The Efficiency of Stabilized Fertilizers in Reducing Ammonia Loss Is Influenced by Liming Method

Abstract

ABSTRACT Urea is the most used nitrogen (N) fertilizer worldwide, but its rapid hydrolysis on the soil surface results in N loss in the form of ammonia (NH3-N). Enzyme inhibitors have been investigated for their ability to reduce NH3-N volatilization, particularly from no-till and surface-limed soils. This study assessed the efficiency of stabilized fertilizers in reducing NH3-N volatilization under different lime rates and application methods. The experiment followed a 2 × 4 × 3 factorial design, with two liming methods (surface application and incorporation), four base saturation levels (50, 60, 70, and 90%), and three urea (45% N) sources: conventional urea, urea + N-(n-butyl)-Thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT), and urea + Boron (B) + Copper (Cu). NH3-N volatilization losses varied from 9.15 to 20.43 kg ha−1, accounting for 11.4 to 25.5% of the applied N rate. Base saturation did not influence NH3-N volatilization. Liming method, however, had a significant effect. Urea + B + Cu was effective in reducing volatilization loss only in soils ameliorated by lime incorporation (23% reduction compared with conventional urea). Urea + NBPT was effective in surface-limed and incorporated soils (up to 55.5% reduction). The results showed that soil management influences the efficiency of stabilized fertilizers and that urea + NBPT provides the best results.