiving CaCO₃ had higher NH₃ losses than untreated soils in the presence of urea with soluble CaCl₂. It was noted that increasing the calcium:urea ratios progressively depressed the NH₃ loss from all soils. Increasing the percent Na-saturation of the calcareous Harkey soil to 25 and 50% (ESP) reduced Ca control of NH₃ loss due to Ca being exchanged for Na on the cation exchange sites.Inclusion of CaCl₂ with the urea mixture on the surface of the pretreated acid soils resulted in stepwise differences in NH₃ loss concuring with the increases in pretreatment soil pH values (differing exchangeable Ca content). Other parameters that influence the amount of NH₃ loss, such as acidic buffer capacity and CEC, appeared more important than anticipated for control of NH₃ loss with the calcium:urea mixture. On Ca enriched soils the calcium:urea mixture was only slightly less effective in its ability to control NH₃ losses than on untreated soils.Contribution from the Texas Agric. Exp. Sta., Texas A&M University System, College Station, TX 77843, USA     

The influence of formula modifications and additives on ammonia loses from surface-applied urea-ammonium nitrate solutions

Urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) solution fertilizers are subject to N loss through ammonia (NH₃) volatilization. This loss may be reduced by manipulation of the proportion of urea and by use of additives to reduce urea hydrolysis or increase fertilizer solution acidity. This research was design to study the effect of urea proportion in UAN solutions, added ammonium thiosulfate (ATS), and aquechem liquor (an industry by-product) on NH₃ loss from N solutions surface-applied to a range of agricultural soils.NH₃ volatilization from urea (U), ammonium nitrate (AN), and UAN solutions surface-applied on six eastern Canadian soils was investigated. Ammonia loss from urea solutions ranged from 23 to 55% of the applied N. Increased AN-N in UAN solutions caused a reduction of NH₃ loss greater than the reduction in urea. Less volatilization was observed with N solutions of higher acidity. This effect was more pronounced on a sandy soil than on clay soil.When ATS was added to UAN solution, a further reduction of NH₃ losses was observed. This reduction ranged from 12 to 23.5% in Dalhousie clay and Ste. Sophie sand soils, respectively. Addition of aquachem liquor (AqL) to the UAN solution did not consistently reduce NH₃ loss.Supported by a grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and Nitrochem Inc., Canada.     

Recent research on problems in the use of urea as a nitrogen fertilizer

Recent research on the NH₃ volatilization, NO ₂ ^- accumulation, and phytotoxicity problems encountered in the use of urea fertilizer is reviewed. This research has shown that the adverse effects of urea fertilizers on seed germination and seedling growth in soil are due to NH₃ produced through hydrolysis of urea by soil urease and can be eliminated by addition of a urease inhibitor to these fertilizers. It also has shown that the leaf burn commonly observed after foliar fertilization of soybean with urea results from accumulation of toxic amounts of urea in soybean leaves rather than formation of toxic amounts of NH3 through hydrolysis of urea by leaf urease. It further showed that this leaf burn is accordingly increased rather than decreased by addition of a urease inhibitor to the urea fertilizer applied. N-(n-butyl)thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) is the most effective compound currently available for retarding hydrolysis of urea fertilizer in soil, decreasing NH3 volatilization and NO ₂ ^- accumulation in soils treated with urea, and eliminating the adverse effects of urea fertilizer on seed germination and seedling growth in soil. NBPT is a poor inhibitor of plant or microbial urease, but it decomposes quite rapidly in soil with formation of its oxon analog N-(n-butyl) phosphoric triamide, which is a potent inhibitor of urease activity. It is not as effective as phenylphosphorodiamidate (PPD) for retarding urea hydrolysis and ammonia volatilization in soils under waterlogged conditions, presumably because these conditions retard formation of its oxon analog. PPD is a potent inhibitor of urease activity but it decomposes quite rapidly in soils with formation of phenol, which is a relatively weak inhibitor of urease activity. Recent studies of the effects of pesticides on transformations of urea N in soil indicate that fungicides have greater potential than herbicides or insecticides for retarding hydrolysis of urea and nitrification of urea N in soil.     

A comparative study of urea hydrolysis rate and ammonia volatilization from urea and urea calcium nitrate

A comparing of urea hydrolysis and NH₃ volatilization from urea supergranules and urea calcium nitrate (UCN, a new fertilizer produced by Norsk Hydro A/S, Norway) was made on two different flooded soil types, a high-CEC clay loam (Ås) and an intermediate-CEC clay loam (Kinn).Nitrogen loss by ammonia volatilization was reduced from 17% by surface application of urea supergranules (USG) on flooded Ås soil to 3% and 6% by UCN briquettes at either the same urea or nitrogen concentration as USG. A significant reduction was even found with the surface application of prilled UCN, 12% and 18% N-loss for prilled UCN and urea, respectively. The floodwater pH and NH ₄ ⁺ content was lower with UCN than urea, which reduced the potential for ammonia volatilization.NH₃-loss (5%) was significantly less when USG was surface applied on Kinn soil, while NH₃-loss from UCN briquettes was independent of soil type. The reduction in NH₃-loss from USG on Kinn soil was due to a decrease in the pH and NH ₄ ⁺ content of the floodwater caused by a reduced rate of urea hydrolysis.The rate of urea hydrolysis was lower with UCN than USG in both soils, but the difference between UCN and USG was greater in the Ås soil than in the Kinn soil. Three days after deep placement (10 cm), 18% of UCN urea and 52% of USG urea were hydrolyzed in Ås soil, while only 12% UCN and 17% USG were hydrolyzed in the Kinn soil.The surface application of USG on flooded soil reduced the rate of urea hydrolysis as compared to deep placement. 30% and 17% of USG urea was hydrolyzed after four days on Ås and Kinn soil, respectively. During the first few days the rate of hydrolysis of UCN was more affected by the soil type than the application method. Four days after surface application 32% and 13% UCN urea was hydrolyzed on Ås and Kinn soil, respectively. The rate of urea hydrolysis exhibited a zero-order reaction when USG and UCN-briquettes were point placed in flooded soils.     

The influence of soil properties on the effectiveness of phenylphosphorodiamidate (PPD) in reducing ammonia volatilization from surface applied urea

Urea can be an inefficient N source due to rapid hydrolysis by soil urease leading to NH₃ volatilization. The current study investigated the effect of the urease inhibitor phenylphosphorodiamidate (PPD) incorporated at two concentrations (0.5% and 1% w/w) within the fertilizer granule on NH₃ volatilization from surface applied urea. The daily rates of NH₃ loss from 20 soils of widely differing properties from Northern Ireland were measured over 14 days using ventilated enclosures under simulated spring conditions. Cumulative loss rates were calculated and fitted to a logistic model from which total NH₃ loss (Amax) and the time to maximum rate of loss (Tmax) were determined. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis related the effectiveness of PPD in reducing NH₃ volatilization from urea to soil properties.The total cumulative loss of ammonia from unamended urea varied from 0.37 to 29.2% depending on soil type. Ammonia volatilization appeared to be greatest on a soil with a high pH (R² = 0.65), a low titratable acidity (TA) (R² = 0.63) and a soil that was drying out (R² = 0.50). Soil pH was negatively correlated with TA (r = –0.826, P < 0.001) suggesting that soils with a low TA may have received recent lime. Including cation exchange capacity (CEC) and % N as well as pH-KCl in the multiple linear regression equation explained 86% of the variance.The effectiveness of PPD in reducing Amax varied between 0% to 91% depending on soil type, the average over all 20 soils being 30 and 36% for 0.5% and 1% PPD respectively. The most important soil properties influencing the effectiveness of the urease inhibitor were soil pH-H₂O and TA accounting for 33% and 29% of the variance respectively. PPD was less effective on a soil with a high pH and low TA. These were the soil conditions that led to high NH₃ volatilization from unamended urea and may explain why PPD had limited success in reducing ammonia loss on these soils. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that 75% of the variation in the % inhibition of NH₃ loss by PPD could be significantly accounted for by pH-H₂O, initial soil NO ₃ ^- -N concentration, % moisture content and % moisture loss.The delay in Tmax by PPD ranged from 0.19 to 7.93 days, the average over all 20 soils being 2.5 and 2.8 days for 0.5% and 1% PPD respectively. TA, % moisture content, urease activity and CEC were soil properties that significantly explained 83% of the variation in the % delay in Tmax by PPD in multiple linear regression analysis. However, none of these soil properties were significant on their own. As urea hydrolysis occurs rapidly in soil, delaying Tmax under field conditions would increase the chance of rain falling to move the urea below the soil surface and reduce NH₃ volatilization. A urease inhibitor should be more effective than PPD on soils with a high pH and low TA to be successful in reducing high NH₃ losses.     

Interaction of urea with triple superphosphate in a simulated fertilizer band

Fertilizer nutrient diffusion from fertilizer bands and transformations in soil can affect fertilizer nutrient availability to crops and knowledge of the transformations is necessary for proper management. The interaction of urea and triple superphosphate (TSP) on urea hydrolysis and P transformations during diffusion processes from a fertilizer band was evaluated in a laboratory incubation experiment with two eastern Canadian soils (Ste Rosalie clay, Modifiers Typic Humaquept, pH 5.0; Ormstown silty clay loam, Modifiers Typic Humaquept, pH 6.0). Two fertilizer sources (urea and TSP) and three N and P rates (0, 100 and 200 kg ha^–1) were combined in a factorial arrangement. Fertilizer combinations were placed on segmented soil columns, incubated and segments were analyzed for N and P content. Acidification from dissolution of TSP retarded urea hydrolysis, and curtailed the rise in soil pH surrounding the fertilizer band. Urea hydrolysis caused dissolution of organic matter in soils, which might inhibit precipitation of insoluble phosphates. Banding urea with TSP increased 1M KCl extractable soil P, soil solution P, sorbed P concentration and total P diffused away from the band. Urea decreased 0.01M CaCl₂ extractable P, indicating probable precipitation of calcium phosphates with CaCl₂ extraction. Banding urea with TSP could benefit P diffusion to plant roots in low Ca soils and increase fertilizer P availability.     

Loss of nitrogen from urea applied to rainfed wheat in varying rainfall zones in northern Syria

Fertilizer-applied Nitrogen (N) may be lost from the soil by various mechanisms, i.e., runoff, leaching, denitrification, and volatilization. The latter process is of primary concern in calcareous soils of arid and semi-arid regions, especially when urea is used. In this field study from northern Syria, urea alone, urea with either an incorporated urease inhibitor, phenylphosphorodiamidate, or an experimental bran-wax coating were evaluated on wheat for two cropping seasons at two experimental stations with varying average seasonal rainfall (340 mm, 270 mm). Loss of N was assessed with ¹⁵N by mass balance, i.e., the amount of N applied minus the crop N uptake and N remaining in the soil. Crop yields and N uptake were related to seasonal rainfall. Losses of N, apparently as volatilized NH₃, were relatively low at both sites, i.e., 11–18%. However, compared to the unmodified urea, neither the incorporated urease inhibitor nor the bran-wax coating had any effect on yields, N uptake or N loss. While urea hydrolysis is normally rapid, it may be delayed by dry conditions at the soil surface; similarly, unusually cold periods may delay nitrification following hydrolysis. Thus, under the cool-season conditions of rainfed cropping in the Middle East, efficient use of urea is not likely to be achieved by modification of the urea but by conventional management practices that ensure pre-plant soil incorporation or topdressing during early spring rains.     

Chemical interactions between soil N and alkaline-hydrolysing N fertilizers

Chemical interactions between soil N and alkaline-hydrolysing N fertilizers labelled with¹⁵N were studied in the laboratory using twelve-irradiated soils. Fertilizer was recovered in the soil organic N fraction via the process of NH₃ fixation. NH₃ fixation at day 7 varied from 1.8 to 4.6% of the N added as aqua ammonia at 1000 mg kg^–1 soil. The amount of NH₃ fixed increased with increasing rates of application of NH_3(aq) and urea. The rate of NH₃ fixation decreased with time, with more than 55% of the total NH₃ fixation in 28 days occurring in the first week following application of 2000 mg urea-N kg^–1 soil. Soil pH and NH₃ fixation varied in response to N source, and increased in the order of di-ammonium phosphate 3 fixation, resulting in the release of unlabelled ammonium (deamination) and a real added nitrogen interaction in all but two of the soils studied. The release of NH ₄ ⁺ initially increased up to a pH of 7.5, was inhibited between pH 8.5 and 9.0, but increased thereafter. The balance (N_bal) between NH₃ fixation and deamination was either positive or negative, depending on the pH of the fertilized soil, which was directly related to N source and concentration for a given soil.     

The tolerance of a grass forage,grown in pots,to urea applied to calcareous soils under very hot,dry conditions

Proso grass was grown in pots in calcareous soils that received different levels of urea applied at seeding under very hot, dry conditions. Urea applications greater than 83 mg N kg^/1 in one experiment and 130 mg N kg^/1 in another caused severe toxicity to the grass seedlings. The toxicity corresponded to the period of active urea hydrolsis, 3–5 days from germination. At this time detectable NH₄ in a low-and a high carbonate soil was equally far below that applied. A level of 40 mg NH⁴-N per kg soil appeared critical to seedling toxicity.     

Ammonia losses from surface-placed mixtures of urea-calcium-potassium salts in the presence of phosphorus

Phosphorus compounds frequently are mixed with urea containing materials for economy in fertilizer operations. There is little published information on NH₃ losses from surface application of these mixtures. However, there is evidence that P can react and precipitate with adsorbed and added Ca and increase the potential for NH₃ loss. This paper compares NH₃ losses from surface applied urea plus KCl or CaCl₂ in the presence of 5 common P sources. The N, with Ca, K, and P salts, was surface-applied to a calcareous (Harkey) and an acid soil (Cuthbert) in a laboratory and the NH₃ losses determined by passage of the exhaust air through a 2% boric acid solution. Ammonia losses were increased with (in the presence of KCl or CaCl₂) KH₂PO₄ (KP) (calcareous soil only) and K₂HPO₄ (K₂P), unaffected by Na₅P₃O₁₀ (PP) but decreased with Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ (CaP) and H₃PO₄ (HP) (No HP or PP applied to the acid soil). Urea which hydrolyses in environments with lower soluble and desorbable Ca levels is susceptible to higher NH₃ losses. The effectiveness of KCl for control of NH₃ loss depended on the existence of desorbable Ca to react with the decomposing urea. Therefore the deleterious impact of P on NH₃ loss was greater with KCl than with CaCl₂. Adding Ca directly with the urea made additional Ca available for reaction with P and urea. Monocalcium phosphate (CaP) alone with urea, in a calcareous soil, did not reduce NH₃ loss; however, NH₃ loss was reduced in the acid soil. The addition of CaCl₂ with urea + CaP reduced NH₃ loss more than CaCl₂ with urea. The HP reaction with CaCO₃ was more rapid and complete than occurred with the acidic CaP. Sodium tripolyphosphate (PP) with urea had little impact on NH₃ loss over that produced by the KCl or CaCl₂ salts alone. The HP and CaP chemicals did not appear to function strictly as acid sources (calcareous soil). The Harkey soil has 8% CaCO₃ which would appear adequate to neutralize any acidity introduced by the P fertilizers. The explanation may lie in double salt formation between the Ca-urea-P materials. Contribution from the Texas Agric. Expt. Sta., Texas A&M Univ. System, College Station, TX 77843, USA     

Urease activity and inhibition in flooded soil systems

Ammonia volatilization is an important mechanism of N loss from flooded rice soils. Inhibition of urease may delay the formation of conditions favorable to NH₃ volatilization in the floodwater, thus giving the soil and plant a better chance to compete with the atmosphere as a sink for N. The experiments reported here were designed to identify the site of urea hydrolysis in flooded soils and to attempt selective urease inhibition with some of the inhibitors reported in the literature.Studies with three flooded soils using¹⁵N-labeled urea showed that 50–60% of the urea was found in the floodwater, despite incorporation. This floodwater urea is hydrolyzed largely at the soil—floodwater interface and subsequently returns to the floodwater (> 80%) or is retained by the soil (< 20%). Of the following urease inhibitors (K-ethyl-xanthate; 3 amino-1-H-1, 2, 4-triazole; phenylphosphorodiamidate) added at 2% (w/w of urea), only the latter was able to delay the appearance of NH₃ (aq) in the flood-water and thus delay NH₃ volatilization. Use of an algicide addition to the floodwater depressed NH₃ (aq) levels during the entire period studied, but in the presence of PPD the algicide had little additional effect.     

Nitrogen transformations near urea in soil: Effects of nitrification inhibition,nitrifier activity and liming

A laboratory incubation experiment was conducted to gain a better understanding of N transformations which occur near large urea granules in soil and the effects of dicyandiamide (DCD), nitrifier activity and liming. Soil cores containing a layer of urea were used to provide a one-dimensional approach and to facilitate sampling. A uniform layer of 2 g urea or urea + DCD was placed in the centre of a 20 cm-long soil core within PVC tubing. DCD was mixed with urea powder at 50 mg kg^–1 urea and enrichment of soil with nitrifiers was accomplished by preincubating Conestogo silt loam with 50 mg NH ₄ ⁺ -N kg^–1 soil. Brookston clay (pH 5.7) was limited with CaCO₃ to increase the pH to 7.3. The cores were incubated at 15°C and, after periods of 10, 20, 35 and 45 days, were separated into 1-cm sections. The distribution of N species was similar on each side of the urea layer at each sampling. The pH and NH ₄ ⁺ (NH₃) concentration were very high near the urea layer but decreased sharply with distance from it. DCD did not influence urea hydrolysis significantly. Liming of Brookston clay increased urea hydrolysis. The rate of urea hydrolysis was greater in Conestogo silt loam than limed Brookston clay. Nitrite accumulate was relatively small with all the treatments and occurred near the urea layer (0–4 cm) where pH and NH ₄ ⁺ (NH₃) concentration were high. The nitrification occurred in the zone where NH ₄ ⁺ (NH₃) concentration was below 1000µgN g^–1 and soil pH was below 8.0 and 8.7 in Brookston and Conestogo soils, respectively. DCD reduced the nitrifier activity (NA) in soil thereby markedly inhibiting nitrification of NH ₄ ⁺ . Nitrification was increased significantly with liming of the Brookston soil or nitrifier enrichment of the Conestogo soil. There was a significant increase in NA during the nitrification of urea-N. The (NO ₂ ^– + NO ₃ ^– )-N concentration peaks coincided with the NA peaks in the soil cores.A practical implication of this work is that large urea granules will not necessarily result in NO ₂ ^– phytotoxicity when applied near plants. A placement depth of about 5 cm below the soil surface may preclude NH₃ loss from large urea granules. DCD is a potential nitrification inhibitor for use with large urea granules or small urea granules placed in nests.     

Volatilization of ammonia from urea-ammonium nitrate solutions as influenced by organic and inorganic additives

Fertilizers containing urea can suffer from nitrogen (N) loss through ammonia volatilization, resulting in reduced effectiveness of the fertilizers. The loss of N may be reduced by use of organic or inorganic additives.Laboratory experiments were conducted on surface soil samples (0–15 cm) from two agricultural soils (St. Bernard and Ste. Sophie) to determine the impact of ammonium thiosulfate (ATS), boric acid, and a humic substance from leonardite, on NH₃ losses from surface-applied urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) solutions. Experiments were carried out using moist soil samples in closed containers. Evolved NH₃ was carried out of the containers and trapped in boric acid solution using an ammonia-free humidified air flow.Total NH₃ losses in these experiments ranged from 12.1 to 21.3% of the N applied. The reduction in NH₃ volatilization (expressed as % of added N) due to additives ranged from 13.6 to 38.5% and 3 to 36.3% in St. Bernard and Ste. Sophie soils, respectively. More NH₃ volatilized from the boric acid or humic treated UAN solutions than from ATS-UAN solutions.Boric acid, ATS, and the humic substance, all significantly reduced urea hydrolysis in both soils in comparison to the untreated UAN solution. Further, the humic substance and boric acid treatment induced significant reduction in NO₃-formation. The results suggest that humic substance and to a lesser extent boric acid may function as urease and/or nitrification inhibitors. ATS treatment, particularly at higher levels increased NO₃-formation in both soils. The reason for this increase in nitrate formation is not clear.     

Nitrogen fertigation of greenhouse-grown strawberries

Two greenhouse experiments were conducted with strawberries (Fragaria ananassa) grown in plastic pots filled with 12 kg of soil, and irrigated by drip to evaluate the effect of 3 N levels and 3 N sources. The N levels were 3.6, 7.2 or 10.8 mmol Nl^–1 and the N sources were urea, ammonium nitrate and potassium nitrate for supplying NH₄/NO₃ in mmol Nl^–1 ratios of 7/0, 3.5/3.5 or 0/7, respectively. Both experiments were uniformly supplied with micronutrients and 1.7 and 5.0 mmoll^–1 of P and K, respectively. The fertilizers were supplied through the irrigation stream with every irrigation. The highest yield was obtained with the 7.2 mmol Nl^–1 due to increase in both weight and number of fruits per plant. With this N concentration soil ECe and NO₃-N concentration were kept at low levels. Total N and NO₃-N in laminae and petioles increased with increasing N level. With the N sources the highest yield was obtained with urea due to better fruit setting. The N source had no effect on soil salinity and residual soil NO₃-N; residual NH₄-N in the soils receiving urea and ammonium nitrate were at low levels.     

Interdependence of ammonia volatilization and nitrification in arid soils

The effect of applied-N (urea) on interdependence of ammonia volatilization and nitrification was studied in twelve arid soils varying mainly in soil texture and CaCO₃. Ammonia volatilization from applied urea was observed only above a threshold N concentration in soil (V_i). Values of V_i ranged from 50 in sandy soils to 250 g N g^-1 in loamy and clay loam soils. Soils with higher CaCO₃ showed lower values of V_i. Concentration of applied-N in soils, in relation to V_i determined its transformation pathway(s). Below V_i, all of the applied-N was nitrified in all soils with a delayed nitrification period ranging from 0 to 5 days. Above V_i, ammonia volatilization was first to start. This reduced NH₄ ⁺ concentration in soil and nitrification started later after the delay period was over. Duration of delay period increased with applied-N, sand content and CaCo₃. Often 80% or more of the total ammonia, volatilized during the delay period. NH₄ ⁺ concentration in soil at which volatilization ended was generally higher than V_i. It was concluded that both ammonia volatilization and nitrification were interdependent only if concentration of applied N was more than V_i. Above V_i only one process predominated at a time as volatilization stopped soon after the start of nitrification even if NH₄ concentration in soil was sufficient to sustain both processes.     

Evaluation of compacted urea fertilizers prepared with acid and non-acid producing chemical additives in three soils varying in pH and cation exchange capacity; I. NH3 volatilization

Efficacy of different acid-producing chemical additives was evaluated in terms of pH, urea hydrolysis, NH₄-N dynamics and NH₃ volatilization in an Alfisol, a Vertisol and an Inceptisol. Compacting phosphogypsum (PG), diammonium phosphate (DAP), ZnSO₄ and KCl separately with urea slowed down urea hydrolysis and reduced NH₃ volatilization loss. Peak volatilization loss of NH₃ occurred between 2 to 4 days of fertilizer application in Vertisol and Alfisol, but between 4 to 6 days in Inceptisol. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) of soil influenced more in reducing NH₃ loss than native soil pH, as lower amount of NH₃ was lost from Vertisol (pH=8.0, CEC=43.92 cmol_c kg^-1) than from Alfisol (pH=5.8, CEC=13.82 cmol_c kg^-1). The loss from Inceptisol was in between the above two soils.     

Reducing ammonia volatilization in a no-till soil by incorporating urea and pig slurry in shallow bands

Incorporation of broadcast pig slurry and urea into soil is incompatible with no-till production systems and alternative application methods that reduce NH₃-N loss are required. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of incorporating urea and pig slurry in shallow furrows (banding) on NH₃ volatilization. A field study was conducted on a silty loam soil that had been under no-till for 2 years. Ammonia volatilization was measured for 29 days after urea and pig slurry (140 kg N ha⁻¹) were broadcast or incorporated (5 cm) in bands. High urease activity and soil temperatures as well as an absence of rainfall combined to result in large losses of NH₃-N from all treatments. Broadcast urea lost the greatest proportion of applied N (64%) followed by banded urea (31%), broadcast pig slurry (29%) and banded pig slurry (16%). High emissions from broadcast urea were consistent with previous reports of large volatilization losses on no-till soils. Presence of crop residues and associated high urease activity (288 μg NH₄-N g⁻¹ h⁻¹) at the surface of no-till soils were likely important factors contributing to these high emissions. Incorporation of slurry and urea in bands was not as efficient in reducing volatilization as expected but not for the same reason. Relatively high emissions from banded slurry were the result of an incomplete incorporation of slurry in the shallow bands and indicate that the benefit of this practice is limited at high slurry application rates. In banded urea plots, hydrolysis of concentrated urea likely resulted in high localized NH₄ ⁺ concentrations and pH, which increased NH₃ source strength and emissions. Our results therefore suggest that incorporating urea in bands may not be as efficient for reducing NH₃ emissions as incorporation of broadcasted urea which results in lower soil urea concentrations.     

Studies on urea hydrolysis in salt affected soils

In laboratory incubation studies, the kinetics of urea hydrolysis was analysed in seven soils widely differing in salinity and sodicity. The effects of the kind of salinity on urea hydrolysis was studied in a non-saline Tulewal Sl soil treated with solutions (100 me/1 to produce ECe values of approximately 10 m mhos/cm) of NaCl, NaSO₄, NaHCO₃ or NaCl + CaCl₂ salts. In another experiment the rates of urea hydrolysis in the soil samples collected from two recently reclaimed salt affected areas were also studied. The results showed considerable variations in the rates of urea hydrolysis in different soils. Urea hydrolysis was considerably delayed with increase in soil pH. The time required for complete hydrolysis to occur varied from 3 to 14 days. Urea hydrolysis seemed to follow first order reaction kinetics. The average time for one half of the hydrolysis to occur (t_1/2) ranged from 0.51 yo 4.55 days. The delay in urea hydrolysis was related to decrease in urease activity with increase in pH, decrease in organic matter (and total N). The Na HCO₃ treatment decreased the activity of urease and hence resulted in the maximum delay in urea hydrolysis followed by NaCl and Na₂SO₄ salts in the ascending order. Urea hydrolysis was faster in recently reclaimed sodic soils than in unreclaimed soils.