N-butyl Thiophosphoric Triamide Research Articles

Pasture productivity benefits from strategic urease and nitrification inhibitor use are limited in rainfed temperate dairy pastures of southern Australia

Abstract Introduction Urea is the most commonly used nitrogen (N) fertiliser on Australian dairy pastures, but has low N use efficiency due to high loss potential. Urease and nitrification inhibitors can be used to reduce these losses, however, their efficacy is highly variable and the reported impacts on productivity are inconsistent, with assessments often made using a single inhibitor across all seasons. Research question We examined the effectiveness of two commonly used inhibitors, the urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBTPT) and the nitrification inhibitor 3,4-Dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) applied in a strategic program, on pasture responses to urea (U) fertiliser, and fertiliser N use efficiency in a temperate dairy pasture in Southern Australia. Materials and Methods Pasture productivity, N uptake, agronomic N use efficiency (NUAE), 15N fertiliser recovery and soil mineral N were monitored. The nitrogen was applied in the urea form at rates of 160, 320, 480 and 640 kg N ha−1 yr−1 Results and Conclusions The majority of the plant N (64%-85%), assessed over autumn and spring growth periods using 15N, was derived from mineralised soil organic matter (SOM). Neither of the inhibitors significantly altered pasture production or NUAE, most likely because of the major role of SOM in supplying N to plants, and because much of the applied 15N (up to 55%) was retained in the soil (0-40 cm depth) due to microbial immobilisation. Uptake of fertiliser N was highest, up to 29% of applied N, immediately following fertiliser application and then was substantially reduced over subsequent months, reflecting low levels of mineralisation of the previously immobilised N. The total loss of applied 15N was greater following autumn applications of N than spring applications, being 14% - 42% and 2% - 7% respectively and was attributed to volatilisation occurring primarily in autumn, with minimal leaching and denitrification predicted under the experimental conditions.

Polymer-coated urea applied at one-time mechanical topdressing increases nitrogen use efficiency and rice yield in the cold area

Context The application of slow and controlled release fertilisers can reduce nitrogen loss, but the research is still scarce in the cold rice region of China. Aims The study was conducted to screen slow-release or controlled-release fertilisers which can meet the nitrogen demand of rice and reduce NH3 volatilisation in different pH soils. Methods This experiment includes four fertilisation treatments: no fertiliser (control), urea, urea with N-(n-butyl) thiophosphorictriamide (NBPT), and polymer-coated urea (PCU). The amounts of urea-N, pH, ammonium-N (NH4+-N) in the surface water, and NH3 volatilisation were determined. Thereafter, to evaluate the effects of one-time mechanical topdressing of PCU mixed with compound fertilisers along with farmers’ fertilisation practice (FFP), field experiments carried out in wide soil pH differences were conducted. Key results Cumulative NH3 volatilisation was reduced in the NBPT treatment compared with the urea treatment. There was no significant difference between urea-N, NH4+-N, and pH in the surface water under PCU and control. NH3 volatilisation of PCU is negligible and significantly prolongs the soil nitrogen storage time. In the subsequent experiment, PCU blend increased yield, dry matter, nitrogen uptake, and the partial factor productivity of applied nitrogen (PFPN) compared to FFP. Conclusions PCU treatment slows down urea release and reduces ammonia volatilisation from paddy fields. In turn, it reduces ammonia-nitrogen levels and pH in surface water and further slows down the rate of ammonia volatilisation. Implications Application of PCU as a one-time mechanical topdressing fertiliser in rice fields in cold regions saves nitrogen fertiliser, increases crop yields, and reduces labour.

Rice yield in Costa Rican Central Pacific did not improve with a urease inhibitor

Urea is widely used as nitrogen (N) source for rice fertilization in Costa Rica, despite its low efficiency linked to ammonia losses. To assess urea management alternatives, two field experiments were conducted in the Central Pacific region of Costa Rica to study the effect of N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) on rice yield and N use efficiency (NUE). In Experiment 1 (Exp1) three tillage treatments (commercial-CT-, reduced-RT-, and reduced tillage with previous subsoiler-RTS-) were evaluated with three N managements: control (without N), urea at 124 kg N ha-1 with and without NBPT. In Experiment 2 (Exp2), a 100 kg N ha-1 rate (with and without NPBT) was evaluated along with a control (without N). NUE was estimated using 15N urea isotopic labeling technique for both trials. In Exp1, a significant difference of 4.8% in NUE for grain was observed among urea with and without NBPT, but no tillage effect was observed. No statistically significant differences were observed in yield among the fertilization treatments (Exp1: 3.56 ± 0.98 t ha-1 for urea and 3.85 ± 0.85 t ha-1 for urea with NBPT; Exp2: 3.38 ± 0.39 t ha-1 for urea and 3.40 ± 0.58 t ha-1 for urea with NBPT) or due to different tillage practices (CT: 3.33 ± 0.79 t ha-1, RT: 3.56 ± 0.74 t ha-1, and RTS: 4.23 ± 0.98 t ha-1). Although the NBPT is a viable option to reduce ammonia losses, its adoption in tropical conditions might be restricted by the small impact on yield.

Spring wheat agronomic and quality responses to a genotype x environment x N source and management systems approach.

Yield and quality improvements in Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are increasingly difficult to attain, which behoves a systems approach to unlock genotype (G)×environment (E)×management (M) synergies. This 25 site-year study was designed to assess a G×E×M systems approach to improve CWRS agronomics, quality, and N use efficiency (NUE). The investigation consisted of genetics (AAC Viewfield vs. AC Stettler), N source [untreated urea; urea + urease inhibitor, N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT); urea + nitrification inhibitor, Nitrapyrin; urea + dual-inhibitor (NBPT + dicyandiamide); and polymer-coated urea] and N timing/placement (all-banded at planting, two-split applications and three-split applications), deployed across diverse soil zones in western Canada. Differential yield responses were observed between cultivars as AAC Viewfield produced superior yield over AC Stettler (+4.3%) in black and grey soils, while yield attainment was similar in dark brown soils. Genetic improvement over AC Stettler seemed most apparent in water abundant environments; however, AC Stettler was often superior in drier conditions. All N sources produced comparable outcomes for yield, quality, NUE, and net returns. In black and grey soils, adopting either all-banded or two-splits improved grain yield due to augmented seedling vigor, heads per plant, and N recovery. The timing of split-applications introduces more risk to yield and is likely attributed to a poorly developed source:sink relationship in the critical growth period if applied late to optimize grain protein. This highlights the complexity of the system and balance needed to harness the potential synergy between G, E, and M components.

Mulched Drip Fertigation with Growth Inhibitors Reduces Bundle-Sheath Cell Leakage and Improves Photosynthesis Capacity and Barley Production in Semi-Arid Regions.

A better understanding of the factors that reduce bundle-sheath cell leakage to CO2 (Փ), enhance 13C carbon isotope discrimination, and enhance the photosynthetic capacity of barley leaves will be useful to develop a nutrient- and water-saving strategy for dry-land farming systems. Therefore, barley plants were exposed to a novel nitrification inhibitor (NI) (3,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl succinic acid) (DMPSA) and a urease inhibitor (UI) (N-butyl thiophosphorictriamide (NBPT)) with mulched drip fertigation treatments, which included HF (high-drip fertigation (370 mm) under a ridge furrow system), MF (75% of HF, moderate-drip fertigation under a ridge furrow system), LF (50% of HF, low-drip fertigation under a ridge furrow system), and TP (traditional planting with no inhibitors or drip fertigation strategies). The results indicated that the nitrification inhibitor combined with mulched drip fertigation significantly reduced bundle-sheath cell leakage to CO2 (Փ) as a result of increased soil water content; this was demonstrated by the light and CO2 response curves of the photosynthesis capacity (An), the apparent quantum efficiency (α), and the 13C-photosynthate distribution. In the inhibitor-based strategy, the use of the urease and nitrification inhibitors reduced Փ by 35% and 39% compared with TP. In the NI-HF strategy, it was found that barley could retain the maximum photosynthesis capacity by increasing the leaf area index (LAI), An, rubisco content, soluble protein, dry matter per plant, and productivity. The CO2 and light response curves were considerably improved in the NI-HF and NI-MF treatments due to a higher 13C carbon isotope (Δ‱), respiration rate (Rd), and Ci/Ca, therefore obtaining the minimum Փ value. With both inhibitors, there was a significant difference between HF and LF drip fertigation. The NI-MF treatment significantly increased the grain yield, total chlorophyll content, WUE, and NUE by 52%, 47%, 57%, and 45%, respectively. Collectively, the results suggest that the new nitrification inhibitor (DMPSA) with HF or MF mulched drip fertigation could be promoted in semi-arid regions in order to mitigate bundle-sheath cell leakage to CO2 (Փ), without negatively affecting barley production and leading to the nutrient and water use efficiency of barley.

Effect of NBPT-DCD (Urease and Nitrification Inhibitor) on Nitrogen Loss, N Uptake and Oil Palm Yields (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) bn Typic Dystrudepts Soil

Incorporating N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) as a urease inhibitor and Dicyandiamide (DCD) as a nitrification inhibitor can enhance the efficiency of nitrogen (N) fertilization. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of urease and nitrification inhibitors (NBPT and DCD) on N loss in urea fertilizer, N absorption, and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) yield. Researchers conducted the field trial using a single-factor, completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The experimental treatments included nitrogen (N) fertilization with 5 different levels. The levels were: 100% urea (2.75 kg/plant/year: 1.50 kg/plant in rotation 1 and 1.25 kg/plant in rotation 2) (N0), 80% urea + NBPT-DCD (2.20 kg/plant/year: 1.20 kg/plant in rotation 1 and 1.0 kg/plant in rotation 2) (N1), 60% urea + NBPT-DCD (1.65 kg/plant/year: 0.90 kg/plant in rotation 1 and 0.75 kg/plant in rotation 2) (N2), Urea dosage of 80% (2.20 kg/year: 1.20 kg/plant in rotation 1 and 1.00 kg/plant in rotation 2) (N3), and Urea dosage of 60% (1.65 kg/plant/year: 0.90 kg/plant in rotation 1 and 0.75 kg/plant in rotation 2) (N4). The findings revealed that the application of Urea in combination with NBPT-DCD (inhibitors of urease and nitrification) led to a reduction in N loss by 30.33-37.48% and an increase in N absorption compared to Urea without NBPT-DCD. Oil palm trees grew on Typic Dystrudept soil. The plants received 2.20 kg of urea treatment per plant. The researchers combined Urea with NBPT-DCD. These trees had better outcomes than others. They had less N volatilization and better N absorption. They also had higher fresh fruit bunch productivity. The others received N fertilization but not NBPT-DCD.

Ammonia emission factors from cattle production systems in Ireland – a review

Ammonia (NH3) emissions from livestock production contribute to environmental pollution. To address this challenge, the European Union (EU) National Emission Reduction Commitments Directive 2016/2284 (NECD) sets NH3 reduction targets for EU member states. In order to achieve these targets, several strategies have been evaluated under Irish conditions. A compilation of emission factors (EFs) from studies which evaluated these strategies is necessary to assess their effectiveness. This paper reports NH3 EFs from cattle production under Irish conditions. The results from the review show that the mean EFs from the deposition of dung, urine and urea applied to urine patches on grasslands were 4%, 9% and 8% total nitrogen (TN), respectively. EFs from the application of urea to urine patches were reduced by 28% after the addition of the urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) to urea. The mean EF of 28% TN reported for urea fertiliser was almost 7 times higher than calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN). The inclusion of urease inhibitors with urea fertilisation on grassland led to EF reduction of up to 86%. The mean EFs from cattle houses, concrete yards, slurry storage pits and slurry landspreading were approximately 13%, 35%, 60% and 59% total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN), respectively. The most effective NH3 abatement strategies for concrete yards and slurry storage were immediate cleaning of concrete floors (up to 89% reduction) after excreta deposition and the application of chemical amendments (sulphuric acid, acetic acid, alum and ferric chloride) to slurry in storage pits (up to 98% reduction), respectively. Low-emission spreading strategies and slurry acidification were effective at abating EFs after slurry application to land.

Reducing nitrogen leaching using wood vinegar treated in urea-fertilized soil.

Wood vinegar (WV) is known to retard the release of ammonium (NH4+) from urea by inhibiting urea hydrolysis. However, the effect of WV on nitrogen leaching in soil is not known, and there are few studies on the effect of WV on microbial activity although WV exhibits antibacterial properties against pathogens in agriculture. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of WV on controlling nitrogen leaching and soil microbial activity. Soils were treated with urea and WV, and the available inorganic nitrogen concentrations in the soil were compared with those from soils treated with N-(n-butyl)thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT), a commonly used urease inhibitor. The nitrate concentration in the soil was significantly decreased in the WV treatment, although the ammonium concentration was not affected by the WV treatment. Basal soil respiration was significantly increased in the WV and NBPT treatments although the microbial biomass was increased in the urea only treatment. The ammonium nitrogen concentration in the leachate was not significantly different in the WV and urea-treated soil compared to the urea-only treatment. However, the nitrate leaching increased in the soil treated only with urea at 16days after the treatment although there was no statistically significant difference in the total leached nitrate. Therefore, WV can be used to reduce nitrogen leaching and enhance soil microbial activity.

Ammonia volatization from conventional and stabilized fertilizers, agronomic aspects and microbiological attributes in a Brazilian coffee crop system.

We aimed to quantify the N losses through volatilization of the main conventional and stabilized N fertilizers applied in coffee plantations. Additionally, we also assessed microbiological attributes of the soil (microbial biomass carbon (MBC); microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN); microbial basal respiration (MBR); metabolic quotient (qCO2); urease, β-glucosidase, acid phosphatase, and arylsulfatase activities) and agronomic aspects of the crop (N content in the leaves and beans, yield, and N exportation by the beans). Treatments consisted of the combination of three fertilizers (ammonium nitrate - AN, conventional urea - U, and urea with N- (n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) - UNBPT, and five doses of N (0, 150, 275, 400, and 525kg ha-1 year-1 of N), with four replicates, totalling 60 experimental plots. In the two crop seasons evaluated, daily and cumulative losses of N-NH3 from the split fertilizer applications were influenced by the N fertilizer technologies. The application of U resulted in losses of 22.0% and 22.8% for the doses of 150 and 400kg ha-1 year-1 of N. This means that 66 and 182kg ha-1 of N-NH3 were lost, respectively, at the end of six fertilizations with U. UNBPT reduced urease activity and N-NH3 losses compared to conventional urea, avoiding the volatilization of 15.9 and 24.3kg ha-1 of N. As for AN, N-NH3 losses did not exceed 1% of the applied dose, regardless of the weather conditions during the fertilization. Urease activity was higher on days of maximum NH3 volatilization. There was an effect of the N sources (NS), soil sampling time (ST), and their interaction (NS × ST) on the MBN and arylsulfatase activity. The N sources also influenced the MBC and the qCO2. A substantial amount of N was removed from the system by the beans and husks of the harvested fruits. Our study showed that N fertilizer technologies are interesting options to reduce N-NH3 losses by volatilization, increase N retention in the soil, and improve microbiological attributes and the sustainability of coffee production systems.

English

Effects of the urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) on transformations of urea N in an alkaline calcareous soil were investigated at different temperatures. The urease inhibitor was incorporated in urea granules at 7 different concentrations ranging from 0 to 6% of N. The amended urea granules were applied at 250 mg N kg−1 on the soil surface and incubated for 20 days at 18, 25 and 35°C. Effects of NBPT on NH3 volatilization from the surface applied urea were also investigated at different temperatures. In the absence of urease inhibitor, most (96–98%) of the applied urea was hydrolyzed within 5 days. During this period, NBPT significantly inhibited urea hydrolysis at all temperatures (6–46% reduction); the extent of inhibition increased with increasing NBPT application rate and with decreasing temperature. After 10 days, almost all urea was hydrolyzed at all temperatures with NBPT applied up to 2% of N, whereas up to 23% inhibition was recorded with higher NBPT application rates. In the absence of NBPT, 23–41% of the applied urea-N was lost as NH3 during 20 days, with the highest loss recorded at 35°C. However, the application of NBPT significantly reduced NH3 volatilization loss at all temperatures; the beneficial effect of NBPT increased with increasing application rate. Results suggested that application of the urease inhibitor NBPT can cause up to 50% reduction in NH3 volatilization loss when applied at economically feasible application rates ranging from 0.5% of urea-N (during winter season; 18°C) to 1% of urea-N (during fall and summer seasons; 25–35°C).

Integrating enhanced efficiency fertilizers and nitrogen rates to improve Canada Western Red Spring wheat

Granular urea fertilizer applied at planting is prone to nitrogen (N) losses in certain environments. Enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs) are developed to mitigate losses and optimize plant uptake. To determine the benefits of EEFs in grain yield and quality enhancement in Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat, an experiment was conducted from 2019 to 2022 at eight sites in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada. The effects of five N sources [urea; urea + urease inhibitor, N-( n-butyl)thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT); urea + nitrification inhibitor, nitrapyrin; urea + dual-inhibitor, NBPT + dicyandiamide; and polymer-coated urea, ESN® (Environmentally Smart Nitrogen®)] and four N rates (60, 120, 180, and 240 kg N ha−1) on CWRS wheat production were examined. Results indicated that N source affected grain yield in Dark Brown Chernozem soils but not in Black Chernozem or Dark Grey Luvisol soils. In Dark Brown Chernozem soils, a dual inhibitor increased grain yield by 3.1% and 3.9% relative to urea and polymer-coated urea, respectively, while all other EEFs attained similar results. The use of a dual inhibitor EEF led to greater net returns compared to urea and polymer-coated urea in the Dark Brown Chernozem soils. Grain protein concentration increased linearly with increasing N rate from 60 to 240 kg N ha−1. Generally, a rate of 120 kg N ha−1 was optimal for CWRS wheat grown in Canadian prairie conditions when coupled with EEFs, particularly a dual inhibitor, and grain yield and protein were often responsive.

Effects of combined natural synergists and chemical inhibitors on yield, nitrogen utilization and balance in wheat/maize rotation system.

Urease inhibitors and nitrification inhibitors can enhance nitrogen (N) fertilizer utilization efficiency and reducing N losses through regulating urea-N transformation. Common urease or nitrification inhibitors, however, are predominantly chemically synthesized and high-cost. Furthermore, their inhibitory effects are mediated by soil pro-perties, climatic conditions, and crop systems. In this study, we conducted a field experiment using natural synergists humic acid/zeolite, along with chemical nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) and their combination to elucidate the impacts of natural synergists combined with chemical inhibitors on annual yield, nitrogen utilization efficiency, soil nitrate-N accumulation, and nitrogen balance within the wheat/maize rotation system. The treatments included no nitrogen fertilizer application (CK), single application of urea (N), urea +DCD (ND), urea + humic acid (NH), urea + zeolite (NP), urea + urease inhibitor N-butylthiophosphoric triamide + DCD (NUD), urea + humic acid + DCD (NHD), and urea + zeolite + DCD (NPD). The results showed that, compared to the treatments NH and NP, the integration of humic acid or zeolite with DCD (NHD and NPD) significantly increased maize yield (11268 and 11397 kg·hm-2) and total annual yield (20494 and 20582 kg·hm-2), which were comparable to those of combined chemical urease and nitrification inhibitors (NUD). The NHD and NPD treatments had higher nitrogen utilization efficiency and lower soil nitrate-N accumulation in 80-100 cm soil layer across all seasons relative to the N treatment, which had no significant difference compared to the NUD treatment. Furthermore, a decline in soil nitrogen surplus by 10.7% and 13.9% was observed when comparing the NHD and NPD treatments with the NH and NP treatments, respectively. These findings suggested that combined humic acid or zeolite and chemical nitrification inhibitors could effectively enhance crop yield and N utilization efficiency and meet the requirements of the green and environmental preservation of modern agriculture.

Modelling potential human exposure to the urease inhibitor NBPT through the environment-food pathway

The urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) has recently attracted a lot of attention attributing to its efficiency in reducing ammonia loss from urea fertiliser applied to temperate grassland soils. Ammonia gas lost to the environment causes soil acidification, eutrophication and contributes to global warming through increased greenhouse gas emissions and ozone layer depletion. The active chemical NBPT blocks the soil microbial enzyme (urease) and reduces ammonia emission. Furthermore, NBPT’s use in agriculture might benefit farmers by reducing reliance on expensive nitrate fertiliser and aiding in a shift to more urea-based fertiliser (using NBPT co-applied with urea is more cost-effective). The present study was carried out to characterise the potential transfer of NBPT from grass to liquid milk and compute the associated human health risks. Using probabilistic risk assessment techniques, an exposure assessment model was developed to calculate the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) of NBPT from milk, following co-application of NBPT with a urea N-fertiliser. Results show that the predicted mean concentration of NBPT in milk is 2.5 × 10−8 mg NBPT/kg milk, while the mean daily intake (EDI) of NBPT is 5 × 10−11 mg NBPT /kg BW/day). Back-calculations revealed that, under the studied conditions, for the EDI to exceed ADI of 3 × 10−2 mg NBPT/kg BW/ day, the NBPT application rate would need to exceed the NBPT fertiliser limit (0.09–0.2% by mass of urea nitrogen) set in the Commission Regulation (EC) No 1107/2008, and the bio-transfer factor would need to be over 100% (implausible). Sensitivity analysis revealed soil pH (SPH), phytoaccumulation factor (PF), NBPT permissible levels in fertiliser (NBPT%), pasture cover (P), and grazing rotation length (t) as critical factors influencing the EDI of NBPT. The present study concludes that NBPT presents negligible risk to human health under the conditions and assumptions studied.

Effects of nitrification and urease inhibitors on ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms, denitrifying bacteria, and greenhouse gas emissions in greenhouse vegetable fields

Soil microorganisms and N cycling are important components of biogeochemical cycling processes. In addition, the study of the effects of nitrification and urease inhibitors on N and microorganisms in greenhouse vegetable fields is essential to reducing N loss and greenhouse gas emissions. The effects of nitrification inhibitors [2-chloro-6-(trichloromethyl) pyridine (CP), dicyandiamide (DCD)], and urease inhibitor [N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT)] on soil inorganic N (NH4+-N, NO2−-N and NO3−-N) concentrations and the production rates of greenhouse gases (N2O, CH4, and CO2) in greenhouse vegetable fields were investigated via indoor incubation experiments. Polymerase chain reaction amplification and high-throughput sequencing technology (Illumina Miseq) were used to explore the community structure and abundance changes of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), and denitrifying bacteria (nirK and nirS). The results showed that CP and DCD obviously inhibited NH4+-N conversion, and NO2−-N, and NO3−-N accumulation, NBPT slowed down urea hydrolysis and NH4+-N production, and the apparent nitrification rates of soil were in the following order: NBPT > DCD > DCD + NBPT > CP + NBPT > CP. Compared with urea treatment, the peak N2O production rate of inhibitor treatment decreased by 73.30–99.30%, and the production rate of CH4 and CO2 decreased by more than 66.16%. DCD and CP reduced the abundance of AOA and AOB, respectively. Furthermore, NBPT hindered the growth of ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms and nirS-type denitrifying bacteria, and urea and nitrification inhibitors were detrimental to the growth of Ensifer and Sinorhizobium in the nirK community. Nitrification and urease inhibitors can effectively slow down nitrification and greenhouse gas emissions, reduce N loss and improve soil quality by inhibiting the growth of ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms and denitrifying bacteria.

Effects of hotter, drier conditions on gaseous losses from nitrogen fertilisers

Global warming is expected to cause hotter, drier summers and more extreme weather events including heat waves and droughts. A little understood aspect of this is its effects on the efficacy of fertilisers and related nutrient losses into the environment. We explored the effects of high soil temperature (>25 °C) and low soil moisture (<40% water filled pore space; WFPS) on emissions of ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O) following application of urea to soil and the efficacy of urease inhibitors (UI) in slowing N losses. We incubated soil columns at three temperatures (15, 25, 35 °C) and three soil moisture contents (20, 40, 60% WFPS) with urea applied on the soil surface with and without UIs, and measured NH3 and N2O emissions using chambers placed over the columns. Four fertiliser treatments were applied in triplicate in a randomised complete block design: (1) urea; (2) urea with a single UI (N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT); (3) urea with two UI (NBPT and N-(n-propyl) thiophosphoric triamide; NPPT); and (4) a zero N control. Inclusion of UI with urea, relative to urea alone, delayed and reduced peak NH3 emissions. However, the efficacy of UI was reduced with increasing temperature and decreasing soil moisture. Cumulative NH3 emission did not differ between the two UI treatments for a given set of conditions and was reduced by 22–87% compared with urea alone. Maximum cumulative NH3 emission occurred at 35 °C and 20% WFPS, accounting for 31% of the applied N for the urea treatment and 25%, on average for the UI treatments. Urease inhibitors did not influence N2O emissions; however, there were interactive impacts of temperature and moisture, with higher cumulative emissions at 40% WFPS and 15 and 25 °C accounting for 1.85–2.62% of the applied N, whereas at 35 °C there was greater N2O emission at 60% WFPS. Our results suggest that inclusion of UI with urea effectively reduces NH3 losses at temperatures reaching 35 °C, although overall effectiveness decreases with increasing temperature, particularly under low soil moisture conditions.

Measurement of grass uptake of the urease inhibitor NBPT and of the nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide co-applied with granular urea.

Grass uptake and phytoaccumulation factors of N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) and dicyandiamide (DCD) were quantified. Following the application of urea fertilizer treated with the inhibitors in Irish grassland, grass samples were collected at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30day time intervals following five application cycles. Uptake of NBPT by grass was below the limit of quantitation of the analytical method (0.010mg NBPT kg-1). Dicyandiamide concentrations in grass ranged from 0.004 to 28mgkg-1 with the highest concentrations measured on days 5 and 10. A reducing trend in concentration was found after day 15. The DCD phytoaccumulation factor was ranged from 0.004% to 1.1% showing that DCD can be taken up by grass at low levels when co-applied with granular urea. In contrast, NBPT was not detected indicating that grass uptake is unlikely when co-applied with granular urea fertilizer. The contrasting results are likely due to very different longevity of DCD and NBPT along with the much lower rate of NBPT, which is used compared with DCD.

Winter wheat responses to enhanced efficiency granular nitrogen fertilizer in the Canadian Prairies

Optimizing the timing of nitrogen (N) enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs) may maximize winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) grain yield, protein content, and N-use efficiency (NUE). From 2013 to 2018, experiments were conducted at two irrigated and six rain-fed sites across the Canadian Prairies (24 site-years) to evaluate winter wheat responses to N source and timing/placement effects of EEFs. Nitrogen sources included untreated urea, nitrification inhibitor nitrapyrin treated urea, urease inhibitor N-( n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) plus nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD)-treated urea (NBPT + DCD), and polymer-coated urea (PCU). The N sources were all side-banded at planting, 30% side-banded at planting plus 70% broadcast in-crop late-fall (averaged 38 days after planting; split-applied late-fall), or 30% side-banded at planting plus 70% broadcast in-crop early-spring (averaged 224 days after planting; split-applied early-spring). Nitrous oxide and methane emissions were measured at one rain-fed site to test whether N source and timing/placement influenced CO2-equivalents (CO2-eq; nitrous oxide + methane). Under irrigation, NBPT + DCD consistently produced the highest yields regardless of timing/placement; however, the 80% of the recommended rate caused suboptimal protein responses (≤11%) unless split-application of N was adopted. Untreated urea produced the highest net CO2-eq and yield-scaled CO2-eq emissions, with the highest emissions when urea was split-applied early-spring. To optimize winter wheat production and NUE, we conclude that NBPT + DCD all-banded during seeding operations or split-applied early-spring provided similar and often superior results to other sources, including a more typical system of urea side-banded at the time of seeding.

Winter wheat responses to enhanced efficiency liquid nitrogen fertilizers in the Canadian Prairies

To evaluate how enhanced efficiency liquid nitrogen (N) fertilizers affect winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) production under irrigated and rain-fed environments, experiments were conducted at two irrigated and five rain-fed sites across the Canadian Prairies from 2013 to 2018 (22 site-years). The N fertilizers included urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) treated with ( i) urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT), ( ii) NBPT plus nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide, and ( iii) nitrification inhibitor nitrapyrin (Nitrapyrin), as well as untreated UAN and urea, and polymer-coated urea (PCU). All fertilizers were applied by banding 50% at planting and 50% in-crop in early-spring, except PCU, where PCU was applied at planting and urea was applied in early-spring. Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and methane (CH4) uptake were measured at one rain-fed site from 2014 to 2017. NBPT increased grain yield by 1.2%–14% and 2.8%–4% under irrigated and rain-fed environments, respectively, relative to all the other N sources except untreated urea in the rain-fed environment. Total N uptake with NBPT was between 0% and 12% higher than the other N sources across irrigated and rain-fed environments. The results suggested that both grain yield and N use efficiency were optimized when UAN contained a urease inhibitor. All liquid enhanced efficiency fertilizers produced grain protein content greater than 11%, except Nitrapyrin under irrigated environments. Data from three site-years indicated that greenhouse gas emissions were unaffected by N source under rain-fed conditions. Liquid UAN with a urease inhibitor may have the most potential to optimize winter wheat production and N use efficiency in the Canadian Prairies.

The Combined Use of Liquid Fertilizer and Urease/Nitrification Inhibitors on Maize Yield, Nitrogen Loss and Utilization in the Mollisol Region

Nitrification inhibitor (NI) and urease inhibitor (UI) with fertilizer have the potential to reduce nitrogen (N) loss as well as improve grain yields. Urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) solution as liquid fertilizer is superior to conventional solid nitrogen (N) fertilizer in terms of fertilizer efficiency, energy savings, environmental pollution reduction and economic benefits. However, comprehensive assessments of UAN with inhibitors from an environmental and agronomy perspective, including insights into the mechanisms of UAN with inhibitors, are lacking. In a field trial, three single-inhibitor and two double-inhibitor (DI) treatments were set to quantify the grain yield, the N losses and the N recovery efficiency of maize treated with urea supplemented with dicyandiamide (DCD), 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) and N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT). Compared with the UAN treatment, the supply of urease inhibitors reduced NH3 emission by 13.0% but increased N2O emission by 13.0%. The supply of nitrification inhibitors delayed the conversion of ammonium N to nitrate N and improved NH3 emission by 23.5-28.7%, but reduced N2O emission by 31.4% and significantly increased the maize yield by 21.3%. The combined use of NBPT and DCD were not compatible in UAN and cannot achieve the maximum potential for optimizing yields and reducing nitrogen losses. Considering the grain yield, the N use efficiency and the N losses, the combined use of NBPT and DMPP in maize production system significantly improved the grain yield and N use efficiency, as well as reduced N losses.

The win-win effects of nitrification inhibitors on soil-crop systems: Decreasing carbendazim residues but promoting soil bacterial community diversities and stabilities and crop yields

Applying nitrogen (N)-cycling inhibitors is an effective measure to improve N fertilizer utilization efficiency, but the effects of N-cycling inhibitors on fungicide residues in soil-crop systems are unclear. In this study, nitrification inhibitors dicyandiamide (DCD) and 3, 4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) and urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) were applied into agricultural soils with fungicide carbendazim applications. The soil abiotic properties, carrot yields, carbendazim residues, bacterial communities and their comprehensive relationships were also quantified. Compared to the control treatment, the DCD and DMPP significantly decreased soil carbendazim residues by 96.2% and 96.0%, and the DMPP and NBPT significantly reduced carrot carbendazim residues by 74.3% and 60.3%, respectively. The nitrification inhibitor applications also generated significant and positive effects on carrot yields and soil bacterial community diversities. The DCD application significantly stimulated soil Bacteroidota and endophytic Myxococcota and modified soil and endophytic bacterial communities. Meanwhile, the DCD and DMPP applications also positively stimulated the co-occurrence network edges of soil bacterial communities by 32.6% and 35.2%, respectively. The linear correlation coefficients between soil carbendazim residues and pH, ETSA and NH4+-N contents were − 0.84, − 0.57 and − 0.80, respectively. The nitrification inhibitor applications generated win-win effects on the soil-crop systems by decreasing carbendazim residues but promoting soil bacterial community diversities and stabilities and crop yields.