Equipment to Mix Chemical Additives with Anhydrous Ammonia during Application to Soil1

Abstract

AbstractEtridiazole (5‐ethoxy‐3‐trichloromethyl‐1,2‐4‐triadozole) effectively reduces leaching and denitrification losses of ammoniacal N by inhibiting nitrification; however, it is not soluble or stable in anhydrous ammonia (NH3). Many other potentially beneficial agricultural chemicals are not soluble in or compatible with NH3. To overcome the need for a separate application of some nitrification inhibitors, trace elements, and plant growth regulators, a simple device was constructed to facilitate the simultaneous application of low volume solutions with NH3. This device consists of an adjustable positive displacement pump operated off the tractor electrical system and a black iron injection pipe positioned between the N flow regulator and distributor (NH3 manifold). The additive is carried from its reservoir to the pump and from the pump to the injection pipe in Tygon or plastic NH3 discharge hose. In this arrangement, potentially corrosive additives bypass expensive valves and flow devices, and are mixed in the NH3 stream just prior to injection into soil. Advantages include direct placement of the chemical additive with NH3, reliability, adaptability to most existing field equipment, simple design, and ability to partially treat a field. This equipment was tested by adding nitrapyrin [2‐chloro‐6‐(trichloromethyl)pyridine] and etridiazole (nitrification inhibitors) to the NH3 stream and measuring the total recovery of materials and their distribution between several applcator knives. Recovery of the inhibitors was 96 to 100% with distribution between knives on the applicator ± 7.7%. Simultaneous application of these nitrification inhibitors with NH3 applied to field soil cropped to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) demonstrated the effectiveness of the equipment in adding the nitrification inhibitors to NH3.