Ammonia volatilization from Vertisols

Farmers want to minimize losses of nitrogen (N) by volatilization of ammonia when adding fertilizers and improve fertilizer recovery of N by plants. We aimed to quantify the losses of N through NH₃ volatilization as affected by soil moisture content, type of fertilizer, and placement method in Vertisols in Kenya, and conducted three experiments for the purpose under controlled conditions in the laboratory. We found that NH₃-N losses were greatest at 80% water holding capacity, which we ascribed to the ready availability of water to dissolve the fertilizer at that water content. The soil's cation exchange capacity (CEC) did not influence volatilization, whereas the soil's pH indicated the potential of the soil to volatilize ammonia. Ammonia losses from the fertilizers were in the order urea > ammonium sulphate > ammonium nitrate applied. Incorporating fertilizer within the 0–5 cm soil layer more than halved NH₃ volatilization but did not prevent it completely. These results indicate that soil pH, rather than CEC, is the main inherent characteristic influencing ammonia volatilization from Vertisols. Ammonium-based fertilizers should be incorporated within the 0–5 cm soil layer, or preferably somewhat deeper, to avoid losses via NH₃ volatilization, particularly in alkaline soils. Nitrate fertilizers are preferable to urea where the risks of NH₃ volatilization are large, provided due consideration is given to denitrification risks.     

Effect of timing of simulated rainfall on ammonia volatilization from urea, applied to soil of varyingmoisture content

Ammonia volatilization from granular urea applied at 10gNm⁻² to pasture was investigated using an enclosure method. Misting 0, 4 or 16 mm of water on to the soil at field capacity within 3 h of urea application resulted in total NH₃ losses of 2.81, 0.92 and 0.18 g N m⁻² respectively. Further delaying the watering reduced this effect until at 48 h, volatilization was lowered from 3.33 to only 3.09gNm⁻² with 16mm of water. Hydrolysis and NH₃ loss were rapid. Similar trends occurred at a lower initial soil moisture content.
On air-dry soil (0.06 g H₂O/g soil), hydrolysis was slow (73 ± 14% of the urea remained after 30 days) and volatilization, while gradual, accounted for 33% of applied urea-N after 30 days. Addition of 16 mm of water 48 and 96 h after urea application was followed by a period of rapid hydrolysis and volatilization, resulting in a total loss of 2.59 and 2.40gNm⁻² respectively. Repeated addition of 2mm of water produced bursts of hydrolysis and NH₃ loss until completion of hydrolysis when additional water had no effect. A total loss after 30 days of 3.94 g N m⁻² occurred in this 2 mm treatment.     

Measurement of ammonia volatilization loss using a dynamic chamber technique: A case study of surface-incorporated manure and ammonium sulfate in an upland field of light-colored Andosol

The present study aimed to elucidate ammonia (NH₃) volatilization loss following surface incorporation (0–15 cm mixing depth) of nitrogen (N) fertilizer in an upland field of light-colored Andosol in central Japan. A dynamic chamber technique was used to measure the NH₃ effluxes. Poultry manure, pelleted poultry manure, cattle manure, pelleted cattle manure and ammonium sulfate were used as N fertilizers for basal fertilization to a bare soil with surface incorporation. All three experiments in summer and autumn 2007 and in summer 2008 showed negligible NH₃ volatilization losses following the application of all N fertilizers with the same application rate of 120 kg N ha⁻¹ as total N; these negligible losses were primarily ascribed to chemical properties of the soil, that is, its high cation exchange capacity (283 mmol_c kg⁻¹ dry soil) and relatively low pH(H₂O) (5.9). In addition, the surface incorporation, the very small ratio of ammoniacal N to total N for the manure, and the decrease in soil pH to ≤5.5 following applications of ammonium sulfate were also advantageous to the inhibition of NH₃ volatilization loss from the field-applied N fertilizers.     

Assessment of N2O, NOx and NH3 emissions from a typical rural catchment in Eastern China

To evaluate the atmospheric load of reactive gaseous nitrogen in the fast-developing Eastern China region, we compiled inventories of nitrous oxide (N₂O), nitrogen oxide (NO_x) and ammonia (NH₃) emissions from a typical rural catchment in Jiangsu province, China, situated at the lower reach of the Yangtze River. We considered emissions from synthetic N fertilizer, human and livestock excreta, decomposition of crop residue returned to cropland and residue burning, soil background and household energy consumption. The results showed that, for the 45.5 km² catchment, the annual reactive gaseous emission was 279 ton N, of which 7% was N₂O, 16% was NO_x and 77% was NH₃. Synthetic N fertilizer application was the dominant source of N₂O and NH₃ emissions and crop residue burning was the dominant source of NO_x emission. Sixty-seven percent of the total reactive gaseous N was emitted from croplands, but on a per unit area basis, NO_x and NH₃ emissions in residential areas were higher than in croplands, probably as a result of household crop residue burning and extensive human and livestock excreta management systems. Emission per capita was estimated to be 18.2 kg N year⁻¹ in the rural catchment, and emission per unit area was 56.9 kg N ha⁻¹year⁻¹ for NH₃ + NO_x, which supports the observed high atmospheric N deposition in the catchment. Apparently, efficient use of N fertilizer and biological utilization of crop straw are important measures to reduce reactive gases emissions in this rural catchment.     

Fate of nitrogen in cattle slurry following surface application or injection to grassland

Two field experiments commencing in winter (December) and spring (April) were conducted to determine the fate of nitrogen (N) in cattle slurry following application to grassland. In each experiment three methods of application were used: surface application, and injection ± the nitrification inhibitor, nitrapyrin. Slurry was applied at 80t ha⁻¹, (≡248 kg total N ha⁻¹ in the winter experiment, and 262 kg N ha⁻¹ in the spring experiment). From slurry applied to the surface, total losses of N through NH₃ volatilization, measured using a system of wind tunnels, were 77 and 53 kg N ha⁻¹ respectively for the winter and spring experiments. Injection reduced the total NH₃ volatilization loss to ∼2 kg N ha ⁻¹. Following surface application, loss by denitrification, measured using an adaptation of the acetylene-inhibition technique, was 30 and 5 kg N ha⁻¹ for the two experiments. Larger denitrification losses were observed for the injected treatments; in the winter experiment the loss from the injected slurry without nitrapyrin was 53 kgN ha ⁻¹, and with nitrapyrin 23 kgN ha⁻¹. Total denitrification losses for the corresponding injected treatments in the spring experiment were 18 and 14 kg N ha ⁻¹. Apparent recoveries of N in grass herbage in both experiments broadly reflected the differences between treatments in total gaseous loss.     

Gaseous nitrogen losses from soil under Sitka spruce following the application of fertilizer 15N urea

Gaseous N loss, through denitrification and NH₃⁻volatilization, was monitored throughout the growing season after spring application of ¹⁵N labelled urea fertilizer to peaty gley soils supporting N-deficient Sitka spruce. From the ¹⁵N data, it was calculated that only about 0.28% of applied N was lost through NH₃-volatilization, almost all within the first few days after fertilizer application. Approximately 0.05% of applied N was calculated to be lost through denitrification. Denitrification decreased slowly over a 4-month period after fertilizer application. Rates of NH₃-volatilization correlated with available NH₄⁺ in the litter layer, while for the early part of the study when N-losses were highest, denitrification rates correlated with available NO₃⁻ in the litter layer. Observations of gaseous N-loss are also discussed in relation to data from lysimetry, changes in soil pH, and the soil moisture regime.     

Effect of nitrite accumulation on nitrous oxide emission and total nitrogen loss during swine manure composting

The present study investigated the nitrogen balance in swine manure composting to evaluate the effect of nitrite (     ) accumulation, which induces nitrogenous emissions, such as N₂O, during compost maturation. During active composting, most N losses result from NH₃ emission, which was 9.5% of the initial total nitrogen (TN_initial), after which,     began to accumulate as only ammonia-oxidizing bacteria proliferated. After active composting, the addition of mature swine compost (MSC), including nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB), could prevent     accumulation and reduce N₂O emission by 70% compared with the control in which     accumulated as a result of delayed growth of indigenous NOB. Total N₂O emissions in the control and in the treatment of MSC addition (MA) were 9.3% and 3.0% of TN_initial, respectively, whereas N losses as the sum total of NH₃ and N₂O over the whole period were 19.0% (control) and 12.8% (MA) of TN_initial, respectively. However, the difference in total N losses was markedly greater than that measured as NH₃ and N₂O, which were 27.8% (control) and 13.3% (MA) of TN_initial, respectively. These results demonstrated that the magnitude of nitrogen losses induced by     accumulation is too large to ignore in the composting of swine manure.     

Carbon and nitrogen mineralization of sewage sludge compost in soils with a different initial pH

Soil properties may affect the decomposition of added organic materials and inorganic nitrogen (N) production in agricultural soils. Three soils, Potu (Pu), Sankengtzu (Sk) and Erhlin (Eh) soils, mixed with sewage sludge compost (SSC) at application rates of 0 (control), 25, 75 and 150 Mg ha⁻¹ were selected from Taiwan for incubation for 112 days. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of SSC application rates on the carbon decomposition rate, N transformation and pH changes in three soils with different initial soil pH values (4.8–7.7). The results indicated that the highest peaks of the CO₂ evolution rate occurred after 3 days of incubation, for all treatments. The Pu soil (pH 4.8) had a relatively low rate of CO₂ evolution, total amounts of CO₂ evolution and percentage of added organic C loss, all of which resulted from inhibition of microbial activity under low pH. For the Pu and Sk soils, the concentration of NH₄⁺-N reached its peak after 7–14 days of incubation, which indicated that ammonification might have occurred in the two soils with low initial pH values. NO₃⁻-N rapidly accumulated in the first 7 days of incubation in the Eh soil (pH 7.7). The direction and extent of the soil pH changes were influenced by the N in the SSC and the initial soil pH. Ammonification of organic N in the SSC caused the soil pH to increase, whereas nitrification of mineralized N caused the soil pH to decline. Consequently, the initial soil pH greatly affected the rate of carbon decomposition, ammonification and nitrification of SSC.     

The effect of freeze/thaw on gaseous nitrogen loss from upland soils

Abstract. The effect of a short-term freeze/thaw cycle (15°C to -8°C to 15°C) on gaseous N-loss (denitrification and NH₃-volatilization) from intact blocks of an upland soil is described. Rates of both denitrification and NH₃-volatilization were increased by the freeze/thaw cycle, particularly when the blocks had previously been fertilized with urea. Increased gaseous N-loss due to freeze/thaw is reported for soils under heather and under improved grass pasture.     

Emission of NH3 and N2O after spreading of pig slurry by broadcasting or band spreading

Abstract. The recommended method of reducing the emission of NH₃ while spreading manure is to plough or harrow the manure into the soil. This in turn increases the possibility of N₂O emission. At two sites in southern Sweden emissions of NH₃ and N₂O were measured after spreading pig slurry by broadcasting and band spreading. The band spreading technique can be used in growing crops i.e. when nitrogen is most needed, and it is thought that the NH₃ emission is smaller with this technique compared to broadcasting. The average NH₃ loss was 50% of applied NH₄⁺ during warm/dry conditions and 10% during cold/wet conditions. The N₂O emission was always less than 1% of applied NH₄⁺. When the NH₃ emission decreased, the direct N₂O emission increased. However, when taking into account the indirect N₂O emission due to deposition of NH₃ outside the field, the spreading techniques all produced similar total N₂O emissions. The ammonia emission was not much lower for the band spreading technique compared to broadcasting, when compared on seven occasions.     

施氮方式与添加脲酶/硝化抑制剂对稻季NH3挥发和N2O排放的影响

【目的】分析施肥方式及添加脲酶/硝化抑制剂对稻田NH₃挥发和N₂O排放的影响,基于稻田NH₃和N₂O减排的效果评价优化施肥措施的可行性。【方法】在太湖地区开展为期两年的稻季田间小区试验,供试脲酶抑制剂为N-丁基硫代磷酰三胺(NBPT),硝化抑制剂为对羟基苯丙酸甲酯(MHPP),用量为施氮量的1%。设置6个处理：1)不施氮肥对照(CK);2)表施尿素N 300 kg/hm² (当地常规施肥,CN);3)表施尿素N 225 kg/hm²(RNB);4)尿素N 225 kg/hm²,50%表施,50%深施(RND);5)表施尿素N 225 kg/hm²+NBPT+MHPP(RNB+DI);6)尿素N 225 kg/hm²+NBPT+MHPP,50%表施,50%深施(RND+DI)。每次施肥后两周内,用密闭式抽气法监测稻田NH₃挥发,在水稻生育期内用静态箱—气相色谱法监测稻田N...     

A simple process-based model for estimating ammonia emissions from agricultural land after fertilizer applications

Abstract. Fertilizer applications to agricultural land are a significant source of ammonia (NH₃) emission to the atmosphere, accounting for approximately 10% of the total emissions from agriculture. Current estimates of emissions from fertilizer applications use 'fixed' emission factors. This paper describes a model in which the emission factors are expressed as a function of the important influencing variables: fertilizer type, soil pH, land use, application rate, rainfall and temperature. Total emission in 2002 for the UK were estimated by running the model for a 'standard UK' scenario, viz. 28.7 kt NH₃-N, which compares well with the UK inventory estimate of 30.4 kt NH₃-N. Differences exist in the estimates for specific fertilizer types, with the mean emission factor for urea applications to grassland, in particular, being lower by use of this model (13% compared with 23% of applied N for the UK inventory). Emission estimates were most sensitive to temperature and fertilizer type. Scenario testing showed that significant reductions in emission could be achieved by replacing urea with other forms of N fertilizer, by combining urea use with a urease inhibitor, or by modifying some management practices.     

Using time domain reflectometry to characterize cattle and pig slurry infiltration into soil

Abstract. The rate and extent to which cattle or pig slurry infiltrates into soil after application is one of the important factors determining the rate and extent of subsequent ammonia (NH₃) volatilization. Better characterization of the infiltration process is required to improve predictive models of NH₃ losses after land spreading. This paper describes a laboratory system using time domain reflectometry to measure slurry infiltration into soil columns. This system enabled semi-continuous, non-destructive infiltration measurements to be made, assessing the influence of slurry type, dry matter (DM) content, soil type and soil water tension. Differences were noted in the infiltration behaviour of cattle and pig slurries. For cattle slurry, DM content (range 1.7–7.1%) was the main influencing factor. Infiltration rate rapidly decreased with increasing DM content and there was no influence of soil type or water tension. For pig slurry, all of the slurry infiltrated into a sandy clay loam soil within the first hour, regardless of DM content (range 1.5–4.7%), whereas only 60% infiltrated into a clay loam soil over the same time period (slurry DM content 2.1%).     

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.     

Microbial Immobilization and Plant Uptake of Different N Forms in Three Forest Types in Shikoku District, Southern Japan

Soil microbial immobilization and plant uptake of N were evaluated for three forest types in Kochi, Shikoku district. During 196-d laboratory incubation, soil NO₃-N production in the Hinoki cypress forest was negligible for the initial 40 d and then rapidly increased, whereas NO₃-N production was rapid from the beginning in Japanese cedar and deciduous hardwood forests. Microbial immobilization of the labeled ¹⁵N decreased in the order of NH₄-N>glycine-N>NO₃-N. The ¹⁵N immobilization was higher for soil in the Hinoki cypress forest than other two soils. The delayed NO₃-N production in the Hinoki cypress forest was likely related with low availability of NH₄-N due to NH₄-N immobilization and substantial NO₃-N immobilization. In the field experiment, ¹⁵N uptake by roots decreased in the order of NH₄-N>NO₃-N>glycine-N. The absorption of the labeled ¹³C suggested direct uptake of organic N. The preference of N forms by root uptake was not different among forest types. Trees in three forest types can absorb inorganic and organic forms of N, suggesting trees absorb the N form that is the most abundant in the soil.     

控释尿素减少双季稻田氨挥发的主要机理和适宜用量

【目的】研究施用控释尿素减少稻田氨挥发的主要机理,及有效减少氨挥发的施用量,为充分发挥控释尿素的环保效应提供参考。【方法】盆栽试验于2017年在湖南农业大学试验基地大棚内进行,供试土壤为潮砂泥田水稻土,供试早稻、晚稻品种为中早39和泰优390,供试控释氮肥为树脂包膜控释尿素。设置不施氮肥 (CK)、普通尿素 (U) 以及控释尿素等氮量 (CRU1)、减氮10%(CRU2)、减氮20%(CRU3) 和减氮 30% (CRU4) 6个处理。采用密闭室间歇通气法监测双季稻田氨挥发特征,监测同期田面水铵态氮 (NH₄+-N) 和硝态氮 (NO₃–-N) 浓度、pH值及土壤温度动态变化。【结果】施用控释尿素 (CRU) 显著降低了稻田氨挥发损失,各施氮处理稻季氨挥发累积损失量表现为U > CRU1 > CRU2 > CRU4≈CRU3。与U处理相比,CRU处理明显降低了氨挥发速率峰值,且不同程度减少了稻田氨挥发累积损失量,减排程度可达50.3%～70.1%。CRU处理氨挥发损失率为5.6%～8.13%,且早、晚稻均以CRU3和CRU4处理较低。与U处理相比,早、晚稻CRU处理施基肥后田面水中的铵态氮浓度峰值分别降低74.5%～80.4%、53.4%～76.0%,施分蘖肥后分别降低69.5%～89.1%、67.3%～80.3%。U、CRU1、CRU2、CRU3和 CRU4 处理早稻田面水平均 pH 值分别为7.26、7.22、7.25、7.32和7.14,各处理差异不显著;晚稻田面水平均pH值分别为7.85、7.71、7.72、7.72和7.66,CRU处理均显著低于U处理。U处理氨挥发速率和田面水铵态氮浓度呈极显著正相关 (r = 0.8813),与硝态氮浓度呈显著负相关 (r = –0.5319);CRU处理与U处理变化规律类似,CRU3和CRU4处理氨挥发速率与田面水铵态氮浓度达到显著正相关 (r = 0.5388和0.4245),各处理氨挥发速率与田面水pH值和10 cm土层温度相关不明显。【结论】施用控释尿素可显著降低稻田水面中的铵态氮含量,减少由于施肥导致的pH值增加,因而显著降低了稻田的氨挥发损失量,减少了氨挥发损失率。早稻和晚稻均以控释尿素施用量减少20%～30%的氨挥发减排效果最为明显。     

Methane consumption in a frequently nitrogen-fertilized and limed spruce forest soil after clear-cutting

Abstract. The effects of especially frequent nitrogen (N) additions (from 1959 to 1986, totalling 860 kg N ha⁻¹) and liming (in 1958 and 1980, totalling 6000 kg CaCO₃ ha⁻¹) on CH₄ uptake by a boreal forest soil were studied in a stand of Norway spruce. Except for a forested reference plot, the stand was clear-cut in January 1993 and the following year one-half of each clear-cut plot was prepared by mounding. Fluxes of CH₄ were measured with static chambers in the autumn before clear-cutting and during the following four summers. The average CH₄ uptake during 1993–96 in the forested reference plot was 82 μg CH₄ m⁻² h⁻¹(ranging from 10 to 147 units). In the first summer after clear-cutting, the cleared plot showed 42% lower CH₄ uptake rate than the forested reference plot, but thereafter the difference became less pronounced. The short-term decrease in CH₄ consumption after clear-cutting was associated with increases in soil NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻concentrations. Mounding tended at first to stimulate CH₄ uptake but later to inhibit it. Neither liming nor N-fertilization had significant effects on CH₄ consumption. Our results suggest that over the long term, in N-limited upland boreal forest soils, N addition does not decrease CH₄ uptake by the soil.     

Effect of Inorganic N Composition of Fertilizers on Nitrous Oxide Emission Associated with Nitrification and Denitrification

We studied the effect of repeated application (once every 2 d) of a fertilizer solution with different ratios of NH₄⁺ - and NO₃⁻-N on N₂O emission from soil. After the excess fertilizer solution was drained from soil, the water content of soil was adjusted to 50% of the maximum water-holding capacity by suction at 6 × 10³ Pa. Repeated application of NH₄⁺- rich fertilizer solution stimulated nitrification in soil more than NO₃⁻-rich fertilizer. Although the evolution of N₂O through nitrifier denitrification tended to increase with the repeated addition of a fertilizer solution rich in NH₄⁺ rather than in NO₃⁻, the contribution of nitrifier denitrification remained at levels of 20 to 36% of the total emission regardless of the inorganic N composition. The total emission of N₂O also tended to increase with the application of NH₄⁺- rather than NO₃⁻-rich fertilizer. It was suggested that the coupled process of nitrification and denitrification at micro-aerobic sites became important when fertilizer rich in NH₄⁺ was applied to soil under relatively aerobic conditions.     

Nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions from grassland amended with sewage sludge

Abstract. Land disposal of sewage sludge in the UK is set to increase markedly in the next few years and much of this will be applied to grassland. Here we applied high rates of digested sludge cake (1–1.5×10³ kg total N ha⁻¹) to grassland and incorporated it prior to reseeding. Using automated chambers, nitrous oxide (N₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) fluxes from the soil were monitored 2–4 times per day, for 6 months after sludge incorporation. Peaks of N₂O emission were up to 1.4 kg N ha⁻¹ d⁻¹ soon after incorporation, and thereafter were regularly detected following significant rainfalls. Gas emissions reflected diurnal temperature variations, though N₂O emissions were also strongly affected by rainfall. Although emissions decreased in the winter, temperatures below 4 °C stimulated short, sharp fluxes of both CO₂ and N₂O as temperature increased. The aggregate loss of nitrogen and carbon over the measurement period was up to 23 kg N ha⁻¹ and 5.1 t C ha⁻¹. Losses of N₂O in the sludge-amended soil were associated with good microbial conditions for N mineralization, and with high carbon and water contents. Since grassland is an important source of greenhouse gases, application of sewage sludge can be at least as significant as fertilizer in enhancing these emissions.     

Nitrate leaching and pasture yields following the application of dairy shed effluent or ammonium fertilizer under spray or flood irrigation: results of a lysimeter study

Abstract. Nitrate leaching and pasture ( Lolium perenne / Trifolium repens ) yields were measured on monolith lysimeters (80 cm diam. × 120 cm depth) of a Templeton sandy loam soil (Udic Ustochrept), following repeated applications of dairy shed effluent (DSE) or ammonium fertilizer (NH₄Cl), under spray (50 mm/month) or flood (100 mm/month) irrigation. Applications of DSE at 400 kg N/ha per annum resulted in significantly less nitrate leaching (8–25 kg N/ha per yr) compared with NH₄Cl (28–48kg N/ha per yr) ( P < 0.01). Over the two year period, the total mineral N (predominantly nitrate) leached was equivalent to 2.5–3.7% of the total N applied in the DSE and 8.7–9.8% of the N applied in the NH₄Cl. There was a trend of slightly less nitrate leaching under the flood irrigation than under the spray irrigation, probably because of the greater potential for denitrification under the wetter conditions. Average nitrate concentrations in the leachate were generally below the drinking water standard except in the NH₄Cl treatment under spray irrigation where it averaged 10 mg NO₃-N/l over the two year period. DSE was equally as effective as NH₄Cl in stimulating pasture dry matter production. Annual nitrogen uptakes were similar for the DSE (343 kg N/ha) and NH₄Cl (332–344kg N/ha) treatments in the first year but were higher in the DSE (361–412 kg N/ha) than in the NH₄Cl (324–340 kg N/ha) treatments in the second year. Pasture uptakes of phosphorus and sulphur were also higher in the DSE than in the NH₄Cl treatments in the second year. The results emphasize the need to set different regulatory limits for land application of organic wastes of various types and for N fertilizers.