Plant Soil Environ., 2010, 56(1):8-15 | DOI: 10.17221/129/2009-PSE

Fate of applied urea 15N in a soil-maize system as affected by urease inhibitor and nitrification inhibitor

L. Zhang1,2, Z. Wu1, Y. Jiang1, L. Chen1, Y. Song1, L. Wang3, J. Xie3, X. Ma4
1 Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, P.R. China
2 Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
3 Agricultural Environment and Resources Research Center, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, P.R. China
4 Institute of Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, P.R. China

A micro-plot field experiment with reduced urea 15N application was conducted to study the effects of urease inhibitor NBPT (N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide) and nitrification inhibitor DMPP(3,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolium dihydrogen) on the fate of applied urea 15N; it aimed to find an efficient way to reduce the urea N application rate while improving the agronomic and environmental benefits. Five treatments were installed, i.e., 180 kg N/ha (N1, conventional application rate), 126 kg N/ha (N2, reduced to 70% conventional application rate), N2 + NBPT, N2 + DMPP, and N2 + NBPT + DMPP. Compared with treatment N1, all the other treatments had a significantly higher total 15N recovery by both soil and plant (P < 0.05 48.20, 41.39, 37.69, 38.85 and 34.83% soil recovery for N2 + NBPT + DMPP, N2 + DMPP, N2 + NBPT, N2 and N1treatment, respectively; and 42.68, 40.86, 40.25, 37.18 and 36.30% plant recovery for N2 + NBPT + DMPP, N2 + DMPP, N2 + NBPT, N2, and N1 treatment, respectively). In the plant 15N recovery, the 15N absorbed in grain/stem was highest in treatment N2 + NBPT + DMPP. The maize biomass and the maize yield had a slight increase in treatment N2 + NBPT + DMPP, compared with those in treatment N1. In sum, for the maize production in study area, N2 + NBPT + DMPP application method would be a feasible way to ensure the normal maize yield while improving yield quality, saving urea fertilizer, and protecting the environment.

Keywords: nitrogen; fertilizer; N losses; N use efficiency

Published: January 31, 2010  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Zhang L, Wu Z, Jiang Y, Chen L, Song Y, Wang L, et al.. Fate of applied urea 15N in a soil-maize system as affected by urease inhibitor and nitrification inhibitor. Plant Soil Environ. 2010;56(1):8-15. doi: 10.17221/129/2009-PSE.
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Abbasi M.K., Adams W.A. (2000): Gaseous N emission during simultaneous nitrification-denitrification associated with mineral N fertilization to a grassland soil under field conditions. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 32: 1251-1259. Go to original source...
    2. Axmann H. (1990): Method for 15N determination in use of nuclear techniques in studies of soil-plant relationship. IAEA Training Course, series No. 2, IAEA, Vienna.
    3. Blake G.R. (1965). Bulk density. In: Black C.A., Evans D.D., White J.L., Ensminger L.E., Clarck F.E. (eds.): Methods of Soil Analysis - Physical and Mineralogical Properties Including Statistics of Measurements and Sampling (Part 1). American Society of Agronomy, Madison, 374-390. Go to original source...
    4. Boyer E.W., Goodale C.L., Jaworsk N.A., Howarth R.W. (2002): Anthropogenic nitrogen sources and relationships to riverine nitrogen export in the northeastern USA. Biogeochemistry, 57: 137-169. Go to original source...
    5. Cameron K.C., Di H.J., Moir J., Roberts A., Pellow R., Christie R. (2005): Treating grazed pasture soil with a nitrification inhibitor 'ECO-N' to decrease nitrate leaching. In: Currie L.D., Hanly J.A. (eds): Developments in Fertilizer Application Technologies and Nutrient Management. Fertilizer and Lime Research Centre Occasional Report No. 18. Massey University Palmerston North, New Zealand, 93-103.
    6. Chen L., Boeckx P., Zhou L., Cleemput O.V., Li R. (1998): Effect of hydroquinone, dicyandiamide and encapsulated calcium carbide on urea N uptake by spring wheat, soil mineral N content and N 2O emission. Soil Use Management, 14: 230-233. Go to original source...
    7. Chen X., Zhang F., Römheld V., Horlacher D., Schulz R., Böning-Zikens M., Wang P., Claupein W. (2006): Synchronizing N supply from soil and fertilizer and N demand of winter wheat by an improved N min method. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 74: 91-98. Go to original source...
    8. Di H.J., Cameron K.C., Sherlock R.R. (2007): Comparison of the effectiveness of a nitrification inhibitor, dicyanidamide, in reducing nitrous oxide emissions in four different soils under different climatic and management conditions. Soil Use Management, 23: 1-9. Go to original source...
    9. Fan M.S., Lu S.H., Jiang R.F., Liu X.J., Zeng X.Z., Keith W.T., Zhang F.S. (2007): Nitrogen input, 15N balance and mineral N dynamics in a rice-wheat rotation in southwest China. Nutrition Cycling Agroecosystem, 79: 255-265. Go to original source...
    10. Giller K.E., Chaulk P., Dobermann A., Hammond L., Heffer P., Ladha J.K., Nyamudeza P., Maene L., Ssali H., Freney J. (2004): Emerging technologies to increase the efficiency of use of fertilizer nitrogen. In: Mosier A.R., Syers J.K., Freney J.R. (eds.): Agriculture and the Nitrogen Cycle. Island Press, USA, Washington D.C., 35-51.
    11. Ju X.T., Liu X.J., Pan J.R., Zhang F.S. (2007): Fate of 15 N-labeled urea under a winter wheat-summer maize rotation on the north china plain. Pedosphere, 17: 52-61. Go to original source...
    12. Ju X.T., Xing G.X., Chen X.P., Zhang S.L., Zhang L.J., Liu X.J., Cui Z.L., Yin B., Christie P., Zhu Z.L., Zhang F.S. (2009): Reducing environmental risk by improving N management in intensive Chinese agricultural systems. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United State of America, 106: 3041-3043. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    13. Keeney D.R., Nelson R.H. (1982): Methods of Soil Analysis. In: Keeney D.R., Nelson R.H. (eds.): Chemical and Microbiological Properties. 2 nd Edition. America Society of Agronomy, Madison, 643-687. Go to original source...
    14. Kiran U., Patra D.D. (2003): Medicinal and aromatic plant materials as nitrification inhibitors for augmenting yield and nitrogen uptake of Japanese mint (Mentha arvensis L. var. piperascens). Bioresource Technolelogy, 86: 267-276. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    15. Ledgard S.F., Menneer J.C., Dexter M.M., Kear M.J., Lindsey S., Peters J.S., Pacheco D. (2008): A novel concept to reduce nitrogen losses from grazed pastures by administering soil nitrogen process inhibitors to ruminant animals: A study with sheep. Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment, 125: 148-158. Go to original source...
    16. López N.I., Austin A.T., Sala O.E., Méndez B.S. (2003): Controls on nitrification in a water-limited ecosystem: experimental inhibition of ammonia-oxidising bacteria in the Patagonian steppe. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 35: 1609-1613. Go to original source...
    17. Manunza B., Deiana S., Pintore M., Gessa C. (1999): The binding mechanism of urea, hydroxamic acid and N-(n-butyl)phosphoric triamide to the urease active site. A comparative molecular dynamics study. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 31: 789-796. Go to original source...
    18. Olson S.R., Sommers L.E. (1982): Phosphorus. In: Page A.L., Miller R.H., Keeney D.R. (eds): Methods of Soil Analysis, part 2, Vol 9. 2 nd Edition. American Society of Agronomy, Soil Science Society of America, Madison, Wisconsin USA, 403-430. Go to original source...
    19. Pruden G., Powlson D.S., Enkinson D.S. (1985): The measurement of 15N in soil and plant material. Fertility Research, 6: 205-218. Go to original source...
    20. Recous S., Fresneau C., Faurie G., Mary B. (1988): The fate of labeled 15 N urea and ammonium nitrate applied to a winter wheat crop. II. Plant uptake and N efficiency. Plant and Soil, 112: 215-224. Go to original source...
    21. Recous S., Machet J.M. (1999): Short-term immobilization and crop uptake of fertiliser nitrogen applied to winter wheat: effect of date of application in spring. Plant and Soil, 206: 137-149. Go to original source...
    22. Sumner M.E., Miller W.P. (1996): Cation exchange capacity and exchange coefficients. In: Sparks D.L. (ed.): Methods of Soil Analysis: Chemical Methods. Soil Science Society of America, Inc. America Society of Agronomy, Inc., Madison, Wisconsin, USA, 1201-1205. Go to original source...
    23. Vilsmeier K. (1991): Fate of ammonium-N in pot studies as affected by DCD addition. Fertility Research, 29: 187-189. Go to original source...
    24. Vitousek P.M., Naylor R., Crews T., David M.B., Drinkwater L.E., Holland E., Johnes P.J., Katzenberger J., Martinelli L.A., Matson P.A., Nziguheba G., Ojima D., Palm C.A., Robertson G.P., Sanchez P.A., Townsend A.R., Zhang F.S. (2009): Nutrient imbalances in agricultural development. Science, 324: 1519-1520. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    25. Wang Z.P., Cleemput O.V., Li L., Baet L. (1991): Effect of organic matter and urease inhibitor on urea hydrolysis and immobilization of urea nitrogen in an alkaline soil. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 11: 101-104. Go to original source...
    26. Wang J.K., Wu Y., Su Q.R. (2009): General situation of northeast black soil. In: Han G.Q., Yang L.Z. (eds): Present land use and development strategy of Northeast black soil resources. China: Chinese Land Publishing House, 1-15.
    27. Xu X., Poxckx D., Wang Y., Huang Y., Zheng X., Hu F., Cleemput O.V. (2002): Nitrous oxide and methane emissions during rice growth and through rice plants: effect of dicyandiamide and hydroquinone. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 36: 53-58. Go to original source...
    28. Xu X.K., Huang Y., Zhou L.K., Huang G.H., Cleemput O.V. (2001): Effect of dicyandiamide and hydroquinone on the transformation of urea-nitrgen-15 in soil cropped to wheat. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 34: 286-290. Go to original source...
    29. Yu Q.G., Chen Y.X., Ye X.Z., Tian G.M., Zhang Z.J. (2007): Influence of the DMPP (3,4-dimethyl pyrazole phosphate) on nitrogen transformation and leaching in multi-layer soil columns. Chemosphere, 69: 825-831. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    30. Yu Q.G., Ye X.Z., Chen Y.X., Zhang Z.J., Tian G.M. (2008): Influences of nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethyl pyrazole phosphate on nitrogen and soil salt-ion leaching. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 20: 304-308. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    31. Zaman M., Nguyen M.L., Blennerhassett J.D., Quin B.F. (2008): Reducing NH 3, N 2O and NO 3- losses from a pasture soil with urease or nitrification inhibitors and elemental S-amended nitrogenous fertilizers. Biology and Fertility Soils, 44: 693- 705. Go to original source...
    32. Zaman M., Saggar S., Blennerhassett J.D., Singh J. (2009): Effect of urease and nitrification inhibitors on N transformation, gaseous emissions of ammonia and nitrous oxide, pasture yield and N uptake in grazed pasture system. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 41: 1271-1280. Go to original source...
    33. Zhang J., Qin J., Yao W., Bi L., Lai T., Yu X. (2009): Effect of longterm application of manure and mineral fertilizers on nitrogen mineralization and microbial biomass in paddy soil during rice growth stages. Plant, Soil and Environment, 55: 101-109. Go to original source...
    34. Zhao R.F., Chen X.P., Zhang F.S., Zhang H.L., Schroder J., Römheld V. (2006): Fertilization and nitrogen balance in a wheatmaize rotation system in north China. Agronomy Journal, 98: 938-945. Go to original source...
    35. Zhu Z.L., Chen D.L. (2002): Nitrogen fertilizer use in ChinaContributions to food production, impacts on the environment and best management strategies. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 63: 117-127. Go to original source...

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY NC 4.0), which permits non-comercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content