Ammonia volatilization from grassland receiving nitrogen fertilizer and rotationally grazed by dairy cattle

The micrometeorological mass balance method was used to measure ammonia (NH₃) volatilization from rotationally grazed swards throughout the 1987 and 1988 growing seasons. In both years the swards were dressed with calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) split over 7 dressings. In 1987 the sward received a total of 550 kg N ha^–1, in 1988 a total of 550 or 250 kg N ha^–1. For the 550 kg N ha^–1 treatments there were 8 and 9 grazing cycles, respectively, in 1987 and 1988 and 7 for the 250 kg N ha^–1 treatment. Losses from the 550 N sward were 42.2 and 39.2 kg N ha^–1 in 1987 and 1988, respectively; this was equivalent to 8.5 and 7.7% of the N returned to the sward in the excreta of the grazing cattle. The NH₃ loss from the 250N sward was 8.1 kg N ha^–1 in 1988, which was equivalent to 3.1% of the N returned to the sward in excreta during the growing season. There was a wide variation in NH₃ volatilization between the individual grazing periods. This indicates the necessity of continued measurements throughout the growing season to obtain reliable data on NH₃ volatilization. Soil humidity is suggested to be a key factor, because emissions were high from wet soil, and low from drier soil. Results of a Monte Carlo simulation study showed that the measured NH₃ loss from the 250 and 550 N swards had a standard deviation of 13 and 5% of the mean, respectively.     

Transformations and losses of fertilizer nitrogen on no-till and conventional till soils

A field study was conducted in 1982 to measure the effect of no-till (NT) and conventional till (CT) systems on N transformation after surface and subsurface applications of N fertilizers. Urea, urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) solution, (NH₄)₂SO₄ (AS), and CA(NO₃)₂ were applied to NT and CT plots (5.95 m²) at a rate of 448 kg N ha^–1. A comparison of fertilizer N recovered in soils receiving incorporated or surface applied N was used to estimate NH₃ volatilization while denitrification was estimated from fertilizer N recovered in the presence and absence of nitrapyrin with incorporated N. Immobilization was assessed in microplots (0.37 m²) after surface application of (¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄ to NT and CT systems at a rate of 220 kg N ha^–1.The results indicate little difference between NT and CT systems on urea hydrolysis rates and immobilization of surface applied fertilizer N. Approximately 50% and 10% of the surface applied N was recovered in the inorganic and organic fractions, respectively, on both tillage systems. The N not recovered was likely lost from plot areas through soil runoff. Incorporation of UAN, urea and AS resulted in 20 to 40% greater inorganic N recovery than from surface application. Nitrification rates were greater under the NT than the CT system. The similarities in concentration in the various N pools observed between the two tillage systems may be partially due to the short length of time that NT was imposed in this field study (<1 year) since other researchers using established tillage systems (>5 y) indicate that NT tends to promote decreased efficiency of fertilizer N.     

Leaching losses of nitrate nitrogen and dissolved organic nitrogen from a yearly two crops system,wheat-maize,under monsoon situations

A large amount of nitrogen (N) fertilizers applied to the winter wheat–summer maize double cropping systems in the North China Plain (NCP) contributes largely to N leaching to the groundwater. A series of field experiments were carried out during October 2004 and September 2007 in a lysimeter field to reveal the temporal changes of N leaching losses below 2-m depth from this land system as well as the effects of N fertilizer application rates on N leaching. Four N rates (0, 180, 260, and 360 kg N ha⁻¹ as urea) were applied in the study area. Seasonal leachate volumes were 87 and 72 mm in the first and second maize season, respectively, and 13 and 4 mm during the winter wheat and maize season in the third rotational year, respectively. The average seasonal flow-weighted NO₃-N concentrations in leachate for the four N fertilizer application rates ranged from 8.1 to 103.7 mg N l⁻¹, and seasonal flow-weighted dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) concentrations in leachate varied from 0.8 to 6.0 mg N l⁻¹. Total amounts of NO₃-N leaching lost throughout the 3 years were in the range of 14.6 to 177.8 kg ha⁻¹ for the four N application rates, corresponding to N leaching losses in the range of 4.0–7.6% of the fertilizers applied. DON losses throughout the 3 years were 1.4, 2.1, 3.6, and 6.3 kg N ha⁻¹ for the four corresponding fertilization rates. The application rate of 180 kg N ha⁻¹ was recommended based on the balance between reducing N leaching and maintaining crop yields. The results indicated that there is a potential risk of N leaching during the winter wheat season, and over-fertilization of chemical N can result in substantial N leaching losses by high-intensity rainfalls in summer.     

The carbon footprint of maize production as affected by nitrogen fertilizer and maize-legume rotations

Studies on the sustainability of crop production systems should consider both the carbon (C) footprint and the crop yield. Knowledge is urgently needed to estimate the C cost of maize (Zea mays L.) production in a continuous monoculture or in rotation with a leguminous crop, the popular rotation system in North America. In this study, we used a 19-year field experiment with maize under different levels of synthetic N treatments in a continuous culture or rotation with forage legume (Alfalfa or red clover; Medicago sativa L./Trifolium pratense L.) or soybean (Glycine max L. Merr) to assess the sustainability of maize production systems by estimating total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (kg?CO₂ eq?ha^?1) and the equivalent C cost of yield or C footprint (kg?CO₂ ?eq?kg^?1?grain). High N application increased both total GHG emissions and the C footprint across all the rotation systems. Compared to continuous maize monoculture (MM), maize following forage (alfalfa or red clover; FM) or grain (soybean; SM) legumes was estimated to generate greater total GHG emissions, however both FM and SM had a lower C footprint across all N levels due to increased productivity. When compared to MM treated with 100?kg?N?ha^?1, maize treated with 100?kg?N?ha^?1, following a forage legume resulted in a 5?% increase in total GHG emissions while reducing the C footprint by 17?%. Similarly, in 18 out of the 19-year period, maize treated with 100?kg?N?ha^?1, following soybean (SM) had a minimal effect on total GHG emissions (1?%), but reduced the C footprint by 8?%. Compared to the conventional MM with the 200?kg?N?ha^?1 treatment, FM with the 100?kg?N?ha^?1 treatment had 40?% lower total GHG emissions and 46?% lower C footprint. Maize with 100?kg?N?ha^?1 following soybean had a 42?% lower total GHG emissions and 41?% lower C footprint than MM treated with 200?kg?N?ha^?1. Clearly, there was a trade-off among total GHG emissions, C footprint and yield, and yield and GHG emissions or C footprint not linearly related. Our data indicate that maize production with 100?kg?N?ha^?1 in rotation with forage or grain legumes can maintain high productivity while reducing GHG emissions and the C footprint when compared to a continuous maize cropping system with 200?kg?N?ha^?1.     

Manure and fertilizer contributions to soil mineral nitrogen and the yield of forage maize

Fifteen field trials were conducted to evaluate soil mineral N measurement as a means for quantifying the total N supply to forage maize and so to form the basis for fertilizer recommendations on a crop-specific basis. In every trial, 4 rates of cattle manure N (nominally 0, 80, 160, 240 kg N per ha) and 4 rates of ammonium nitrate (0, 50, 100, 150 kg N per ha) were factorially combined. Soil mineral N measurements were made before manure application, at the time of maize drilling, 7-10 weeks after drilling and after harvest. Measurements on control treatments which received no manure or ammonium nitrate showed extensive net mineralisation of soil N (mean 140 kg N per ha) in the 7-10 weeks after drilling followed by a decrease due to crop uptake, and probably net immobilisation, of approximately the same amount by harvest. This net mineralisation was probably the reason why only one trial showed a significant dry-matter yield response to ammonium nitrate. Results indicated that , to be useful for N recommendations, soil mineral N measurements should be taken 7-10 weeks after drilling. Only if the amount of mineral N at this time is less than expected crop N offtake should fertilizer N be applied. A mean of around 64% of the N applied in ammonium nitrate could be accounted for in soil mineral N after harvest of the maize, although this was reduced to 24% in the single trial where a dry-matter response to ammonium nitrate was recorded.     

不同控释氮比例的控释氮掺混肥氮素淋失特征研究

采用模拟灌溉和模拟降雨方法,研究不同控释氮比例的控释氮掺混肥在原状土柱土壤中养分的淋失特征。研究结果表明,控释氮掺混肥显著降低了土壤中铵态氮、硝态氮的淋失,增强了土壤pH值缓冲性,提高了后期土壤溶液电导率;控释氮占59％的控释掺混肥具有“前控后保”的特点,适于推广应用。     

Ammonia losses from ammonium-containing and -forming fertilizers after surface application at different rates on alkaline soils

The objective of this investigation was to compare the susceptibility of different ammonium containing and forming fertilizers to NH₃ losses and to determine the effect of application rates on NH₃ volatilization. Losses of NH₃ from five fertilizers, namely (NH₄)₂SO₄, CAN, urea, MAP and DAP were determined. The fertilizers were surface-applied to a sandy clay loam Arniston soil and a clayey Gelykvlakte soil of which the pH values were respectively 9.0 and 8.9. The application levels were equivalent to 0, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 240 kg N ha^–1. After a contact period of 3 days NH₃ losses were determined. Ammonia was lost from both soils under all treatments. More NH₃ was lost from the clayey Gelykvlakte soil compared with the sandy clay loam Arniston soil. Loss of NH₃ from the various fertilizers was ranked as follows: Urea > DAP > (NH₄)₂SO₄ > MAP > CAN. Ammonia losses increased with increasing application rates, but the proportion of N lost, decreased. Losses of NH₃ may be reduced by selective choice of fertilizer type and application rate.     

Farm-scale carbon and nitrogen fluxes in pastoral dairy production systems using different nitrogen fertilizer regimes

Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems - The nitrogen (N) fertilizer application rate (kg&nbsp;ha?1&nbsp;year?1) in pastoral dairy systems affects the flow of N through the soil,...     

Efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer use under rainfed maize and irrigated wheat at Kadawa,northern Nigeria

Field trials were conducted at Kadawa, northern Nigeria, during 1975–77 to study the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer use under maize (Zea mays L.)—wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotation; the study also examined the impact of continuous N use on some soil properties. Grain and straw dry matter yields, grain N content, crop N uptake and whole plant N concentration of wheat at different growth stages increased significantly with increasing levels of N application. Per cent increases in mean grain yield of N treated plots over control were 77, 131 and 141 for maize and 195, 308 and 326 for wheat at 60, 120 and 180 kg N per ha levels, respectively. The calculated N rates for maximum yield were 177.5 and 164.0 kg N per ha for maize and wheat, respectively. Short-term beneficial effect of dung on maize yield was ascribed to its additional N supply. Urea and calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) were equally good for both maize and wheat; full and split N application gave no significant difference in yield. The values for mean fertilizer N recovery over all the crops were 64, 58 and 44% respectively, at 60, 120 and 180 kg N per ha levels.Nitrogen application at the highest rate (180 kg per ha) reduced the soil pH significantly in the top 40 cm of the soil profile. The magnitude of soil acidification at levels of N below 120 kg per ha was not appreciable in this study. High N application also depleted the soil of its cations at differential rates. Other factors such as N source, time of N application and addition of dung along with N fertilizer did not have much influence on the rate of short-term soil acidification due to N fertilizer use.     

Potential losses of fertilizer phosphorus by animal transfer

Pasture production, phosphorus (P) concentration, and P uptake by mixed pasture following addition in the autumn of 50 and 100 kgP ha^–1 as single superphosphate (SSP), triple superphosphate (TSP) and Sechura phosphate rock (SPR), and of 50 kgP ha^–1 of Chatham Rise phosphorite (CRP) were measured for one year on a Wainui silt loam (Typic Dystrochrept) and Tokomaru silt loam (Typic Fragiaqualf). A sharp increase was measured in the P concentration of mixed pasture immediately following the application of 50 and 100 kg P ha^–1 as either SSP or TSP at both sites. However, this increase was not accompanied by an increase in pasture production. In contrast, the application of 50 kgP ha^–1 as either SPR or CRP resulted in only small initial increases in the P concentration of mixed pasture, as did the addition of 100 kgP ha^–1 as SPR at both sites. The potential P losses by animal transfer in dung, which could result from the use of these four P fertilisers, were calculated using a P cycle constructed for intensively grazed, steep hill country pasture. Potential losses of fertilizer P, calculated as a percentage of fertilizer P added, were 7–14% for SSP and TSP, and 4–5% for SPR and CRP in the first year at the two sites. The implications of these results to the efficiency of P fertilizer use are discussed.     

Separating nitrogen fertilizer and irrigation water application in an alternating furrow irrigation system for maize production

The efficient use of water and nitrogen represents a primary concern to agricultural production in Northwest China. A 2-year field experiment was conducted to assess the separation of nitrogen (N) fertilizer and irrigation water with alternating furrow irrigation (SNWAFI) in a maize (Zea mays L.) production system. Irrigation water use efficiency and nitrogen use efficiency with SNWAFI were generally greater than with conventional irrigation and fertilization (CIF). Response surfaces indicated that maximum maize yields were obtained with 238 kg urea-N ha^?1 and 106 mm irrigation water in 2008 and 244 kg urea-N ha^?1 and 95 mm of irrigation water in 2009. When the predicted yields were highest (6,384 and 6,549 kg ha^?1), water use efficiency, N uptake, and N use efficiency were greater with SNWAFI than CIF. Conversely, soil NO₃–N change during maize growing season decreased with SNWAFI compared CIF. With SNWAFI, optimizing irrigation water and N fertilizer rates can maximize yield, save irrigation water, and reduce N leaching.     

煤制氮肥厂废水氨氮污染源调查及脱氮对策分析

通过测定污染源水质中氨氮、COD等多项指标,表明气化废水和火炬液封排水是两大氨氮重大污染源,提出切合实际的脱氮对策,从根本上脱除氨氮,减轻氮肥企业治理环境污染的压力。     

Relationship between electroultrafiltration (EUF) extractable nitrogen,grain yield,and optimum nitrogen fertilizer rates for winter wheat

The objective of the investigation was to examine whether there exist relationships between the optimum nitrogen fertilizer rate for winter wheat and soil nitrogen fractions extracted by electroultrafiltration (EUF) from autumn samples of the upper soil layer (0–30 cm). Optimum nitrogen fertilizer rates were derived from grain yield curves of field trials carried out with increasing nitrogen fertilizer rates on 19 different sites in 1985/86 and 1986/87. Most soils were luvisols derived from loess, two soils were brown earths and one a pararendzina. Total Nitrogen fertilizer rates were 0, 40, 80, and 120 kg N/ha applied twice before ear emergence. The final nitrogen rate at ear emergence was the same for all treatments, namely 60 kg N/ha.Optimum nitrogen fertilizer rates were derived from the grain yield curve fitted to a modified Mitscherlich equation. The optimum nitrogen fertilizer rates were correlated with the nitrogen fractions extracted by EUF. The regression equation thus obtained showed that NO ₃ ^- , the organic N fraction (EUF Norg), and the EUF Norg-quotient each had a highly significant impact on the optimum nitrogen fertilizer rate. The higher the amounts of EUF-N extracted the lower the optimum nitrogen rate. Substituting the EUF Norg-fraction for total nitrogen concentration in the upper soil layer gave a poorer relationship between the optimum nitrogen fertilizer rate and the soil data. In absolute terms the EUF Norg-fraction had by far the greatest impact on calculating the optimum nitrogen fertilizer rate. The investigation shows that the EUF method is a suitable technique for the determination of available soil nitrogen from which optimum nitrogen fertilizer rates can be derived for winter wheat cultivated under soil and climatic conditions typical for cereal growing areas in central Europe.     

The effect of fertilizer placement on nitrogen uptake and yield of wheat and maize in Chinese loess soils

Field trials were carried out to study the fate of¹⁵N-labelled urea applied to summer maize and winter wheat in loess soils in Shaanxi Province, north-west China. In the maize experiment, nitrogen was applied at rates of 0 or 210 kg N ha^–1, either as a surface application, mixed uniformly with the top 0.15 m of soil, or placed in holes 0.1 m deep adjacent to each plant and then covered with soil. In the wheat experiment, nitrogen was applied at rates of 0, 75 or 150 kg N ha^–1, either to the surface, or incorporated by mixing with the top 0.15 m, or placed in a band at 0.15 m depth. Measurements were made of crop N uptake, residual fertilizer N and soil mineral N. The total above-ground dry matter yield of maize varied between 7.6 and 11.9 t ha^–1. The crop recovery of fertilizer N following point placement was 25% of that applied, which was higher than that from the surface application (18%) or incorporation by mixing (18%). The total grain yield of wheat varied between 4.3 and 4.7 t ha^–1. In the surface applications, the recovery of fertilizer-derived nitrogen (25%) was considerably lower than that from the mixing treatments and banded placements (33 and 36%). The fertilizer N application rate had a significant effect on grain and total dry matter yield, as well as on total N uptake and grain N contents. The main mechanism for loss of N appeared to be by ammonia volatilization, rather than leaching. High mineral N concentrations remained in the soil at harvest, following both crops, demonstrating a potential for significant reductions in N application rates without associated loss in yield.     

Potential nutrient supply, nutrient utilization efficiencies, fertilizer recovery rates and maize yield in northern Nigeria

Potential N (SN) and P (SP) supplies, N and P utilization efficiencies and fertilizer recovery rates for the northern Guinea Savanna (NGS) agro-ecological zone of Nigeria were derived from data collected on farmers’ fields, and used as input in the QUantitative Evaluation of the Fertility of Tropical Soils (QUEFTS) model. The potential N supply ranged from 7 to 56 kg N ha⁻¹, with a mean of 25 kg N ha⁻¹, while SP ranged from 2 to 12 kg P ha⁻¹ with a mean of 5 kg P ha⁻¹. Both SN (CV = 42%) and SP (CV = 57%) were highly variable between farmers’ fields. Deriving potential nutrient supply from ‘a’ values gives lower estimates. The empirical equation in QUEFTS that estimates SN ( ) sufficiently predicted the SN of soils in the NGS (RMSE = 8.0 kg N ha⁻¹ index of agreement (IOA) = 0.81). The SP equation () predicted moderately potential P supply (RMSE = 6.80 kg P ha⁻¹, IOA = 0.54). When N or P is maximally accumulated in the plant (i.e., least efficiently utilized), the utilization efficiency was 21 kg grain kg⁻¹ N taken up and 97 kg grain kg⁻¹ P taken up. When these nutrients were maximally diluted in the plant (i.e., most efficiently utilized), the utilization efficiency was 70 kg grain kg⁻¹ N taken up and 600 kg grain kg⁻¹ P taken up. The range in N recovery fraction (NRF) of N fertilizer applied was from 0.30 to 0.57, with a mean of 0.39, while the P recovery fraction (PRF) ranged from 0.10 to 0.66 with a mean of 0.24. Although SP was moderately predicted, when QUEFTS model input parameters were adjusted for the NGS, the model sufficiently (IOA = 0.83, RMSE = 607 kg DM ha⁻¹) estimated maize grain yield in the NGS of Nigeria. The original QUEFTS model however, gave better predictions of maize grain yield as reflected by the lower RMSE (IOA = 0.84, RMSE = 549 kg DM ha⁻¹). Consequently, QUEFTS is a simple and efficient tool for making yield predictions in the NGS of northern Nigeria.     

Control of gaseous nitrogen losses from urea applied to flooded rice soils

This paper reports field experiments designed to determine whether the two main processes responsible for nitrogen (N) loss from flooded rice (ammonia volatilization and denitrification) are independent or interdependent, and glasshouse studies which investigated the effect of soil characteristics on gaseous nitrogen loss.In the first field experiment ammonia (NH₃) loss from the floodwater was controlled using algicides, biocides, frequent pH adjustment, shade or cetyl alcohol, and the effect of these treatments on total N loss and denitrification was determined. Most treatments reduced NH₃ loss through their effects on algal growth and floodwater pH. Total gaseous N loss (54% to 35%) and NH₃ loss (20% to 1.2%) were affected similarly by individual treatments, indicating that the amount lost by denitrification was not substantially changed by any of the treatments.In a subsequent field experiment NH₃ and total N loss were again affected similarly by the treatments, but denitrification losses were very low. In control treatments with different rates of urea application, NH₃ and total N loss were each a constant proportion of the urea applied (NH₃ loss was 17% and total N loss was 24%). These results indicate that techniques which reduce NH₃ loss can be expected to reduce total gaseous N loss.The glasshouse experiment showed that gaseous N losses could be reduced by draining off the floodwater, and incorporating the urea into the 0–0.05 m soil layer before reflooding. Even with this method, losses varied widely (6–27%); losses were least from a cracking clay and greatest from a coarse sand which allowed the greatest mobility of the applied N. Incorporation of applied urea can therefore be expected to prevent losses more successfully from clay soils with high ammonium retention capacity.     

Nitrate leaching losses and pasture yields as affected by different rates of animal urine nitrogen returns and application of a nitrification inhibitor—a lysimeter study

Nitrate (NO₃⁻) leaching and water contamination is a major environmental issue around the globe. In grazed grassland, most of the nitrate leaching occurs under the animal urine patch areas because of high nitrogen (N) loading rates. The aim of this study was to determine NO₃^–-N leaching losses and pasture responses as affected by different animal urine-N loading rates and application of a nitrification inhibitor, dicyandiamide (DCD). Undisturbed monolith lysimeters (50 cm diameter by 70 cm deep) of a free-draining stony soil (Pallic orthic brown soil; Udic Haplustept loamy skeletal) with a mixture of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens) were used for the study. Results showed that total NO₃^–-N leaching losses increased significantly (P < 0.01) from 22.8 to 59.7, 188.1 and 254.9 kg NO₃⁻-N ha⁻¹, when urine N was applied at 0 (Control), 300, 700 and 1,000 kg N ha⁻¹, respectively, without DCD. The application of DCD to the corresponding treatments significantly (P < 0.01) reduced the total NO₃⁻-N leaching losses to 12.4, 9.9, 75.3 and 139.0 kg N ha⁻¹, respectively, resulting in an average reduction of 63%. Pasture yield increased linearly with increasing urine-N application rates and the application of DCD resulted in an average 25% increase in pasture dry matter production. The average N offtake was increased by 32% with the application of DCD, confirming the effectiveness of the inhibitor in improving the N cycle. These results indicate that the DCD nitrification inhibitor technology has the potential to be a valuable nitrogen management tool in different grazed pasture systems (e.g. sheep, beef cattle and dairy cattle) to mitigate NO₃⁻ leaching and improve sustainable production.