Effect of prilled urea and modified urea materials on yield and quality of geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L. Her.)

Two field experiments were conducted to study the effect of prilled urea, neem cake coated urea, dicyandiamide treated urea and urea supergranules applied to a perennial aromatic herb, geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L. Her'.) grown on a sandy loam soil. Application of nitrogen increased the biomass and essential oil yields. Neem cake coated urea significantly increased the yields over prilled urea. There was no residual effect of N levels and N carriers. The concentration and quality of essential oil were not influenced either by levels or carriers of N.     

Use of nitrification inhibitors to increase fertilizer nitrogen recovery and lint yield in irrigated cotton

This paper describes field experiments designed to evaluate the effectiveness of several nitrification inhibitors to prevent loss of fertilizer nitrogen (N) applied to cotton. The usefulness of nitrapyrin, acetylene (provided by wax-coated calcium carbide), phenylacetylene and 2-ethynylpyridine to prevent denitrification was evaluated by determining the recovery of N applied as¹⁵N labelled urea to a heavy clay soil in 1 m × 0.5 m microplots in north western N.S.W., Australia. In a second experiment, the effect of wax-coated calcium carbide on lint yield of cotton supplied with five N levels was determined on 12.5 m × 8 m plots at the same site.The¹⁵N balance study showed that in the absence of nitrification inhibitors only 57% of the applied N was recovered in the plants and soil at crop maturity. The recovery was increased (p < 0.05) to 70% by addition of phenylacetylene, to 74% by nitrapyrin, to 78% by coated calcium carbide and to 92% by 2-ethynylpyridine.In the larger scale field experiment, addition of the wax-coated calcium carbide significantly slowed the rate of NH ₄ ⁺ oxidation in the grey clay for approximately 8 weeks. Lint yield was increased (p < 0.05) by the addition of the inhibitor at all except the highest level of N addition. The inhibitor helped to conserve the indigenous N as well as the applied N.The research shows that the effectiveness of urea fertilizer for cotton grown on the heavy clay soils of N.S.W. can be markedly improved by using acetylenic compounds as nitrification inhibitors.     

Relative efficiency of prilled urea and urea-supergranules in Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt)

A two-year field study was carried out to compare the efficiency of prilled urea and urea-supergranules in the cultivation of a perennial aromatic grass, citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) in a sandy loam soil. Application of 300kg Nha^–1 year^–1 increased the herb and essential oil yields. Urea-supergranules significantly increased the yields over prilled urea.     

Improvement of the N fertilizer efficiency with dicyandiamide (dcd) in citrus trees

Nitrification inhibitors such a dicyandiamide (DCD) help to reduce leaching losses by retaining applied N in the ammoniacal form. Research objectives were to evaluate dicyandiamide added to ammonium sulphate-nitrate (ASN) as a nitrification inhibitor in cultivated soils (Xeropsamments) and its effect on N uptake by citrus (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck). Under field conditions, fertilization of adult trees with ASN (600 g N tree^–1) either with or without DCD (2% DCD-N) was compared (ASN+DCD and ASN, respectively). The NH ₄ ⁺ -N concentrations in plots fertilized with ASN+DCD were significantly higher than ASN plot in the 0-15 cm layer during 5–105 day period. Nitrification started immediately after N application in both treatments (ASN and ASN+DCD). In all three soil layers analyzed, NO^– ₃-N concentrations were higher in the ASN plots than in the ASN+DCD during the first 20 days. This indicates that nitrification of NH⁺ ₄ from ASN was more rapid in the absence of DCD. On the other hand, fertilization with ASN+DCD kept higher levels of NO^– ₃-N in soils than ASN during the rest of experience period (40–160 days). Addition of DCD to ASN showed a higher N concentration in the spring-flush leaves with respect to the trees fertilized with ASN, during the growth cycle. These results suggest that the use of a nitrification inhibitor permitted a more efficient utilization of fertilizer N by citrus trees. The plants treated with DCD added to ASN showed a higher yield in number of units per tree and a better fruit colour index than those treated with ASN alone.     

Use of large granular urea (LGU) to improve efficiency of broadcast urea in wetland rice cultivation

Laboratory and greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine whether the efficiency of broadcast urea in wetland rice cultivation can be improved by using large granules which penetrate the puddled soil. In laboratory experiments the penetration increased with increasing granule size. Penetration was improved by having only a waterfilm on the soil and by the granules entering the soil with speed.In pot experiments with rice, N concentrations in the floodwater were lower with large granular urea (LGU, 6 to 8 mm diameter) dropped from a height of 2 m or shot with force into the puddled soil than with either prilled urea (PU) or LGU placed on top of the soil (+0cm). N concentrations in the floodwater were reduced even further by placement of LGU at 1 and 4 cm depths (–1 and –4cm, respectively). At all rates of N, the N uptake by grain plus straw increased with decreasing N concentrations in the floodwater. The apparent recovery of N in grain plus straw increased in an experiment on sandy soil from 61 to 85% in the order PU +0cm, LGU +0cm, LGU dropped, LGU –1cm, LGU shot and LGU –4cm. In an experiment on clay soil apparent recovery increased from 47 to 90% in the order PU +0cm, LGU +0cm, LGU dropped, LGU –0cm, LGU shot, LGU –1cm and LGU –4cm. LGU placed at –1 and –4cm resulted in significantly greater N uptake by grain plus straw than the other treatments.The experiments showed that the efficiency of broadcast urea is improved by using large urea granules, at least when conditions are favourable for penetration into the puddled soil.     

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.     

Urease and nitrification inhibitors to reduce emissions of CH4 and N2O in rice production

Strategies used to reduce emissions of N₂O and CH₄ in rice production normally include irrigation management and fertilization. To date, little information has been published on the measures that can simultaneously reduce both emissions. Effects of application of a urease inhibitor, hydroquinone (HQ), and a nitrification inhibitor, dicyandiamide (DCD) together with urea (U) on N₂O and CH₄ emission from rice growing were studied in pot experiments. These fertilization treatments were carried out in the presence and absence of wheat straw, applied to the soil surface. Without wheat straw addition, in all treatments with inhibitor(s) the emission of N₂O and CH₄ was significantly reduced, as compared with the treatment whereby only urea was applied (control). Especially for the U+HQ+DCD treatment, the total emission of N₂O and CH₄ was about 1/3 and 1/2 of that in the control, respectively. In the presence of wheat straw, the total N₂O emission from the U+HQ+DCD treatment was about 1/2 of that from the control. The total CH₄ emission was less influenced. Wheat straw addition, however, induced a substantial increase in emissions of N₂O and CH₄. Hence, simultaneous application of organic materials with a high C/N ratio and N-fertilizer (e.g. urea) is not a suitable method to reduce the N₂O and CH₄ emission. Application of HQ+DCD together with urea seemed to improve the rice growth and to reduce both emissions. The NO₃ ^–-N content of the rice plants and denitrification of (NO₃ ^–+NO₂ ^–)-N might contribute to the N₂O emission from flooded rice fields.     

Use of phenylphosphorodiamidate and N-(n-butyl)thiophosphorictriamide to reduce ammonia loss and increase grain yield following application of urea to flooded rice

Ammonia (NH₃) volatilization is an important mechanism for nitrogen (N) loss from flooded rice fields following the application of urea into the floodwater. One method of reducing losses is to use a urease inhibitor that retards the hydrolysis of urea by soil urease and allows the urea to diffuse deeper into the soil. The two chemicals that have shown most promise in laboratory and greenhouse studies are phenylphosphorodiamidate [PPD] and N-(n-butyl)thiophosphorictriamide [NBPT], but they seldom work effectively in the field. PPD decomposes rapidly when the pH departs from neutrality, and NBPT must be converted to the oxygen analogue [N-(n-butyl)phosphorictriamide, NBPTO] for it to be effective. Our field studies in Thailand showed that NH₃ loss is markedly reduced when PPD is added with the algicide terbutryn. The studies also showed that a mixture of PPD and NBPT was even more effective than either PPD or NBPT alone. It appears that initially PPD inhibited urease activity, and during this time at least part of the NBPT was converted to NBPTO; then as the activity of PPD declined, NBPTO inhibited the hydrolysis of urea. The combined urease inhibitor treatment reduced NH₃ loss from 15 to 3% of the applied N, and increased grain yield from 3.6 to 4.1 t ha^–1.     

Urea–formaldehyde crosslinked starch and guar gum matrices for encapsulation of natural liquid pesticide [Azadirachta Indica A. Juss. (neem) seed oil]: swelling and release kinetics

Polymeric granules were prepared by matrix encapsulation containing 20, 35 and 50% (w/w) of natural liquid pesticide viz., Azadirachta Indica A. Juss. (neem) seed oil (NSO) per dry weight of urea formaldehyde crosslinked starch (UF-St), guar gum (UF-GG) and UF-(St + GG) matrices. Results of swelling and cumulative release kinetics are presented at 35°C for these matrices. The static dissolution experiments have been carried out at 35°C for seven days. The percentage cumulative release kinetic data have been analyzed using an empirical equation to study the release pattern of NSO through the polymeric membranes employed. Transport follows the Super Case II mechanism as tested by an empirical equation. It is found that the release of the active ingredient depends upon the type of the matrix and its swelling ability. The percentage loading of NSO with different matrices and their density exerted an influence on the release data. The FTIR results indicated the absence of chemical interactions between the matrices and the NSO. In the majority of cases, entrapment efficiency was generally more than 95% indicating the efficient encapsulation. Furthermore, the experimental results are discussed in terms of the nature and the combined effect of the individual matrices as well as the percentage loading of NSO. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 2437–2446, 1999     

Recovery of 15N labeled wheat residue and residual effects of N fertilization in a wheat–wheat cropping system under Mediterranean conditions

A field study was conducted in arid-Saharan Morocco to assess the fate of fertilizer N in a wheat (Triticum durum var. Karim)–wheat cropping sequence. Therefore, 85 kg N ha^–1 labeled with 9.764 atom % excess ¹⁵N was applied in a three-split application. The fertilizer N recovery by the wheat in the first year was 33.1%. At harvest, 64.8% of fertilizer N was found in the 0–80 cm profile as residual fertilizer-derived N. 2.1% of the applied N could not be accounted for in the season 1996/1997. The recovery of the residual labeled fertilizer N by the subsequent wheat crop was 6.4% for the treatment without residue incorporation and 7.4% for the treatment with residue incorporation. The possible reason for this low plant recovery was immobilization of the fertilizer N. The total recovery of fertilizer N over the two growing seasons was 82.3% and 86.1% for the treatment without and with residue incorporation, respectively. The not recovered N after the second cropping season was 15.6% and 11.8% for the treatment without and with residue incorporation, respectively. The loss of labeled N by the soil–plant system was not due to leaching but to denitrification and volatilization. In the treatment (N+*R) with labeled residue incorporation, the percentage of N recovery by plant was 16.2, indicating the mineralisation of the residue applied.     

Nitrogen balance and N recovery after 22 years of maize-wheat-cowpea cropping in a long-term experiment

The influence of N, P and K application through inorganic and organic fertilizers on N recovery in crop plants and its balance in the soil-plant (maize-wheat-cowpea fodder) was studied for the first 22 years of a long-term experiment at Punjab Agricultural University farm, Ludhiana, India. The results showed. that N removal and apparent N recovery by both maize and wheat was directly related to the balanced application of N, P and K fertilizers. Averaged over the years, application of N alone (100% N) resulted in a recovery of 17.1% in maize and 31.7% in wheat. The application of P and K along with N almost doubled (32.8% in maize and 64.7% in wheat) the apparent N recovery in the crops. Increase in soil N concentration which was related to the build-up of soil organic carbon (OC) occurred at a very slow rate with the application of N, P and K fertilizers. Addition of farm yard manure (FYM) resulted in highest N removal in crops and build-up of soil N and OC status. Application of recommended N without P and K fertilizers resulted in relatively large amounts (64–71%) of fertilizer N lost from the surface soil as compared to that (41–49%) with N, P and K applied together. Higher rate of fertilizer application (150% NPK) resulted in comparatively greater N loss (58–62%). It was concluded that balanced and judicious use of N, P and K fertilizers coupled with the addition of any deficient element (e.g. Zn) help in minimizing N losses and environmental pollution.     

Use of the nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) does not mitigate N2O emission from bovine urine patches under Oxisol in Northwest Brazil

Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems - Animal production systems are important sources of greenhouse gases (GHGs), especially methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). GHG emissions from urine patches...     

N-SBR单元硝化时间分配比对A2N2系统运行性能的影响

以低C/N实际生活污水为处理对象,重点考察了N-SBR单元硝化时间分配比对A₂N₂系统运行性能的影响。在A²/O-SBR单元厌氧1.5 h,缺氧2 h,好氧0.5 h,A²/O-SBR和N-SBR单元的曝气量分别恒定在100、120 L·h^-1的条件下,将硝化时间分配比分别设定为5：1、4：1、3.5：1、3：1、7：1、8：1进行试验。结果表明,系统在A²/O-SBR单元可实现碳源的高效利用,有机物的去除受硝化时间分配比影响不大;为保证系统良好的硝化和反硝化除磷性能,一次硝化时间必须≥3.5 h;在总曝气时间一定的条件下,适当增加一次硝化时间,更有利于提高系统TN去除率;适当增加二次硝化时间,可以降低出水浓度,使出水达标排放。当硝化时间分配比为4：1时,系统脱氮除磷效果最好。TN、PO₄^3--P平均出水浓度分别为11.5、0 mg·L^-1,平均去除率分别为75%、100%。     

Effect of urease,nitrification and algal inhibitors on ammonia loss and grain yield of flooded rice in Thailand

This paper reports a study, in a flooded rice field in Thailand, on the effects of two urease inhibitors, cyclohexylphosphorictriamide (CHPT) and N-(n-butyl)phosphorictriamide (NBPTO), the nitrification inhibitor phenylacetylene and an algicide treatment, consisting of alternate additions of copper sulfate and terbutryn at ~3 day intervals, on nitrogen (N) transformations and transfers, and grain yield. The addition of algicide reduced the growth of algae and maintained the pH of the floodwater below that of the control for 11 days. Judging from the ammoniacal N concentrations of the floodwater, phenylacetylene inhibited nitrification. The two urease inhibitors markedly reduced urea hydrolysis and CHPT was more effective than NBPTO. Addition of CHPT maintained the ammoniacal N concentration of the floodwater below 2 g m^–3 for 11 days and reduced ammonia loss by ~90%. All urease inhibitor treatments in combination with algicide and / or nitrification inhibitor significantly (p < 0.05) increased the recovery of applied N by the plant. Addition of NBPTO or CHPT in combination with phenylacetylene and algicide resulted in a 2 or 3 fold increase of applied N in the grain, and significantly (p < 0.05) increased grain yield.     

Effect of a new nitrification inhibitor (wax coated calcium carbide) on transformations and recovery of fertilizer nitrogen by irrigated wheat

The effectiveness of wax coated calcium carbide to provide a slow release of acetylene to inhibit nitrification and denitrification in soil was evaluated in a field experiment with irrigated wheat (cv. Condor) grown on a red brown earth in the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation Region. The effect of the inhibitor treatments on biomass and grain yield was determined in 25 m × 3 m plots, and the effect on recovery, in the plant-soil system, of urea-N applied at sowing was determined in 0.3 m × 0.3 m microplots using a¹⁵N balance technique. The inhibitor limited ammonium oxidation, prevented nitrogen loss by denitrification for 75 days, increased N accumulation by the wheat plants, increased grain N and resulted in a 46% greater recovery of applied nitrogen in the plant-soil system at harvest. However, the inhibitor treatment did not increase grain yield because of waterlogging at the end of tillering and during stem elongation.     

Fate of fertiliser N applied to winter wheat growing on a Vertisol in a Mediterranean environment

A field study using 15N was conducted on a Vertisol in semi-arid Morocco to assess the fate and efficiency of fertiliser N split applied to winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Splitting of fertiliser N is highly crucial in semi-arid regions, considering the increased moisture stress towards the end of the growing season. A N fertilisation rate of 100 kg N ha-1 was split according to two schemes: i) 25% at planting, 50% at tillering and 25% at stem elongation; or ii) 50% at tillering and 50% at stem elongation. The application of 100 kg N ha-1increased the vegetative dry matter production with more than 2000 kg dry matter ha-1 in comparison with the control treatment. Nitrogen fertilisation had no significant effect on the grain yield production. Moreover, the 1000 grain weight decreased from 32 to 26 g due to N fertilisation. Total N uptake was about 50 kg N ha-1 higher for the fertilised plants in comparison with the unfertilised plants, but it was not affected by the splitting pattern of the fertiliser N. Recoveries of 15N-labelled fertiliser by the plant (above-ground plant parts plus roots from the upper 20 cm layer) were low (31% and 24% for the 3-split and 2-split application, respectively). More N in the plant was derived from fertiliser when applied early in the growing season than when applied late in the season. About 13% of the N in the plants was derived from the 50 kg N ha-1 at tillering, while only 5% was derived from the N application (50 kg N ha-1) at stem elongation. At harvest, a high residual of fertiliser-derived N was found in the 0–90 cm profile (62% and 72%, for the 3-split and 2-split application, respectively). Less than 10% of the applied N could not be accounted for, the amount being highest for the application at tillering. This N not accounted for was mainly ascribed to denitrification after an important rainfall event. The application of fertiliser N led to an increase of about 20 kg N ha-1 in soil N uptake by the crop (positive ANI). The results suggested a dominant influence of moisture availability on the fertiliser N uptake by wheat.     

Effects of nitrification inhibitors and time and rate of slurry and fertilizer N application on silage maize yield and losses to the environment

Field experiments with silage maize during eight years on a sandy soil in The Netherlands, showed that dicyandiamide (DCD) addition to autumn-applied cattle slurry retarded nitrification, thus reducing nitrate losses during winter. Spring-applied slurry without DCD, however, was on average associated with even lower losses and higher maize dry matter yields.Economically optimum supplies of mineral N in the upper 0.6 m soil layer in spring (EOSMN), amounted to 130–220 kg ha^–1. Year to year variation of EOSMN could not be attributed to crop demand only. According to balance sheet calculations on control plots, apparent N mineralization between years varied from 0.36 to 0.94 kg ha^–1 d^–1. On average, forty percent of the soil mineral N (SMN) supply in spring, was lost during the growing season. Hence, the amounts of residual soil mineral N (RSMN) were lower than expected. Multiple regression with SMN in spring, N crop uptake and cumulative rainfall as explanatory variables, could account for 79 percent of the variation in RSMN.Postponement of slurry applications to spring and limiting N inputs to economically optimum rates, were insufficient measures to keep the nitrate concentration in groundwater below the EC level for drinking water.     

Effects of controlled-release coated urea (CRCU) on soil microbial biomass N in paddy fields examined by the 15N tracer technique

Experiments were conducted in paddy fields at Shiga and Chiba Prefectures to study the effects of controlled-release coated urea (N-LP100) on soil microbial biomass and N uptake of rice plants by the ¹⁵N-tracer technique, during one cropping season. Three field fertilizer treatments (Zero N: 0 kgN ha^–1, ¹⁵N-LP100: 64 kg N ha^–1 and ¹⁵NH₄Cl: 100 kg N ha^–1) were set-up in the Shiga field experiment. After transplanting in the paddy fields at Shiga and Kashiwa (Chiba), a number of rice hills with standard growth were selected randomly and enclosed by polyacryl-plastic frames designated as microplots. ¹⁵N-LP100 (64 kg N ha^–1) was applied in the Shiga and Kashiwa microplot experiments and the Shiga field experiment as deep-side placement (5 cm away from rice hill and 5 cm soil depth). Total N uptake of rice plants was analyzed in the course of plant growth. In addition, soils from the field fertilizer treatment plots and microplots (divided into 11 blocks) were taken and analyzed for microbial biomass N (B_N) and biomass ¹⁵N (B_15N). The results indicated that; (1) Plant N uptake from basal-applied fertilizers at the end of the study in the Shiga field experiment was 71.9 and 26.0% for ¹⁵N-LP100 and ¹⁵NH₄Cl, respectively. In the Kashiwa microplot experiment, plant N uptake from applied ¹⁵N-LP100 was 51.2% at 67 days after transplanting (DAT) (2) Throughout the cropping season, B_N was the highest, intermediate and the lowest for ¹⁵NH₄Cl, ¹⁵N-LP100 and Zero N field experimental plots in the Shiga experiment, respectively. (3) In the micro-plot experiments, B_N and B_15N were generally higher in the soil block with deep-side application of ¹⁵N-LP100 compared with the other soil blocks. The deep-side placement of ¹⁵N-LP100 ensured a high efficiency of utilization of its N by rice plants. The method of ¹⁵N-LP100-placement also affected the spatial heterogeneity of microbial biomass N in the microplots.     

类石墨相氮化碳的制备及光催化还原CO2 性能研究

分别以尿素、三聚氰胺为前驱体,采用缩聚法制备不同形貌及性能的类石墨相氮化碳(g-C3N4)半导体催化剂,探究不同前驱体对催化剂的形貌及光催化还原CO2活性的影响。采用X射线衍射（XRD）、扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、透射电子显微镜（TEM）、紫外-可见光分光光度计（Uv-vis）、傅氏转换红外线光谱分析（FTIR）、比表面积测试（BET）、荧光光谱（PL）对所得g-C3N4进行各方面性能的探究,从而分析前驱体对所得产物性能的影响。实验结果表明,以尿素为前驱体制备出的g-C3N4在甲醇溶液中光催化还原CO2制备甲酸甲酯的产率 为512.8μmol/gcat•h ,以三聚氰胺为前驱体制备出的g-C3N4光催化产率为257.3 μmol/gcat•h。     

Effect of the new nitrification inhibitor DMPP in comparison to DCD on nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and methane (CH4) oxidation during 3 years of repeated applications in field experiments

In a 3-year field experiment the effect of the new nitrification inhibitor DMPP (3,4-dimethyl pyrazole phosphate, trade name ENTEC) on the release of N₂O and on methane oxidation was examined in comparison to dicyandiamide (DCD). Soil samples were analysed for the concentrations of ammonium, nitrite, nitrate and for the degradation kinetics of DMPP as well as DCD. DMPP decreased the release of N₂O by 41% (1997), 47% (1998) and 53% (1999) (with an average of 49%) while DCD reduced N₂O emissions by 30% (1997), 22% (1998) and 29% (1999) (with an average of 26%), respectively. Both nitrification inhibitors (NI) failed to affect methane oxidation negatively. The plots that received DCD or DMPP, respectively, even seem to function as enhanced sinks for atmospheric methane. DMPP apparently stimulated methane oxidation by ca. 28% in comparison to the control. The concentrations of ammonium remained unaffected by nitrification inhibitors whereas the amounts of nitrite diminished in the plots treated with DCD by 25% and with DMPP by 20%, respectively. Nitrate concentrations in soil were in both NI treatments 23% lower than in the control. DMPP and DCD did not affect the yields of summer barley, maize and winter wheat significantly. Dicyandiamide was mineralized more rapidly than DMPP (data for the cropping season in 1997 as an example). This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.