Predicting the effect of soil-water-air dynamics on ammonia volatilization from applied urea with a mechanistic model

To assess the influence of varying soil water and soil air contents on ammonia volatilization from surface applied urea, a mechanistic model is used to simulate the system. The results are discussed in terms of the effects of soil-water-air dynamics on the movement of urea, ammoniacal-nitrogen and soil base, and on the rate of urea hydrolysis, and their influence on ammonia volatilization. Changing the soil moisture between 90% and 125% of field capacity did not have a marked influence on ammonia volatilization. The predicted losses were at their minimum with a moisture content slightly above field capacity, and increased sharply as the soil moisture fell below 90% of the field capacity. Ammonia volatilization losses measured by experiment at differentf values agreed very well with those predicted by the model. The relative contribution of the liquid pathway over the gaseous pathway of movement of NH₃ through soil increased with increase inf, and, at a givenf, decreased with increase in the pH.     

Crop response to sulfur-coated urea (SCU) and other N-carriers in sandy soils of Saudi Arabia

Nitrogen losses due to leaching, volatilization and denitrification result in low fertilizer efficiency. Slow-release N fertilizers are proposed to minimize these losses, and sulfur-coated urea (SCU) has been examined. A greenhouse study was conducted using two coarse textured: loamy sand and sandy loam soils from Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia to compare sulfur-coated urea (SCU) with urea, ammonium nitrate (AN) and ammonium sulfate (AS) and to determine the effectiveness of single appliction of SCU over split application of soluble N sources. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) were grown as indicator crops. Dry matter yields showed a significant increase with SCU fertilizers over other sources applied single or split, particularly in loamy sand soil. SCU-22 resulted in a consistent increase of dry matter yield and N-uptake compared to SCU-30 and SCU-40. The potential benefit of using SCU in coarse textured soils appers to be promising for increasing N fertilizer efficiency. Producing these slow release N fertilizers seems feasible if a coating step is added to the manufacturing process of urea produced from some fertilizer plants in Saudi Arabia.Contribution from the Regional Agriculture and Water Research Center (RAWRC), Ministry of Agriculture and Water, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Presented in Div. S-8, Am. Soc. Agron. Meeting, Atlanta, GA, November 1981.     

Nitrogen leaching and uptake from calcium cyanamide in comparison to urea and calcium ammonium nitrate in an ultisol from the humid tropics

Leaching loss of N applied as calcium cyanamide (CaCN₂ — 19% N), urea and calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN — 26% N) to a coarse textured, kaolinitic ultisol profile was studied in the laboratory using undisturbed soil columns. The soil columns were leached with an amount of water equivalent to the annual rainfall of the sampling site (2420mm) using a rainfall simulator over a period of 42 days. The leachability of the three N fertilizers differed greatly and followed the order of CAN > urea > CaCN₂. Most of the N lost through leaching was in NO₃ form. Calcium cyanamide lost only 3% of applied N. Breakdown of CaCN₂ to NH₄ was incomplete (64%) and nitrification in the soil was inhibited resulting in negligible leaching loss. Nitrogen retained in the soil columns after the leaching cycle was mainly in ammoniacal form irrespective of source of N used.Effectiveness of CaCN₂ as a N source was also studied in a greenhouse experiment with maize (Zea mays) and upland rice (Oryza sativa) as testing crops. Calcium cyanamide applied one week before sowing of crops was as effective as CAN and urea under conditions of no N leaching. When applied at the time of planting and two or more weeks before planting gave lower dry matter yields and N uptake than CAN and urea.IITA Journal Paper no. 351     

Nitrogen-15 balances and nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency in upland rice

Field experiments were conducted in the 1984 and 1985 wet seasons to determine the effect of N fertilizer application method on¹⁵N balances and yield for upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) on an Udic Arguistoll in the Philippines. The test cultivars were IR43 and UPLRi-5 in 1984 and IR43 in 1985. Unrecovered¹⁵N in¹⁵N balances for 70 kg applied urea-N ha^–1, which represented N fertilizer losses as gases and movement below 0.5 m soil depth, ranged from 11–58% of the applied N. It was lowest (11–13%) for urea split applied at 30 days after seeding (DS) and at panicle initiation (PI), and highest (27–58%) for treatments receiving basal urea in the seed furrows. In all treatments with basal-applied urea, most N losses occurred before 50 DS.Heavy rainfall in 1985 before rice emergence resulted in large losses of native soil N and fertilizer N by leaching and possibly by denitrification. During the week of seeding, when rainfall was 492 mm, 91 kg nitrate-N ha^–1 disappeared from the 0.3-m soil layer in unfertilized plots. Although rainfall following the basal N application was less in 1984 than in 1985, the losses from basal applied urea-N were comparable in the two years. Daily rainfall of 20–25 mm on 3 of the 6 days following basal N application in 1984 may have created a moist soil environment favorable for ammonia volatilization.In both years, highest grain yield was obtained for urea split-applied at 30 DS and at PI. Delayed rather than basal application of N reduced losses of fertilizer N and minimized uptake of fertilizer N by weeds.     

Sulfur/sodium bentonite prills as sulfur fertilizers. 2. Effect of sulfur-sodium bentonite ratios on the availability of sulfur to pasture plants in the field

Sulfur/sodium bentonite prills containing 5–40% of sodium bentonite were evaluated in a field experiment to determine the effects of the bentonite contents on their ability to supply sulfur to pasture plants. Comparative rates of oxidation of the elemental sulfur in the fertilizers to sulfate were deduced from plant sulfate contents and phosphate-extractable sulfate in soil (0–75 mm depth) over a period of 15 months. In grass-dominant pastures plant sulfate appeared to be more sensitive than soil sulfate to differences between S fertilizers.Increasing the proportion of bentonite in the prills from 5% to 40% increased the rate at which sulfur became available for plant uptake. At least 10% bentonite content was necessary to allow a satisfactory rate of supply to plants in the first year after application. Plant sulfate concentrations were increased by the S°/bentonite treatments for the whole of the experimental period of 467 days. In contrast gypsum only increased plant sulfate levels for about 118 days. Prills containing 40% bentonite also maintained sulfate concentrations longer than did finely divided elemental S. However oxidation of S from S°/bentonite prills lagged behind elemental S powder of similar fineness due to the delay for prill disintegration and less uniform distribution of S.In a cool-temperate climate with sufficient rainfall for significant leaching of sulfate, the optimum bentonite content of S°/sodium bentonite prills as fertilizer for pasture was about 15%. 20% sodium bentonite may be more appropriate in dry cool-temperate environments, whereas in warm moist temperate environments prills containing 10% sodium bentonite may be satisfactory.     

Nitrification and nitrate movement from ammonium sulphate and urea in sandy soils as affected by their previous applications

Two successive applications of urea and ammonium sulphate (AS) at varying intervals were given in two soils, one of which was salt affected. The nitrification and nitrate leaching after both the applications of fertilizers was studied. The nitrification of first application of AS was faster than urea on both soils. However, the nitrification rate of both fertilizers was slow in salt effected soil. The same trend of results was observed with second application of fertilizers. However, the nitrification of second application given within 6 weeks of the first application proceeded at a much faster rate than that of the first application. The amount of NO ₃ ^- that moved down with periodic water application was related with nitrification rate and the amount of fertilizer nitrified at the time of water application.     

Effect of the nitrification inhibitors 1-amidino-2-thiourea and dicyandiamide in combination with urea and ammonium sulfate

The efficiency of the nitrification inhibitors dicyandiamide (DCD) and 1-amidino-2-thiourea (or guanylthiourea = GTU) in reducing losses from N fertilizers was investigated in two greenhouse experiments where leaching of nitrate-N was induced by percolation at 3 and 5 weeks after fertilization.At an application rate of 10% by weight of fertilizer-N (e.g. 10 kg GTU/ha), GTU in combination with ammonium sulfate (AS) had effects similar to those of DCD (e.g. 15 kg DCD/ha) with regard to nitrate leaching, plant yields and nitrogen uptake. However, in combination with urea (U), GTU was more effective than DCD when applied at the same ratio except with a humic sandy clay soil (pH 7.3, 4.4% organic C), where GTU did not perform as effectively. Nitrate leaching was reduced by as much as 50% using U/GTU instead of U/DCD, and plant yield increased by 30%.At temperatures between 17 and 25°C, the combination U/GTU could protect a high percentage of the nitrogen from being nitrified and leached over a 3 to 5 weeks period. The superiority of GTU over DCD was demonstrated especially in the treatments with 5 weeks of preincubation, despite the considerably lower application rate.     

Slow-release urea fertilizers — effect on floodwater chemistry,ammonia volatilization and rice growth in an alkali soil

In experiments with transplanted rice (Oryza sativa L.) at the Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, India, two methods of application of granular urea, wholly as basal dose U(W) or in splits U(S) were compared with deep, point placement (8 cm) of urea supergranules and broadcast application of two slow-release sources, sulphur-coated urea (SCU) and lac-coated urea (LCU). Comparisons were made in wet season 1984 and 1985 on the basis of ammoniacal N concentration and pH of floodwater, ammonia volatilization, rice yield and N uptake.In 1984 the highest peak concentrations of ammoniacal N (AN) in the floodwater, > 12g m^–3, and ammonia volatilization losses 54% of applied N were produced in U(W). Application of N in splits U(S) reduced peak AN levels 5g m^–3 and losses to 45.1%. LCU was ineffective in reducing peak AN levels ( 7.5g m^–3) or losses (43.6%). However SCU and USG were effective in reducing peak AN levels to < 2g m^–3 and N losses to 16.9 and 3.4% respectively. Total ammonia volatilization losses as well as the initial rate of loss correlated very well with the peak levels (second day) of AN, NH₃ (aq.) as well as equilibrium vapour pressure of NH₃. Floodwater pH was between 9.5 and 10.0.Split application of granular urea was generally more efficient in terms of yield and N recovery (41.4%, average of two years) as compared to whole application (29.5%). LCU was ineffective in improving grain yields or N recovery (30.9%). SCU was ineffective in improving grain yields but improved N recovery to 57.9%., USG increased grain yields only in first year by 19% over U(S) and improved N uptake to 60.5%. A negative linear relationship was established between N uptake by rice at harvest and AN levels in floodwater two days after fertilization which can be used as an index to evaluate fertilizers.     

1. The chemistry and biology of flooded soils in relation to the nitrogen economy in rice fields

Response of lowland rice to sources and methods of nitrogen fertilizer application were summarized for more than 100 experiments. In about 2/3 of the experiments, the yield increase per kg of fertilizer N was judged to be relatively poor with best split applications of urea. Based on frequency distribution, sulfur coated urea and urea briquets or urea supergranules deep placed more often produced satisfactory yield increases than best split urea, but even with these sources/methods the yield increases were judged to be relatively poor in about 1/2 of the experiments. There is an enormous potential to increase rice production with no further increases in inputs of fertilizer N if we could learn to match the best method/source of fertilizer with the soil-crop management complex.About 60% of the yields with no fertilizer N were in the range of 2 to 4 t/ha. Based on the average yield response to urea, this is equivalent to about 100 kg of urea N. It would appear worthwhile to study ways to improve utilization of soil nitrogen since it is already in place on the land and apparently in fairly abundant amounts in many soils.About 50 experiments with¹⁵N fertilizers were summarized. In almost all cases, the uptake of tagged fertilizer was less than the net increase in N in the above ground matter. In about 2/3 of the experiments, the addition of fertilizer N increased soil N uptake more than 20% and in 1/3 of the experiments the uptake of soil N was increased more than 40%. These results lead to much uncertainty about practical interpretation and use of¹⁵N data.     

The effects of different manufacturing techniques on the availability of sulfate to pasture from mixtures of elemental sulfur with either triple superphosphate or partially acidulated reactive phosphate rock

Six different preparations of elemental sulfur incorporated into triple superphosphate and a single mixture of elemental sulfur with partially acidulated reactive phosphate rock were evaluated for the rate of release of sulfatesulfur to pasture at two sites.The method of preparing the mixtures affected the size of sulfur particles released on dispersion of fertilizer granules. The rates of release of sulfate from oxidation of the elemental sulfur was controlled by the fineness of the particles of elemental sulfur. For rapid release of sulfate by oxidation a mixture prepared by sintering elemental sulfur with mature triple superphosphate was the most effective. It contained sulfur particles of diameter less than 75 m. The mixtures which comprised synthetic blends of elemental sulfur of particle size less than 150 m or 150–250 m, each with mature triple superphosphate, released sulfate at a progressively slower rate than that with particles less than 75 m. However, both proved effective sulfur fertilizers releasing sulfate over a 1–2 year period. In contrast, mixtures prepared by adding molten elemental sulfur during the process of manufacturing triple superphosphate resulted in a coarser distribution of sulfur particles and a slow release of sulfate to plants.The incorporation of sulfur into a mixture with partially acidulated reactive phosphate rock was made via the dispersion of molten sulfur into phosphoric acid which was then used to partially acidulate phosphate rock. The resultant sulfur particles ranged from finely divided (e.g. 38% < 150 m) to moderately fine (81% < 500 m), and the release of sulfate was predictable based on the particle size distribution.Differences between the two experimental sites in uptake of plant sulphate reflected the different pastures grown. At the cool temperate coastal site a ryegrass/clover pasture rapidly took up sulfate as it was released into the topsoil. Inland, in the summer-dry environment, the uptake of released sulfate by the deep-rooted lucerne pasture was delayed for 12–18 months, indicating that the sulfate uptake increased after the nutrient had leached beyond the surface soil layer.     

Fertilizer requirements for specified yield targets. II. Field verification of mathematical models for the estimation of soil and fertilizer nutrient efficiencies

Sugarcane response data from field experiments conducted between May 1979 and August 1981 on a sandy clay loam soil (Udic Haplustalf) of Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu State, India were used in the present investigation. Soil () and fertilizer () nutrient efficiencies for the amount of fertilizer required for specified cane yield targets were computed from this data by three procedures, viz., conventional deduction procedure, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Model I [TNAU Model I] and Model II [TNAU Model II].In the case of nitrogen, both TNAU Model I and TNAU Model II gave more realistic estimates of and than those determined by the conventional deduction procedure. The differences in the predicted amounts of fertilizer nitrogen required between these two models were well within the permissible limits of variation indicating that both these approaches can be followed for the amount of nitrogen required for specified yield targets.The Olsen's procedure for available phosphorus estimation was inadequate to explain the relationship between soil available phosphorus and sugarcane response as indicated by results obtained using the TNAU Model II. The incorporation of the term in this model caters for the actual situation in the field in respect of the relationship between soil and fertilizer phosphorus availabilities and phosphorus uptake by sugarcane proving usefulness of this model for assessing the amount of phosphorus required for specified cane yield targets.The results indicated that a considerable amount of potassium from the soil reserve was released into the soil available pool due to a priming effect. This fraction was preferentially absorbed by sugarcane compared to the fractions extracted by 0.1 N HNO₃ as indicated by results obtained using the TNAU Model II. In this case too, the actual situation regarding the relationship between soil and fertilizer potassium availabilities and potassium uptake by sugarcane is catered for by this model proving its superiority over the other two procedures for assessing the amount of potassium required for specified yield targets.     

Modifying sandy soils with the fine residue from bauxite refining to retain phosphorus and increase plant yield

Production of alumina from bauxite in Western Australia results in large quantities of processing residue. The fine portion of the residue (red mud) has a high phosphorus (P) absorption capacity compared with the native sandy soils of the coastal plain. When neutralised with gypsum or acidic materials, the residue can be incorporated into, or spread on, the surface of sandy soils for horticulture using simple agricultural equipment. Neutralisation with gypsum is unnecessary for application to pasture at less than 100 t ha^–1. Field and laboratory experiments show that 10-80 t ha^–1 of bauxite residue, spread evenly over the surface of the soil, significantly reduced P leaching from coastal plain sands fertilized with superphosphate. Rates of 500 t ha^–1, or more, significantly increased the yield of pastures on well drained sandy soils, primarily due to the increased water holding capacity of the amended soils, while rates of 10-80 t ha^–1 significantly increased the yield of pastures primarily due to increased pH.Analysis of leachate from bauxite residue indicates that it is unlikely to cause adverse environmental impacts as a result of agricultural-scale amendment of sandy soils. Amendment with bauxite residue offers potential as a practical component of an integrated strategy to reduce P losses from sandy soils. Economic and logistic considerations indicate soil amendment may be most applicable to intensive land uses such as horticulture and for land treatment of wastewaters from animal industries and urban areas. However, economical methods are being developed to spread low rates of bauxite residue on land used for more extensive agriculture.     

Efficiency of urea and ammonium sulfate for wetland rice grown on an acid sulfate soil as affected by rate and time of application

A pot experiment was conducted in a greenhouse to assess the effect of rate and time of N application on yield and N uptake of wetland rice grown on a Rangsit acid sulfate soil (Sulfic Tropaquepts). Response of rice at N rates of 800, 1600 and 2400 mg N/pot (5 kg of soil) was compared between urea and ammonium sulfate when applied at two times: (i) full-rate basal at transplanting and (ii) one half at transplanting and one half at the PI stage. In addition, labelled¹⁵N sources were applied either at transplanting or at the PI stage to determine the nitrogen balance sheet in the soil/plant system.No significant difference in grain and straw yields between urea and ammonium sulfate at low rate was observed. At the higher N rates, urea produced higher yields than did ammonium sulfate regardless of timing. The highest yields were obtained when urea at the high N rate was applied either in a single dose or a split dose while lowest yields were observed particularly when ammonium sulfate at the same rate was applied. Split application of N fertilizer was shown to be no better than a single basal application. The occurrence of nutritional disorder, a symptom likely reflected by high concentration of Fe (II) in combination with soluble Al, was induced with high rate of ammonium sulfate.In terms of fertilizer N recovery by using¹⁵N-labelling, ammonium sulfate was more efficient than urea when both were applied at transplanting. In contrast, application at the PI stage resulted in higher utilization of urea than of ammonium sulfate. The recovery of labelled N in the soil was higher with urea than with ammonium sulfate when the two sources were applied at transplanting, while the opposite result was obtained when the same fertilizers were applied at the PI stage. The losses from urea and ammonium sulfate were not different when these fertilizers were applied at transplanting but loss from urea was higher than that from ammonium sulfate when both were applied at the PI stage.     

NPK-fertilizer efficiency — a situation analysis for the tropics

This paper examines the efficiency of applied N, P, and K fertilizers under tropical conditions. To meet their food demands, tropical countries are importing large quantities of fertilizers at an enormous cost. There is a need for improving crop yields at a reduced cost and a better understanding of the factors that contribute to the overall efficiency of applied fertilizers. It is estimated that under tropical condition, the efficiency of applied N is less than 50%, less than 10% for P and for K it is somewhere around 40%. Losses of N are mainly due to leaching, runoff and volatile losses of ammonia. Under flooding and in alternate wetting and drying conditions of rice lands and low lands, dentrification and volatile ammonia losses are considerable. The N losses from these soil could be minimized by proper management such as rate, methods and time of application. The coating of urea with S has shown some improvement in increasing efficiency. Nitrification and urea hydrolysis inhibitors can improve fertilizer efficiency in certain situations provided they are properly used. The efficiencies of these inhibitors depend on the nature of the chemical compounds, soil properties, and method of application. Low efficiency of applied P fertilizer is mainly due to retention of P by soil clay fractions and iron and aluminum hydroxides. Even though retained P is not available to the first crop, it is made available to a certain extent to the succeeding crops. The rate and methods of P applications and forms of P determine the efficiency of applied P fertilizers. The use of native rock phosphate along with P fertilizers on acid soils appears to be an attractive alternative in reducing the fertilizer cost. The loss of K in tropical soils is largely attributed to leaching and runoff. To reduce K loss by leaching, it is more advisible to apply K in split doses than a single dose. Liming has a beneficial effect in retention of K and reducing P fixation in acid soils.Senior author formerly was a Research Advisor to EMBRAPA/IICA/World Bank program at National Corn and Sorghum Research Center, Sete Lagos, MG, Brazil.     

Nitrogen leaching and plant uptake from controlled-release fertilizers

Controlled-release N fertilizers are commonly used in the production of container-grown ornamental crops, yet the relative effects of various nutrient sources on N leaching are not well known. A 27-week experiment was conducted to evaluate N leaching loss and plant growth following two applications of six controlled-release N fertilizers and one soluble N fertilizer to container-grownEuonymus patens Rehd. The controlled-release fertilizers evaluated were (noncoated) isobutylidene diurea, oxamide, urea formaldehyde, and (coated) Osmocote, Prokote Plus, and sulfur-coated urea. Of the fertilizers tested, the coated fertilizers generally out-performed the noncoated fertilizers in reducing N leaching losses, stimulating plant growth, and increasing tissue N concentrations. Low N concentrations in the leachate of some treatments indicated efficient nutrient use by the plant. In other treatments, low N concentrations in the leachate merely reflected incomplete N release from the fertilizer. A daily application of NH₄NO₃ resulted in a constant rate of N loss but was not the most effective in promoting growth. Plant growth, tissue N concentrations, and N leaching losses were all increased by doubling the fertilizer application rate from 1 kg N m^–3 to 2 kg N m^–3.     

Effect of lime nitrogen on the efficiency of urea and other ammonium nitrogen fertilizers

Five pot experiments were conducted with wheat and rice in a net house to study the effect of lime nitrogen (LN, contains about 55% calcium cyanamide) amendment rates on the efficiency of urea, the recovery urea-¹⁵N, the efficiency of the three nitrogen fertilizers(NF), on the efficiency of urea in the three soils, and on NO ₃ ^- -N leaching from a flooded soil. A rate of LN-N of 5–8% of applied fertilizer N increased the recovery of labeled urea-N by 9.42%. The effect of LN on the efficiency of NF was urea > ammonium sulfate > ammonium chloride. Under flooded conditions, LN decreased NO ₃ ^- formation and leaching.Responses of several crops to LN amended fertilizers were also studied in field experiments. At equal NPK applications, the efficiency of basal applications to rice, wheat, corn, potatoes, soybean, peanut, grapes, peaches, melon and watermelon were bette r with LN than without. Efficiency with a basal fertilizer for rice or wheat with LN were the same as with the same fertilizer without LN applied in split applications.     

The role of soil pH in the dissolution of phosphate rock fertilizers

The influence of soil pH on the dissolution of phosphate rock fertilizers was investigated in laboratory experiments with reactive North Carolina phosphate rock (PR) in a lateritic soil adjusted to several pH values. Increased soil pH resulted in decreased dissolution as estimated by the increase in exchangeable calcium (Ca) method. The extent of PR dissolution was related to soil pH by an equation of the form Log Ca = a–b pH, and it increased with contact period and rate of PR application. Increased plant available P, as estimated by NaHCO₃ soluble-P (BicP) was about one third of the P dissolved from PR. BicP was related to soil pH by an equation of the form Log Bic P = c–d pH. Dissolution of PR in soil can be considered as a simple chemical reaction between apatite and hydrogen ions supplied by soil constituents.     

Nitrogen-15 and sulfur-35 balances for fertilizers applied to transplanted rainfed lowland rice

A field experiment was conducted on a poorly-drained Aeric Paleaquult in northeastern Thailand to determine the effect of N and S fertilizers on yield of rainfed lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.) and to determine the fate of applied¹⁵N- and³⁵S-labeled fertilizers. Rice yield and N uptake increased with applied N but not with applied S in either sulfate or elemental S (ES) form. Rice yield was statistically greater for deep placement of urea as urea supergranules (USG) than for all other N fertilizer treatments that included prilled urea (PU), urea amended with a urease inhibitor (phenyl phosphorodiamidate), and ammonium phosphate sulfate (16% N, 8.6% P).The applied¹⁵N-labeled urea (37 kg N ha^–1) not recovered in the soil/plant system at crop maturity was 85% for basal incorporation, 53% for broadcast at 12 days after transplanting (DT), 27% for broadcast at 5–7 days before panicle initiation (DBPI), and 49% for broadcast at panicle initiation (PI). The basal incorporated S (30 kg ha^–1) not recovered in the soil/plant system at crop maturity was 37% for sulfate applied as single superphosphate (SSP) and 34% for ES applied as granulated triple superphosphate fortified with S (S/GTSP). Some basal incorporated¹⁵N and³⁵S and some broadcast¹⁵N at PI was lost by runoff. Heavy rainfall at 3–4 days after basal N incorporation and at 1 day after PI resulted in water flow from rice fields at higher elevation and total inundation of the 0.15-m-high¹⁵N and³⁵S microplot borders. Unrecovered¹⁵N was only 14% for 75 kg urea-N ha^–1 deep placed as USG at transplanting. This low N loss from USG indicated that leaching was not a major N loss mechanism and that deep placement was relatively effective in preventing runoff loss.In order to assess the susceptibility of fertilizer-S to runoff loss, a subsequent field experiment was conducted to monitor³⁵S activity in floodwater for 42 days after basal incorporation of SSP and S/GTSP. Maximum³⁵S recoveries in the floodwater were 19% for SSP after 7 days and 7% for S/GTSP after 1 day. Recovery of³⁵S in floodwater after 14 days was 12% for SSP and 3% for S/GTSP.This research suggests that on poorly drained soils with a low sorption capacity, a sizeable fraction of the fertilizer S and N remains in the floodwater following application. Runoff could then be an important mechanism of nutrient loss in areas with high probability for inundation following intense rainfall.     

Nitrogen availability of soluble and slow release nitrogen fertilizers as assessed by electroultrafiltration

The efficiency of different nitrogenous fertilizers under forced leaching conditions was determined in pot experiments using ryegrass as an indicator plant in a sandy loam soil. Treatments were: ON (unfertilized), AN (ammonium nitrate), U (urea), DAP (diammonium phosphate), T (Triabon), FK (Floranid Komplett) and CDU (crotonylidendiurea).N source effects on N uptake, and N leached (as % of N applied) were evaluated. Results show that the fertilizers which behaved best with regard to N uptake were FK followed by Triabon and AN. The most soluble fertilizers, AN and urea, gave the highest N leaching losses.Significant correlations between EUF-NI (rapidly soluble fraction) and leaching, as well as between EUF-N (I + II) and N uptake by the plant (where EUF-N II relates to the slowly soluble fraction) were obtained.     

Ammonia volatilization from nitrogen fertilizers applied to cereals in two cropping areas of southern Australia

As farmers in southern Australia typically apply nitrogen (N) to cereal crops by top-dressing with ammonia (NH₃) based fertilizer in late winter or early spring there is the potential for large losses of NH₃. This paper describes the results of micrometeorological measurements to determine NH₃ loss and emission factors following applications of urea, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN), and ammonium sulfate (AS) at different rates to cereal crops at two locations in southern Australia. The amounts of NH₃ lost are required for farm economics and management, whilst emission factors are needed for inventory purposes. Ammonia loss varied with fertilizer type (urea?>?UAN?>?AS) and location, and ranged from 1.8 to 23?% of N applied. This compares with the emission factor of 10?% of applied N advocated by IPCC ( 2007). The variation with location seemed to be due to a combination of factors including soil texture, soil moisture content when fertilizer was applied and rainfall after fertilizer application. Two experiments at one location, 1?week apart, demonstrated how small, temporal differences in weather conditions and initial soil water content affected the magnitude of NH₃ loss. The results of these experiments underline the difficulties farmers face in timing fertilization as the potential for loss, depending on rainfall, can be large.