Effects of phosphoroamides on ammonia volatilization and nitrite accumulation in soils treated with urea

Summary We compared the effects of N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT), N-(diaminophosphinyl)-cyclohexylamine (DPCA), phenylphosphorodiamidate (PPD), and hydroquinone on transformations of urea N in soils. The ability of these urease inhibitors to retard urea hydrolysis, ammonia volatilization, and nitrite accumulation in soils treated with urea-decreased in the order NBPT > DPCA PPD > HQ. When five soils were incubated at 30°C for 14 days after treatment with urea (1 mg urea N g^–1 soil), on average, the gaseous loss of urea N as ammonia and the accumulation of urea N as nitrite were decreased from 52 to 5 % and from 11 to 1%, respectively, by addition of NBPT at the rate of 10 g g^–1 soil (0.47 parts of NBPT per 100 parts of urea). The data obtained support previous evidence that NBPT is more effective than PPD for reduction of the problems encountered in using urea as a fertilizer and deserves consideration as a fertilizer amendment for retarding hydrolysis of urea fertilizer in soil.     

Effect of blending urea with pyrite or coating urea with polymer on ammonia volatilization loss from surface-applied prilled urea

Laboratory studies on a sandy clay loam (Typic Ustochrept) alkaline soil showed that NH₃ volatilization loss from surface-applied prilled urea during an 8-dya incubation under aerobic conditions was 27.5% of applied N (400 kg N ha^-1) and was reduced to 8.9% when the urea was blended physically with pyrite in a 1:2 ratio; under anaerobic conditions the values for urea and pyrite-urea were 19.3 and 16.9%, respectively. Other treatments tested were urea-gypsum, neemcake-coated urea and polymer-coated urea. A 6% polymer coating showed the least NH₃ volatilization under anaerobic conditions and was next best to pyrite-urea under aerobic conditions. A 3% polymer coating was slightly inferior to the 6% coating. Urea-gypsum and neemcake-coated urea did not differ very much from urea alone under anaerobic conditions, but under aerobic conditions neemcake-urea showed a significantly lower total NH₃ loss compared to prilled urea alone and urea-gypsum.     

A model of ammonia volatilization from applied urea. II. Experimental testing

Experimental methods for the measurement of the transfer coefficient for ammonia volatilization from the soil surface to the atmosphere, the gaseous diffusion impedance factor in soil, and other parameters required by the predictive model are described. Following surface application of urea to soil columns, the measured concentration profiles of urea, ammoniacal-nitrogen and soil pH, and the losses of ammonia by volatilization, were compared with the model predictions. The very good agreement between the measured and the predicted results suggested that all important processes have been accounted for in the model.     

A model of ammonia volatilization from applied urea. IV. Effect of method of urea application

Equations are given for calculating the initial distribution when a solute is (a) applied at the surface (b) placed below the surface and (c) mixed uniformly in a given depth of top soil. These equations are plugged into a predictive model developed by the authors (Rachhpal-Singh & Nye, 1986a) to compare the concentration profiles of ammoniacal-nitrogen and soil pH, and ammonia volatilization losses under the three methods of urea application. Placement of urea gave smaller ammonia losses than uniform mixing in the same depth of soil, which in turn gave smaller losses than surface application. Half-time for ammonia volatilization was about 6 days irrespective of the method and depth of urea application. Concentration profiles of ammoniacal-nitrogen and soil pH were more affected by variation in the depth of placement than by depth of mixing. The experimental ammonia volatilization losses and the concentration profiles of ammoniacal-nitrogen and soil pH agreed very well with those predicted by the model.     

红壤不同含水量对尿素氨挥发的影响

根据第四纪红壤水分特征设计160、200、240、280、320、360g/kg6个土壤含水量处理,通过温室模拟,研究了红壤不同含水量对尿素氨挥发的影响。结果表明,等量尿素施入红壤后,氨挥发通量与土壤含水量之间无显著相关性,而高含水量(280、320、360g/kg)处理氨挥发通量峰值较低含水量(160、200g/kg)处理提前10天。氨挥发过程可分为快速-慢速2个阶段,氨累积挥发量(y)与对应时间(t)符合Elovish动力学方程(y=a blnt)。第1～10天,氨挥发累积量随红壤含水量的增加而递增;第11天后,以含水量为240g/kg处理的氨挥发累积N量最低。试验期间,氨挥发累积总N量,以含水量240g/kg时最低(0.90gN),含水量320g/kg时最高(1.16gN),分别占尿素施入N量的9.0%和11.6%。     

Effect of urease inhibitors on urea hydrolysis and ammonia volatilization

Summary Two laboratory incubation experiments were conducted to study the effects of the urease inhibitors hydroquinone (HQ), phenyl phosphorodiamidate (PPDA), and N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) in retarding the hydrolysis of urea, in the evolution of mineral N, and in reducing NH₃ loss through volatilization, under aerobic and waterlogged conditions, both at 25°C. NBPT generally exceeded PPDA and HQ in the ability to delay urea hydrolysis and NH _inf4 ^sup+ accumulation under aerobic conditions, whereas PPDA retarded these activities more effectively under anaerobic conditions. HQ was less effective than the other two urease inhibitors. Under aerobic conditions, 20% of the applied urea was lost through NH₃ volatilization after 5 days in the system without an inhibitor. With the addition of HQ and PPDA, the volatilization was delayed by 1 day but not eliminated. NBPT effectively decreased the NH₃ loss, from 20 to 3% of the applied urea. A more severe N loss (40%) occurred in the waterlogged system. HQ had little effect on NH₃ volatilization. PPDA decreased the NH₃ loss from 40 to less than 20% of the applied urea. The effectiveness of NBPT decreased under anaerobic conditions. It was concluded that urease inhibitors can reduce NH₃ volatilization following the application of urea. However, environmental conditions might have an important influence on the effectiveness of these inhibitors.     

改性尿素施用对氨挥发量及无机氮变化的影响

采用室内土壤培养和玉米幼苗盆栽试验的方法,研究了改性尿素施用后的氨挥发量及其对土壤无机氮和pH值的影响。结果表明:(1)表施改性尿素比表施普通尿素的氨挥发量显著减少,从而降低氮素的损失;在一定范围内,土壤含水量越大,氨挥发量越低。(2)硝化抑制剂双氰胺(DCD)能够抑制土壤硝化作用,使NH+4-N能较长时间存在土壤中,从而减少NO-3-N的损失;在一定范围内,DCD施用浓度越大,抑制效果越好。(3)土壤pH值与铵态氮呈极显著指数正相关,与硝态氮呈极显著线性负相关,与无机氮呈多项式相关。因此,改性尿素能够显著减少氨挥发量,抑制土壤硝化作用,从而降低尿素的氮素损失。     

Effect of ammonium sulfate pretreatment on ammonia volatilization after urea fertilization

Abstract

Urea applications to soil are subject to loss by ammonia (NH₃) volatilization, unless incorporated. It has been proposed that this loss can be reduced by stimulating populations of soil nitrifiers by an ammonium sulfate [(NH₄)₂SO₄] pretreatment two to four weeks before urea application. The objective of this laboratory trial was to evaluate this concept with five diverse soils, two North American Mollisols and three South American Oxisols. The soils were incubated untreated for two weeks, followed by pretreatment with 0 or 5 kg nitrogen (N) ha^‐1 as (NH₄)₂SO₄, on a soil surface area basis. After another two weeks of incubation, the soils were treated with the equivalent of 0 or 50 kg N ha^‐1 as urea. Ammonia loss was estimated after trapping into phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄). Ammonium sulfate pretreatment reduced NH₃ loss with the two Mollisols and a sandy Oxisol and increased the recovery of the urea application as mineral [ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) + nitrate (NO₃ ^‐)] N in these soils. Little NH₃ loss was detected from the two clay Oxisols, and (NH₄)₂SO₄pretreatment did not influence NH₃ loss or recovery of urea as mineral N. An example of a cropping system where this concept may have utility is discussed.     

Controlling ammonia volatilization from urea surface applied to sugar beet on a calcareous soil

Abstract

The extent of ammonia (NH₃) volatilization from surface‐applied urea to sugar beet and effects of NBPT [N‐(n‐butyl) thiophosphoric triamide] PG (phosphogypsum), PR (by‐product‐pyrite) and KCl (potassium chloride) on NH₃ volatilization, nitrogen (N) content of leaf blades and petioles, sugar, amine N, and refined sugar contents, and root and refined sugar yields were determined in the field. Total NH₃ loss varied from 7.0% to 23.6% depending on the compounds incorporated with urea and rate of addition. With respect to unamended urea, 540 kg KCl/ha, 1000 kg phosphogypsum/ha, and 1000 kg pyrite/ha increased NH₃ loss by 86.7%, 40.1%, and 36.2%, respectively, but the other treatments decreased the loss. The highest reduction of NH₃ loss was found with 0.5% of NBPT by 44.5%. The NBPT, KCl, and PG treatments increased both root and refined sugar yields compared with urea alone. The highest refined sugar yield and lowest NH₃ volatilization loss was obtained with 0.5 % of NBPT treatment.     

A model of ammonia volatilization from applied urea. I. Development of the model

Urea application to soil raises the pH and ammonium concentration, thus providing ideal conditions for ammonia volatilization. A mechanistic model is presented, which combines the process of ammonia volatilization with the simultaneous transformation and movement of urea and its products in soil, for predicting the concentration profiles of urea, ammoniacal-nitrogen and soil pH, and ammonia losses, following application of urea. The model consists of continuity equations describing the diffusion and reaction of urea, ammoniacal-nitrogen and soil base; it takes into account the volatilization of ammonia and the concurrent acidification of the soil surface; and considers a variable P_Co2 profile due to soil respiration and urea hydrolysis. The derivation of the continuity equations and their boundary conditions, calculations of ammonia volatilization, and appropriate methods for numerical solutions are described.     

腐植酸尿素氨挥发特性及影响因素研究

采用室内模拟,研究了腐植酸尿素在土壤培养条件下其氨挥发特性及其与土壤脲酶活性、氮溶出率以及土壤铵态氮、硝态氮含量变化的关系。结果表明,研制的4种腐植酸尿素氨挥发量分别比普通尿素降低了48.14%、 47.99%、 30.89%、 59.22%,其中水溶性腐植酸含量11.78%的腐植酸尿素降低最多。腐植酸尿素降低氨挥发量与其养分释放模式和形成的土壤环境密切相关。土壤氨挥发总量与脲酶活性在培养前期相关系数较高,培养48和96 h分别达到0.825和0.808; 土壤氨挥发总量与肥料累积溶出量相关系数为0.903; 培养前期,土壤氨挥发量与铵态氮含量相关系数达到0.869。     

棉酚渣对尿素水解及土壤氨挥发的影响

采用棉酚渣、尿素和土壤混合培养,测定剩余尿素量及氨气吸收量的方法,探究棉酚渣对尿素水解及土壤氨挥发的影响。结果表明,随尿素中棉酚渣的用量增加,尿素残余量增加,氨气检测量减少。与对照相比,培养时间为4 d时尿素残留差异率达78.81%,氨气挥发抑制率可达80.40%。土壤含水率变化对脲酶和产生脲酶的微生物的活性有较大影响,在活性高时,棉酚渣对尿素水解和氨挥发的抑制作用更加明显。随着培养温度的升高,尿素水解增加,氨挥发迅速增加。35℃时,棉酚渣对尿素水解的抑制效果最好,尿素残留差异率达79.72%,30℃时,棉酚渣对氨气挥发抑制效果最好,氨挥发抑制率达55.34%。上述结果表明,棉酚渣对尿素水解及土壤氨挥发具有较强的抑制作用,具有推广应用的潜力。     

周丛生物对稻田氨挥发的影响研究

摘要：[目的] 周丛生物是一种普遍生长在稻田水-土界面中的微生物聚集体,在调节稻田氮循环中起重要作用。本研究旨在通过研究周丛生物对氨挥发的影响,分析田间氨挥发通量与周丛生物微生物群落结构、田面水理化性质之间的关系,为控制稻田氨排放提供理论指导和技术支持。[方法] 通过野外田间微区试验研究稻田周丛生物对氨挥发的影响,分别设置了周丛生物正常生长以及添加特丁净（C10H19N5S）调控周丛生物生长2个处理,每个处理3个重复,分别于基肥（BF）、分蘖肥（SF1）、穗肥（SF2）施加后测定周丛生物影响下的氨挥发速率,计算整个水稻生长期内的氨挥发通量,分析不同稻田周丛生物的微生物群落结构、田间理化性质与土壤氨挥发的关系,构建基于周丛生物的稻田氨挥发预测模型。[结果] 结果表明：周丛生物正常生长状态下基肥和分蘖肥时期氨挥发累计损失量分别达到24.8±1.1 kg?hm-2,10.9±0.1 kg?hm-2,添加了C10H19N5S后氨挥发累积量分别降低了71.3%,39.3%,穗肥期氨挥发差异不显著。淡色藻门Ochrophyta（8.1%~~67.6%）、隐真菌门Cryptomycota（3.9%~~54.8%）、线虫动物门Nematoda（0.6%~42.6%）为周丛生物中真核微生物优势门,变形菌门Proteobacteria（52.1%~23.7%）、拟杆菌门Bacteroidetes（58.1%~16.8%）、绿湾菌门Chloroflexi（14.6%~0.8%）、酸杆菌门Acidobacteria（11.0%~3.3%）为原核微生物优势门。相关性分析表明,周丛生物生物量,田面水氮素含量,风速是影响日氨挥发通量的关键因素。综上所述,使用C10H19N5S调控周丛生物生长能够有效的降低基肥以及分蘖肥期间稻田土壤氨挥发,减缓因氨挥发造成的氮肥损失问题。     

表施尿素的冬小麦土壤氨挥发损失

Ammonia volatilization was measured with a continuous air flow enclosure method from a winter wheat field in the Experimental Farm of Jurong Agricultural School to investigate its main influencing factors. The experiment with five treatments in triplicate, no N (control), 100, 200 and 300 kg N ha^-1 with rice straw cover at a rate of 1 500 kg ha^-1 and 200 kg N ha^-1 without rice straw, started when the winter wheat was sown in 1994. Sixty percent of the total amount of N applied was basal and 40% was top-dressed. The measurement of ammonia volatilization was immediately conducted after urea was top-dressed on soil surface at wheat elongation stage in spring of 1996 and 1997. The results showed that there was a diurnal variation of ammonia volatilization rate from the winter wheat field, which synchronized with air temperature. N losses through ammonia volatilization increased with increasing N application rate, but the ratio of N lost through ammonia volatilization to applied N was not significantly affected by N application rate. The coverage of rice straw had no significant effect on ammonia volatilization. Soil moisture and rain events after urea was top-dressed affected ammonia volatilization significantly.     

Effect of amending urea fertilizer with chemical additives on ammonia volatilization loss and nitrogen-use efficiency

 Effects of amending urea with pyrite (Py) or potassium chloride (KCl) alone and in combination with copper sulphate (CuSO₄) on NH₃ volatilization and N-use efficiency in an Alfisol were evaluated. NH₃ volatilization from surface-applied urea fertilizers was measured using a closed dynamic air flow system. Kinetics of NH₃ volatilization over a 10-day period showed that the peak rate of NH₃ loss was on day 3 with the unamended urea, whilst it occurred on day 4 with all amended urea fertilizers. Total NH₃ loss from the unamended urea was 48% of the applied N, which was reduced to 38 and 40% with U+Py and U+KCl, respectively. A further reduction in N loss was recorded with U+Py+CuSO₄ (34%) and U+KCl+CuSO₄ (36%). The inhibition of NH₃ with U+Py+CuSO₄ and U+KCl+CuSO₄ was markedly high, at 30 and 25%, respectively. As compared to urea, all amended urea fertilizers resulted in a significantly higher dry matter yield, N uptake and apparent N recovery (ANR) efficiency by sunflower. An increase of 28 and 24% units in ANR over urea could be obtained with U+Py+CuSO₄ and U+KCl+CuSO₄, respectively. Since the chemical additives also have a fertilizer value besides being effective in controlling NH₃ loss from urea and improving N-use efficiency, their use as amendment to urea could be a viable option. Received: 5 August 1999     

Comparison of three field methods for measuring ammonia volatilization from urea granules broadcast on to pasture

Urea granules were broadcast on to pasture (Lolium perenne/Trifolium repens) at a rate of 100 kg N ha^?1. The evolution of NH₃ from the soil was measured using three methods: an enclosure system with continuous air flow (EM), an unconfined micrometeorological method (integrated horizontal flux method—IHFM) and by measuring the recovery of N as urea, NH₄⁺ and NO₃^? (NRM). The cumulative loss after 96 h measured by the three methods was 24%, 25% and 30% of the N applied respectively. After 144 h the daily rate of loss was small. At this time, EM and IHFM estimated the loss at 28%, while the NRM estimated a 45% loss. The higher estimated loss by the NRM was attributed mainly to microbial immobilization of applied N. Hourly fluxes estimated by the EM and the IHFM were very different. This was attributed to variations in the rate of urea hydrolysis which appeared to be more rapid in the confined EM system where the rate of soil drying was slower.     

Calcium chloride and ammonium thiosulfate as ammonia volatilization inhibitors for urea fertilizers

Abstract

Surface‐applied urea fertilizers are susceptible to hydrolysis and loss of nitrogen (N) through ammonium (NH₃) volatilization when conditions favorable for these processes exist. Calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) may inhibit urease activity and reduce NH₃ volatilization when mixed with urea fertilizers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of CaCl₂ and ATS as urea‐N loss inhibitors for contrasting soil types and varying environmental conditions. The proposed inhibitors were evaluated in the laboratory using a closed, dynamic air flow system to directly measure NH₃ volatilization. The initial effects of CaCl₂ on ammonia volatilization were more accentuated on an acid Lufkin fine sandy loam than a calcareous Ships clay, but during volatilization periods of ≥ 192 h, cumulative N loss was reduced more on the Ships soil than the Lufkin soil. Calcium chloride delayed the commencement of NH₃ volatilization following fertilizer application and reduced the maximum N loss rate. Ammonium thiosulfate was more effective on the Lufkin soil than the Ships soil. For the Lufkin soil, ATS reduced cumulative urea‐N loss by 11% after a volatilization period of 192 h. A 20% (v/v) addition of ATS to urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) was most effective on the coarse textured Lufkin soil whereas a 5% addition was more effective on the fine textured, Ships soil. Rapid soil drying following fertilizer application substantially reduced NH₃ volatilization from both soils and also increased the effectiveness of CaCl₂ but not ATS. Calcium chloride and ATS may function as limited NH₃ volatilization inhibitors, but their effectiveness is dependent on soil properties and environmental conditions.     

改性尿素硝酸铵溶液调控氮素挥发和淋溶的研究

为了提高肥料的利用率,以尿素硝酸铵溶液为原料、聚氨酸为保护剂,复合抑制剂NBPT(N-丁基硫代磷酰三胺)和DMPP(3,4-二甲基吡唑磷酸盐)为材料,开发出改性尿素硝酸铵溶液(YUL1和YUL2),研究其对华北平原夏玉米追肥过程中的氨挥发和淋溶损失的调控效果。田间试验设置6个处理:不施氮肥(CK)、农民习惯追施尿素(CN)、优化追施尿素(CNU)、优化追施尿素硝酸铵溶液(UAN)、优化追施改性尿素硝酸铵溶液(YUL1)和优化追施改性尿素硝酸铵溶液(YUL2)。采用扫描电镜和能谱仪分析相关指标变化,在夏玉米喇叭口期追施氮肥后15d内进行田间原位连续动态观测氨挥发和土壤铵态氮和硝态氮变化,并在玉米成熟期测定产量,计算经济效益。结果表明,改性尿素硝酸铵溶液清澈无杂质,流延后成膜表面光滑、致密,抑制剂在膜表面分布均匀;能谱测试膜层表面磷硫含量增高,证明复合抑制剂与尿素硝酸铵溶液达到有效融合。在同等优化施氮量下:与CNU相比, YUL1氨挥发总量显著降低19.3%, YUL2增加9.6%;与UAN相比, YUL1、YUL2分别显著降低57.3%和42.0%。与其他施氮处理相比, YUL1和YUL2夏玉米季生长中后期0～20 cm土层依然保持相对较高的氮素含量水平,夏玉米收获后土壤硝态氮含量分别比CNU高46.0%和43.4%,比UAN高45.6%和44.7%;180～200cm土层硝态氮含量显著低于其他处理。在保证产量和净收益的同时,改性尿素硝酸铵肥料显著降低了氮素的氨挥发和淋溶损失浓度,尿酶抑制剂含量相对较高的YUL1抑制氨挥发的效果更好,硝化抑制剂含量相对高的YUL2硝态氮向下淋失的风险更小。     

A model of ammonia volatilization from applied urea. VI. The effects of transient-state water evaporation

Rachhpal-Singh & Nye's model of ammonia volatilization is further expanded to account for the effects of transient-state water evaporation when the soil surface dries significantly. Full details are given of the derivation and numerical solution of equations describing transient-state water movement, and the diffusion and convection in soil of urea and its hydrolysis products, and of acid generated by ammonia volatilization. For the wide range of soil hydraulic properties considered, the effects of a dry soil layer on the rate of volatilization supplement the effects of increased convective supply of NH⁺₄ and HCO^?₃ ions to the soil surface. The dry layer results in increased gaseous NH₃ diffusion through the soil, and thereby increases the flux of NH₃ across the soil surface and the neutralization of H⁺ ions generated by volatilization.     

过碳酰胺在不同酸碱性土壤上的氨挥发特性研究

过碳酰胺是一种新型精细化工品，也是一种新型氮肥，在国外已得到广泛的应用和开发，而我国对其开发和应用刚刚起步。试验研究了3种酸性土壤和3种碱性土壤施入过碳酰胺（和尿素对照）后的氨挥发特性。结果表明，过碳酰胺和尿素在供试6种土壤上的氨挥发强度具有相同的规律，都是先从小到大出现峰值，然后又降低；3种酸性土壤氨挥发高峰期约在第7d左右，3种碱性土壤的氨挥发高峰期约在第3d左右。土壤氨挥发含量的变化与pH变化同步。在最初挥发高峰期阶段，过碳酰胺的氨挥发强度在6种土壤上都大于尿素，但在供试的3种酸性土壤上，过碳酰胺的氨挥发总量均略小于尿素，而在供试的3种碱性土壤上，却正好相反。