Abstract
The distribution of ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen in the soils of field trials was followed in two growing seasons. In these trials ammonium nitrate limestone and calcium nitrate were, at several rates, applied as surface dressing. It was found that not only the ammonium nitrogen but also the nitrate nitrogen applied to the surface of loam, silt, silt clay, and fine sand clay soils tended to remain in the top inch for a considerable period in the absence of heavy rainfalls or a longer wet period. The plants appeared rapidly to deplete the layers downwards from 1 inch, but even after six and eight weeks from the application of the fertilizers the ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen contents of the surface inch could be markedly higher in the treated plots than in the untreated ones. In the non-cropped soil, eight weeks after the application of the fertilizers, the mineral nitrogen content of the top inch corresponded to about 60 % of the nitrogen applied. On the basis of these results the working in or placement of nitrogen fertilizers seems to be profitable. Fixation of ammonium nitrogen in unexchangeable forms was observed in some of the trials. This, however, did not significantly impair the value of ammonium nitrate limestone as a nitrogen source in these trials.
Highlights
The results reported in the present paper indicate that ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen applied as a surface dressing may for a considerable period remain in the surface inch, provided no heavy rainfalls or longer periods of moderate rain occur soon after the application of the fertilizers
The distribution of ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen in the soils of field trials was followed in two growing seasons
It was found that the ammonium nitrogen and the nitrate nitrogen applied to the surface of loam, silt, silt clay, and fine sand clay soils tended to remain in the top inch for a considerable period in the absence of heavy rainfalls or a longer wet period
Summary
Soluble nitrogen fertilizers are usually applied as a surface dressing. The nitrate ion is assumed to be very movable in the soil. Found that nitrate was not removed from the surface layer of a heavy soil by summer rainfalls sufficient to be detectable in drainage. Gasser (2) showed that leaching of nitrate in a light soil was effective only in prolonged wet periods. Some observations in Finland indicate that in dry summers a large part of the nitrate nitrogen applied as a surface dressing may remain in the top inch (6). The distribution of ammonium and nitrate nitrogen was followed through two growing periods. The distribution of fertilizer nitrogen in a non-cropped soil was studied
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
