Reduce Nitrogen Losses Research Articles

Isolation and application of a thermotolerant nitrifying bacterium Gordonia paraffinivorans N52 in sewage sludge composting for reducing nitrogen loss

A thermotolerant strain with heterotrophic nitrification capability obtained from sludge composting was identified as Gordonia paraffinivorans N52. Strain N52 utilized 51.8% of ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) at 60℃, and the nitrogen balance results indicated that 25.5% of the consumed NH4+-N was changed into nitrification intermediates, 53.0% to intracellular nitrogen, and only 5.2% was lost. The successful detection of enzymes related to nitrification and PCR amplification of functional genes further demonstrated nitrification ability of the isolated strain. Moreover, orthogonal test indicated that conditions for the optimal nitrification performance were C/N 15, 50℃, 150 rpm and pH 8. Compared with the control group, the addition of Gordonia paraffinivorans N52 to sewage sludge composting reduced 27.6% of ammonia emissions, accelerated the conversion from NH4+-N to nitrate nitrogen and decreased the total nitrogen loss. These results suggested that inoculation of Gordonia paraffinivorans N52 effectively controlled ammonia emissions and reduced nitrogen loss in composting.

Effects of potassium persulfate on nitrogen loss and microbial community during cow manure and corn straw composting

Strong oxidants can reduce the emission of NH3 during composting. But as a commonly used oxidant, the influence of persulfate on nitrogen transformation during composting is unclear. In this study, the effects of 0.3 %–1.2 % potassium persulfate (PS) on nitrogen losses and microbial community during air-dried cow manure composting were investigated. The results showed that PS could reduce nitrogen losses compared to the control. This was because it decreased pH and the maximum NH4+-N content of treatments, which was beneficial to nitrogen retention. In addition, Pseudoxanthomonas and Chelativorans were enriched compared to the control, which might be associated with NH4+-N transformation and nitrogen fixation. Meanwhile, PS increased the abundance of thermophilic lignocellulose degrading bacteria, and 0.3 % and 0.6 % PS increased the maximum temperature and the duration of the thermophilic period. This study indicated that PS could reduce nitrogen losses in composting and greatly influence nitrogen transforming and lignocellulose degrading bacteria.

Synthesis of dual-functional pyrazole-based transition metal complexes for improved urease and nitrification activities

Urease inhibitors (UIs) and nitrification inhibitors (NIs) can greatly reduce nitrogen loss in agriculture soil. However, design and synthesis of an efficient and environmentally dual-functional inhibitor is still a great challenge. Herein, three transition metal complexes (TMCs) based on pyrazole (Hpz) and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (Hdmpz), namely, [Cu(Hpz)4Cl2] (1), [Zn2(Hdmpz)2(dmpz)2Cl2] (2) and [Co(Hdmpz)2Cl2] (3) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that the three TMCs are 0D supramolecular compounds. Furthermore, the urease and nitrification inhibitive activities of the TMCs are evaluated, showing the excellent nitrification inhibitive activity with the nitrification inhibitive rate is as high as 70.98 % on the 49th day by soil cultivating experiment. Particularly, complex 1 shows significant urease inhibitive activity with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 0.73 ± 0.02 μM (0.5 h) and 0.93 ± 0.01 μM (3 h), which can be served as a dual-functional inhibitor.

Effect of Deep Placement of Large Granular Fertilizer on Ammonia Volatilization, Soil Nitrogen Distribution and Rice Growth

Excessive fertilization is often applied to produce rice. To reduce nitrogen loss and improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), we studied the effects of application depth (surface application, 5 and 10 cm) and shape of nitrogen fertilizers (row application and deep application of large granular fertilizer) on rice growth, soil N distribution and ammonia volatilization. The results showed that grain yield, shoot biomass and total dry biomass of the treatment with N in large granular fertilizer applied at 10 cm depth were significantly higher than those of all other treatments. Moreover, compared with the surface application, the N recovery efficiency and the N agronomic efficiency of deep application treatments were enhanced by 18.1–52.3% and 35.6–95.6%, respectively. Deep application significantly increased NH4+-N concentration at their fertilization points. During the growth season, N in large granular fertilizer treatments (mixed with clay to form an unusually large pellet of 1.0–1.5 cm in diameter) distributed closer to the roots, while N in other treatments, including row application treatments, was more widely distributed. Compared with the surface application, deep application significantly reduced NH3 volatilization and NH4+-N concentration in surface water by 58.7–64.8% and 26.0–72.5%, respectively. Furthermore, the NH3 volatilization from large granular treatment was 7.6–11.0% lower than that in the row application. In conclusion, applying N in large granular fertilizer at 10 cm depth reduces ammonia volatilization, and improves rice growth and grain yield, indicating improved NUE and lowered environmental risks.

Incentivizing the adoption of precision agricultural technologies in small‐scaled farming systems: A choice experiment approach

AbstractPrecision farming technologies are expected to reduce nutrient surplus in agriculture. Uptake of these technologies in European farming systems, however, is low and policy incentives are needed to promote environmental benefits. We conducted a choice experiment with 418 Swiss farmers to elicit their preferences for site‐specific nitrogen fertilization technologies. Using a split‐sample approach, we elicit both willingness‐to‐accept and willingness‐to‐pay welfare measures. Results show that welfare measures for the nitrogen reduction potential vary significantly between the two samples. This indicates that the policy design affects farmers' preferences and willingness to adopt precision farming technologies that reduce nitrogen losses from agricultural production.

Exploring the dynamic of microbial community and metabolic function in food waste composting amended with traditional Chinese medicine residues

The aim of this study was to explore the dynamic of microbial community and metabolic function in food waste composting amended with traditional Chinese medicine residues (TCMRs). Results suggested that TCMRs addition at up to 10% leads to a higher peak temperature (60.5 °C), germination index (GI) value (119.26%), and a greater reduction in total organic carbon (TOC) content (8.08%). 10% TCMRs significantly induced the fluctuation of bacterial community composition, as well as the fungal community in the thermophilic phase. The addition of 10% TCMRs enhanced the abundance of bacterial genera such as Acetobacter, Bacillus, and Brevundimonas, as well as fungal genera such as Chaetomium, Thermascus, and Coprinopsis, which accelerated lignocellulose degradation and humification degree. Conversely, the growth of Lactobacillus and Pseudomonas was inhibited by 10% TCMRs to weaken the acidic environment and reduce nitrogen loss. Metabolic function analysis revealed that 10% TCMRs promoted the metabolism of carbohydrate and amino acid, especially citrate cycle, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and cysteine and methionine metabolism. Redundancy analysis showed that the carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio was the most significant environmental factor influencing the dynamic of bacterial and fungal communities.

Plant endophytes and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alter the decomposition of Achnatherum sibiricum litter

Symbiotic infection with endophytic fungi has been shown to affect the decomposition rate of host plant leaf litter, but whether this effect is influenced by the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) remains unclear. In this study, we placed litterbags with endophyte-infected (E+) and endophyte-free (E−) Achnatherum sibiricum leaf litter in experimental microcosms in which three AMF inoculation treatments (Funneliformis mosseae, FM; Claroideoglomus etunicatum, CE; and no AMF, NM) were conducted. We then studied the dynamics of mass and nutrient losses and the soil microbial community during a 300-day decomposition period. The presence of endophytes inhibited A. sibiricum litter decomposition, while AMF significantly enhanced the rate of litter decomposition. The degree of inhibition of endophytes was dependent on the AMF species identity. The presence of endophytes significantly decreased the decomposition rate at later decomposition stages under FM inoculation, while the inhibitory effect of endophytes on litter decomposition was eliminated under CE inoculation. In the presence of endophytes, the ratio of carbon to nitrogen in litter increased, which is usually associated with lower decomposition rates. The effect of endophytes on nitrogen accumulation was also influenced by the host plant AMF status, i.e., endophytes reduced nitrogen loss from litter during decomposition only in the FM inoculation treatment. Endophytes had significant negative effects on the biomass of the soil fungal, bacterial and total microbial communities. Our findings suggest that the presence of endophytes can decrease the decomposition rate of A. sibiricum leaf litter directly by altering litter quality and indirectly by inhibiting soil microbial community development during decomposition. Moreover, this inhibitory effect changes depending on the AMF species present. These results may further our understanding of the interactive effects of these two symbionts on nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration in natural communities.

Feedstock-dependent abundance of functional genes related to nitrogen transformation controlled nitrogen loss in composting

The objective of this work was to explore how selection of feedstock affects nitrogen cycle genes during composting, which eventually determines the nitrogen loss. Four composting mixes (CM: chicken manure; SM: sheep manure; MM1/3: mixed manure with CM: SM = 1:3 w/w, MM3/1: CM: SM = 3:1 w/w) were investigated. Results showed that adding 25 % and 75 % SM to CM reduced 26.5 % and 57.9 % nitrogen loss, respectively. CM contained more ammonification genes and nrfA gene, while SM had more denitrification genes. Nitrogen fixation genes in CM were slightly higher than that in SM at the initial stage, but they sharply dropped off as the composting entered the high temperature stage. MM1/3 showed significantly reduced ammonification genes than CM, and increased nitrogen fixation and NH4+ assimilation genes. Therefore, adding SM to CM could change the abundance of genes and enzymes related to nitrogen cycle to reduce nitrogen loss.

Characterization of heterotrophic nitrification by a thermotolerant Brevibacillus Agri N2 isolated from sewage sludge composting

A thermotolerant strain isolated from sewage sludge (SS) composting was identified as Brevibacillus Agri N2, which showed the efficient capability for heterotrophic nitrification under high-temperature conditions. Incubation at 60 °C, strain N2 could utilize 45.47% of ammonium nitrogen (99.64 mg/L), 68.89% of hydroxylamine nitrogen (51.14 mg/L) and 76.77% of nitrite nitrogen (55.20 mg/L), with a minor part of nitrogen loss for 1.64%, 2.82% and 5.01%, respectively. The successful detection of ammonia monooxygenase, hydroxylamine oxidase, and nitrate oxidoreductase and PCR amplification of amoA, hao and nxrA genes provided evidence of nitrification ability by strain N2. Furthermore, single-factor experiments indicated that the optimal conditions for efficient nitrification performance by strain N2 were succinate as carbon source, 50 °C, C/N 12, pH 8 and 200 r/min. Strain N2 could perform the complete nitrification process, with minimal nitrogen loss at high temperature conditions, which indicated it had the potential for practical application for reducing nitrogen loss of SS composting.

Dairy Slurry Application to Stubble-Covered Soil: A Study on Sustainable Alternatives to Minimize Gaseous Emissions

The development of sustainable application practices, which do not demand incorporation into the soil, is necessary to encourage slurry use in conservation agriculture (CA). Incorporation is the most common practice to reduce nitrogen losses from the applied slurry. However, in CA, soil disturbance must be avoided. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate strategies to reduce gaseous emissions from dairy slurry applied to stubble-covered soil without incorporation. We evaluated (1) effects on ammonia (NH3) emissions of pretreatment by acidification (ADS), irrigation (IR) and placement under the stubble (US); and (2) effects of ADS, IR, US and delayed fertilization (RDS T16) on greenhouse gases (GHG). The results of the evaluated strategies were compared to raw slurry (RDS) and ammonium sulphate (MS). Additionally, in experiment 2, the results were compared to ammonium sulphate (MB) and slurry injection (IN), both in bare soil. ADS, US and IR decreased NH3 emissions by 66%, 60% and 32.5%, respectively, with total N emissions NH3 emissions accounting for more than 79% of N losses in slurry-based treatments. Late application reduced N2O emissions by 48%. GHG emissions from ADS, US and IR were similar to those from MS, MB and IN. ADS, US and IR are the most suitable strategies for slurry application in CA.

Regulation effects of carbonized apple branches on absorption, distribution, and utilization of 15N single-labeled ammonium nitrate (15NH4NO3 or NH415NO3) in Malus hupehensis

To improve the utilization of nitrogen fertilizer and orchard waste, the apple branches were separated and pyrolyzed into carbonized wood and carbonized bark, and then applied to root-zone soil of potted Malus hupehensis. The physiological characteristics of leaves and roots were detected, and the absorption, utilization, and distribution of 15NH4NO3 and NH415NO3 in plants were analyzed using the 15N isotope tracer technique. The results indicated that the net photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency of leaves, the root growth, and the activity of nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase were greatest increased by 1.0% (w:w) carbonized bark and carbonized wood, and the effect of carbonized bark was more effective. The carbonized bark more effectively increased nitrogen derived from fertilizer (Ndff) value in all organs, the distribution of 15N in roots, and utilization of the 15NH4NO3 and NH415NO3 of Malus hupehensis compared with carbonized wood at the same application ratio, and 1.0% ratio performed better than other ratios in these terms. The Malus hupehensis treated with carbonized bark had the highest utilization ratio of 15NH4NO3 (10.54%) when the application ratio was 1.0%, and the corresponding parameter of NH415NO3 was 12.98%. The soil immobilization capacity of 15N was improved, and carbonized bark resulted in the greatest decrease in the loss ratios of 15NH4NO3 and NH415NO3 under 1.0% ratio, which decreased by 27.33% and 30.08%, respectively. For reducing nitrogen loss and improving nitrogen utilization, carbonized bark was more effective than carbonized wood, mainly because bark contained more cellulose and less lignin than wood.

Biochar reduced soil N losses and improved N balance in a rainfed winter-wheat cropping agroecosystem

Adding biochar to agricultural soils is an innovative method to improve soil fertility and sequester recalcitrant carbon. However, effects of biochar application on soil nitrogen balance under dryland conditions have not been assessed. In this study, we applied biochar at four rates [no biochar (B0), 5 t ha−1 (B5), 10 t ha−1 (B10), and 20 t ha−1 (B20)] to a rainfed winter-wheat agroecosystem on the Loess Plateau in China in October 2011 and 2016. Biochar application at the low and medium rates (5 and 10 t ha−1) reduced nitrogen losses through NH3 volatilization and N2O emissions by 9.23–15.41 % and 2.77–10.44 %, respectively, in all the three experimental study seasons from 2016 to 2019. In addition, biochar application reduced soil NO3−-N leaching by 14.71–37.96 % within 100 cm soil depth in a dose-dependent manner. The reduced nitrogen losses increased the retention of soil total nitrogen in the 0–60 cm soil layer (particularly in the 0–20 cm layer). Biochar application increased the crop and grain nitrogen uptake by 5.07–17.77 % and 1.73–21.74 %, respectively, and this effect was more pronounced at higher biochar application rates (10 and 20 t ha−1). Estimation of N inputs and outputs indicated that biochar application significantly (P < 0.05) increased the mean soil nitrogen balance by 52.09–116.84 % through decreased nitrogen losses and increased soil nitrogen retention. The results indicate that biochar application at 10 t ha−1 could be recommended as the optimal dose for sustainable nitrogen management in rainfed wheat cropping ecosystems on the Loess Plateau.

Differentiated strategies of animal-derived and plant-derived biochar to reduce nitrogen loss during paper mill sludge composting

This work aimed to reveal the differences of nitrogen (N) transformation between animal-derived and plant-derived biochar during paper mill sludge composting. Three treatments were established, including CK (no biochar), ABC (animal-derived biochar), and PBC (plant-derived biochar). Results showed that N loss was reduced by 24.43% and 35.50% in ABC and PBC, respectively, compared with CK. Moreover, the contents of acid-insoluble N (AIN) in ABC and bioavailable organic N (BON) in PBC were 6.180 g/kg and 9.269 g/kg higher than in CK (2.602 g/kg and 8.988 g/kg). The protease activity and bacterial abundance associated with the generation of humic N-containing precursors increased in ABC. Low urease activity and a more complex bacterial N-cycling network were found in PBC. Structural equation model confirmed that AIN formation and BON retention were the dominant strategies for animal-derived and plant-derived biochar, respectively. The findings provided multiple pathways to produce N-enriched compost products.

Potential application of urease and nitrification inhibitors to mitigate emissions from the livestock sector: a review.

Human activities have caused an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, resulting in climate change that affects many factors of human life including its effect on water and food quality in certain areas with implications for human health. CH4 and N2O are known as potent non-CO2 GHGs. The livestock industry contributes to direct emissions of CH4 (38.24%) and N2O (6.70%) through enteric fermentation and manure treatment, as well as indirect N2O emissions via NH3 volatilization. NH3 is also a secondary precursor of particulate matter. Several approaches have been proposed to address this issue, including dietary management, manure treatment, and the possibility of inhibitor usage. Inhibitors, including urease and nitrification inhibitors, are widely used in agricultural fields. The use of urease and nitrification inhibitors is known to be effective in reducing nitrogen loss from agricultural soil in the form of NH3 and N2O and can further reduce CH4 as a side effect. However, the effectiveness of inhibitors in livestock manure systems has not yet been explored. This review discusses the potential of inhibitor usage, specifically of N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide, dicyandiamide, and 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate, to reduce emissions from livestock manure. This review focuses on the application of inhibitors to manure, as well as the association of these inhibitors with health, toxicity, and economic benefits.

Ammonium stress promotes the conversion to organic nitrogen and reduces nitrogen loss based on restructuring of bacterial communities during sludge composting

This study aimed to clarify the conversion relationship between organic and inorganic nitrogen. The NH4Cl was used to enhance the inorganic nitrogen content. The key role of bacterial conversion of ammonium to organic nitrogen under ammonium stress was explored. Studies had shown that ammonium stress increased the amide nitrogen and bioavailable nitrogen content by 36.95% and 32.25%, respectively. Network and regression analyses showed that the microbial community structure was restructured by high ammonium and more bacteria were involved in the conversion of inorganic nitrogen to organic nitrogen(i.e., amide nitrogen, unknown nitrogen). Variation partition analysis and structural equation model showed that the bacterial community was the main contributor to organic nitrogen production(up to 67.4%), which reduced the nitrogen loss by 6.03%. These findings shed light on the poorly understood interaction between inorganic and organic nitrogen by clarifying the role of core bacterial communities in nitrogen conversion.

Effect of Irrigation and Fertilizer Management on Rice Yield and Nitrogen Loss: A Meta-Analysis.

Irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer application are two important factors affecting yield and nitrogen loss in rice fields; however, the interaction effects of different irrigation schedules and combined management of nitrogen fertilizer application on yield and nitrogen loss in rice fields remain unknown. Therefore, we collected 327 sets of data on rice yield and 437 sets of data on nitrogen loss in rice fields from 2000 to 2021 and investigated the effects of different water-saving irrigation schedules, nitrogen application levels, and water–nitrogen couplings on rice yield, nitrogen use efficiency, and nitrogen loss (N2O emissions, nitrogen runoff, nitrogen leaching, and ammonia volatilization) by meta-analysis using conventional flooding irrigation and no nitrogen treatment as controls. The results showed that alternate wet and dry irrigation and controlled irrigation had increasing effects on rice yield. Alternate wet and dry irrigation had a significant yield-increasing effect (average 2.57% increase) and dry cultivation significantly reduced rice yield with an average 21.25% yield reduction. Water-saving irrigation reduces nitrogen runoff and leaching losses from rice fields but increases N2O emissions, and alternate wet and dry irrigation has a significant effect on increasing N2O emissions, with an average increase of 67.77%. Most water-saving irrigation can increase nitrogen use efficiency. Among water-saving irrigation methods, the effect of controlled irrigation on increasing nitrogen use efficiency is 1.06%. Rice yield and nitrogen use efficiency both showed a trend of increasing then decreasing with nitrogen fertilizer application, and nitrogen loss gradually increased with the amount of nitrogen fertilizer input. Water–nitrogen coupling management can significantly reduce nitrogen loss in rice fields while saving water and increasing yield. Based on the analysis of the data in this study, when the irrigation amount was 300~350 mm and the nitrogen application amount was 200~250 kg/ha, the rice yield and nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency were at a high level, which corresponded to the irrigation schedule of controlled irrigation or alternating wet and dry irrigation in the literature. However, different rice-growing areas are affected by rainfall and land capability, etc. Further optimization and correction of the adapted water and fertilizer management system for paddy fields are needed. The optimal water–nitrogen pattern of this study can achieve high rice yield and reduce nitrogen loss.

The role of Collembola for litter decomposition under minimum and conventional tillage

AbstractBackgroundThe role of soil mesofauna in decomposition processes still is debated and this applies in particular to arable systems.AimThis study investigates the role of Collembola in decomposition processes of crop residues in two different tillage systems.MethodsWe conducted a litterbag experiment in a long‐term field site in Germany managed by conventional tillage (CT; mouldboard ploughing) and minimum tillage (MT). Litterbags filled with maize leaf litter of two mesh sizes (2 mm and 48 μm) were used. Litterbags were buried at 23 cm (CT) and 5–8 cm (MT), and retrieved after 2, 5 and 7 months. Litter mass, concentrations of carbon and nitrogen, litter C/N ratio as well as the abundance and community structure of Collembola and the incorporation of maize‐derived carbon into Collembola were investigated.ResultsMesofauna enhanced the loss of litter carbon, while litter mass loss was reduced. Litter C/N ratio in MT was generally lower than that in CT and decreased faster in litterbags with coarse mesh size. Abundance of Collembola in litterbags in CT exceeded that in MT, but species composition remained unaffected by tillage. Overall, Collembola effectively colonised the litter irrespective of tillage system, but benefited in particular from translocation deeper into the soil by conventional tillage.ConclusionsMesofauna accelerates litter carbon loss and increases litter nitrogen accumulation irrespective of tillage system. This may reduce nitrogen losses due to leaching in winter and facilitate nitrogen capture from decomposing litter material by crops in the following season, thereby contributing to the sustainable management of arable systems.

Effect of Operational Conditions on Ammonia Recovery from Simulated Livestock Wastewater Using Gas-Permeable Membrane Technology

Gas-permeable membrane (GPM) technology is a novel alternative to reduce N content in wastewater while recovering N in the form of an ammonium salt solution that can be used as fertilizer. This work aims to elucidate the effects of three operational conditions on the performance of GPM technology for ammonia recovery in batch conditions using synthetic wastewater that simulates livestock wastewater. Firstly, the effect of the ratio of the initial mass of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) per membrane surface from 197 to 936 g N per m2 of membrane was investigated. The highest ratio presented the highest TAN recovery rate (90 g N m−2 d−1). Secondly, the influence of the ratio of the volume of wastewater per volume of acidic trapping solution in the range from 7.8 to 33.3 L L−1 was studied. In this case, the higher the ratio, the higher the N concentration in the trapping solution, achieving a N concentration of 43,773 mg N L−1 with a ratio of 33.3 L L−1. Finally, two different TAN concentrations (&lt;0.1 and 30 g N L−1) in the acidic trapping solution were evaluated. The use of a trapping solution with a TAN concentration of 30 g N L−1 led to a reduction in the TAN recovery rate, which meant that the diffusion of ammonia through the membrane was more difficult as the trapping solution became saturated with TAN. Overall, the tested conditions highly influence the performance of GPM technology, and therefore, these conditions should be set to optimize the ammonia recovery and reduce nitrogen losses.

Can Dairy Slurry Application to Stubble, without Incorporation into the Soil, Be Sustainable?

In many countries, livestock slurry must be injected or incorporated into the soil to reduce nitrogen losses. However, when the injection is not feasible, farmers adopting conservation practices discard the use of slurry as fertilizer. New approaches related to slurry treatment or application management can stimulate the use of slurry in conservation agriculture (CA). This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic effects of some new management strategies to use dairy slurry for fertilization of ryegrass grown on stubble-covered soil, using as reference standard practices (slurry injection and mineral fertilizer application). The following treatments were considered: (i) bare soil: control (CB), mineral fertilizer (MB), injection (IN); (ii) stubble: control (CS), acidified dairy slurry (ADS), raw dairy slurry (RDS), irrigation following RDS (IR), mineral fertilizer (MS), RDS placed under the stubble (US), raw slurry applied 16 days after sowing (RDS T16). Effects on ryegrass yield, apparent nutrient recovery (ANR) and soil chemical properties were assessed. ADS reached 94% equivalence to MS and performed similarly to IN for productivity, ANR and soil parameters showing to be a sustainable alternative to replace mineral nitrogen and a potential solution to enable dairy slurry application in CA without injection or incorporation into the soil.

Leaching of N and Initial Development of Maize as a Function of Urea and Urea Doses Coated with Sulfur

Urea is the most important source among nitrogen fertilizers, but leaching losses are highly susceptible. The fertilizer industry has the challenge of improving the chemical characteristics of fertilizers, ensuring the best efficiency in the application and utilization of nutrients. An alternative is sulfur treatment to reduce this problem. The present work had as objective to evaluate the soil nitrogen loss by leaching, treated with urea doses with and without sulfur coating (FH Nitro Gold®). For this, leaching experiments were set up in the laboratory and initial corn cultivation in a greenhouse. The soil used was classified as Red Yellow Argisol, collected at the UFS Rural Campus. Two treatments were applied, which consisted of the application of the two sources of Nitrogen, with doses of 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg per hectare, where nitrogen losses were evaluated by leaching (ammonium, nitrate and total N). A second leaching experiment was set up at the following rates: 0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 kg per hectare, and after leaching the corn was cultivated for 30 days under greenhouse conditions. After 30 days of cultivation, the biometric parameters were assessed (leaf number, stem diameter and height of plants). The source of nitrogen fertilizer coated with sulfur provided reduction of nitrogen loss by leaching when compared to uncoated urea. The application of coated urea presents higher soil nitrogen absorption and better results in the development of maize plants grown under greenhouse conditions.