Comparison of several nitrogen fertilisers applied in surface irrigation systems. II. Nitrogen transformations

The movement and transformations in the mineral N pool below the hill and furrow were studied when different N fertilisers were applied in the irrigation water on three occasions during the growth of two maize crops. They included anhydrous ammonia, ammonium sulphate, potassium nitrate and urea. These were compared with anhydrous ammonia injected below the hill before the crop was sown. The ammonium-forming fertilisers increased the mineral-N in the surface of the furrow in both seasons. However no differential adsorption of NH₄ near the surface of the furrow was observed. We have postulated that NH₄ showed preferential movement through the voids in these cracking soils and was not adsorbed at the surface as occurs on soils with discontinuous voids. The proportion of NO₃ in the profile was higher after urea application than with NH₄ sources and was consistent with urea moving further into the peds than NH₄. Nitrification of the anhydrous ammonia band below the hill was rapid in these soils. The proportion of NO₃-N in the mineral N pool below both the hill and furrow declined with time in those locations where the air-filled porosity was generally below 10%. The implications of applying various N sources in the irrigation water on the potential loss processes taking place in the soil are discussed.     

Response surface analysis of the effects of seeding rates,N-rates and irrigation frequencies on durum wheat I. Grain yield and yield components

Interactive effects of nitrogen (N) rates, seeding (S) rates and irrigation frequencies on grain yield and yield components of durum wheat were studied for four years under field conditions at Tulelake, California. Each year the experiment was conducted using a split-plot design with 4 irrigation frequencies as main plots and combinations of 5 N-rates (0 to 360 kg/ha) and 5 S-rates (50 to 250 kg/ha) as subplot treatments replicated 4 times. A quadratic response surface model (RSM) was used to study the effects of these treatments on grain yield and yield components (tillers/area, kernel number/spike, kernel weight/spike and 100-seed weight). The RSM was very effective for analysis and data reduction for estimating the optimum combinations of N and S for maximizing the grain yield and yield components. The N utilization and uptake efficiency increased with each irrigation treatment and peaked at irrigation treatment C. Both N and uptake utilization efficiency decreased with each increment of N-rate.In most cases, the effect of irrigation was independent of N and S. One irrigation at tillering increased grain yield and yield components significantly over only a preplant irrigation. The response of additional irrigations were comparatively small and significant only in some cases. Both N and S had significant effects on grain yield and yield components, however, the response of N was larger than that of S. With increasing N-rate, grain yield and tiller number increased with the expected peak beyond 360kg N ha^–1 but the increments beyond 180 kg N ha^–1 were of progressively smaller magnitude. The kernel number and kernel weight per spike also increased with N-rate giving a peak between 270 and 360 kg N ha^–1. With increasing S grain yield and tiller number/area increased while kernel number and kernel weight per spike decreased progressively. It was impossible to maximize yield and yield components at a given combination of N, S, and irrigation. According to the model, grain yield and tiller number were maximized at the highest level of N and S, while kernel number and kernel weight/spike were maximized at the lowest S (50 kg ha^–1) and about 314 kg N ha^–1 under adequate water supply. On the basis of the findings of this study and output of the model, 180–360 kg N ha^–1, 150–250 kg S ha^–1 and two post-sowing irrigations (at tillering and at boot stage) in addition to a preplant irrigation was recommended for optimum yield. An additional irrigation might be required depending on the weather conditions during the grain filling period.     

Nitrogen fertilizer in leucaena alley cropping. I. Maize response to nitrogen fertilizer and fate of fertilizer-15N

Field microplot experiments were conducted in the semi-arid tropics of northern Australia to evaluate the response of maize (Zea mays L.) growth to addition of N fertilizer and plant residues and to examine the fate of fertilizer¹⁵N in a leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) alley cropping system, in which supplemental irrigation was used. Leucaena prunings, maize residues and N fertilizer were applied to alley-cropped maize grown in microplots which were installed in the alleys formed by leucaena hedgerows spaced 4.5 metres apart. The¹⁵N-labelled fertilizer was used to examine the fate of fertilizer N applied in the presence of mulched leucaena prunings and maize residues.Application of leucaena prunings increased maize yield while addition of N fertilizer in the presence of the prunings produced a further increase in maize production. There was a significant positive interaction between N fertilizer and leucaena prunings in increasing maize production. The addition of maize residues in the presence of N fertilizer and leucaena prunings decreased maize yield and N uptake and increased fertilizer¹⁵N loss from 38% to 47%. Maize recovered 24–79% of fertilizer¹⁵N in one cropping season, depending on application rate of N fertilizer and field management of plant residues. About 20–34% of fertilizer¹⁵N remained in the soil. More than 37% of fertilizer¹⁵N was apparently lost from the soil and plant system largely through denitrification when N fertilizer was applied at 40 kg N ha^–1 or more in the presence or absence of plant residues. Application of N fertilizer improved maize yield and increased the contribution of mulched leucaena prunings to crop production in the alley cropping system.     

Yield response of maize (Zea mays L.) to crop residue management on two major soil types Of Alemaya, Eastern Ethiopia: I. Effects of varying rates of applied and residual N and P fertilizers

Field trials were conducted on two soil types for seven years (1988–1994) to investigate grain yield response of maize to crop residue application as influenced by varying rates of applied and residual N and P fertilizers. Yearly application of N and P fertilizers at both one-half and full recommended rates resulted in grain yield increases of more than 500 and 1100 kg ha-1, respectively over application of only crop residue. Moreover, grain yield responses due to residual N and P fertilizers applied only during the first year were found to be comparable to the yearly applications of these fertilizers. Rainfall and soil type have exerted considerable influences on the grain yield response obtained in this study. Grain yield exhibited a corresponding decrease with decreasing rainfall. Grain yield increases on Typic Pellustert were relatively higher than on Typic Ustorthent.     

Yield response and nitrogen uptake of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke) cultivars to nitrogen application in the savanna region of Nigeria

Field experiments were carried out during the wet seasons (May to September) of 1980 and 1981 in order to determine the response of five pearl millet cultivars to nitrogen fertilization in savanna region of Nigeria. There were varietal differences in yield and nitrogen uptake in response to nitrogen rates. Most cultivars responded significantly up to 75 kg N ha^–1. Hybrid outyielded other cultivars at both locations each year. Nitrogen use efficiency was highest with the Hybrid, compared to other cultivars.     

Squash yield, nutrient content and soil fertility parameters in response to methods of fertilizer application and rates of nitrogen fertigation

Two field experiments were conducted to evaluate squash yield and nutrient content in response to different fertigation nitrogen (N) rates and method of fertilizer N application. The following treatments were studied in a randomized complete block design with four replications: zero N (N0), 50 (N1), 100 (N2) and 150 (N3) mg l^–3 N concentration in the irrigation water (IW) (fertigation treatments) and a soil application treatment (NS) equivalent to the N2 treatment. Irrigation was applied to replenish 80% of the Class A pan evaporation twice a week. Compared to the control (N0), shoot dry matter and yield were increased by all fertigation N rates and by the soil application treatment. However, soil application gave a lower yield than the equivalent fertigation N rate, indicating the comparative advantage of fertigation. The lowest fertigation N rate was adequate to give the highest yield in the first season, while in the second season a higher rate was necessary to achieve the maximum yield. The growth and fruit yield were higher in the second season as a result of the more favorable climatic conditions. Regression relationships indicate that the yield and the shoot dry weight were related to the fertigation N rates by polynomial quadratic relationships. The response to N in the second season was greater, as indicated by the steeper positive slope. The fruit yield was linearly related to both fruit number and fruit size in both seasons. N contents in shoots increased with N addition and were higher in both fruit and shoot during fruiting with the fertigation method. Soil salinity slightly increased with N application, especially in the top 15 cm, but remained low and acceptable for normal plant growth. Soil P increased mainly in the top soil following phosphoric acid application to all plots. Restricted P movement to deeper soil is attributed to the expected precipitation and/or sorption reactions with Ca and Mg in calcareous soils. It can be concluded that fertigation is more effective than soil application in increasing the yield and with fertigation lower N rates would be adequate to produce higher yield, thus lowering fertilization cost and minimizing environmental impact of over-fertilization.     

Comparative response of bread and durum wheat cultivars to nitrogen fertilizer in a rainfed Mediterranean environment: soil nitrate and N uptake and efficiency

A 3-year multi-site study was carried out on rainfed Vertisols under Mediterranean conditions in southern Europe to determine the influence of the N fertilizer rate on soil nitrates, N uptake and N use efficiency in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. Durum Desf.) in rotation with sunflower (Heliathus annuus L.). Nitrogen fertilizer rates were 0, 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha⁻¹ applied in equal proportions at sowing, tillering and stem elongation. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block with a split plot arrangement and four replications. Nitrogen harvest index (NHI), N uptake/grain yield (NUp/GY), N use efficiency (NUE), N utilization efficiency (NUtE), N uptake efficiency (NUpE) and N apparent recovery fraction (NRF) were calculated. Differences were observed in N use efficiency between the two modern bread wheat and durum wheat cultivars studied. In comparison to durum, bread wheat displayed greater N accumulation capacity and a more efficient use of N for grain production. While under N-limiting conditions, the behavior was similar for both wheat types. No difference was noted between wheat types with regard to changes in soil residual levels over the study period at the various sites. The 100-kg ha⁻¹ N fertilizer rate kept soil nitrates stable at a moderate level in plots where both wheat types were sown.     

Fate of nitrogen applied in different fertilizers to the surface of a calcareous soil in Syria

¹⁵N-labelled ammonium sulphate or¹⁵N-labelled urea were each applied in solutionat a rate of 30 kg N ha^-1 to the surface of 20soil cores (52 mm internal diameter × 100 mm deep)located on a field experiment at the ICARDA station,Tel Hadya, Syria. Recovery of ¹⁵N-label in theammonium, nitrate, organic and/or urea-N pools in thesoil was measured on days 0, 1, 2, 5 and 13 afterapplication. Total recovery of ¹⁵N was initially100%, but by day 13 after application it had declinedto 51% with urea and 73% with ammonium sulphate.Ammonium nitrate labelled either as ammonium or asnitrate was also applied to the soil surface of 8other cores at the same time. ¹⁵N recovery in thefour soil N pools was measured only on day 12 afterapplication. Total recovery of ¹⁵N-label was 75%with labelled ammonium and 57% with labelled nitrate.Volatilization of ammonia from this calcareous soil(pH 8.1) is one probable mechanism of N loss fromammonium and urea fertilizers: with nitrate bothleaching beyond the base of the core (i.e. 100 mm) and denitrification were responsible for Nlosses. These large losses of N immediately afterapplication have implications for fertilizermanagement practices.     

Growth rate,yield and nitrogen uptake response of grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench) to nitrogen rates in humid subtropics

Field experiments were conducted during wet seasons (June to October) of 1974, 1976 and 1977 to determine the response of newly developed hybrids and varieties of grain sorghum to N fertilization under humid subtropical conditions of Pantnagar in India. In addition to the enhancement in flowering and maturity stages brought about by N application, it also resulted in increased plant dry weight, translocation coefficients, grain yield plant^–1 and grain yield ha^–1. Varietal differences existed with respect to their responses for yield and N uptake to N rates. Most of the entries responded up to 120 kg N ha^–1. Hybrid CSH 5 utilized applied N more efficiently than other varieties.Publication No 1612 of GBPUA and T, Experiment Station, Pantnagar.     

Nitrogen fertilizer in leucaena alley cropping. II. residual value of nitrogen fertilizer and leucaena residues

Legume residues have been credited with supplying mineral nitrogen (N) to the associated cereal crop and improving soil fertility in the long term. Few studies using¹⁵N have reported the fate of legume N and fertilizer N in the presence of legume residues in soil-plant systems over periods of two years or longer. A field experiment was conducted in microplots to evaluate: (1) the residual value of the¹⁵N added in leucaena residues; (2) the residual value of fertilizer¹⁵N applied in the presence of unlabelled leucaena residues in the first year to maize over three subsequent years; and (3) the long-term fate of residual fertilizer and leucaena¹⁵N in a leucaena alley cropping system.There was a significant increase in maize production over three subsequent years after addition of leucaena residues. The residual effect of fertilizer N increased maize yield in the second year when N fertilizer was applied at 36 kg N ha^–1 in the first year in the presence of leucaena residues. Of the leucaena¹⁵N applied in the first year, the second, third and fourth maize crop recovered 2.6%, 1.8% and 1.4%, respectively. The corresponding values for the residual fertilizer¹⁵N were 0.7%, 0.4% and 0.3%. About 12–14% of the fertilizer¹⁵N added in the first year was found in the 200 cm soil profile over the following three years. This differed from the 38–41% of leucaena¹⁵N detected in the soil over the same period. Most of the residual fertilizer and leucaena¹⁵N in the soil was immobilized in the top 25 cm with less than 1% leached below 100 cm. More than 36% of the leucaena¹⁵N and fertilizer¹⁵N added in the first year was apparently lost from the soil-plant system in the first two years. No further loss of the residual leucaena and fertilizer¹⁵N was detected after two years.     

Yield response of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) to fertilizers on an Ultisol in Nigeria

The effect of various combinations of N, P, K and Mg fertilizer on yield of rubber over a 3 year period is discussed.N, K and Mg increased yield consistently over the period. The average annual increase in yield over control as a result of application of N, K and Mg were 11%, 3% and 9% respectively; where the effect of P was positive it was negligible.Combined applications of N, K and Mg produced increases that were higher than when they were applied individually. The N₁ K₂ combination produced a mean annual increase of 18% over N₀ K₀, while N₁ Mg₁ increased yield by an average of 26% annually over N₀ Mg₀.N, K and Mg are thus considered as generally required by the rubber trees.     

Significance of soil depth on nitrogen transformations in flooded and nonflooded systems under laboratory conditions

The influence of different depths of repacked soil cores on changes in N transformation processes was studied with a subtropical semi-arid soil amended with 100 mg N kg^-1 of Sesbania green manure (GM) or fertilizer (NH₄)₂SO₄ for 35 days under flooded and nonflooded conditions. Shallow soil depth enhanced the rate of nitrification, particularly where aeration was impeded in flooded soils. However, the opposite occurred for denitrification as the relative predominance of underlying anoxic zone increased with increase in soil depth. Nitrate produced in the thin oxic surface soil layer and overlying water in flooded soils was subsequently lost via denitrification, more rapidly where carbon was supplied by added GM. Decomposition of GM was rapid and apparent recovery of applied 100 mg GM-N kg^-1 soil as mineral N after 35 days in flooded soils was 8, 26, 30 and 38% in 1.25-, 2.5-, 5.0- and 7.5-cm deep soil cores, respectively. Soil ammonium-N declined rapidly after an initial rise during decomposition of GM in soil in the shallow soil depth. In contrast, no such decline in NH ₄ ⁺ -N was observed in deep soil cores. In conclusion, the use of shallow soil depths during laboratory incubations can lead to variable results under flooded conditions. To simulate field conditions for obtaining reliable and quantitative information regarding N transformations in soils under flooded conditions, soil depths of 7.5 cm or greater should be used for laboratory incubations and growth chamber studies.     

Growth dynamics of reed canarygrass ( Phalaris arundinacea L.) and its allocation of biomass and nitrogen below ground in a field receiving daily irrigation and fertilisation

Biomass and nitrogen in the roots, rhizomes, stem bases and litter of reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) were repeatedly estimated by soil coring, and root growth dynamics of this potential energy crop was studied for two years using minirhizotrons. Results are discussed in relation to above-ground biomass and nitrogen fertilisation. Five treatments were used: C₀, unfertilised control; C1, fertilised with solid N fertiliser in spring; I1, irrigated daily, fertilised as in C1; IF1 , irrigated as I1 and fertilised daily through a drip-tube system; IF2, as in IF1 but with higher N fertiliser rates. Biomass of below-ground plant parts of reed canarygrass increased between the first and second years. Up to 50% of total plant biomass and nitrogen were recovered below-ground. The highest proportions were found in C₀. The calculated annual input via root turnover ranged between 80 and 235 g m-2. In absolute terms, up to 1 kg and 10 g m-2 of biomass and nitrogen, respectively, were found in below-ground plant fractions. High inputs of stubble and accumulated below-ground biomass will occur when the ley is ploughed, which will result in a highly positive soil carbon balance for this crop in comparison with that of conventional crops such as cereals.     

Effect of nitrogen,phosphorus and soil and crop residues management practices on maize (Zea mays L.) yield in ultisol of eastern Cameroon

The shortening of fallow period in several areas in tropical Africa has reduced soil fertility and exposed soils to erosion and run-off. Fertilizer application and crop conservation practices are needeed to sustain high crop yield and to conserve the natural resource base for upland crop production in the continent. Field trials were carried out to evaluate the effect of fertilizer application and soil and crop residues management practices on yield of maize (Zea mays L.) planted on a Plinthudult soil at Bertoua, Eastern Cameroon. Maize yields increased significantly with nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer application. Under the rainfall pattern prevailing in the area, the amount of nitrogen required for maximum yield was higher in the second season. On the other hand, the amount of phosphorus required for maximum yield appeared to decrease with time. The burning of crop residues and weeds prior to planting together with no-till practive gave higher yield of maize than other soil and crop residues management practices.     

Comparison and optimization of two extract methods (atmospheric pressure and pressurized pretreatment) of pectin from Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. seeds by response surface methodology

In this study, the extract methods of pectin from Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. seeds under atmospheric pressure and pressurized pretreatment were investigated and compared. Response surface methodology was applied to optimize the extraction conditions for obtaining the maximum yield of pectin. The optimum extraction conditions under atmospheric pressure were as follows: pH 2.5, 84.8°C, 81.0 min, and liquid-to-solid ratio 14.2:1 (ml/g). The optimum extraction conditions under pressurized pretreatment were as follows: pH 6.1, 117.7°C, and 95.4 min. In contrast, the optimal extraction yield under pressurized pretreatment was 76.52% above that of extraction under atmospheric pressure.     

Nitrogen use efficiency of <Superscript>15</Superscript>N-labelled sheep manure and mineral fertiliser applied to microplots in long-term organic and conventional cropping systems

Nitrogen (N) utilisation by crops has to be improved to minimize losses to the environment. We investigated N use efficiency of animal manure and mineral fertiliser and fate of fertiliser N not taken up by crops in a conventional (CONMIN) and a bio-organic (BIOORG) cropping system of a long-term field experiment over three vegetation periods (winter wheat–soybean–maize). Microplots planted with wheat received a single application of ¹⁵N-labelled slurries (either urine or faeces labelled) or mineral fertiliser. At the end of each vegetation period we tested whether higher microbial activity and larger microbial biomass in BIOORG than CONMIN soils, and lower long-term N input level in BIOORG, affected use efficiency and fate of fertiliser N not taken up by crops. Recovery of ¹⁵N in wheat was 37%, 10% and 47% from urine, faeces and mineral fertiliser, respectively, and decreased strongly in the residual years. In total 41%, 15% and 50% of ¹⁵N applied as urine, faeces and mineral fertiliser was recovered by the three crops. ¹⁵N recovered from originally applied urine, faeces and mineral fertiliser in the topsoil (0–18 cm) at the end of the third vegetation period was 19%, 25% and 20%, respectively. Of urine-, faeces- and mineral fertiliser-¹⁵N, 40%, 61% and 29%, respectively, was not recovered by the three crops and in topsoil suggesting significant transport of ¹⁵N-labelled components to deeper soil layers. CONMIN and BIOORG differed neither in fertiliser N use efficiency by crops nor in ¹⁵N recovery in soil indicating insignificant difference in the turnover and utilization of the applied manure nitrogen in the conventional and the bio-organic cropping systems.     

Tungsten carbides as substitutes of platinoids in heterogeneous catalysis I. The effect of surface composition on the reactivity of methylcyclopentane on tungsten carbides

Reactions of methylcyclopentane on tungsten carbides show that in presence of oxygen the extensive hydrogenolysis is inhibited in favour of ring enlargement and ring opening via a bifunctional mechanism due to the coexistence of surface acid-rearrangement and hydrogenation-dehydrogenation sites. The oxycarbidic materials are very active and selective in skeletal rearrangement of hydrocarbons.     

Limits in the use of pyridine adsorption,as an analytical tool to test the surface acidity of oxidic systems. The case of sulfated zirconia catalysts

When high-area oxidic systems carry surface anionic species (in the present case: stable sulfate groups at the surface of sulfated zirconia catalysts), pyridine adsorption leads to an overestimated and thus partly artefact evaluation of the surface Lewis acidity. IR spectroscopic evidence is presented for the existence of a ligand competition at surface cationic centres (Lewis acid sites) between strong Lewis bases (pyridine) and surface sulfates. In the case of weak Lewis bases, like CO, there is no competition. The use of a model sulfated zirconia system, obtained by sulfation of an yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia preparation, turned out to be vital for obtaining the mentioned evidence, as this preparation allowed to compare the surface Lewis acidity in an homogeneous series of non-sulfated, sulfated, and sulfated-and-calcined systems of virtually unchanged crystal phase, surface area and crystal morphology. Also the conventional sulfated zirconia catalysts, prepared from an amorphous hydrate precursor, present the same type of surface ligand competition and the partly artefact evaluation of surface Lewis acidity, but in that case a piece of information is missing in that physical and chemical properties of the non-sulfated amorphous precursor cannot be compared with those of the crystalline sulfated systems.     

The development of a response surface model for the determination of infinite dilution partial molar volumes and excess volumes from dilute multi-component data alone. Implications for the characterization of non-isolatable solutes in complex homogeneous reactive systems

A non-ideal system containing several solutes, e.g. methanol, acetone, and 2-butanol in n-hexane was studied. Traditionally defined excess molar volumes (based on pure component molar volumes) of the multi-component solutions were measured in the limit of infinite dilution in n-hexane using a vibrating-tube densitometer at and . An experimental design in the concentration range 0.0015<x_solute-i<0.023 was explored, optimizing the metric distance among the solutes to avoid clustering. The partial molar volumes of methanol, acetone, and 2-butanol at infinite dilution determined from the multi-component data were very consistent with the values obtained from separate binary experiments. Next a total molar volume response surface model was developed. Only experimental total volume and component moles are needed for analysis. The partial molar volumes of all the solutes were accurately predicted from the multi-component data alone. A new expression for excess molar volume is proposed to express component interactions. This approach is undoubtedly of considerable usefulness for determination of the partial molar properties of non-isolated but observable species in multi-component reactive solutions.