Effects of Temperature and Soil Type on Ammonia Volatilization from Slow-Release Nitrogen Fertilizers

Ammonia (NH₃) volatilization is the major pathway for mineral nitrogen (N) loss from N sources applied to soils. The information on NH₃ volatilization from slow-release N fertilizers is limited. Ammonia volatilization, over a 78-d period, from four slow-release N fertilizers with different proportions of urea and urea polymer [Nitamin 30L (liquid) (L30), Nitamin RUAG 521G30 (liquid) (G30), Nitamin 42G (granular) (N42), and Nitroform (granular) (NF)] applied to a sandy loamy soil was evaluated. An increase in temperature from 20 to 30 °C increased cumulative NH₃ volatilization loss in the sandy soil by 1.4-, 1.7-, and 1.8-fold for N42, L30, and G30, respectively. Increasing the proportion of urea in the slow-release fertilizer increased NH₃ volatilization loss. At 30 °C, the cumulative NH₃ volatilization over 78 d from a sandy soil accounted for 45.6%, 43.9%, 22.4%, and <1% of total N applied as N42, L30, G30, and NF, respectively. The corresponding losses in a loamy soil were 9.2%, 3.1%, and 1.7%. There was a significantly positive correlation between NH₃ volatilization rate and concentration of NH₄-N released from all fertilizers, except for NF (n = 132; r = 0.359, P = 0.017 for N42; r = 0.410, P = 0.006 for L30; and r = 0.377, P < 0.012 for G30). Lower cumulative NH₃ volatilization from a loamy soil as compared to that from a sandy soil appeared to be related to rapid nitrification of NH₄-N in the former soil than that in the latter soil. These results indicate the composition of slow-release fertilizer, soil temperature, and soil type are main factors to dominate NH₃ volatilization from slow- release fertilizers.     

Amount and speciation of N leached from a sandy soil fertilized with urea,liquid digestate,struvite and NH4-enriched chabazite zeolite-tuff

The large use and the bad management of fertilizers that are applied to soil for improving crop production have dramatically impaired soil, water, and air quality. To meet the requirements to reduce nitrogen (N) losses and all the related negative impacts on the environment and food production, it is mandatory to substitute or at least partially substitute the use of inefficient and unsustainable fertilizers with more efficient alternatives. The aim of this paper was to address the amount and speciation of the N released by a sandy soil fertilized with “slow-release fertilizers” and traditional fertilizers (urea and liquid digestate) by means of a series of column leaching experiments. The slow-release alternatives were represented by NH₄-enriched zeolitic tuff and struvite, both obtained by recovering the N from liquid digestate. The treatments consisted of sandy soil fertilized with (i) urea (U) (ii) liquid digestate (LD), (iii) NH₄-enriched zeolitic tuff (N-CHA) and (iv) struvite (STRV). Eight different flushing events were performed over 38 days, leachates were collected and analysed for total Kjeldahl N, organic-N, NH₄⁺-N, NO₃⁻-N, NO₂⁻-N and pH. U and LD lost the majority of N within the first 2 flushing events as organic N and NH₄⁺-N, respectively. On the other hand, STRV and N-CHA lost less N over the whole course of the experiment and with more balanced speciation. The mass balance outlined that after the experiment, native soil N was mined in U and LD treatments while in N-CHA and STRV a fraction of N from the fertilizers was still present. The results showed a slow release of N which can be used more efficiently in agricultural applications, minimizing the N losses.     

Nitrogen uptake and growth of two citrus rootstock seedlings in a sandy soil receiving different controlled-release fertilizer sources

Understanding the fate of different forms of nitrogen (N) fertilizers applied to soils is an important step in enhancing N use efficiency and minimizing N losses. The growth and N uptake of two citrus rootstocks, Swingle citrumelo (SC), and Cleopatra mandarin (CM), seedlings were evaluated in a pot experiment using a Candler fine sand (hyperthermic, uncoated, Typic Quartzipsamments) without N application or with 400 mg N kg^–1 applied as urea or controlled-release fertilizers (CRF; either as Meister, Osmocote, or Poly-S). Meister and Osmocote are polyolefin resin-coated urea with longevity of N release for 270 days (at 25°C). Poly-S is a polymer and sulfur-coated urea with release duration considerably shorter than that of either Meister or Osmocote. The concentrations of 2 M KCl extractable nitrate nitrogen (NO₃ ^–-N) and ammonium nitrogen (NH₄ ⁺-N) in the soil sampled 180 days and 300 days after planting were greater in the soil with SC than with CM rootstock seedlings. In most cases, the extractable NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^– concentrations were greater for the Osmocote treatment compared to the other N sources. For the SC rootstock seedlings, dry weight was greater with Meister or Poly-S compared with either Osmocote or urea. At the end of the experiment, ranking of the various N sources, with respect to total N uptake by the seedlings, was: Meister = Osmocote > Poly-S > Urea > no N for CM rootstock, and Meister = Poly-S = Osmocote > Urea > no N for SC rootstock. The study demonstrated that for a given rate of N application the total N uptake by seedlings was greater for the CRF compared to urea treatment. This suggests that various N losses were lower from the CRF source as compared to those from soluble fertilizers. Received: 11 April 1997     

Immobilization and mineralization of nitrogen in soils incubated with pig slurry or ammonium sulphate

Nitrogen mineralization and immobilization were investigated in two soils incubated with ammonium sulphate or pig slurry over a range of temperatures and moisture contents. A reduction in the mineralization of soil organic N was observed in soils incubated with 100 μg NH₄⁺-Ng^?1 soil as ammonium sulphate at 30°C but not at lower temperatures. Addition of 100 μg NH₄⁺-N g^?1 soil as pig slurry resulted in a period of nett immobilization lasting up to 30 days at 5°C. Although the length of the immobilization phase was shorter at higher temperatures the total N immobilized was similar. The subsequent rate of mineralization in slurry-treated soils was not significantly greater (P = 0.05) than in untreated soils. There was no evidence of any subsequent increased mineralization arising from the immobilized N or slurry organic N for up to 175 days. The rate of immobilization was found to increase with increasing moisture content, though the period of nett immobilization was shorter, so that the amount of N immobilized was similar over a range of moisture contents from 10 to 40%. Approximately 40% of the NH₄⁺-N in the slurry was immobilized under the incubation conditions used.     

Amino acids and amino sugars extracted by EUF from a sandy soil incubated with green manure,bacterial biomass or cellulose

The extraction of soils by the electro-ultrafiltration (EUF) method yields organic N which has been used as an index for mineralisable N in soils. This EUF extractable organic fraction contains a mixture of various N compounds not yet completely identified. It has been proposed that the amino N compounds are more indicative for the potentially mineralisable N in soils than the total organic N extracted (Mengel et al., 1999). An amendment of soils with easily mineralisable organic matter may, therefore, alter the amino N concentrations of the organic N extracted. Our determination of the amino N compounds aimed to prove this hypothesis. The principle of our experiment was to mix soil with green manure, bacterial biomass and cellulose, respectively, and to incubate the treated soil aerobically for 80 days at 20°C in the laboratory. Control treatments without organic amendment were also incubated. Soil samples were taken several times during the incubation period and analysed for the inorganic N (NO₃⁻-N and NH₄⁺-N) and for the EUF extractable organic N. Amino acids and amino sugars were determined in the hydrolysed EUF extracts. The concentrations of amino acids and amino sugars in the organic N extracted varied with time and differed between the treatments. Glutamic acid has been found to be the most relevant amino acid in the EUF extracts and was particularly indicative for the existence of mineralisable green manure in the soil. Glucosamine was the most relevant amino sugar in the EUF extracts and this amino sugar appears to be indicative for the easily mineralisable relics of microbial cells in the soil.     

控释氮肥养分控释效果及合理施用研究

试验采用{3,3}单形重心设计方法,研究了普通尿素和2种包膜尿素D90、D60配比对土壤NH4+-N、NO3--N及矿质态氮(Nmin)含量的影响。结果表明,供试的7种包膜肥料初期溶出率均12.0%,微分溶出率在0.26%～2.49%之间。各处理土壤NH4+-N含量均随时间逐渐降低,而NO3--N和Nmin含量随时间逐渐增加。整个培养期内单独施用尿素处理,土壤NH4+-N、NO3--N及Nmin含量最高;2种控释肥单施或其配比施用土壤NH4+-N、NO3--N及Nmin含量最低;尿素与控释肥配合施用,土壤NH4+-N、NO3--N及Nmin含量居中。不同时期内土壤NH4+-N的来源不同,0～20d内,尿素对土壤NH4-N含量贡献最大;30～50d内,土壤NH4+-N主要来自D60;整个培养期内尿素对土壤NO3--N和Nmin的贡献均最大。肥料配比中随着尿素比例的减少,土壤NH4+-N、NO3--N及Nmin均逐渐减少。研究结果初步验证了混料设计在肥料配比研究中的可行性。     

Evaluation of biological and chemical nitrogen indices for predicting nitrogen-supplying capacity of paddy soils in the Taihu Lake region,China

Simple and rapid chemical indices of soil nitrogen (N)-supplying capacity are necessary for fertilizer recommendations. In this study, pot experiment involving rice, anaerobic incubation, and chemical analysis were conducted for paddy soils collected from nine locations in the Taihu Lake region of China. The paddy soils showed large variability in N-supplying capacity as indicated by the total N uptake (TNU) by rice plants in a pot experiment, which ranged from 639.7 to 1,046.2 mg N pot⁻¹ at maturity stage, representing 5.8% of the total soil N on average. Anaerobic incubation for 3, 14, 28, and 112 days all resulted in a significant (P < 0.01) correlation between cumulative mineral NH₄⁺-N and TNU, but generally better correlations were obtained with increasing incubation time. Soil organic C, total soil N, microbial C, and ultraviolet absorbance of NaHCO₃ extract at 205 and 260 nm revealed no clear relationship with TNU or cumulative mineral NH₄⁺-N. Soil C/N ratio, acid KMnO₄-NH₄⁺-N, alkaline KMnO₄-NH₄⁺-N, phosphate–borate buffer extractable NH₄⁺-N (PB-NH₄⁺-N), phosphate–borate buffer hydrolyzable NH₄⁺-N (PB_HYDR-NH₄⁺-N) and hot KCl extractable NH₄⁺-N (H_KCl−NH₄⁺-N) were all significantly (P < 0.05) related to TNU and cumulative mineral NH₄⁺-N of long-term incubation (>28 days). However, the best chemical index of soil N-supplying capacity was the soil C/N ratio, which showed the highest correlation with TNU at maturity stage (R = −0.929, P < 0.001) and cumulative mineral NH₄⁺-N (R = −0.971, P < 0.001). Acid KMnO₄-NH₄⁺-N plus native soil NH₄⁺-N produced similar, but slightly worse predictions of soil N-supplying capacity than the soil C/N ratio.     

北京地区潮土表层中NO3--N的转化积累及其淋洗损失

本试验利用渗滤池设施，采用化学分析和同位素技术相结合的方法研究了北京地区潮土表层中施用氮肥后ＮＯ３＾－－Ｎ转化积累及其１３０ｃｍ土体的淋洗状况。常规分析结果表明，在春小麦和夏玉米的生育前期可以观察到氮素明显地向ＮＯ３＾－－Ｎ的转化积累，其强度随尿素施用量的增加而明显增加，而尿素、硝铵、硫铵等不同氮肥品种处理之间有差异但大多不显著。同时夏玉米期间转化积累作用比春小麦期间强烈。＾１５Ｎ标记试验结果表明     

Nitrate Transformation and N2O Emission in a Typical Intensively Managed Calcareous Fluvaquent Soil: A 15-Nitrogen Tracer Incubation Study

A 56-day aerobic incubation experiment was performed with 15-nitrogen (N) tracer techniques after application of wheat straw to investigate nitrate-N (NO₃-N) immobilization in a typical intensively managed calcareous Fluvaquent soil. The dynamics of concentration and isotopic abundance of soil N pools and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission were determined. As the amount of straw increased, the concentration and isotopic abundance of total soil organic N and newly formed labeled particulate organic matter (POM-N) increased while NO₃-N decreased. When ¹⁵NO₃-N was applied combined with a large amount of straw at 5000 mg carbon (C) kg^?1 only 1.1 ± 0.4 mg kg^?1 NO₃-N remained on day 56. The soil microbial biomass N (SMBN) concentration and newly formed labeled SMBN increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing amount of straw. Total N₂O-N emissions were at levels of only micrograms kg^?1 soil. The results indicate that application of straw can promote the immobilization of excessive nitrate with little emission of N₂O.     

Soil N transformation mechanisms can effectively conserve N in soil under saturated conditions compared to unsaturated conditions in subtropical China

The connection between moisture and nitrogen (N) transformation in soils is key to understanding N losses, particularly nitrate (NO₃^?) losses, and also provides a theoretical framework for appropriate water management in agricultural systems. Thus, we designed this study to provide a process-based background for management decision. We collected soil samples from the long-term field experiment in subtropical China, which was designed to examine tobacco and rice rotations under a subtropical monsoon climate. The field experiment was established in 2008 with four treatments: (1) no fertilization as control; (2) N, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers applied at recommended rates; (3) N fertilizers applied at rates 50% higher than the recommended amounts and P and K fertilizers applied at recommended rates; and (4) N, P, and K fertilizers applied at recommended rates with straw incorporated (NPKS). Soil samples were collected during the unsaturated tobacco-cropping season and saturated rice-cropping season and were incubated at 60% water holding capacity and under saturated conditions, respectively. Two ¹⁵N tracing treatments (¹⁵NH₄NO₃ and NH₄¹⁵NO₃) and a numerical modeling method were used to quantify N transformations and gross N dynamics. Autotrophic nitrification was stimulated by N fertilizer both under unsaturated and saturated conditions. The rate of NO₃^? consumption (via immobilization and denitrification) increased under the NPKS treatment under saturated conditions. Secondly, the rates of processes associated with ammonium (NH₄⁺) cycling, including mineralization of organic N, NH₄⁺ immobilization, and dissimilatory NO₃^? reduction to NH₄⁺, were all increased under saturated conditions relative to unsaturated conditions, except for autotrophic nitrification. Consequently, NO₃^?-N and NH₄⁺-N concentrations were significantly lower under saturated conditions relative to unsaturated conditions, which resulted in reduced risks of N losses via runoff or leaching. Our results suggest that under saturated conditions, there is a soil N conservation mechanism which alleviates the potential risk of N losses by runoff or leaching.     

不同肥料结构对红壤稻田氮素迁移的影响

不同肥料结构对红壤稻田淹水层、不同深度渗漏水、外排水和土壤剖面中氮素的含量、形态及其动态变化的影响研究结果表明 ,各处理淹水层、外排水和渗漏水中NH4+-N含量明显高于NO3--N。淹水层中N的含量 ,水稻生育前期以单施化肥的高 ,约相当于配施有机肥的 1.18～ 1.20倍 ,而水稻生育后期 ,后者为前者的 1.11～ 1.2 1倍。各处理外排水中N素的输出量均以苗期最高 ,单施化肥明显大于配施有机肥。土壤剖面中NH4+-N向下迁移比碱解N更为明显 ,且配施有机肥的远高于单施化肥的 ,而NO3--N则相反。不同深度渗漏水中NO3--N的比例 ,上层 (30cm)低于下层 (50cm) ,随水逸出的N量各处理渗漏水均小于外排水 ;随水输入的N量远低于随水输出的N量 ,且以单施化肥的N亏损最大。水稻未利用的N量也以单施化肥的最大 ,约为配施有机肥的 1.0 9倍。     

应用离子交换树脂膜法评价缓释复合肥料供肥特性的研究

在25℃连续恒温培养条件下,采用离子交换树脂膜(IERM)提取,测定了不同缓释复合肥料(SRCF)在土壤中的氮、磷、钾养分的供肥特性,并与盆栽水稻的养分吸收进行比较。结果表明:56.d内2种SRCF在土壤中NO3--N和NH4+-N养分的日均供应量占普通复合肥(NCF)的3.3%～58.1%,并以NH4+-NNO3--N;2种SRCF的H2PO4-和K+的日均供应量占磷、钾施用量分别为NCF的14.9%、23.2%和92.7%、64.5%。与NCF相比,SRCF氮素和磷素养分在土壤中释放具有明显的缓释作用。Elovich和抛物线扩散方程的b值可分别用来表征SRCF的NO3--N、H2PO4-和NH4+-N、K+养分在土壤中释放后被吸收的日均供肥量。用离子交换树脂膜法提取测定的SRCF养分在土壤中的供肥特性与该法测定的土壤本身养分的供肥特性相似。SRCF氮、磷、钾养分累积释放量与盆栽水稻氮、磷、钾养分吸收量呈显著或极显著的正相关(r=0.869～*0.994**)。用离子交换树脂膜提取测定和评价缓释复合肥料在土壤中养分的供肥特性是一种比较理想的方法。     

Relationships between microbial biomass nitrogen,nitrate leaching and nitrogen uptake by corn in a compost and chemical fertilizer-amended regosol

Abstract

To determine the relationships between microbial biomass nitrogen (N), nitrate–nitrogen leaching (NO₃-N leaching) and N uptake by plants, a field experiment and a soil column experiment were conducted. In the field experiment, microbial biomass N, 0.5 mol L^?1 K₂SO₄ extractable N (extractable N), NO₃-N leaching and N uptake by corn were monitored in sawdust compost (SDC: 20 Mg ha^?1 containing 158 kg N ha^?1 of total N [approximately 50% is easily decomposable organic N]), chemical fertilizer (CF) and no fertilizer (NF) treatments from May 2000 to September 2002. In the soil column experiment, microbial biomass N, extractable N and NO₃-N leaching were monitored in soil treated with SDC (20 Mg ha^?1) + rice straw (RS) at five different application rates (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 Mg ha^?1 containing 0, 15, 29, 44 and 59 kg N ha^?1) and in soil treated with CF in 2001. Nitrogen was applied as (NH₄)₂SO₄ at rates of 220 kg N ha^?1 for SDC and SDC + RS treatments and at a rate of 300 kg N ha^?1 for the CF treatment in both experiments. In the field experiment, microbial biomass N in the SDC treatment increased to 147 kg N ha^?1 at 7 days after treatment (DAT) and was maintained at 60–70 kg N ha^?1 after 30 days. Conversely, microbial biomass N in the CF treatment did not increase significantly. Extractable N in the surface soil increased immediately after treatment, but was found at lower levels in the SDC treatment compared to the CF treatment until 7 DAT. A small amount of NO₃-N leaching was observed until 21 DAT and increased markedly from 27 to 42 DAT in the SDC and CF treatments. Cumulative NO₃-N leaching in the CF treatment was 146 kg N ha^?1, which was equal to half of the applied N, but only 53 kg N ha^?1 in the SDC treatment. In contrast, there was no significant difference between N uptake by corn in the SDC and CF treatments. In the soil column experiment, microbial biomass N in the SDC + RS treatment at 7 DAT increased with increased RS application. Conversely, extractable N at 7 DAT and cumulative NO₃-N leaching until 42 DAT decreased with increased RS application. In both experiments, microbial biomass N was negatively correlated with extractable N at 7 DAT and cumulative NO₃-N leaching until 42 DAT, and extractable N was positively correlated with cumulative NO₃-N leaching. We concluded that microbial biomass N formation in the surface soil decreased extractable N and, consequently, contributed to decreasing NO₃-N leaching without impacting negatively on N uptake by plants.     

Exchangeable ammonium and nitrate from different nitrogen fertilizer preparations in polyacrylamide-treated and untreated agricultural soils

 High molecular weight, anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) is currently being used as an irrigation water additive to significantly reduce soil erosion associated with furrow irrigation. PAM contains amide-N, and PAM application to soils has been correlated with increased activity of soil enzymes, such as urease and amidase, involved in N cycling. Therefore we investigated potential impacts of PAM treatment on the rate at which fertilizer N is transformed into NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^– in soil. PAM-treated and untreated soil microcosms were amended with a variety of fertilizers, ranging from common rapid-release forms, such as ammonium sulfate [(NH₄)₂SO₄] and urea, to a variety of slow-release formulations, including polymerized urea and polymer-encapsulated urea. Ammonium sulfate was also tested together with the nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD). The fertilizers were applied at a concentration of 1.0 mg g^–1, which is comparable to 100 lb acre^–l, or 112 kg ha^–1. Potassium chloride-extractable NH₄ ⁺-N and NO₃ ^–-N were quantified periodically during 2–4 week incubations. PAM treatment had no significant effect on NH₄ ⁺ release rates for any of the fertilizers tested and did not alter the efficacy of DCD as a nitrification inhibitor. However, the nitrification rate of urea and encapsulated urea-derived NH₄ ⁺-N was slightly accelerated in the PAM-treated soil. Received: 16 January 1998     

Comparative Study on Disturbed and Undisturbed Soil Sample Incubation for Estimating Soil Nitrogen-Supplying Capacity

Application of nitrogen (N) fertilizers without knowing the N-supplying capacity of soils may lead to low N use efficiency, uneconomical crop production, and pollution of the environment. Based on the results from pot experiments treated with soil initial nitrate leaching and native soil, long-term alternate leaching aerobic incubation was conducted to study the disturbed and undisturbed soil N-supplying capacity of surface soil samples in 11 sites with different fertilities on the Loess Plateau. The results indicated that the entire indexes and ryegrass (Lolium perenne) uptake N with soil initial nitrate leaching showed a better correlation than that without soil initial nitrate leaching. Except the correlation coefficients for soil initial nitrate (NO₃ ^?)-N and mineral N extracted by calcium chloride (CaCl₂) before aerobic incubation with ryegrass uptake without soil initial nitrate leaching, the correlation coefficients for soil initial NO₃ ^?-N and mineral N extracted by CaCl₂ before aerobic incubation with ryegrass uptake with soil initial nitrate leaching and those for mineralizable N extracted by aerobic incubation, soil initial mineral N and mineralizable N extracted by aerobic incubation, potentially mineralizable N (N₀) and soil initial mineral N + N₀ with ryegrass uptake N under the two cases in disturbed treatment were all higher than those in undisturbed treatment. We concluded that NO₃ ^?-N in soil extracted by CaCl₂ before aerobic incubation can reflect soil N-supplying capacity but cannot reflect soil potential N-supplying capacity. Without soil initial nitrate leaching, the effect of disturbed and undisturbed soil samples incubated under laboratory conditions for estimating soil N-supplying capacity was not good; however, with soil initial nitrate leaching, this method could give better results for soil N-supplying capacity. Based on the results from pot experiments treated with soil initial nitrate leaching and native soil, the mineralization of disturbed soil samples can give provide better results for predicting soil N-supplying capacity for in situ structure soil conditions on the Loess Plateau than undisturbed soil samples.     

Organic fertilizers derived from plant materials Part I: Turnover in soil at low and moderate temperatures

The aim was to investigate different organic fertilizers derived from plant materials with respect to their nitrogen and carbon turnover in soil in comparison with organic fertilizers derived from animal‐waste products. In a 64‐day incubation study at 5°C and 15°C, the following fertilizers were used: coarse faba bean–seed meal (Vicia faba L.), coarse meals of yellow and white lupin seeds (Lupinus albus L. and Lupinus luteus L.), Phytoperls^® (waste products of maize [Zea mays L.] processing), coarse meal of castor cake (Ricinus communis L.) as a widely used organic fertilizer, and horn meal as a reference fertilizer‐derived from animal waste products. At 15°C, horn meal showed the highest apparent net N mineralization of fertilizer‐derived N, followed by castor cake and the two lupin meals. At 5°C, apparent net N mineralization of fertilizer‐derived N from horn meal and coarse meal of yellow lupin seeds was nearly identical, followed by castor‐cake meal. Net N mineralization from legume‐seed meals showed no or even a negative temperature response, at least temporarily. In contrast, the other fertilizers showed a positive temperature response of net N mineralization. The content in recalcitrant structural components and the decoupling of decomposition of N‐rich and C‐rich tissue components in time are discussed as controlling factors of fertilizer‐N turnover at low temperature. Microbial residues seem to be an important temporary sink of fertilizer‐derived C and N. Legume‐seed meals induced considerable N‐priming effects. Temperature induced differences in the decomposition of total fertilizer C, indicated by changes in the sum of cumulative CO₂‐C evolution, total K₂SO₄‐soluble organic C and microbial‐biomass C were much smaller than indicated by cumulative CO₂‐C evolution alone. Our results indicate that legume‐seed meals have the potential to replace horn meal and castor‐cake meal in organic vegetable production, especially when soil temperatures in early spring are still low.     

Leaching Methods Can Underestimate Mineralization Potential of Soils

Aerobic incubations to estimate net nitrogen (N) mineralization typically involve periodic leaching of soil with 0.01 M calcium chloride (CaCl₂), so as to remove mineral N that would otherwise be subject to immobilization. A study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of leaching for analysis of exchangeable ammonium (NH₄⁺)-N and nitrate + nitrite (NO₃^?+ NO₂^–)-N, relative to conventional extractions using 2 M potassium chloride (KCl). Ten air-dried soils were used, five each from Illinois and Brazil, that had been amended with NH₄⁺-N (1 g kg^?1) and NO₃^–-N (0.6 g kg^?1). Both methods were in good agreement for inorganic N analysis of the Brazilian Oxisols, whereas leaching was significantly lower by 12–48% in recovering exchangeable NH₄⁺-N from Illinois Alfisols, Mollisols, and Histosols. The potential for underestimating net N mineralization was confirmed by a 12-wk incubation experiment showing 9–86% of mineral N recoveries from three temperate soils as exchangeable NH₄⁺.     

不同氮肥在石灰性潮土中的转化及ATS对尿素氮转化的调控效应

根据氮肥施入土壤后的转化特性进行氮肥的高效调控和管理是提高氮肥利用效率、缓解氮肥污染的重要措施。为探究不同氮肥在石灰性潮土中的转化特性差异及硫代硫酸铵（ammonium thiosulfate，ATS）作为氮肥调控剂对尿素氮转化的影响，该研究采用室内土壤培养（土壤水分含量为田间持水量的60%，温度25 ℃）试验方法，以尿素、硫酸铵、氯化铵和ATS作为供试肥料，比较4种氮肥施入石灰性潮土后的转化特性差异，并以ATS作为氮素调控剂，以单施尿素作为对照，探究尿素配施不同用量ATS对尿素氮转化的影响。结果表明，4种供试氮肥在石灰性潮土中的转化过程明显不同。尿素在石灰性潮土中的水解速率最快，硝化作用强度也最高，硫酸铵其次；氯化铵由于Cl^-的硝化抑制作用，土壤表观硝化率在7～21 d显著低于尿素和硫酸铵（P＜0.05）；ATS施入土壤后，NH₄⁺-N转化为NO₂^--N的速率最高，而NO₂^--N转化为NO₃^--N的速率最低，NH₄⁺-N在土壤中的存留时间最长，出现峰值之后也一直保持最高的含量，表观硝化率最低。将ATS作为氮素调控剂与尿素配合施用，当其用量在60 mg/kg（含S量）以上时，既表现出了明显的抑制尿素水解的作用效果，也表现出了显著的硝化抑制作用（ P <0.05），且随着ATS用量的增加，抑制效应明显增强。这对于减少氮素损失，提高氮肥利用效率具有积极意义。但供试4种氮肥施入土壤后均出现了亚硝酸盐的累积，其中ATS处理的累积量显著高于尿素、硫酸铵和氯化铵（P＜0.05），累积持续时间也最长。ATS作为氮素调控剂调控氮素转化，也出现了类似的结果，且随着ATS用量增加，亚硝酸盐在土壤中存留时间明显延长，含量和峰值明显提高，出现峰值的时间也明显延后。     

Mineralization of Nitrogen from Biofuel By-products and Animal Manures Amended to a Sandy Soil

Transformations of nitrogen (N) from poultry litter (PL), dairy manure compost (DMC), anaerobically digested fiber (ADF), Perfect Blend 7–2–2 (PB), a compost/litter mixture (C/L), dried distillers grains from ethanol production (DG), and mustard meal from biodiesel production (MM) applied to a Quincy fine sand were investigated in an incubation experiment over 210 days. The cumulative release totals of available N after 210 days were 61, 61, 56, 44, 29, 2, and –2% for the total N in MM, PB, DG, PL, C/L, DMC, and ADF, respectively. With application of MM and DG, ammonium (NH₄-N) accumulated initially in the soil with very little nitrification, possibly because of inhibition of nitrification related to chemical compounds in the amendments. Mineralization of organic N to NH₄-N and nitrate (NO₃-N) was relatively slow from MM- and DG-amended soils, indicating the potential for using biofuel by-products as slow-release N sources for plants.     

Nitrogen Mineralization of Two Manures as Influenced by Contrasting Application Methods under Laboratory Conditions

The decomposition and the associated nitrogen (N) dynamics of organic N sources are affected by their contact with soil. While several authors have examined the effect of surface application or incorporation of crop residues on their decomposition rate, less information is available about the relationship between the placement of animal manure and their N mineralization rate. This study investigated the influence of chicken manure and cattle manure placement on soil N mineralization. The manures were incorporated or surface applied at 175 mg N kg^?1, and N release was periodically determined over 56 days by measuring inorganic N [nitrate (NO₃ ^?) N and ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) N] in a 2 M potassium chloride (KCl) extract at a ratio of 1:10 (w/v). Results indicated that the control soil released a maximum of 64 mg N kg^?1 soil at day 21, a sixfold increase over the initial concentration, which indicates its substantial mineralization potential. Manure treatments showed an initial increase in net NO₃ ^?-N content at the start of the experiments (until day 7) before an extended period of immobilization, which ended at day 21 of the incubation. A small but positive net N mineralization of all manures was observed from 28 days of incubation. At each sampling time, the mean mineral N released from the control was significantly less (P < 0.01) than surface-applied chicken manure, incorporated chicken manure, and surface-applied cattle manure. Treatments exceptions were at days 21 and 28 where N immobilization was at its peak. In contrast, incorporation of cattle manure showed a different N-release pattern, whereby the mineral N amount was only significantly greater than the control soil at days 42 and 56 with 84 and 108 mg N kg^?1 soil respectively. Incorporation of chicken manure and cattle manure did not favor nitrification as much as surface application and cattle manure caused a much greater immobilization when incorporated than when surface applied.