Effect of placement of urea and coated urea fertilizers on yield and quality of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) seeds

The objective of the present study was to record the seed yield and to examine visually the quality of soybean seeds cultivated under different types and placements of urea fertilizers. In addition to the conventional fertilizer application (including ammonium sulfate 16 kg N ha^-1 broadcasting (100 kg N ha^-1 of urea (0B) and X00-d type coated urea CU-100 (CUB), and deep placement (100 kg N ha^-1) of urea (UD) and 100-d type coated urea CU-100 (CUD) was conducted in separate plots in a paddy field converted to an upland field located at Shindori Experimental Station of Niigata University. Soybean plant growth was periodically analyzed and the quality of harvested seeds was also visually examined (hereafter referred to as “visual quality”). It was found that the deep placement treatments were more conducive 1o nitrogen (N₂)fixation, based on the relative mreide N concentration in the xylem sap, which is a good indicator of N~fixation by soybean. Also the total seed yield was the highest in CUD (82 g plant^-1) and 0D (81 g plant^-1), compared to the control (62 g plant^-1), UB (68 g plant^-1), and CUB (68 g plant^-1). The visual quality of harvested seeds showed that CUD enhanced the quality of seeds compared to the other treatments, in which the percentage of good quality seeds, hereafter referred to as "good seeds," based on the dry weight was 51 (control), 65 (K3B), 61 (CUB), 61 (0D), and 6696 (CUD). In terms of diseased seeds, the percentage of turtle wrinkle and broken seed coats was found to decrease by N application compared to the control. Thus, it is suggested that N fertilization management is important for maximum yield of soybean as well as for the enhancement of seed quality.     

Effects of deep placement of controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer on soybean growth and yield under sulfur deficiency

Sulfur (S) and Nitrogen (N) metabolisms in plants are interacted and it is known that S deficiency decrease N absorption and metabolism. In leguminous plants S deficiency also decreases N₂ fixation by rhizobia in the nodules. Deep placement of a controlled-release N fertilizer is a good method to provide nitrogen to soybean without inhibiting N₂ fixation; thus, it was hypothesized that this method is able to provide nitrogen effectively to sulfur-deficient soybean plants. In this study effects of deep placement of coated urea on S-N physicological interaction, growth and productivity in soybean plants were examined using pot experiments. Soybean plants were grown with sulfate concentrations of 30, 100, or 1000 μM, with or without deep placement of coated urea. Shoot weights at the developing stage were not affected by S deficiency. SPAD values of leaves during the flowering stage decreased with S deficiency and increased with the deep placement of coated urea. S deficiency decreased seed weight per plant at the harvesting stage, but this decrease was attenuated by the deep placement of coated urea. N and S content in shoots at the developing stage increased with the deep placement of coated urea, whereas in seeds, only the N content increased. N₂ fixation activity based on the relative ureide-N content in xylem sap indicated that the deep placement of coated urea did not inhibit N₂ fixation activity at the early flowering stage. Without deep placement of coated urea, the relative ureide-N content decreased under S deficiency at the seed filling stage. These results suggest that the deep placement of coated urea is an efficient method to supply N to support soybean yield under S deficiency.

Abbreviations: Deep+: with deep placement of coated urea; Deep–: without deep placement of coated urea     

Effectiveness of foreign bradyrhizobia strains in enhancing nodulation, dry matter and seed yield of soybean (Glycine max L.) cultivars in Nigeria

 Field experiments were conducted to investigate the performance of three soybean cultivars with five foreign bradyrhizobia strains in different regions. The experiments at the two sites were designed with soybean (Glycine max L.) cultivars as the main factor and bradyrhizobia strains (USDA 136, TAL 122, USDA 6, TAL 377 and TAL 102) as the sub-factor. The experiments were arranged in randomised complete block design with four replications. Results show that nodule number, nodule dry weight and shoot dry weight, total N and seed yield were significantly increased when soybean cultivars were inoculated with foreign bradyrhizobia in two locations in the south east of Nigeria. At 63 days after planting the percentage increase in nodule number and dry weight after inoculation of soybean cultivars with bradyrhizobia strains ranged from 71 to 486% and from 0 to 200%, respectively. The percentage increase in shoot dry matter, %N and total N after bradyrhizobia inoculation ranged between 2–130%, 18–62% and 35–191%, respectively at Awka, and at the Igbariam site the percentage increase in shoot dry weight, %N and total N ranged between 3–76%, 0–43% and 19–125%, respectively. Seed yields after bradyrhizobia inoculation of soybean cultivar TGX 1485–1D at Igbariam ranged between 1.20 and 2.18 t ha^–1 against the uninoculated plants, which had seed yields of 1.05 t ha^–1. The poorest yield response after inoculation with bradyrhizobia strains was observed in soybean cultivar M-351, with a seed yield ranging from 0.60 to 0.98 t ha^–1. The fact that foreign bradyrhizobia strains were more effective than the indigenous strains for all the parameters studied suggests that there is a need to use bradyrhizobia inoculants for increased soybean production in Nigeria. The variations in the strain performance with the different soybean cultivars at the two sites, emphasises the need for careful Bradyrhizobium spp. strain selection. The fact that inoculation response was cultivar- and site-specific suggests that strategies for improving inoculation response in soybean cultivars should also consider the soil environment where the soybean is to be produced. Received: 25 May 1999     

The effect of growing soybean (Glycine max. L.) on N2O emission from soil

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of growing soybean on N₂O emission from soil. When soybean was growing in pots, the cumulative N₂O emission during the growing season was 2.26 mg N pot⁻¹, which was 5.9 times greater than that from the identical but unplanted pots (CK). However, the difference in N₂O fluxes between the two treatments was not significant until the grain-filling stage. Of the total N₂O emission, 94% took place during the period from grain-filling to ripening. Premature harvesting of the aerial parts of the plants at various growth stages substantially stimulated N₂O emission from the soil. These results implied that the process of symbiotic N fixation per se does not stimulate N₂O production or emission, but rather senescence and decomposition of the roots and nodules in the late growth stage. Therefore, additional N₂O would be emitted from the soil after harvesting of soybean with roots, litter, and residues left in situ.     

Effects of CaCN2 treatment of seeds of Inubie (Echinochloa oryzicola) on synthesis of protein and RNA during germination

Protein and RNA induction during the germination of Inubie (Echinochloa oryzicola) seeds pretreated with CaCN₂ was studied. It was observed that the germination of Echinochloa oryzicola seeds was delayed after pretreatment with a high concentration of CaCN₂ for 18 h. A considerable difference in the protein patterns was detected in the SDS-PAGE gel between the control (H₂O) and CaCN₂ treatment, particularly a 48 kilodalton (kD) protein band disappeared in CaCN₂ treatment. At the tested three levels of CaCN₂, the induction of this 48 kD protein was apparently inhibited during the germination process even when the duration of the pretreatment was as short as 2 h. When imbibed with water, the amount of the 48 kD protein increased rapidly within 1 h from the trace level in the dry seeds, and reached the maximum level after about 1–2 d. The results showed that the CaCN₂ treatment also decreased the total RNA level in the germinating seeds. The relation of this protein induction and RNA decline with the beginning of Echinochloa oryzicola germination was discussed.     

不同施肥措施对稻田氮损失和氮肥利用的影响

通过田间原位和微区同位素试验，研究不同施肥措施对水稻生长、氮肥利用和氮素损失的影响，并从土壤氮素转化探究其影响机制。结果表明：（1）与常规表施CT处理相比，尿素深施DT和尿素深施下配施有机肥DT+M显著降低土壤15N-NH3排放，DT和DT+M的15N -NH3排放因子分别为0.19%和0.37%，比CT分别降低95.8%和91.7%。（2）与表施相比，氮肥深施显著提高了植株地上部和根系对15N的吸收，减少了15N的损失。不同施肥措施中，DT+M的15N损失最小，比CT低48.7%。（3）深施能够增强土壤对NH4+-N的固定，显著提高氮肥利用率，DT和DT+M的氮肥利用率较CT分别增加了69.8%和59.1%。此外，深施还有助于水稻产量的提高，但DT处理的增产效果受环境条件的影响，而DT+M处理增产作物较为稳定。     

Effects of urease and nitrification inhibitors added to urea on nitrous oxide emissions from a loess soil

Urea fertilizer‐induced N₂O emissions from soils might be reduced by the addition of urease and nitrification inhibitors. Here, we investigated the effect of urea granule (2–3 mm) added with a new urease inhibitor, a nitrification inhibitor, and with a combined urease inhibitor and nitrification inhibitor on N₂O emissions. For comparison, the urea granules supplied with or without inhibitors were also used to prepare corresponding supergranules. The pot experiments without vegetation were conducted with a loess soil at (20 ± 2)°C and 67% water‐filled pore space. Urea was added at a dose of 86 kg N ha^–1 by surface application, by soil mixing of prills (<1 mm) and granules, and by point‐placement of supergranules (10 mm) at 5 cm soil depth. A second experiment was conducted with spring wheat grown for 70 d in a greenhouse. The second experiment included the application of urea prills and granules mixed with soil, the point‐placement of supergranules and the addition of the urease inhibitor, and the combined urease plus nitrification inhibitors at 88 kg N ha^–1. In both experiments, maximum emissions of N₂O appeared within 2 weeks after fertilization. In the pot experiments, N₂O emissions after surface application of urea were less (0.45% to 0.48% of total fertilization) than from the application followed by mixing of the soil (0.54% to 1.14%). The N₂O emissions from the point‐placed‐supergranule treatment amounted to 0.64% of total fertilization. In the pot experiment, the addition of the combined urease plus nitrification inhibitors, nitrification inhibitor, and urease inhibitor reduced N₂O emissions by 79% to 87%, 81% to 83%, and 15% to 46%, respectively, at any size of urea application. Also, the N₂O emissions from the surface application of the urease‐inhibitor treatment exceeded those of the granules mixed with soil and the point‐placed‐supergranule treatments receiving no inhibitors by 32% to 40%. In the wheat growth experiment, the N₂O losses were generally smaller, ranging from 0.16% to 0.27% of the total fertilization, than in the pot experiment, and the application of the urease inhibitor and the combined urease plus nitrification inhibitors decreased N₂O emissions by 23% to 59%. The point‐placed urea supergranule without inhibitors delayed N₂O emissions up to 7 weeks but resulted in slightly higher emissions than application of the urease inhibitor and the urease plus nitrification inhibitors under cropped conditions. Our results imply that the application of urea fertilizer added with the combined urease and nitrification inhibitors can substantially reduce N₂O emissions.     

Der Einfluß gesteigerter Stickstoffgaben auf die Entwicklung der Wurzelknöllchen,auf die symbiontische Stickstoffassimilation sowie auf das Wachstum und den Ertrag von Ackerbohnen (Vicia faba L.)

The effect of increasing nitrogen fertilizer rates on the development of root nodules, on the symbiotic N₂ assimilation, and on growth and yield of broad beans (Vicia faba L.) In pot experiments with broad beans (Vicia faba minor) the effect of increasing N fertilizer rates (0–800 mg N/pot) on nodulation, symbiotic N assimilation, plant growth, and yield has been studied. The plants were harvested at the beginning and at the end of flowering and at maturity. The following results were obtained: 1. No significant yield differences between treatments were found at the 1st and 2nd harvest, with exception of the 800 mg N/pot treatment which gave higher root yields at the first harvest. 2. At the 1st harvest (beginning of flowering) root nodule yield of the N-zero treatment was higher than the root nodule yield of the N treated plants. At later stages, however, no major differences in root nodule yield between the treatments N₁₀₀ and N₂₀₀ and the N-zero treatment were obtained. 3. Highest grain yields were obtained in the treatment with the lowest N-rate (100 mg N/pot) and in the treatment with the highest N rate (800 mg N/pot). The absolute highest amount of symbiotically fixed N was produced in the low N treatment (100 mg N/pot). Provided that the soil is low in available N a low fertilizer rate is required in order to exploit the full N₂ assimilation potential. 4. The total soil N remained fairly constant throughout the growing period.     

Effect of placement of coated urea fertilizer on root growth and rubidium uptake activity in soybean plant

Abstract

We reported in the previous paper (Takahashi et al. 1991) that the deep placement of slow release N fertilizer (coated urea) contributed to a stable increase of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) yield. In the previous study we observed that the deep placement of coated urea did not depress appreciably the nitrogen fixation by root nodules although fertilizer N was efficiently utilized. We assumed that the N absorbed from the roots in the deep layers did not cause nodule senescence, contributed to the maintenance of the leaf activity during the maturation stage, and that the increase in the availability of carbohydrate and N improved seed production. In the current report the effects of placement of coated urea fertilizer on the root growth and activity were studied by measuring the root dry weight and Rb absorption activity.     

Subsurface drip irrigation and urea phosphate fertigation for vegetables on calcareous soils

Drip irrigation lines installed at 5 cm (shallow) or 15 cm (deep) below the soil surface and furrow irrigation were compared for vegetables grown on calcareous desert soils. Urea phosphate (UP) fertilizer (17–44–0) was injected twice in the drip irrigation lines during the growing season. Yields were compared to preplant fertilized and unfertilized furrows. Fall cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) gave comparable yields under the different irrigation treatments with the drip treatments using half the water used by the furrow treatment. Cabbage yield increased in all fertilized treatments as compared to the unfertilized furrow. Petiole P and NO₃‐N concentrations were higher from the drip than from the furrow treatments. Zucchini squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) had the highest yields under deep drip and fertilized furrow treatments, with the deep drip using half the water and P rate used by the furrow treatment. The deep drip increased squash yield by 34% over the shallow drip. The unfertilized furrow gave the lowest yield. Leaf tissue concentrations of P and NO₃‐N were comparable under deep drip and fertilized furrow treatments and were higher than the concentrations achieved from shallow drip and unfertilized furrow treatments.     

Drought and nitrogen source effects on nitrogen nutrition,seed growth,and yield in soybean

Drought in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] decreases yield‐related processes and N₂ fixation is more sensitive to drought than are many other of these processes. Therefore, application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer may increase drought tolerance over those plants primarily dependent on N₂ fixation. In a field experiment, NH₄NO₃ applications (+N) to drought‐stressed soybean resulted in biomass and N accumulation rates similar to those rates for an irrigated treatment without N fertilizer (‐N). In contrast, biomass and N accumulation rates were decreased for the ‐N treatment. N fertilization increased seed growth rate and decreased seed fill duration for irrigated and drought treatments. In the drought treatment, N application increased seed number per unit area, which resulted in higher yields. In a greenhouse experiment, fertilization with either KN0₃ or NH₄C1 increased biomass and N accumulation rates during drought over those of plants dependent solely on N₂ fixation. It was concluded that application of N fertilizer to soybean increases drought tolerance because of the extreme sensitivity of N₂ fixation to drought.     

RESPONSE OF NON-NODULATING,NODULATING, AND SUPER-NODULATING SOYBEAN GENOTYPES TO POTASSIUM FERTILIZER UNDER WATER STRESS

Soil moisture is a principal environmental factor limiting legume productivity in the tropics and sub-tropics. A pot experiment was conducted at the wire house of National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt to study how potassium (K) fertilizer can mitigate the adverse effect of water stress. Three Japanese soybean (Glycine max L.) genotypes, non-nodulating (NN) (En 1282), nodulating (N) (Eneri) and super-nodulating (SN) (En-b0-1) were grown under two potassium fertilizer levels (25 and 150 mg kg^?1 soil as K1 and K2, respectively). The water stress (WS) was conducted for eight days. WS significantly reduced nodules numbers and weights, shoot dry weight, relative water content, seed yield, oil, total carbohydrate contents while protein was significantly increased in the three soybean genotypes compared with well-watered (WW). Water stress and/or K treatments caused significant increase in both free amino acids and proline as well as shoot nitrogen in the three soybean genotypes.     

Effect of partial urea application on nutrient absorption by hydroponically grown spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea cv. Okame) was grown in hydroponic pot culture with an Enshi nutrient solution amended with 0, 20, or 50% urea with or without nickel addition (Ni; 0.05 mg L^-1), while the total concentration of N (17.33 mmol L^-1) remained constant in all the cases to evaluate the effect of partial urea application, with or without the addition of Ni, on the absorption of NO³-N, urea-N, NH₄-N, minerals (e.g. Ca, K, Mg, P) by plants. Fresh and dry weight of the shoots was highest when a 20% urea solution with Ni addition was used. The variation in spinach yield was related to the absorption of total-N by the plants. The absorption of total-N, attributed mainly to NO₃-N and urea-N, differed between the treatments. In the case of short-term absorption, determination by using ¹⁵N-urea and ¹⁵N-KNO₃ showed that, the urea-N absorption significantly increased with the increase in the urea concentration in the nutrient solution. When the urea solutions were used, regardless of Ni addition, the absorption of NO₃-N was more than four times higher than that of urea-No The addition of Ni in the urea solutions stimulated and increased both urea-N and NO₃-N absorption. In the case of long-term absorption, the NO₃-N absorption decreased with the decrease of the NO₃-N concentration when NO₃-N was partially replaced with urea in the nutrient solution. The addition of Ni in the urea solutions resulted in the increase of the absorption of both urea-N and NO₃-N, but the NO₃-N absorption remained lower in all the treatments compared to the control. In the urea solutions, the absorption of urea-N with or without the addition of Ni increased at a lower rate over time (sampling stages). Application of urea, with or without the addition of Ni in the nutrient solution, increased Ca absorption but decreased K and Mg absorption, whereas, P absorption was unaffected. It is suggested that spinach could grow adequately in an Enshi nutrient solution modified with 20% urea with the addition of 0.05 mg Ni L^-1, when urea totally replaced NH₄-N and partially replaced NO₃-N.     

Field performance of three Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains with two soybean (Glycine max. L.) cultivars

Summary A field experiment was condutced in a clay loam soil to study the performance of three Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains; USDA 110, USDA 138 and TAL 379, in relation to their N₂-fixing potential and competitiveness on two soybean cultivars (Clark and Calland). Inoculation of soybean cultivars with these strains, either singly or in combination, induced significant increases in plant dry weight, N₂ fixation and seed yields. However, no significant differences were found between the rhizobial strains and/or their mixtures in N₂ fixation and increased seed yield for both cultivars. The two soybean cultivars gave similar responses to inoculation. No significant differences in seed yield were observed between Clark and Calland cultivars. The interaction between inoculant strain and soybean cultivar was not significant. The competition between strains for nodulation was assessed. Strain USDA 110 was the most competitive, followed by USDA 138. Strain TAL 379 was always less competitive on both cultivars. The incidence of double-strain occupancy of nodules varied from 8% to 40%.     

Influence of lime and phosphorus on soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) yield,leaf and seed composition on a paleudult soil

Abstract

This research was undertaken on a paleudult soil in southern Brazil, 30° south latitude, to quantify lime and P effect upon soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill). A lime x P factorial experience with lime treatments of 0, 0.5, 1, and 2 times SMP interpretation to pH 6.5, and 0, 44, 88, 132, and 176 kg P/ha with 3 replications were installed. The experiment was conducted for 2 years (1973–74, 1974–75), with leaf‐N, P, and K; yield; seed‐N, P, and K; Bray P₂ (0.03N NH₄F + 0.1N HC1) avail‐able‐P and soil pH measurements completed each year. Data was evaluated with linear, quadratic, logarithmic, polynomial, segmented line, and multiple regression using the coefficient of determination as goodness of fit.

The best model fit between P treatment and Bray P₂ available‐P was a quadratic equation; the model between relative yield and Bray P_2‐P with 54% of the relative yield attributed to Bray P₂ available‐P, a sigmented line. This model indicated point of maximum yield (91% relative yield) was obtained at 7.4 ppm‐P, with no increase in relative yield with increasing levels of soil available‐P. To calculate the P fertilizer necessary to increase available soil‐P to the level of maximum yield of equation Y_p = [1639(7.4 ‐ x_s)]^1/2, where Y_p = kg P/ha fertilizer needed; and x_s = initial Bray P₂ soil available‐P in ppm's. The lime effect upon soil pH was best described as a linear relationship. Yield increase with lime at this site was not significant at the 5% level.

The leaf‐N, P, and K increased significantly with soil available‐P levels. A second degree polynomial with logarithmic function best defined these relationships. The calculated DRIS indices and sum proved useful to evaluate the plant‐N, P, and K balance of each treatment.

Only seed‐P level was directly related to soil available‐P. Both seed‐N and seed‐K were highly correlated with indirect effects of soil available‐P levels.

Results from this study suggest the segmented line model would best interpret soybean yield response to Bray P₂ available‐P for this soil. To obtain maximum yield using this model rather than the second degree polynomial would require less fertilizer P. Foliar analyses interpretation confirmed adequate plant‐P level would be supplied for maximum yield at this level of fertilization.     

Nitrogen fixation and soil N level during maturation affect the contents of storage compounds of soybean seeds

We compared the concentrations and contents of protein and oil in mature seeds from nodulated and non-nodulated soybean plants grown on soils with four different N levels during maturation. We observed a positive correlation between the contents of protein and oil in seeds from nodulated plants. Seeds from nodulated plants grown on urea-treated soil showed higher protein and lower oil contents than those from plants grown on soil treated with coated slow release N fertilizer (LP-100). Contents of these compounds in seeds from nodulated plants grown on LP-100 soil were almost the same as those from non-nodulated plants on the same soil. These observations indicated that N economy in roots during seed maturation affects the contents of storage compounds. We suggested that the control of the N₂ fixation activity of soybean plants and management of soil N level during seed maturation are important to determine the contents of protein and oil in seeds.     

Volatilization losses of surface-applied urea nitrogen from Vertisols in the Indian semi-arid tropics

The N loss from Vertisols was estimated by measuring the loss of ¹⁵N-labelled urea N under conditions that promote NH₃ volatilization. Urea granules were placed on the top of 150-mm deep soil columns (Vertisols) collected from three sites with a range in pH, electrical conductivity, and cation exchange capacity. There were two contrasting moisture treatments, one near field capacity (wet) and another with intermittent wetting of the soil surface before allowing the columns to dry (moist-dry). The results indicated that losses were influenced markedly by pH and moisture treatment, being 29.5, 33.5, and 33% from the wet soils and 37, 42, and 40.5% from the moistdry soils with pH values of 7.7, 8.2, and 9.3, respectively. These observations clearly indicate that broadcasting of urea on the surface of Vertisols may cause substantial N losses.     

Nitrogen accumulation in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is increased by manure compost application in drained paddy fields as a result of increased soil nitrogen mineralization

The application of manure compost is an effective way to increase soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield and nitrogen (N) fertility in drained paddy fields. We investigated changes in soil N mineralization during soybean cultivation using reaction kinetics analysis to determine the contribution of increased N mineralization after manure compost application (at a rate of 0 to 6?kg?m^?2) on N accumulation and seed yield of soybean under drained paddy field conditions. The seed yield and N accumulation decreased markedly in the second and third year of the experiment, but soil N mineralization increased in both years. No decrease in soil N mineralization occurred even after two soybean crops. Soil N availability was not the main cause of decreased soybean yield in the second and third years. The differences in plant aboveground N content between plots with and without manure compost was similar to the increase in N mineralization caused by manure compost application in the second and third years. The application of 6?kg?m^?2 of manure compost increased the amount of ureide-N and nitrate-N in soybean in the third year. Our results suggest that manure compost application increases soil N mineralization and soybean N₂ fixation, resulting in increased N accumulation and seed yield. However, the soybean yield remained less than 300?g?m^?2 in the second and third years (i.e., below the yield in the first year) at all levels of manure compost application due to the remarkable decrease of N accumulation in the second and the third crops.     

Placement Effect of Controlled-release and Conventional Urea Blend in Maize

ABSTRACT

A single application of polymer-sulfur coated urea (PSCU) and conventional urea (U) blends can supply nitrogen (N) throughout the maize (Zea mays L.) cycle but it could become harmful for plants if not properly placed in the soil due to a possible salt stress which would reduce dry weight (DW) and N uptake (NU) in maize. DW and NU in maize plant as well as soil pH and electrical conductive (EC) were evaluated in a greenhouse pot trial. Treatments consisted of different placements (0.05, 0.1 and 0.15 m below and 0, 0.05 and 0.1 m to the side of seed row) of fertilizers (70%PSCU + 30%U, and 100%U) applied at maize sowing in band at a rate equivalent to 180 kg N ha^?1 in a Rhodic Eutrustox soil. Control treatment (without N) was also included. At V7 (vegetative leaf stage 7), N fertilizers placed 0.15 m below of seed row provided higher total DW, total NU, EC and pH (in fertilizer row) than 0.05 m and 0.1 m. 70%PSCU + 30%U provided higher total DW and total NU than 100%U in placement 0 m. In addition, 70%PSCU + 30%U placed 0.1 m to the side of seed row provided lower total NU and EC (in fertilizer row) than 0 m. 70%PSCU + 30%U and 100%U placement can negatively interfere maize in vegetative stage when applied incorporated in band at sowing. The proper placement for this condition was 0.15 m below and 0.1 m to the side of seed row.     

Chemical fixation of ammonia to soil organic matter after application of urea

Chemical fixation of NH₃ to soil organic matter was studied in two Swedish soils with different contents of organic matter: a clay soil with 2.3% C and an organic soil with 36.6% C. ¹⁵N‐labelled urea was applied at different rates to both sterilized and non‐sterilized soils. After 10 days, the soils were extracted and washed with K₂SO₄ and determined for total N and atom% ¹⁵N excess. Urea N was recovered as non‐extractable N in sterilized soil corresponding to 9.7% of supplied ^l5N‐labelled urea in the organic soil and 2.2% in the clay soil. Since no biological immobilization is thought to occur in the sterile soil, this non‐extractable N is suggested to be chemically fixed to soil organic matter. Owing to urea hydrolysis in the clay soil, pH increased from 6.3 to 9.3 and in the organic soil from 5.7 to 6.9 and 8.8, respectively, at the low and high urea supply.