Abstract
The nitrogen (N) fertilizers are markedly lost as ammonia volatilization from alkaline soils and hence is deemed as major cause
of lower N utilization by field crops. The current study explored possible measures to reduce N loss from applied fertilizer and
enhance its availability to wheat crop grown on alkaline soil. The treatments involved Zinc-coated (1% Zn) urea [ZnU] and
sole urea applied/incubated with soil at recommended rate (RR) and 80% RR after further coating with inhibitors [NBPT at 1%
or ATC at 2% urea]. Compared to sole urea, ZnU showed lower N loss in laboratory environment; whereas in field trials on
wheat crop, ZnU (at 80% of RR) along with NBPT produced similar wheat yield as produced by RR of sole urea application.
Phosphorus application further enhanced wheat biomass (1.03 and 1.04 kg m-2) and grain yield (0.362 and 0.407 kg m-2) at half
(23 kg ha-1) and full P rate (46 kg ha-1) as applied with ZnU, respectively. Whereas, the ZnU80 coated with NBPT produced
highest NUE (62.8%) when applied with full P rate, followed by half P application rate (NUE=58.7%). Another collateral
study proved the significance of P application (0, 15, 30 and 45 mg P kg-1) in improving NUE (15-20%) in wheat at similar N
application as (15NH4)2SO4. Overall, the studies clearly suggest that appropriate N management reduces N losses, improves
nutrient uptake and yield parameters of wheat crop grown on alkaline soil
of lower N utilization by field crops. The current study explored possible measures to reduce N loss from applied fertilizer and
enhance its availability to wheat crop grown on alkaline soil. The treatments involved Zinc-coated (1% Zn) urea [ZnU] and
sole urea applied/incubated with soil at recommended rate (RR) and 80% RR after further coating with inhibitors [NBPT at 1%
or ATC at 2% urea]. Compared to sole urea, ZnU showed lower N loss in laboratory environment; whereas in field trials on
wheat crop, ZnU (at 80% of RR) along with NBPT produced similar wheat yield as produced by RR of sole urea application.
Phosphorus application further enhanced wheat biomass (1.03 and 1.04 kg m-2) and grain yield (0.362 and 0.407 kg m-2) at half
(23 kg ha-1) and full P rate (46 kg ha-1) as applied with ZnU, respectively. Whereas, the ZnU80 coated with NBPT produced
highest NUE (62.8%) when applied with full P rate, followed by half P application rate (NUE=58.7%). Another collateral
study proved the significance of P application (0, 15, 30 and 45 mg P kg-1) in improving NUE (15-20%) in wheat at similar N
application as (15NH4)2SO4. Overall, the studies clearly suggest that appropriate N management reduces N losses, improves
nutrient uptake and yield parameters of wheat crop grown on alkaline soil
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 120-137 |
Number of pages | 18 |
Journal | American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 9 Dec 2024 |
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 106026 Ecosystem research
- 106022 Microbiology
Keywords
- Alkaline Soil
- Ammonia N Losses
- Nitrogen Use Efficiency
- Wheat Productivity
- Zinc-Coated Urea and Inhibitors