Ammonium Nitrate Ratio Research Articles

Optimized ammonium-nitrate ratios in constructed wetlands for simultaneously efficient nitrogen removal and greenhouse gas reduction

Constructed wetlands (CWs) are increasingly employed for treating secondary tailwater treatment from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), addressing the challenges of nitrogen removal and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction. This study explores the potential for enhancing nitrogen removal while reducing GHG emissions in vertical flow CWs by optimizing the influent ammonium-nitrate ratio in real tailwater scenarios. Six different influent ammonium-nitrate ratios (0:15, 1:20, 1:10, 1:5, 1:2, 1:1) were investigated and the results indicate that an ammonium-nitrate ratio of 1:5 achieves the highest total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency of 77.50 ± 2.40 %, with the effluent concentrations below 4 mg/L. Conversely, a ratio of 1:10 minimized N2O emissions (0.027 mg/(m2⋅h)), representing just 0.054 ‰ of influent TN. Additionally, it was observed that increasing the ammonium-nitrate ratio influences microbial selectivity within the system. Moreover, a life cycle assessment further indicates that a 1:5 ratio poses the lowest potential environmental impact. These insights guide the design optimization of CWs for enhanced nitrogen removal and GHG mitigation, providing valuable strategies for tailwater management from WWTPs.

Detonability of Ammonium Nitrate Mixtures with the Addition of Organic Materials

As an oxygen carrier and a strong oxidising agent, ammonium nitrate can create an explosive mixture when mixed with organic material. A typical example is the mixture of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil (ANFO), which is the most used explosive for civilian applications. In this work, we studied the detonability and detonation properties of mixtures of ammonium nitrate with recycled rubber and hay. The main goal of this study was to determine the optimal volume ratio of ammonium nitrate and organic materials in terms of achieving the best performance (working capacity). Using small experiments, it was determined that the maximum burst velocity for the ammonium nitrate/hay mixture is achieved at 8% hay by volume, while the maximum burst velocity for the ammonium nitrate/rubber mixture is achieved at 15% rubber by volume. A thermochemical calculation has shown that the maximum detonation heat is achieved at the zero oxygen balance at the volume ratios of 89.2/10.8 for AN/Rubber and 72.85/27.15 for AN/Hay.

The optimal ammonium-nitrate ratio for various crops : A Meta-analysis

Contexts or ProblemNitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient for crop growth, and its different forms have a significant impact on crop uptake and various physiological processes that underpin yield and quality. Although many studies suggesting that a combination of ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-) can enhance crop outcomes, the optimal ammonium-nitrate ratio (ANR) for different crops remains uncertain due to a lack of extensive validation with large datasets. Objective and MethodThis paper collected 151 peer-reviewed studies (with 2417 observations) on the effects of ANR on crop growth published from 1972 to 2022. The comprehensive effects of different ANRs on crop yield and quality (protein, vitamin C, starch etc.) of various crops were evaluated via meta-analysis to provide an optimal N management strategy. ResultsOur analysis identified rice as an ammonium-preferred crop, and the ANR of 75:25 shows the most effective improvement in total biomass and photosynthetic characteristics at seedling age, with a 26.0% increase in the biomass and a 21.9% boost in chlorophyll content compared to pure ammonium treatment. Wheat and tobacco can be considered ammonium-nitrate-balanced crops, and a balanced ANR of 50:50 resulted in significant synergistic improvement in both yield and quality, i.e., wheat biomass and protein increased by 13.3% and 7.1%, respectively, and tobacco yield significantly increased by 21.9%, compared to pure nitrate supply. In contrast, maize, soybeans, and vegetables were identified as nitrate-preferred crops, applying pure ammonium or an excess of ammonium-N over nitrate led to a significant reduction in yield and quality, with the most pronounced inhibitory effect observed in soybeans. However, a slight supplement of ammonium can also promote the growth of these crops. Furthermore, soil pH significantly influences the preference for ammonium and nitrate. In soils with an acidic environment, crops tend to efficiently utilize nitrate, whereas in alkaline conditions, there is a preference for an increased presence of ammonium. ConclusionThe combination of ammonium and nitrate in appropriate ratio can improve multiple agronomic characteristics both for ammonium-preferred and nitrate-preferred crops, which may due to complementary physiological functions of two forms of N. Among various soil factors, soil pH showed significant influence on determining the optimal ANR and should be taken into consideration. Implications or significanceThese findings reveal that the appropriate ANR is crucial for both crop yield and quality improvement and should be fully valued in future nutrient management.

Physiological and Molecular Responses of Camellia oleifera Seedlings to Varied Nitrogen Sources

Camellia oleifera Abel. is a unique woody edible oil tree species in China mainly distributed in red soil areas. Nitrogen is one of the important growth-limiting factors for C. oleifera, and the nitrogen form has a vital impact on the growth and development of the plants. Ammonium and nitrate are the two nitrogen forms that are maximally absorbed and utilized by the plants. Here, we used one-year-old seedlings of the main varieties of C. oleifera (‘Xianglin No. 1’, ‘Xianglin No. 27’, and ‘Xianglin No. 210’) to set up six experimental groups treated with different nitrogen forms ([NO3−:NH4+] 0:0, 10:0, 7:3, 5:5, 3:7, and 0:10) and investigated the effects of nitrogen on the vegetative growth and photosynthetic characteristics of the seedlings. This study showed that mixed nitrogen sources could significantly increase the seedling height, ground diameter, biomass accumulation, and photosynthesis efficiency. Transcriptome sequencing analysis led to the identification of 3561 differentially expressed genes in the leaves. Preliminary screening identified several key enzyme genes from nitrogen nutrient metabolic pathways that were differentially expressed among seedlings grown with different nitrogen forms, and their expression pattern changes were further characterized. All the results demonstrate that the same proportion of ammonium nitrate ratio promoted the expression of genes encoding glutamine synthetase and glutamate synthase, thereby improving nitrogen assimilation and utilization efficiency. This study could provide a theoretical basis for scientific and rational fertilization and the improvement of nitrogen utilization efficiency in C. oleifera seedlings.

Appropriate Ammonium-Nitrate Ratio Improves Vegetative Growth and Yield of Eggplant under Water Stress Conditions

Appropriate Ammonium-Nitrate Ratio Improves Vegetative Growth and Yield of Eggplant under Water Stress Conditions

The Effect of Ammonium Nitrate Ratio and Support Types on the NPK Uptake and Growth of Black Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) in Field Conditions

The study’s objective was to determine the effect of the NO3-: NH4+ratio and types of support on NPK uptake and pepper plant growth in field conditions. The study used a completely randomized block design with three replications. The first factor was the type of support, being the deadwood and living supports in the form of Gliricidia sp. and Ceiba pentandra. The second factor was the ratio of N fertilizer forms, which were 100% NO3-, 100% NH4+, 50% NO3-:50% NH4+, 75% NO3-:25% NH4+ and 25% NO3-:75% NH4+. The results have demonstrated that the uptake of N, P, and K, as well as the plant growth, were not affected by the interaction of the N fertilizer form ratio with the types of support. In field conditions, the black pepper prefers the N fertilizer in the form of 50% NO3-:50% NH4+. The pepper plants that were given N fertilizer in a combination of 50% NO3-:50% NH4+ have demonstrated an N, P, and K uptake, and morphology and plant dry weight were higher than the ratio of other forms of N fertilizers.

The impact of different growth media and ammonium-nitrate ratio on yield and nitrate accumulation in lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. longifolia)

Ammonium (NH4+) to nitrate (NO3-) ratio and growth media significantly alter plant development and NO3- accumulation in lettuce. Nitrate accumulation is regarded harmful for environment and human health. The quality of lettuce is assessed by NO3-concentration, size, and weight. This study determined the impact of five different growth media (cocopeat, peat, bark, perlite and rockwool) and four different NH4+:NO3- ratios (0:100, 20:80, 40:60 and 60:40) on NO3- accumulation in lettuce, yield, and several growth attributes. The experimentation was conducted according to open feeding system of soilless agriculture. The ‘Cosmos’ variety of lettuce was used as experimental material in the study. Growth mediums and NH4+:NO3- ratios significantly altered NO3- accumulation, head, leaf, stem and root traits. The results revealed that instead of growing lettuce with NO3- only in peat and rockwool, addition of NH4+ (20:80 of NH4+:NO3-) into nutrient solution increased head weight. While head weight increased in perlite medium with the addition of NH4+, it decreased in cocopeat and bark media. It is concluded that growth media and NH4+:NO3- ratios pose significant impacts on NO3- accumulation in leaf and that the increase in NH4+ ratio decreased NO3- accumulation in all growing media. Therefore, it is recommended that NH4+ should be added in the nutrient solution to decrease NO3- accumulation, which will ultimately improve yield and quality of lettuce.

Appropriate Ammonium/Nitrate Mitigates Low Light Stress in Brassica pekinensis by Regulating the Nitrogen Metabolism and Expression Levels of Key Proteins

Low light intensity is always the important factor that influences the growth and development of Brassica pekinesis during winter seasons. We have found out that appropriate ammonium/nitrate ratio mitigated low light intensity in the previous study. In the present study, the nitrogen metabolism and proteomic responses of Brassica pekinensis to light intensities and ammonium/nitrate were further investigated to find out the mitigation mechanism. The activities of nitrate reductase (NR) and glutamine synthetase (GS) and the relative expression of GS1 as well as the content of nitric oxide (NO) were significantly higher in the NH4+:NO3− (15:85) treatment than in the NH4+:NO3− (0:100) treatment under normal light intensity. However, under low light intensity condition, the activities of NR and GS and relative expression of NR as well as the NO level in seedlings fertilized with NH4+:NO3− (10:90) were significantly higher compared with those fertilized with NH4+:NO3− (0:100). In addition, we found thirty-six protein spots, which exhibited significant changes in abundance using similarity searches across the uniprot database of Brassica. The proteins identified were classified into ten functional groups including photosynthesis, carbon and energy metabolism, stress/defense, protein folding, and modification and degradation response. We concluded that appropriate ammonium nitrate ratio improves the tolerance of mini Chinese cabbage seedlings to low light intensity by regulating the nitrogen metabolism and expression levels of some key proteins.

Testing of lollo rossa lettuce varieties (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) on different ammonium-nitrate ratio in the hydroponic nutrient solution

The study aims to determine the variety of lollo rossa lettuce that has high growth and production, to find out the ratio of ammonium and nitrate which gives the best effect on the growth and production of lollipop rossa lettuce and to determine the parameters that have high heritability values. The study was conducted at the Unhas Lecturer Housing screen house, Jalan Al Ghazaly, Block BG number 91, Tamalanrea, Makassar, which took place from October to December 2018. The study used a factorial experimental design in the nested pattern, namely: 8 varieties of Lollo Rossa lettuce (Olga Red, Arista, Concorde Rz, Amandine Rz, Rosano, Mr. Fothergills, Sais, and Century) nested in each ratio of ammonium and nitrate consisting of 4 levels, namely: AB Mix, 1 ammonium: 4 nitrate, 1 ammonium: 6 nitrate, and 1 ammonium: 8 nitrates. The results showed that the lollo rossa lettuce varieties which had high growth and production were Mr. Fothergills variety (140.75 g) and Concorde Rz varieties (129.96 g). Nutrients that provided growth and high production in the lollo rossa lettuce was a ratio of 1 ammonium: 4 nitrate (115.25 g). All observational parameters had high heritability values in the lollo lettuce (parameters of plant height, number of leaves, shoot root ratio, chlorophyll index, and production).

Appropriate Ammonium-Nitrate Ratio Improves Nutrient Accumulation and Fruit Quality in Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3−) are the two forms of inorganic nitrogen essential for physiological and biochemical processes in higher plants, but little is known about how the NH4+:NO3− ratio may affect nitrogen metabolism. This study determined the effect of NH4+:NO3− ratios on plant growth, accumulation, and distribution of nutrient elements, fruit quality, enzyme activity, and relative expression of genes involved in nitrogen (N) metabolism in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). In a pod experiment, the NH4+:NO3− ratios of 0:100, 12.5:87.5, 25:75, 37.5:62.5, and 50:50 were arranged in a complete randomized design with three replicates. The application of NH4+:NO3− at 25:75 resulted in highest dry matter and N, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) accumulation. Pepper treated with 25:75 ratio increased root length, surface areas, and root volume and tips. The contents of vitamin C, soluble sugar, soluble protein, total phenols, flavonoids, and capsaicinoids in the fruits were significantly higher with the NH4+:NO3− ratio of 25:75 compared with 0:100 treatment, while lowering nitrate content was found in NH4+:NO3− ratios of 25:75, 37.5:62.5, and 50:50 treatments. Activity of glutamine synthetase (GS), glutamate synthases (GOGAT) enzyme and the levels of relative expression of genes coding these enzymes were superior when the NH4+:NO3− ratio of 25:75 were applied. Therefore, an appropriate ratio of NH4+:NO3− (25:75) in nitrogen application can stimulate root development, promote enzyme activities, and enhance the productivity and fruit quality in pepper.

Growth and production of several Romaine lettuce varieties (Lactuca sativa var. Romana) on various ratios of ammonium-nitrate in hydroponic nutrition formulations

The study aimed to determine the response of four varieties of romaine lettuce, grown hydroponically, to Ammonium-Nitrate ratio in the hydroponic solution as a source of N nutrient. The research was conducted in a Screen House at Tamalanrea district of Makassar from October to December 2018 in the form of factorial experiments based on nested design patterns. The trial used three ratios of Ammonium-Nitrate consisted of 1:4, 1:6, and 1:8 into Hougland hydroponic nutrient solution, and AB Mix as the control treatment. Four Romain Lettuce varieties used as the second factor consisted of Romaine Ballon, Swiss Jade, Red Romaine, and Green Romaine. The results show that the ratio of Ammonium-Nitrate of 1:4 gave the best growth and production while Romaine Ballon variety showed better growth and production compared to other varieties.

Effect of Ratio in Ammonium Nitrate on the Structural, Microstructural, Magnetic, and AC Conductivity Properties of BaFe12O19.

This paper investigates the effect of the ratio of ammonium nitrate (AN) on the structural, microstructural, magnetic, and alternating current (AC) conductivity properties of barium hexaferrite (BaFe12O19). The BaFe12O19 were prepared by using the salt melt method. The samples were synthesized using different powder-to-salt weight ratio variations (1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6 and 1:7) of BaCO3 + Fe2O3 and ammonium nitrate salt. The NH4NO3 was melted on a hot plate at 170 °C. A mixture of BaCO3 and Fe2O3 were added into the NH4NO3 melt solution and stirred for several hours using a magnetic stirrer under a controlled temperature of 170 °C. The heating temperature was then increased up to 260 °C for 24 hr to produce an ash powder. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) results show the intense peak of BaFe12O19 for all the samples and the presence of a small amount of the impurity Fe2O3 in the samples, at a ratio of 1:5 and 1:6. From the Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectra, the band appears at 542.71 and 432.48 , which corresponding to metal–oxygen bending and the vibration of the octahedral sites of BaFe12O19. The field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) images show that the grains of the samples appear to stick each other and agglomerate at different masses throughout the image with the grain size 5.26, 5.88, 6.14, 6.22, and 6.18 µm for the ratios 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, and 1:7 respectively. From the vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis, the magnetic properties of the sample ratio at 1:3 show the highest value of coercivity Hc of 1317 Oe, a saturation magnetization Ms of 91 emu/g, and a remnant Mr of 44 emu/g, respectively. As the temperature rises, the AC conductivity is increases with an increase in frequency.

Facile and large-scale preparation of N doped TiO2 photocatalyst with high visible light photocatalytic activity

High visible light photocatalytic activity of N-doped TiO2 (N-TiO2) photocatalysts were prepared by facile sol-gel method in large-scale without separation, purification and thermal treatment at high temperature. Ammonium nitrate (AN) was used as nitrogen source and solid substrates, hydrous TiO2 deposited onto the surface of AN micro-particles during the formation of compound gel. AN thermal decomposed and N-TiO2 photocatalysts were obtained by compound dry gel (CDG) calcined at low temperature. N element thermal diffused enter into lattice of TiO2, and the effects of AN evidently facilitated the product transformation from amorphous to anatase. Meanwhile, the doped N element promoted the formation of doping level and its light absorption edge extended to visible region. We systematically research the doping ratio of AN, the different calcined time at low temperature to prepare N-TiO2 with high photocatalytic activity in visible region. As-prepared N-TiO2 photocatalysts exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity under the illumination of visible light, and the photodegradation reaction rate constant was approximately 6 times higher than pure TiO2 samples.

Ammonium-nitrate ratio and cation/anion uptake affect the acidity or basicity of floriculture species

Ammonium-nitrate ratio and cation/anion uptake affect the acidity or basicity of floriculture species

Effects of N source concentration and ammonium-nitrate ratio on phenylethanoid glycosides of Plantago lanceolata tissue cultures: a metabolomics driven full-factorial study

The aim of the current work was to examine the effects of the N source concentration and ammonium-nitrate ratio on the pattern of phenylethanoid glycosides (PG) of the tissue cultures of Plantago lanceolata L. The experiment was carried out using a full factorial experimental design, the metabolome was investigated with LC-ESI-MS3; using modified Murashige Skoog media, 10, 20, 40, 60 mM total N source concentrations and 0, 0.11, 0.20, 0.33 ammonium-nitrate ratios were tested. Phenomena were sought using accepted data-visualization and data-mining methods. The effects of the treatment on the individual metabolites was also examined.

In vitro flowering red miniature rose

Using aseptic plantlets obtained from stem node explants of hybrid red miniature rose (Rosa hybrida cv. Fairy Dance), the effects of shoot physiological status, medium ingredients, and culture thermoperiod on in vitro flowering were evaluated. Shoot height, subculture media for shoot multiplication, sucrose concentration, plant growth regulators (PGRs), mineral substances in media, and thermoperiod had a significant effect on the percentage of in vitro flowering. Shoots 3 ± 0.2 or 2 ± 0.2 cm in height cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 2.0 mg dm−3 6-benzyladenine (BA), 0.2 mg dm−3 α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and 20 g dm−3 sucrose were more suitable for in vitro flowering than shoots 4 ± 0.2, or 5 ± 0.2 cm in height. The most suitable sucrose concentration for in vitro flowering was 50 g dm−3 and the most suitable PGRs were a combination of 3.0 mg dm−3 BA and 0.1 mg dm−3 NAA. Increasing the potassium nitrate to ammonium nitrate ratio or increasing the phosphate concentration in MS medium had a positive effect on in vitro flowering. The percentage of in vitro flowering was significantly higher at day/night temperature of 28/20 °C than at other constant temperatures. The percentage of in vitro flowering shoots reached 68.33 % despite the occurrence of abnormal flowers and some unique developmental patterns. It makes miniature rose a potentially new in vitro experimental platform for research on the molecular mechanisms of flowering ornamental plants.

Thermochromic cobalt(II) chloro-complexes in different media: Possible application for auto-regulated solar protection

The well known fact that cobalt(II) halide complexes in various media undergo changes of co-ordination, absorbance and colour with the increase of temperature was combined with the low melting point of new materials suitable for simultaneous control of temperature and light intensity. Hence, the increase of absorbance with temperature acts as an auto-regulated shading protection from overheating. In this work, the thermochromic behaviour of cobalt(II) chloro-complexes was investigated by VIS–spectroscopy in four different ammonium nitrate+organic component based solvents and in ammonium nitrate+calcium nitrate tetrahydrate melt. The selected organic components were formamide (FA), N-methylformamide (NMF), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO). In all binary mixtures the mole ratio of ammonium nitrate to the second component of the system was 1:3 and they were studied as suitable solvents for the formation of cobalt(II) chloro-complexes. Absorption spectra have been investigated in the visible spectral range 400–800nm at two different temperatures (298.15 and 323.15K). The overall stability constants of all formed complexes were calculated using a non-linear regression program at different temperatures: 308.15, 318.15, 328.15, 338.15 and 348.15K. Based on these stability constants, the thermodynamic data, i.e. standard enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs energy, were calculated for all complexation reactions. Influence of the solvent composition on the complex stability and thermochromism was also discussed.

Influence of sulfur supply, ammonium nitrate ratio, and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization on growth and composition of Chinese chive

Tissue concentrations of phytochemicals formed by Allium species may be influenced by plant nutrient supply or rhizosphere microorganism activity. To test these relations, three plant nutritional factors were varied in two experiments with Chinese chive [ Allium tuberosum]: (a) increasing sulfur concentrations in the substrate, (b) two ratios of ammonium to nitrate in supply, and (c) inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. Shoot dry weight, nutrient composition (nitrate, N, P, S), and organosulfur compounds (measured indirectly as pyruvic acid) were determined. In the first experiment, the supply of intermediate sulfur compared to low sulfur supply resulted in increased shoot dry weight and pyruvic acid concentrations. A further increase in sulfur supply increased plant pyruvic acid production in the absence of effects on dry weight. In the second experiment, AM fungi hardly increased shoot dry weight, nutrient, or pyruvic acid concentrations significantly. Pyruvic acid concentration was increased at an ammonium:nitrate ratio of 50:50 compared to a ratio of 5:95, whereas shoot dry weight was not significantly different. We conclude that both, supply of surplus sulfur or supply of equal amounts of ammonium and nitrate, can contribute to the production of high amounts of health related organosulfur compounds in Chinese chive.

Effect of different techniques of composting on stability and maturity of municipal solid waste compost

Three methods for composting, aerobic, anaerobic and mixed type were compared in three locally fabricated composters of 20 L each, for their effect in accelerating compost maturity and stability using municipal solid waste. The composting process was monitored through determining the changes in temperature, pH, ammonium‐N (NH+ 4‐N), nitrate‐N (NO− 3‐N), carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio, NH+ 4‐N/NO− 3‐N, total carbon, nitrogen (TN), potassium (TK), phosphorous (TP), humification index (HI), degree of polymerization (DP), humification rate (HR), CO2, humic acid (HA), fulvic acid (FA), and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Temperature increased rapidly from the mesophilic to the thermophilic stage and gradually decreased near the maturation phase. A similar behaviour was recorded for pH, which become slightly alkaline at the maturity level. The composting process decreases the concentration of total carbon, NH+ 4‐N, C/N ratio, and CO2, and increases CEC, HI, DP, HA, TP, TK, and TN. All three composting methods used in this study produce mature compost at different time intervals. A high statically significant correlation was found between the total carbons, C/N ratio, HA, FA, DP, HI, HR, CEC, and ammonium nitrate ratio.

Thermal behaviour of ammonium nitrate prills coated with limestone and dolomite powder

The thermal behaviour of ammonium nitrate (AN) and its prills coated with limestone and dolomite powder was studied on the basis of commercial fertilizer-grade AN and six Estonian limestone and dolomite samples. Coating of AN prills was carried out on a plate granulator and a saturated solution of AN was used as a binding agent. The mass of AN prills and coating material was calculated based on the mole ratio of AN/(CaO + MgO) = 2:1. Thermal behaviour of AN and its coated prills was studied using combined TG-DTA-FTIR equipment. The experiments were carried out under dynamic heating conditions up to 900 °C at the heating rate of 10 °C min−1 and for calculation of kinetic parameters, additionally, at 2, 5 and 20 °C min−1 in a stream of dry air. A model-free kinetic analysis approach based on the differential isoconversional method of Friedman was used to calculate the kinetic parameters. The results of TG-DTA-FTIR analyses and the variation of the value of activation energy E along the reaction progress α indicate the complex character of the decomposition of neat AN as well as of the interactions occurring at thermal treatment of AN prills coated with limestone and dolomite powder.