Addition Of Nitrification Inhibitors Research Articles

The effect of nitrification inhibitors on soil ammonia emissions in nitrogen managed soils: a meta-analysis

Nitrification inhibitors (NI) retain nitrogen (N) in the ammonium (NH4+) form longer in soil providing more time for plant uptake of NH4+. They can also reduce production of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) by inhibiting nitrification and subsequent denitrification processes. However, this extended retention of N in the NH4+ form in the soils treated with NI can increase ammonia (NH3) emission. Studies conducted so far provide conflicting results on the effect of NI treatment on NH3 emissions. Here we have collated results available to date from peer-reviewed literature (46 data set from 21 studies from 1970 to 2010) and categorized the reported results into three groups—increase, no change, and decrease in % applied N lost as NH3 (hereafter NH3 loss) in NI treatments. Significant increase in NH3 loss in NI treatment was observed in both pasture and cropping soils and from both applied urine and urea with NI (e.g., dicyandiamide (DCD), ATC [4-amino- 1.2,4-triazole]). This increase in NH3 loss was between 0.3 and 25.0 % (n = 26, mean 6.7 ± standard error 1.3 %). No change in NH3 loss with DCD was also observed in some soils (n = 14), while a small number of studies reported a decrease which was between −0.3 and −4.1 % (n = 6, −1.3 ± 0.6 %). Overall, the soils with higher pH and lower cation exchange capacity (CEC) lost more NH3 with NIs irrespective of land use and type of N input. The combined addition of both NI and urease inhibitor reduced NH3 loss compared to sole NI application (n = 4, −5.9 ± 1.3 %). Collectively, the analysed results from the small number of available data sets reported suggest that NH3 loss significantly increases with NI application, depending on soil properties such as soil pH and CEC. More studies are needed both to quantitatively determine the effect of NIs on NH3 loss and to mitigate the loss.

Effect of cattle slurry pre-treatment by separation and addition of nitrification inhibitors on gaseous emissions and N dynamics: A laboratory study

The application of untreated or treated animal manure to soils can result in increased N and C gaseous emissions contributing to ecosystem change and global warming. In the present study, dairy cattle slurry (liquid manure) was subjected first to pre-treatment by separation using a screw press to obtain a liquid (LF) and a solid fraction (SF). Then, the different fractions and the whole slurry (WS) were combined with two nitrification inhibitors (NI), dicyandiamide (DCD) or 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP), were applied to soil to assess the effect of slurry treatment by separation and NI addition on soil N dynamics and CH 4, CO 2, NH 3, NO and N 2O emissions. The WS and the two slurry fractions, combined or not with DCD or DMPP, were applied to soil at an equivalent field dosage of 120 kg total N ha −1. Controls including a soil only, soil–DCD and soil–DMPP treatments were also included. The mixtures were incubated for 93-d at 20 °C. Results obtained show that NI inhibited nitrification between 16 and 30-d in WS and LF, with DMPP having a longer effect over time compared to DCD. There was no significant effect of NI on nitrification for the SF treatment. Nitrification inhibitors did not significantly affect ( P > 0.05) the CH 4, CO 2 and N 2O emissions, but significantly decreased ( P < 0.05) NO emissions. Furthermore, the two NIs had a similar effect on gaseous emissions. Throughout the entire experiment, the greatest amount of NO was released from the LF treatment (without NI), while the greatest amount of N 2O was released from the SF treatment. Slurry separation had no impact on N emissions, while the combination of this process with one of the two NI led to a small reduction in total N emissions.

Effect of N‐(n‐butyl) Thiophosphoric Triamide and 3,4 Dimethylpyrazole Phosphate on Gaseous Emissions from Grasslands under Different Soil Water Contents

The intensification of grassland systems is leading to serious environmental risks due to the large input of nitrogen (N) in fertilizers and the subsequent gaseous losses. Addition of nitrification inhibitors (NI) or urease activity inhibitors to fertilizers could reduce these losses to the atmosphere. In the present study, the effects of the nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) and the urease activity inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) were evaluated on NH3, N2O, NO, and CO2 emissions. Ammonium sulphate nitrate (ASN), urea and cattle slurry were applied at a rate of 70 kg N ha(-1) to a mixed clover-ryegrass sward in the Basque Country (northern Spain) under different soil water contents. NH3 and NO emissions were determined by photoacoustic and chemiluminescence respectively using an open chamber technique while N2O and CO2 emissions were measured by photoacoustic using a closed chamber technique. When the water filled pore space (WFPS) was under 60%, the application of NBPT reduced NO emissions a 34% on urea and an 18% on slurry, and the application of DMPP reduced them a 2% on ASN and a 4% on slurry. No significant effect was observed on NH3 losses. When WFPS was over 60%, no effect could be observed on NO and N2O emissions after the application of both inhibitors, but NH3 losses were reduced a 31% by NBPT when applied with the slurry. Carbon dioxide emissions were unaffected by the use of DMPP or NBPT at any soil water content. Neither grassland yield nor herbage N concentration were influenced by the application of both inhibitors.

3,4‐Dimethylpyrazol Phosphate Effect on Nitrous Oxide, Nitric Oxide, Ammonia, and Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Grasslands

Intensively managed grasslands are potentially a large source of NH3, N2O, and NO emissions because of the large input of nitrogen (N) in fertilizers. Addition of nitrification inhibitors (NI) to fertilizers maintains soil N in ammonium form. Consequently, N2O and NO losses are less likely to occur and the potential for N utilization is increased, and NH3 volatilization may be increased. In the present study, we evaluated the effectiveness of the nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazol phosphate (DMPP) on NH3, N2O, NO, and CO2 emissions following the application of 97 kg N ha(-1) as ammonium sulfate nitrate (ASN) and 97 kg NH4+ -N ha(-1) as cattle slurry to a mixed clover-ryegrass sward in the Basque Country (northern Spain). After slurry application, 16.0 and 0.7% of the NH4+ -N applied was lost in the form of N2O and NO, respectively. The application of DMPP induced a decrease of 29 and 25% in N2O and NO emissions, respectively. After ASN application 4.6 and 2.8% of the N applied was lost as N2O and NO, respectively. The application of DMPP with ASN (as ENTEC 26; COMPO, Münster, Germany) unexpectedly did not significantly reduce N2O emissions, but induced a decrease of 44% in NO emissions. The amount of NH4+ -N lost in the form of NH3 following slurry and slurry + DMPP applications was 7.8 and 11.0%, respectively, the increase induced by DMPP not being statistically significant. Levels of CO2 emissions were unaffected in all cases by the use of DMPP. We conclude that DMPP is an efficient nitrification inhibitor to be used to reduce N2O and NO emissions from grasslands.

Mitigation of N2O emissions from grassland by nitrification inhibitor and Actilith F2 applied with fertilizer and cattle slurry

Abstract. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is involved in both ozone destruction and global warming. In agricultural soils it is produced by nitrification and denitrification mainly after fertilization. Nitrification inhibitors have been proposed as one of the management tools for the reduction of the potential hazards of fertilizer‐derived N2O. Addition of nitrification inhibitors to fertilizers maintains soil N in ammonium form, thereby gaseous N losses by nitrification and denitrification are less likely to occur and there is increased N utilization by the sward. We present a study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) and of the slurry additive Actilith F2 on N2O emissions following application of calcium ammonium nitrate or cattle slurry to a mixed clover/ryegrass sward in the Basque Country. The results indicate that large differences in N2O emission occur depending on fertilizer type and the presence or absence of a nitrification inhibitor. There is considerable scope for immediate reduction of emissions by applying DCD with calcium ammonium nitrate or cattle slurry. DCD, applied at 25 kg ha–1, reduced the amount of N lost as N2O by 60% and 42% when applied with cattle slurry and calcium ammonium nitrate, respectively. Actilith F2 did not reduce N2O emissions and it produced a long lasting mineralization of previously immobilized added N.

Release of ammonium and urea from dissolved organic nitrogen in aquatic ecosystems

AME Aquatic Microbial Ecology Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsSpecials AME 16:295-302 (1999) - doi:10.3354/ame016295 Release of ammonium and urea from dissolved organic nitrogen in aquatic ecosystems Tom Berman1,*, Christian Béchemin2, Serge Y. Maestrini2 1Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Yigal Allon Kinneret Limnological Laboratory, PO Box 345, Tiberias 14105, Israel 2CREMA-L'Houmeau (CNRS-IFREMER), BP 5, F-17137 L'Houmeau, France *E-mail: tberman@inter.net.il ABSTRACT: The potential for release of ammonium (NH4+) and/or urea from the pool of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) was examined in samples taken from Lake Kinneret (Israel), the River Charente estuary and coastal water near Ile de Ré (French Atlantic coast). After prefiltration through 1.0 or 1.2 μm membranes to remove most of the microbiota with the exception of bacteria, water samples with or without supplements (40 μM) of various organic nitrogen compounds (arginine, glucosamine, guanine, hypoxanthine, lysine, ornithine or thymine) were incubated at in situ temperatures, in the dark, for 7 to 14 d. Concentrations of NH4+ and urea were monitored during the incubation period. Increases of NH4+ with time were observed in 8 out of 12 experiments with unsupplemented lake samples, and in a single trial with coastal water, but not with Charente estuary water. In some experiments, increases of urea concentrations were also observed. The addition of organic nitrogen compounds almost always led to NH4+ increases in samples from all locations; guanine, hypoxanthine, arginine and, in the case of Charente water, glucosamine gave rise to urea. The addition of nitrification inhibitors (40 μM) at the start of some experiments gave inconsistent results, but in some cases appeared to increase the concentrations of NH4+ with time. Taken together, the results of these experiments clearly indicate the potential in natural waters for degradation of DON pool constituents by indigenous bacteria and/or free dissolved enzymes to NH4+ or urea; these in turn can be effectively exploited by the ambient microbiota. The breakdown of DON with the concomitant release of readily available compounds such as NH4+ or urea could be an important process in the nitrogen nutrition of phytoplankton and bacteria. KEY WORDS: DON · Decomposition · NH4+ · Urea · Bacteria · Lake · Estuary Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in AME Vol. 16, No. 3. Publication date: February 24, 1999 Print ISSN: 0948-3055; Online ISSN: 1616-1564 Copyright © 1999 Inter-Research.

Nitrogen Transformations and Losses following Pig Slurry Applications to a Natural Soil Filter System (Solepur Process) in Brittany, France

Abstract The soil filter system, Solepur, has been shown to be highly successful at removing organic matter and nitrogen (N) from pig slurry during its first five years of operation. The system involves three operations; application of large volumes of pig slurry to a managed field; collection and treatment of the nitrate-rich leachate; and irrigation of the treated water over other fields. The purpose of this study was to determine the environmental implications of applying excessive volumes of slurry to the managed field and to improve the understanding of the N cycle in the soil filter system. Nitrous oxide (N 2 O) and ammonia (NH 3 ) emissions were measured from the managed field following two slurry applications under different soil conditions. Denitrification losses, nitrate leaching, N uptake by plants and soil immobilization of N were determined and methane (CH 4 ) emissions were measured. Emissions were monitored following slurry applications in June and in the following October. Losses of nitrogen (expressed as a percentage of that applied), following the October application, were measured as 6% (ammonia), 23% (as nitrous oxide) and 12% (as dinitrogen gas). Losses as ammonia following the previous June application were greater (31%) but losses as nitrous oxide were less ( Measured losses and transformation of N were in agreement with the estimated N balance made in earlier work. Methods for reducing NH 3 and denitrification losses from the system are discussed, e.g. shallow injection of slurry to reduce ammonia losses and the addition of nitrification inhibitors to slurry to reduce the production of a suitable nitrogen source at times when conditions are favourable for denitrification.

Approaches for Improving Crop Competitiveness Through the Manipulation of Fertilization Strategies

Weeds are often more competitive with crops at higher soil nutrient levels. This can result in increased dependency on herbicides and tillage to maintain adequate weed control. A number of studies have shown weeds accumulate higher concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium than crops, thus depleting soil nutrient levels more quickly and reducing crop yield. Understanding basic mechanisms and timing of nutrient uptake in weeds and crops can lead to fertilization strategies which will enhance the competitive ability of crops while reducing interference from weeds. Such strategies can include deep band application of fertilizers to the crop row, as opposed to broadcast applications. Banding techniques also reduce the potential for nitrate contamination of surface or groundwater. The addition of nitrification inhibitors or increasing the proportion of nitrogen as ammonium or urea in fertilizer mixtures can restrict growth of ammonium- or urea-sensitive weeds. The timing of fertilizer applications can take advantage of maximal rates of nutrient uptake into crop roots at specific developmental stages. In addition, nutrient use efficiency can be enhanced by choosing appropriate crop cultivars, maintaining effective weed control practices, or altering row spacing or seeding rate to increase accumulation of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in crops.

Use of Nitrification Inhibitors and Ammonia Enrichment with Swine Manure Applications

A 3-yr study was conducted to determine the effects of inhibiting nitrification and addition of anhydrous ammonia on the fertilizer value of swine manure. Nitrapyrin (0.56, 1.12, 1.68 kg/ha), etradiazol (0.6, 1.2 kg/ha) and sodium methyl dithiocarbamate (1.2 kg/ha) were added to swine manure enriched with either 3.59 kg NH3/IOOO L for finishing, nursery and gestation house manure or 4.79 kg NH3/1000 L for farrowing house manure. All manures were injected in an Odell silt loam soil cropped to corn (Zea Mays L.) during fall or spring seasons at the rate of 28,062 to 30,868 L/ha for finishing, nursery and gestation house manure and 42,093 to 46,770 L/ha for farrowing house manure. Total nitrogen application rates on the manure plots ranged from 133 to 295 kg N/ha based on the corn plant requirement of 207 kg N/ha with a 7493 kg/ha grain yield. At above optimal nitrogen application levels, average corn yields were increased over 6% by addition of nitrification inhibitors. The beneficial effects of nitrification inhibitors on corn yields were greater when manure was applied in the fall compared to spring application. Over the entire study, adding 1.12 kg/ha of nitraprin or etradiazol to manure increased corn yields the most compared to other inhibitor levels or sodium methyl dithiocarbamate. Addition of 0.56 kg/ha of nitrapyrin in the fall also increased corn yields compared to manure applications without the inhibitor. Soil nutrient levels did not increase from the manure applications. Ammonia enrichment of the manure increased the proportion of the manure N in the NH4-N form. Lower stalk rot incidence and a trend towards increased N in grain and corn leaves were observed with the use of nitrification inhibitors.

Technique and Equipment for Nitrification Inhibitor Addition to Liquid Swine Manure

IN the past, the handling of deep pit liquid swine manure was considered more of a liability than an asset for recovering its fertilizer value. However, with use of a nitrification inhibitor has proven to be a successful additive in maximizing the fertilizer value of anhydrous ammonia enriched liquid swine manure when it was injected in the fall and/or spring. Techniques and equipment were developed and evaluated to automate the addition of a nitrification inhibitor to liquid manure during the loading operation. The controls were centralized to allow easy activation of all components of the loading process by the applicator driver from his truck cab.

Effects of nitrification inhibitors on transformations of urea nitrogen in soils

The effects of three patented nitrification inhibitors on transformations of urea N in soils were studied by determining the effects of these compounds (10 μg/g of soil) on urea hydrolysis, ammonia volatilization. and production of ammonium, nitrite, and nitrate in soils incubated under aerobic conditions (30°C, 60% WHC) after treatment with urea (400 μg of urea N/g of soil). The inhibitors used (N-Serve, ATC, and CL-1580) had little, if any, effect on urea hydrolysis, but they retarded nitrification of the ammonium formed by urea hydrolysis and increased gaseous loss of urea N as ammonia. They also decreased the amount of (urea + exchangeable ammonium + nitrite + nitrate) — N found in urea-treated soils after various times. Two of the soils used accumulated substantial amounts of nitrite(> 160 μg of nitrite N/g of soil) when incubated under aerobic conditions after treatment with urea. Addition of nitrification inhibitors to these soils eliminated or substantially reduced nitrite accumulation and greatly retarded nitrate formation, but had little, if any, effect on the recovery of urea N as (urea + exchangeable ammonium + nitrite + nitrate + ammonia) — N after various times. This finding and other observations reported indicate that the “nitrogen deficits” observed in studies of urea N transformations in soils may not largely be due to gaseous loss of urea N through chemodenitrification and are at least partly due to volatilization and fixation of the ammonium formed by urea hydrolysis in soils. The work reported also indicates that N-Serve and other nitrification inhibitors may prove useful for reduction of the nitrite toxicity problems associated with the use of urea as a fertilizer but that application of such inhibitors in conjunction with fertilizer urea, when surface applied, may promote gaseous loss of urea N as ammonia.