Performance of nitrification inhibitors with different nitrogen fertilizers and soil textures

Nitrification inhibitors (NIs), DCD (dicyandiamide), and DMPP (3,4‐dimethylpyrazole phosphate), in combination with urea (UR) and ammonium sulfate nitrate (ASN) fertilizers were studied under contrasting soil textures (sand, loam, and clay) from cultivated soils collected in Brazil and Germany. Soil samples were incubated over 50 days and the content of ammonium ( ), nitrate ( ), and soil pH were measured periodically. Applied NIs delayed the nitrification process across all soil textures. Correlation analysis indicated that combining ASN with NIs resulted in higher content and efficiency in delaying the nitrification process with high N‐conversion rate (r = –0.82). The combination of ASN+ DMPP increased the efficiency of the N‐conversion rate (r = –0.86) due to H⁺ release in soil, while UR+DCD (r = –0.50) had an efficiency of the N‐conversion rate similar to UR (r = –0.42). All the NIs had a better performance in reducing formation in sandy soils as compared to the loam and clay textured soils. Use of DMPP with an N fertilizer results in a soil pH decrease and can be an option to increase the efficiency of the N‐conversion rate, reducing N losses in soil. Overall, our results suggest that NIs have a better performance in reducing formation in sandy soils as compared to that of the loam and clay textured soils. Use of DMPP with ASN results in a soil pH decrease and can be an option to reduce N losses in soil.     

Nitrogen mineralization from digestate in comparison to sewage sludge,compost and urea in a laboratory incubated soil experiment

This paper evaluated, in a laboratory incubated soil, the properties of digestate as a nitrogen fertilizer in comparison with sewage sludge, compost and urea, this last as a typical mineral fertilizer. The incubation period lasted for 90 d and during this time, pH, CO₂ and evolution were measured. The maximum concentration of nitrate was reached in the incubated microcosm fertilized by urea (133 mg kg⁻¹ after 62 d), and that of digestate was very similar (113 mg kg⁻¹). Soil treated with compost showed a slower nitrate evolution. A significantly negative correlation was detected between cumulative nitrogen nitrified at the end of the trial, and the values of the C:N ratio of the biomasses used (compost, sludge and digestate) (mg kg⁻¹ vs . C:N, r = –0.94, n = 3, p < 0.05), and between the alkyl‐C content at the end of the experiment (mg kg⁻¹ vs . alkyl‐C, r = –0.95, n = 3, p < 0.05). As expected, pH decreases and soil respiration (CO₂ evolution) were also well correlated with the content of nitrate. Considering that about 90% of the nitrogen content in the digestate is short acting, the results obtained indicate that the nitrogen rate of mineralization in digestate is very similar to that of urea, confirming that digestate could replace traditional mineral fertilizers.     

Morphological and physiological responses of Picea asperata to different nitrogen availability and pH

Soil nitrogen (N) availability and pH are two determinants affecting plant growth, both of which are influenced by long‐term N deposition. However, the physiological mechanism of plants response to the changes in soil N availability and pH are not fully understood. To investigate the response of Picea asperata to both factors, seedlings of P. asperata were exposed to 50 or 1000 µM NH₄NO₃ with pH 5 or pH 7. In the current study, P. asperata, regardless of N availability and pH in growth medium, exhibited invariably a preference. Lower root biomass, root : shoot mass ratio, total root length and area, and root vitality were detected in high N condition compared to those in low N supply, corresponding well to lower net influxes of and at the root surface in both pH treatments. These results indicate that P. asperata may employ an active‐forge strategy to exploit nutrient resources for growth under low N availability, probably by increased below‐ground carbon allocation and net influxes of and . Although low pH, to some extent may generate more malondialdehyde, P. asperata would enhance pH tolerance by increased detoxification, i.e., antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase), free proline and soluble protein as well as improved carbohydrate status (i.e., soluble sugar and starch).     

Co‐occurrence of organic and inorganic N influences asparagine uptake and amino acid profiles in white clover

Background : Direct plant uptake of organic nitrogen (N) may be important for plant N nutrition, but we lack knowledge of how the concentration and form of external N influence organic N uptake and plant N status. Aims : We investigated the uptake of the amino acid asparagine (Asn) in white clover in the presence of different inorganic, organic and total N concentrations. Methods : Actively N₂‐fixing white clover seedlings were for one week exposed to combinations of ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}$ (3–30 µmol N kg^?1 sand DW) and Asn (3–30 µmol N kg^?1 sand DW), whereafter the Asn uptake rate was determined by addition of ¹³C₄‐Asn. Shoot and root amino acid profiles were also analyzed. Results : Increasing ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}$ and total N concentrations decreased ¹³C₄‐Asn uptake rates and internal clover Asn content. In addition, total N and ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}$ also affected amino acid profiles, with Asn, Asp, Glu, Gln, Cys, Gly, Pro, Ser, and Ala being more related to the low N doses, and Thr, Val, Ile, Leu, Phe, Tyr, Trp, and Met being more abundant at increasing N doses. Conclusions : Asn uptake rate in white clover is reduced by increasing inorganic N. Plant amino acid profiles are likely to be a more sensitive indicator of N supply.     

Ammonium and nitrate transport during saturated and unsaturated water flow through sandy soils

Citrus production in Florida accounts for ≈ 60% of national production in USA. The sandy soil characteristic (> 95% sand) makes water and nutrient management extremely difficult, raising concerns about environmental sustainability as a result of nutrient inputs in citrus producing regions where sandy soils dominate. Thus, laboratory column and field experiments were conducted to better understand the leaching patterns of and ions in Florida's sandy soils. The soil columns were first saturated from the bottom with two pore volumes of simulated Florida rain followed by pumping a pulse of fertilizer mixture at a steady Darcy flux of 14 cm h^?1. Nitrate and Cl^? appeared earlier in the effluent than in the A and B_h horizons, due to cation exchange of . Essentially identical breakthrough curves (BTCs) for and were observed in the E‐horizon, due to very low sorption of . The convective and dispersive equilibrium (CDE) model simulations were in good agreement with measured breakthrough curves (BTCs) for , , and Cl^?. However, the sorption coefficient (K_D) values used in the CDE model to simulate the BTCs for were about 10 times less than the batch isotherm K_D values. This was attributed to differences in pH, cation composition, and ionic strength between batch (static) and dynamic (leaching) systems. The field experiment showed that under unsaturated flow, improved short‐pulse fertigation systems (drip and microsprinkler) limited and transport beyond the root zone (top 30 cm), which might have promoted nutrient and water uptake in citrus. The column study revealed that under extreme weather events such as hurricanes or storm surge in Florida, saturated soil conditions can trigger N mobility below the root zone to surficial or groundwater aquifers. In the field experiment, the use of judicious, minimal and split applications and accurate placement of N‐fertilizers reduced leaching of N especially during heavy storms in the summer rainy months of Florida. The field experiment demonstrated that it is possible to manage inorganic N forms for optimal residence time for uptake and minimal leaching concerns.     

Impact of urease and nitrification inhibitor on NH4+ and NO3− dynamic in soil after urea spring application under field conditions evaluated by soil extraction and soil solution sampling

The application of mineral nitrogen (N) fertilizers is one of the most important management tools to ensure and increase yield in agricultural systems. However, N fertilization can lead to various ecological problems such as nitrate () leaching or ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions. The application of N stabilizers (i.e., inhibitors) combined with urea fertilization offers an effective option to reduce or even prevent N losses due to their regulatory effect on ammonium () and release into the soil. The present field experiment therefore aimed at soil N speciation dynamics after urea spring fertilization (225 kg N ha^?1) in the presence of a urease inhibitor (UI), a nitrification inhibitor (NI), both inhibitors (UI+NI) or when no inhibitor was applied at all. The study focused on the distribution of N species among soil matrix and soil solution. Plant cultivation was completely omitted in order to avoid masking soil N turnover and speciation by plant N uptake and growth dynamics. Application of UI clearly delayed urea hydrolysis in the top soil, but a complete hydrolysis of urea took place within only 10 days after fertilization (DAF). Nitrification was significantly reduced by NI application, leading to higher and lower concentrations in treatments with NI. Due to sorption of to the soil matrix a significantly larger fraction of was always detected in the soil extracts compared to soil solution. However, while in soil extracts the impact of NI application was less apparent and delayed, in soil solution a quick response to NI application was observed as revealed by significantly increased soil solution concentrations of . Because of the “asymmetric” soil phase distribution soil solution was predominant over only initially after fertilization even in inhibitor treatments (≈ 8 to 10 DAF). Nevertheless, inhibitor application tended towards closer ratios of to concentration in soil solution and hence, might additionally affect concentration dependent processes like plant N uptake and root development. Despite cold spring conditions urea application along with UI and/or NI did not indicate a limited supply of plant available and .     

Accompanying ions of ammonium sources and nitrate : ammonium ratios in tomato plants

The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivar Micro‐Tom (MT) is widely used in physiological studies, but the effects of nitrate ( ) and ammonium ( ) ratios ( : ratios) and, in particular, the effects of the accompanying ions in sources are unknown. To determine whether the accompanying ions in sources influence toxicity, the effects of : ratios on the physiology, electrolyte leakage index, nutrition, and dry weight were studied using hydroponics. The sources were ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) or ammonium sulfate [(NH₄)₂SO₄], and five : ratios were used: 100 : 0, 75 : 25, 50 : 50, 25 : 75, and 0 : 100. The source was calcium nitrate [Ca(NO₃)₂], and the nitrogen (N) concentration was 15 mmol L^?1. The results indicate that NH₄Cl or (NH₄)₂SO₄ can be used in studies on toxicity because the accompanying ions did not influence the tomato plants. In addition, : ratios of 100 : 0 and 75 : 25 resulted in the highest dry weight of tomato plants, whereas ratios of 25 : 75 or 0 : 100 were toxic.     

Investigating the spatio‐temporal variations of nitrate leaching on a tea garden hillslope by combining HYDRUS‐3D and DNDC models

Spatio‐temporal variations of nitrate‐nitrogen ( ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}$‐N) leaching is driven by both soil hydrology and biogeochemistry. However, the widely used soil hydrology and biogeochemistry models have their weaknesses in simulating soil N cycling and soil water movement processes, respectively. In this study, we proposed an alternative approach by simply combining the HYDRUS‐3D and DNDC models to investigate the spatio‐temporal variations of ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}$‐N leaching on a representative tea garden hillslope in Taihu Lake Basin, China. Results showed that the soil hydrology and N cycle were well simulated by HYDRUS‐3D and DNDC models, respectively. Based on the leaching equation, the soil water flux simulated by HYDRUS‐3D and soil ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}$‐N content simulated by DNDC were combined to calculate the leachate ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}$‐N concentrations with good accuracy. The accumulative ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}$‐N leaching flux during the simulation year was 71.7 kg N ha^?1, with remarkable spatio‐temporal variations on this hillslope. Hot spots of ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}$‐N leaching were observed in blocks 24, 27, 31, 34, 37, and 40 with accumulative leaching fluxes > 82.0 kg N ha^?1 y^?1. The spatial variation of ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}$‐N leaching was mainly controlled by soil texture and soil hydraulic properties. Hot moments of ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}$‐N leaching were observed after the applications of spring fertilizer (16 March) and basal fertilizer (30 October). The temporal variation of ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}$‐N leaching was mainly controlled by precipitation and the spring fertilization. Methods and findings of this study will be benefit for the risk assessment of non‐point source N loss and the precise agricultural management.     

Correlating phosphorus extracted by simple soil extraction methods with foliar phosphorus concentrations of Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. and Fagus sylvatica (L.)

Phosphorus (P) concentrations in needles and leaves of forest trees are declining in the last years in Europe. For a sustainable forest management the knowledge of site specific P nutrition/availability in forest soils is vital, but we are lacking verified simple methods for the estimation of plant available P. Within this study, four soil P extraction methods [water ( ), double‐lactate (P_lac), citric acid (P_cit), and sodium bicarbonate ( )], as well as total P content of the soil (P_tot) were tested to investigate which method is best correlated with foliar P concentrations of spruce [Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.] and beech [Fagus sylvatica (L.)]. Mineral soil samples from 5 depth levels of 48 forest sites of the Bavarian sample set of the second National Forest Soil Inventory (BZE II) were stratified according to tree species (spruce and beech) and soil pH (pH < 6.2 and > 6.2), covering the whole range of P nutrition. The extractable amount of P per mass unit of soil increased in the order << P_lac < < P_cit, decreased with soil depth, and was higher in soils with pH < 6.2. Citric acid extracted up to 10% of P_tot in acidic soils. Whereas P_cit delivers adequate regression models for P nutrition in the case of spruce (R² up to 0.53) and beech (R² up to 0.58) for acidic soils, shows good results for spruce growing on acidic soils (R² up to 0.66) and for beech on soils with pH > 6.2 (R² up to 0.57). P_lac produces adequate models only for beech on high pH soils (R² up to 0.64), while did not produce acceptable regression models. P_tot seems suitable to explain the P nutrition status of beech on acidic (R² up to 0.62) and alkaline soils (R² up to 0.61). Highest R²s are obtained mostly in soil depths down to 40 cm. As and P_cit showed good results for both investigated tree species, they should be considered preferentially in future studies.     

Biotic strategies to increase plant availability of sewage sludge ash phosphorus

Sewage sludge incineration‐ash (FB‐I) represents a potential alternative phosphorus (P) fertiliser with a high concentration of P, although with relatively low crop availability. In this study, we investigated two P‐solubilisation approaches (acidification and P mobilisation by citrate) to enhance plant P uptake from the FB‐I ash in a pot study by using various biotic strategies: (1) a pre‐treatment of ash with a Penicillium bilaiae inoculum, (2) an isogenic line of wheat that excretes citrate from the root tip, (3) nitrogen (N) provided as combined with nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD). All strategies were tested combined with each other and with different methods for ash application: (1) completely mixed within the top one third of soil in a pot, or (2) applied as distinct band at 10 cm depth. Triple super phosphate (TSP) at a rate of 15 mg P kg^?1 soil per pot was sufficient to support maximum shoot growth. Ash mixed into the first top third part of soil in the pot at a rate of 180 mg P kg^?1 soil (equivalent to 60 mg P kg^?1 soil throughout the pot) significantly increased the soil water‐extractable P and the subsequent shoot P uptake and shoot biomass for both wheat lines and microbial pre‐treatment to support maximum plant performance. Shoot P concentration in these treatments was further enhanced when the plants received and DCD, although not leading to a significant increase in shoot biomass. The citrate secretion by the root tips and pre‐inoculation with P. bilaiae of the ash did not influence plant growth. In conclusion, root‐zone soil acidification by nutrition is regarded as a promising strategy to improve the fertilising effect of such alternative P fertilisers originating from urban waste streams.     

Evaluation of selected medicinal plant materials and dicyandiamide on nitrification of urea‐derived ammonium under laboratory conditions

Background : Poor utilization of urea fertilizer and N losses from agriculture lands demands alternate fertilization practices to reduce N losses and improve utilization, i.e., application of nitrification inhibitors. Aims : This study was aimed to evaluate and compare the influence of dicyandiamide (DCD) and selected medicinal plant materials and on N transformations, nitrification inhibition and recovery of applied N. Methods : Treatments included: urea nitrogen (UN), UN + DCD, UN + Gingiber officinale, UN + Viola odorata, UN + Sewertia chirata, UN + Azadirachta indica, UN + Sphaenathus indicus, UN + Allium sativus, UN + Artemisia absenthium, UN + Fumaria indicus, UN + Caesalpinea bondusella, UN + Barberis lyceum, and an un‐amended control. Urea was applied at 200 mg N kg^?1 soil, while DCD and medicinal plant materials were applied at of 1% and 20% of applied urea, respectively. Results : Medicinal plant materials inhibited nitrification of urea‐derived ${\mathrm{NH}}_4^{+}\text{-}N$. On an average of medicinal plant materials treatments, 51% of ${\mathrm{NH}}_4^{+}\text{-}N$ was still present in soil compared to 17% ${\mathrm{NH}}_4^{+}\text{-}N$ in UN treatment without medicinal plant materials after 28 days. Similarly, ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}\text{-}N$ was 76.54 mg kg^?1 in UN treatment compared to 34.40 mg kg^?1 in UN + medicinal plant materials treatments, indicating 55% reduction in nitrification. Apparent nitrogen recovery (ANR) in UN treatment was 65% compared to 74% in UN + DCD treatment. ANR in treatments, where UN was amended with medicinal plant materials, varied between 58 to 70%. Conclusions : The use of DCD and medicinal plant materials with UN significantly reduced ${\mathrm{NH}}_4^{+}\text{-}N$ oxidation and nitrification ( ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}\text{-}N$). In general, medicinal plant materials were more effective in regulating N transformations and, thus, offer a suitable alternate fertilization practice to reduce N losses and improve fertilizer utilization.     

Characterization of vegetable nitrogen uptake and soil nitrogen transformation in response to continuous molybdenum application

Molybdenum (Mo), a plant micronutrient, is involved in nitrogen (N) cycling of global ecosystem, but little is known about its effect on soil N transformation especially the key processes nitrification and denitrification. A long‐term field experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of continuous sufficient soil available Mo on vegetable N uptake and soil N transformation. The experiment consisted of three treatments: control (CK), Mo deficiency (NPK), and Mo application (NPK+Mo). The results show that (1) after a 7‐year‐experiment, continuous Mo application significantly increased soil available Mo content. (2) Compared to the NPK treatment, NPK+Mo treatment showed an increase of 11, 18, and 8% in the cumulative crop yield, plant N uptake, and N fertilizer use efficiency. (3) With continuous Mo application, the soil , , microbial biomass N, and total N contents were reduced by 14, 29, 40, and 12%, the soil nitrate reductase (NR) and nitrite reductase (NiR) activities were reduced by 14 and 8%, as well as the potential denitrification activity (PDA) and gross nitrification rate (GNR) were decreased by 64 and 80%, respectively. Additionally, continuous Mo application decreased the abundance of ammonia‐oxidizing archaea (AOA) and increased the abundance of narG‐containing denitrifiers (narG) and nirK‐type nitrite reducers (nirK) significantly. The data suggest that a deficiency in soil available Mo may induce the risk of soil N accumulation and environmental N emission in vegetable soil, whereas continuous Mo application could mitigate this risk by increasing crop yield and N uptake and, by decreasing soil N residues, soil nitrification and denitrification.     

Nitrification is the key process determining N use efficiency in paddy soils

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer use efficiency (NUE) in flooded paddy fields is relatively low. Many N fertilizer management options have been proposed to enhance NUE and minimize environmental damage. However, few investigations are focusing on the role of the characteristics of soil N transformations in regulating NUE and N losses in paddy fields. In this study, we test the role of soil N transformations on NUE and N losses under rice growth conditions in two paddy soils collected from Jiangxi (JX) and Sichuan (SC) in China. The N recoveries of applied ¹⁵N either as nitrate or ammonium in plant and soil, and N losses estimated by ¹⁵N balance were investigated in rice pot experiments using a ¹⁵N tracing technique. The results showed that gross nitrification rates in soil collected from JX were much lower than those in soils collected from SC either at 60% water holding capacity (WHC) or rice growth (flooding) conditions, which could be due to the difference in soil pH. The ‐N concentration in soil solution was maintained at a relatively high level for a long time period after N fertilizer application in the JX soil (41 d) compared to the SC soil (26 d), caused by different nitrification rates owing to different soil pH. The ¹⁵N uptake by rice in the JX soil (29–78%) was always significantly higher than that in the SC soil (22–54%), while N losses from the plant–soil system in the JX soil (17–21%) were always significantly lower than those from the SC soil (20–34%) at the same rice growth stage in the labeled ¹⁵N ammonium treatment. However, there were no significant differences in ¹⁵N uptake by rice and N losses in applied treatment between the two studied soils. These results indicate that nitrification, not denitrification, was the key process determining NUE and N losses in paddy soils. The results of the N application gradient experiment also indicated that higher amounts of N fertilizer should be applied for the same amount of N uptake, however, this caused higher N losses, in soils characterized by high nitrification rate (e.g ., the alkaline soil). Results highlighted that soil N transformations in particular nitrification rate provided a very good guideline for an optimized N management.     

High concentrations of sodium and chloride ions have opposing effects on the growth of the xerophyte Pugionium cornutum under saline conditions

Background : The research on plant salt tolerance has mainly focused on Na⁺, but Cl^? has been relatively neglected. Previous studies have found that the xerophyte Pugionium cornutum, an important forage grass in the arid and semi‐arid regions of northwestern China, could synergistically accumulate high quintiles of Na⁺ and Cl^? in its shoots under NaCl treatments. However, the separate effects of these ions on the adaptation of P. cornutum to saline conditions have not been investigated. Aims : In this study, the response of P. cornutum to Na⁺ and Cl^? was analyzed. Methods : Four‐week‐old seedlings were treated with additional 50 mM NaCl, Na⁺‐specific solution containing 50 mM Na⁺ with a mix of ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}$, H₂ ${\mathrm{PO}}_4^{-}$, and ${\mathrm{SO}}_4^{2-}$ as counter anions, and Cl^?‐specific solution containing 50 mM Cl^? with a mix of K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ as counter cations. Results : Compared with the normal growth condition irrigated with Hoagland solution, the Na⁺‐specific solution severely impaired the growth and photosynthesis of P. cornutum due to the high accumulation of Na⁺ in shoots and the deterioration of tissue K⁺ homeostasis; while the Cl^?‐specific solution significantly increased shoot fresh and dry biomass. The Cl^?‐specific solution could also increase the turgor pressure in leaves for enhancing osmotic adjustment, which should be mainly attributed to the large accumulation of Cl^?, since the concentrations of other ions, including K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, H₂ ${\mathrm{PO}}_4^{-}$, and ${\mathrm{SO}}_4^{2-}$, in tissues under Cl^?‐specific treatment were maintained at the same levels as those observed under the normal condition. Conclusions : P. cornutum displays an excellent tolerance to moderate Cl^? but not to Na⁺, and the large accumulation of Cl^? should play a positive role in stimulating the growth of P. cornutum under salt stress.     

Effect of cattle slurry application techniques on N2O and NH3 emissions from a loamy soil

We determined N₂O fluxes from an unfertilized control (CON), from a treatment with mineral N‐fertilizer (MIN), from cattle slurry with banded surface application and subsequent incorporation (INC), and from slurry injection (INJ) to silage maize (Zea mays, L.) on a Haplic Luvisol in southwest Germany. In both years, amount of available N (total N fertilized + N_min content before N application) was 210 kg N ha^?1. In the slurry treatment of the 1^st year, 140 kg N ha^?1 were either injected or incorporated, whereas 30 kg N ha^?1 were surface applied to avoid destruction of the maize plants. In the 2^nd year, all fertilizers were applied with one single application. We calculated greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) on field level including direct N₂O emissions (calculated from the measured flux rates), indirect N₂O emissions (NH₃ and ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}$ induced N₂O emission), net CH₄ fluxes, fuel consumption and pre‐chain emissions from mineral fertilizer. NH₃ losses were measured in the 2^nd year using the Dräger‐Tube Method and estimated for both years. NH₃ emission was highest in the treatment without incorporation. It generally contributed less than 5% of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission from silage maize cultivation. The mean area‐related N₂O emission, determined with the closed chamber method was 2.8, 4.7, 4.4 and 13.8 kg N₂O‐N ha^?1 y^?1 for CON, MIN, INC, and INJ, respectively. Yield‐related N₂O emission showed the same trend. Across all treatments, direct N₂O emission was the major contributor to GHG with an average of 79%. Trail hose application with immediate incorporation was found to be the optimum management practice for livestock farmers in our study region.     

Ammonium‐driven nitrification plays a key role in increasing Mn availability in calcareous soils

Background : Manganese deficiency often becomes a yield limiting factor, particularly on calcareous soils, even though the total soil manganese content is usually sufficient. Although it is known that acidifying N fertilizers can improve Mn availability, the reason of this effect is still unknown. Aim : Our aim was to investigate the effect of stabilized ammonium fertilizers as a tool to distinguish between physiological‐ and nitrification‐induced acidification. Method : Two pot experiments with Triticum aestivum L. and one soil incubation experiment using different nitrogen forms (CN = calcium nitrate, AN = ammonium nitrate, AS = ammonium sulfate, ATS = ammonium thiosulfate) with and without addition of nitrification inhibitors (DCD, Nitrapyrin, Piadin, DMPP) were conducted to examine the effect on Mn availability in the soil and Mn uptake by the plants at different development stages (EC 31 und 39). Results : With increasing fertilizer ${\mathrm{NH}}_4^{+}$ content a higher Mn concentration was detected: CN: 32 µg Mn g^?1 DM, AN: 39 µg Mn g^?1 DW, AS: 55 µg Mn g^?1 DM, ATS: 109 µg Mn g^?1 DM. The addition of a nitrification inhibitor resulted in a significantly lower rhizosphere pH compared to the non‐stabilized fertilizer. Surprisingly, the use of different nitrification inhibitors led to unchanged (CN, AN) or lower Mn concentrations of wheat. Especially in the ${\mathrm{NH}}_4^{+}$ treatments (AS and ATS), this negative effect was very evident (AS+DCD: 42 µg Mn g^?1 DM; ATS+DCD: 55 µg Mn g^?1 DM). Conclusions : Mn availability was enhanced by ongoing nitrification process rather than physiological acidification. Compared to other N forms, ammonium thiosulfate led to the highest Mn availability in bulk soil.     

Ammonium fertilization increases pearl millet yield by promoting early root growth,higher tillering,and water use during grain filling in a low P Sahelian soil

Background : Adaptation of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] to low soil phosphorus (P) at early seedling stages and efficient P fertilizer application are crucial for its survival in the West African Sahel. While addition of ${\mathrm{NH}}_4^{+}\text{-}N$ to P in the microdose technique has been reported to stimulate early growth of pearl millet, there is little information regarding root length (RL) at different timings. Aims : Our study aimed at assessing the effects of added ${\mathrm{NH}}_4^{+}\text{-}N$ and ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}\text{-}N$ to P on (1) pearl millet agronomic traits such as root and shoot growth and (2) the water use dynamics during the cropping cycle. Methods : Twenty‐four “RhizoTubes” filled with P‐deficient soil were used to grow pearl millet under three treatments: (T1) placed P addition alone at 0.4 g per seed hole, P_placed, (T2) P_placed + ${\mathrm{NH}}_4^{+}\text{-}N$, and (T3) P_placed + ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}\text{-}N$. At 2, 3, 4, and 5 weeks after sowing (WAS) we took non‐destructive measurements of RL. Water use (transpiration) was measured from 3.5 to 9 WAS. Results : At early growth, roots in the topsoil of T2 were longer than T3 and T1 roots (at 4 WAS: 129.3 cm for T2, 87.5 cm for T3, and 93.3 cm for T1, p < 0.05). Total RL at 2 WAS correlated positively with seedling height and final grain yield. Fertilization with ${\mathrm{NH}}_4^{+}\text{-}N$ reduced the time to flowering and increased the number of tillers and grain yield, whereas addition of ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}\text{-}N$ increased vegetative dry matter at harvest and water use efficiency. Conclusions : Our findings suggest that fertilization with ${\mathrm{NH}}_4^{+}\text{-}N$ plays a critical root stimulating role at early growth stages, seemingly by increasing lateral root initiation, which carries through to a larger water use during grain filling and higher grain yield.     

Potassium isotherm partitioning based on modified quantity‐intensity relation and potassium buffering characterization of soils of North India

Background : Potassium (K) availability in soil and plant uptake is restrained by the dynamic interactions among the different pools of K. Aims : To understand these interactions, a study was undertaken to assess the quantity–intensity (Q/I) and buffering characteristics of rainfed maize (Zea mays L.) growing soils. Ten contrasting soils were evaluated for K partitioning changes in exchangeable K (ΔEK) and non‐exchangeable K (ΔNEK) pools in the soil‐solution phase and buffering characteristics using a modified version of Q/I approach. Results : The partitioned Q/I isotherms showed strong adsorption with the increase in K concentration ratio (CR^K) and the changes due to ΔEK were higher than changes due to ΔNEK. Total buffering capacity (PBC^K) significantly correlated (r = 0.92, p <0.01) with clay content with a major share contributed by buffering capacity owing to non‐exchangeable K ( ${\mathrm{PBC}}_{\Delta \mathrm{NEK}}^K$) rather than exchangeable K ( ${\mathrm{PBC}}_{\Delta \mathrm{EK}}^K$). The fixation capacity (β) factor, the magnitude of added K converted into a non‐exchangeable pool, ranged from 41 to 63%, whereas release (α) factor, the magnitude of added K converted to the exchangeable pool, ranged from 19 to 36%. Both threshold solution K (CK_r) and threshold exchangeable K (EK_r) values were found to be high in Satran clay loam (S2) and lower in Doon silty clay loam (S3) soils. The equilibrium exchangeable K (EK_o) was found close to minimum exchangeable K (E_min) in Doon silty clay loam (S3) and Babaweyl sandy clay loam (S1) soils and overall E_min constituted about 8.94 to 0.57% of the EK_o. Conclusion : It may be concluded that K Q/I isotherm partitioning provides a valuable insight to assess the dynamic relations. The ratio of α/β (K recharge index) could be used to evaluate the K enrichment capacity of soil to K additions while EK_r and E_min can be potentially useful in the elucidation of exchangeable K as K fertility index especially in soils with poor K fertilizer management.     

Growth of legume and nonlegume catch crops and residual‐N effects in spring barley on coarse sand

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the growth and residual‐nitrogen (‐N) effects of different catch‐crop species on a low–N fertility coarse sandy soil. Six legumes (white clover [Trifolium repens L.], red clover [Trifolium pratense L.], Persian clover [Trifolium resupinatum L.], black medic [Medicago lupulina L.], kidney vetch [Anthyllis vulneraria L.], and lupin [Lupinus angustifolius L.]), four nonlegumes (ryegrass [Lolium perenne L.], chicory [Cichorium intybus L.], fodder radish [Raphanus sativus L.], and sorrel [Rumex Acetósa L.]), and one mixture (rye/hairy vetch [Secale cereale L./Vicia villosa L.]) were tested in a field experiment with three replicates in a randomized block design. Four reference treatments without catch crops and with N application (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg N ha^–1) to a succeeding spring barley were included in the design. Due to their ability to fix N₂, the legume catch crops had a significantly larger aboveground dry‐matter production and N content in the autumn than the nonlegumes. The autumn N uptake of the nonlegumes was 10–13 kg N ha^–1 in shoots and approx. 9 kg ha^–1 in the roots. The shoot N content of white clover, black medic, red clover, Persian clover, and kidney vetch was 55–67 kg ha^–1, and the root N content in white clover and kidney vetch was approx. 25 kg ha^–1. The legume catch crops, especially white and red clover, seemed to be valuable N sources for grain production on this soil type and their N fertilizer–replacement values in a following unfertilized spring barley corresponded to 120 and 103 kg N ha^–1, respectively. The N fertilizer–replacement values exceeded the N content of shoots and roots.