Applied Model for Estimating Potential Ammonia Loss from Surface-Applied Urea

Abstract

Ammonia loss from urea fertilizer is a major concern to farmers all over the world. Various environmental factors such as temperature, soil water content, wind speed, pH, rainfall, relative humidity, cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil organic matter, and others influence ammonia volatilization loss. The objective of this work was to establish a model for estimating ammonia loss utilizing published data. Also, using current day inputs (temperature, wind speed, and known soil pH) estimates could relate risk to producers considering surface applications of urea fertilizer without incorporation. Linear models for soil pH and ammonia loss, ambient temperature and ammonia loss, and wind speed and ammonia loss were determined based on more than 40 published articles. Final estimates of ammonia loss from surface applications of urea employed an additive effects model using inputs for pH, temperature, and wind speed. Web access to this model can be located at www.nue.okstate.edu/ammonia_loss.htm.