Sign in to use this feature.

Years

Between: -

Subjects

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Journals

Article Types

Countries / Regions

Search Results (34)

Search Parameters:
Keywords = nitrification and urease inhibitors

Order results
Result details
Results per page
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
14 pages, 629 KiB  
Article
In Vitro Evaluation of Enhanced Efficiency Nitrogen Fertilizers Using Two Different Soils
by Samuel Okai, Xinhua Yin, Lori Allison Duncan, Daniel Yoder, Debasish Saha, Forbes Walker, Sydney Logwood, Jones Akuaku and Nutifafa Adotey
Soil Syst. 2025, 9(3), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems9030080 - 16 Jul 2025
Viewed by 231
Abstract
There are discrepancies regarding the effectiveness of enhanced efficiency nitrogen (N) fertilizer (EENF) products on ammonia loss from unincorporated, surface applications of urea-based fertilizers. Soil properties and management practices may account for the differences in the performance of EENF. However, few studies have [...] Read more.
There are discrepancies regarding the effectiveness of enhanced efficiency nitrogen (N) fertilizer (EENF) products on ammonia loss from unincorporated, surface applications of urea-based fertilizers. Soil properties and management practices may account for the differences in the performance of EENF. However, few studies have investigated the performance of urea- and urea ammonium nitrate (UAN)-based EENF on soils with contrasting properties. Controlled-environment incubation experiments were conducted on two soils with different properties to evaluate the efficacy of urea and UAN forms of EENF to minimize ammonia volatilization losses. The experiments were set up as a completely randomized design, with seven treatments replicated four times for 16 days. The N treatments, which were surface-applied at 134 kg N ha−1, included untreated urea, untreated UAN, urea+ANVOLTM (urease inhibitor product), UAN+ANVOLTM, environmentally smart nitrogen (ESN®), SUPERU® (urease and nitrification inhibitor product), and urea+Excelis® (urease and nitrification inhibitor product). In this study, urea was more susceptible to ammonia loss (24.12 and 26.49% of applied N) than UAN (5.24 and 16.17% of applied N), with lower ammonia volatility from soil with a pH of 5.8 when compared to 7.0. Urea-based EENF products performed better in soil with a pH of 5.8 compared to the soil with pH 7.0, except for ESN, which was not influenced by pH. In contrast, the UAN-based EENF was more effective in the high-pH soil (7.0). Across both soils, all EENFs reduced cumulative ammonia loss by 32–91% in urea and 27–70% in UAN, respectively, when compared to their untreated forms. The urea-based EENF formulations containing both nitrification and urease inhibitors were the least effective among the EENF types, performing particularly poorly in high-pH soil (pH 7.0). In conclusion, the efficacy of EENF is dependent on soil pH, N source, and the form of EENF. These findings underscore the importance of tailoring EENF applications to specific soil conditions and N sources to optimize N use efficiency (NUE), enhance economic returns for producers, and minimize environmental impacts. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 1706 KiB  
Article
Effect of Biological Denitrification Inhibitor on N2O Emissions from Paddy Soil and Microbial Mechanisms
by Longfei Wang, Kaikuo Wu, Furong Xiao, Ping Gong, Yan Xue, Yuchao Song, Ruizhuo Wang, Zhijie Wu and Lili Zhang
Microorganisms 2025, 13(6), 1232; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13061232 - 27 May 2025
Viewed by 390
Abstract
The denitrification process is the main process of the soil nitrogen (N) cycle in paddy fields, which leads to the production of large amounts of nitrous oxide (N2O) and increases N loss in paddy soil. Plant-derived bio denitrification inhibitor procyanidins are [...] Read more.
The denitrification process is the main process of the soil nitrogen (N) cycle in paddy fields, which leads to the production of large amounts of nitrous oxide (N2O) and increases N loss in paddy soil. Plant-derived bio denitrification inhibitor procyanidins are thought to inhibit soil denitrification, thereby reducing N2O emissions and soil N loss. However, the denitrification inhibition effect of procyanidins in paddy soils with high organic matter content remains unclear, and their high price is not conducive to practical application. Therefore, this study conducted a 21-day incubation experiment using low-cost proanthocyanidins (containing procyanidins) and paddy soil with high organic matter content in Northeast China to explore the effects of proanthocyanidins on N2O emissions and related microorganisms in paddy soil. The results of the incubation experiment showed that the application of proanthocyanidins in paddy soil in Northeast China could promote the production of N2O in the first three days but inhibited the production of N2O thereafter. Throughout the incubation period, proanthocyanidins inhibited the enzyme nitrate reductase (NaR) activity and the abundance of nirS and nirk denitrifying bacteria, with a significant dose-response relationship. Although the application of proanthocyanidins also reduced the soil nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N) content, the soil NO3-N content increased significantly with increasing incubation time. In addition, the application of proanthocyanidins increased soil microbial respiration, ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) amoA gene abundance, and soil ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) content. Therefore, the application of proanthocyanidins to paddy soil in Northeast China can effectively regulate denitrification. However, in future studies, it is necessary to explore the impact of proanthocyanidins on the nitrification process and use them in combination with urease inhibitors and/or nitrification inhibitors to better regulate soil N transformation and reduce N2O emissions in paddy soil. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Microbe Interactions)
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 1768 KiB  
Article
Unlocking Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Tritordeum: A Holistic Evaluation of Enhanced-Efficiency Fertilisers Under Mediterranean Conditions
by George Papadopoulos, Ioannis Zafeiriou, Evgenia Georgiou, Sotirios Papanikolaou, Antonios Mavroeidis, Panteleimon Stavropoulos, Ioannis Roussis, Ioanna Kakabouki and Dimitrios Bilalis
Sustainability 2025, 17(11), 4919; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17114919 - 27 May 2025
Viewed by 379
Abstract
Improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is critical to advancing sustainable cereal production, particularly under Mediterranean conditions where environmental pressures challenge input-intensive practises. This study evaluates NUE in Tritordeum, a climate-resilient wheat–barley hybrid, using a holistic experimental approach that integrates pre- and post-harvest soil [...] Read more.
Improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is critical to advancing sustainable cereal production, particularly under Mediterranean conditions where environmental pressures challenge input-intensive practises. This study evaluates NUE in Tritordeum, a climate-resilient wheat–barley hybrid, using a holistic experimental approach that integrates pre- and post-harvest soil analyses, including an electrical conductivity (EC) assessment, plant and seed nutrient profiling, and an evaluation of yield performance and nitrogen ratio dynamics. Four treatments were tested: conventional urea (T1), urea with an urease inhibitor (NBPT) (T2), urea with a nitrification inhibitor (DCD) (T3), and an unfertilised control (C). While conventional urea achieved the highest yield (1366 kg ha−1), enhanced-efficiency fertilisers (EEFs) improved nutrient synchronisation and seed nutritional quality. Specifically, EEFs increased seed zinc (T2: 34.93 mg/kg), iron (T1: 33.77 mg/kg), and plant potassium (T2: 1.66%; T3: 1.61%) content, and also improved nitrogen remobilisation (elevated Nplant/Nseed ratios). EEFs also influenced soil properties, increasing organic matter (T3: 2.75%) and EC (T3: 290.78 μS/cm). These findings suggest that while EEFs may not always boost yield in the short term, they contribute to long-term soil fertility and nutrient density in grain. This study underscores the importance of synchronising nitrogen availability with Tritordeum’s phenological stages and highlights the crop’s suitability for sustainable, low-input agriculture under climate variability. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 2241 KiB  
Article
Comparative Effects of Fertilizer Efficiency Enhancers on Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Agriculture
by Xiaoyu Shi, Lingli Wang, Zhanbo Wei, Lei Zhang and Qiang Gao
Agronomy 2025, 15(2), 459; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15020459 - 13 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 769
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) fertilizer incorporation of efficiency enhancer is a well-established practice aiming at reducing N loss while enhancing crop yield. However, the effect of different kinds of fertilizer efficiency enhancer on N use efficiency (NUE) and gas loss are rarely compared and poorly [...] Read more.
Nitrogen (N) fertilizer incorporation of efficiency enhancer is a well-established practice aiming at reducing N loss while enhancing crop yield. However, the effect of different kinds of fertilizer efficiency enhancer on N use efficiency (NUE) and gas loss are rarely compared and poorly comprehended. Here, we conducted a field experiment involving the combination of urease and nitrification inhibitor (NI), the biological inhibitor eugenol (DE) and the bioploymer poly-glutamic acid (PG) and their combinations (NI + PG, NI + DE, PG + DE) to evaluate their effects on crop yield, NUE, NH3 volatilization and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Results indicated that NI, DE, PG and their combinations significantly enhanced the crop yield, N uptake and NUE. NI, DE and PG are all effective in reducing NH3 volatilization and N2O emission, averagely decreased by 11.13%, 6.83%, 8.29%, respectively, and by 11.15%, 4.32%, 8.35%, respectively, while have no significant effects on CO2-C and CH4-C fluxes, except PG significantly increases CO2-C emission and thus global warming potential. The combination of these three efficiency enhancers has no multiply effect on maize yield, NUE and gas loss. These findings help to screen the fertilizer efficiency enhancer that can be more effectively utilized in agricultural practices and contribute to their application strategies within agricultural systems. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 2618 KiB  
Article
Effect of Urease and Nitrification Inhibitors on Heavy Metal Mobility in an Intensively Cultivated Soil
by Nicoleta Vicar, Alina Lațo, Iaroslav Lațo, Florin Crista, Adina Berbecea and Isidora Radulov
Agronomy 2025, 15(1), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15010049 - 28 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1931
Abstract
Urease and nitrification inhibitors represent ways to reduce nitrogen losses; their presence modifies microbial and enzymatic activity in the soil, affecting pH and organic matter (OM), which in turn affects the mobility of heavy metals. To evaluate the effect of urea with inhibitors, [...] Read more.
Urease and nitrification inhibitors represent ways to reduce nitrogen losses; their presence modifies microbial and enzymatic activity in the soil, affecting pH and organic matter (OM), which in turn affects the mobility of heavy metals. To evaluate the effect of urea with inhibitors, pH, OM content, and pseudo-total and mobile metal content (Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, Cr, Zn, and Mn) were determined in soil samples fertilized with six different urea variants with inhibitors. The modification in the pseudo-total content of heavy metals following fertilization (%) was as follows: Cu (−39.26 ÷ −8.82), Cd (10.74 ÷ 15.40), Ni (5.76 ÷ 18.84), Pb (−13.30 ÷ 12.46), Cr (−15.55 ÷ 11.60), Zn (35.10 ÷ 162.76), and Mn (−1.32 ÷ 12.17). The pH was situated in the range of 7.05 to 7.17, while OM content showed an average increase of 16%. The determined pollution indicators revealed an accumulation of Zn in the soil. The results showed a trend of accumulation of bioavailable heavy metals, with the greatest increase for Mn (43%). Only in the case of Zn, there was a decrease in mobile content with the lowest value when applying two urease inhibitors and one nitrification inhibitor. Inhibitors modify the OM content and soil pH, influencing the mobility and bioavailability of heavy metals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Soil and Plant Nutrition)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 2544 KiB  
Article
Biochar Weakens the Efficiency of Nitrification Inhibitors and Urease Inhibitors in Mitigating Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Soil Irrigated with Alternative Water Resources
by Zhen Tao, Yuan Liu, Siyi Li, Baogui Li, Xiangyang Fan, Chuncheng Liu, Chao Hu, Shuiqing Zhang and Zhongyang Li
Water 2024, 16(18), 2671; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16182671 - 19 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1394
Abstract
While previous studies have suggested that biochar, nitrification inhibitors, and urease inhibitors may reduce soil greenhouse gas emissions, their effectiveness in soils irrigated with alternative water resources remains unclear. To compensate for this, reclaimed water and livestock wastewater were utilized as alternative water [...] Read more.
While previous studies have suggested that biochar, nitrification inhibitors, and urease inhibitors may reduce soil greenhouse gas emissions, their effectiveness in soils irrigated with alternative water resources remains unclear. To compensate for this, reclaimed water and livestock wastewater were utilized as alternative water resources alongside groundwater control. Nitrapyrin and N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide and biochar were applied to the soil either individually or in combination, and a no-substance treatment (NS) was included for comparison. The results revealed that reclaimed water and livestock wastewater irrigation exacerbated the global warming potential. Compared to the NS, all exogenous substance treatments suppressed nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions while increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and affecting methane (CH4) emissions varied across treatments irrespective of the water types. Interestingly, the additional biochar reduced the inhibitory effect of the inhibitors on the greenhouse effect. Using nitrification inhibitors reduced the global warming potential by 48.3% and 50.1% under reclaimed water and livestock wastewater irrigation, respectively. However, when nitrification inhibitors were applied in combination with biochar, the global warming potential was increased by 52.1–83.4% compared to nitrification inhibitors alone, and a similar trend was also observed in the scenario of urease inhibitors, with increases ranging from 8.8 to 35.1%. Therefore, the combined application of biochar and inhibitors should be approached cautiously, considering the potential for increased greenhouse gas emissions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Safe Application of Reclaimed Water in Agriculture)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

18 pages, 2953 KiB  
Article
Comparative Study Effect of Different Urea Fertilizers and Tomato Pomace Composts on the Performance and Quality Traits of Processing Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)
by Ioanna Kakabouki, Ioannis Roussis, Magdalini Krokida, Antonios Mavroeidis, Panteleimon Stavropoulos, Stella Karydogianni, Dimitrios Beslemes and Evangelia Tigka
Plants 2024, 13(13), 1852; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13131852 - 5 Jul 2024
Viewed by 2901
Abstract
Processing tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is regarded amongst the most dominant horticultural crops globally. Yet, due to its elevated water and fertilization needs, its environmental footprint is significantly high. The recent efforts to reduce the footprint of agriculture have rekindled the search [...] Read more.
Processing tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is regarded amongst the most dominant horticultural crops globally. Yet, due to its elevated water and fertilization needs, its environmental footprint is significantly high. The recent efforts to reduce the footprint of agriculture have rekindled the search for optimized fertilization regimes in tomato. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of different urea fertilizers and tomato pomace-based composts on the performance and quality traits of processing tomato. A two-year field experiment was conducted in the Larissa region, Central Greece, during 2018–2019. The experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with five treatments: control, urea (Urea), urea with nitrification and urease inhibitors (Urea + NI + UI), processing tomato pomace with farmyard manure (TP + FM), and processing tomato pomace with compost from plant residues (TP + CM). Measurements included soil total nitrogen (STN), soil organic matter (SOM), root length density (RLD), arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) colonization, dry weight per plant, fruit yield (number per plant, total yield, weight, diameter), fruit firmness, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), lycopene content and yield, and fruit surface color (L*, a*, b*, CI). Overall, the best results in soil properties and quality traits were reported in the organic fertilization treatments (STN, SOM, AMF, TSS, TA, lycopene content, L*, a*, b*) and the differences among TP + FM and TP + CM were insignificant in their majority. On the contrary, fruit yield and its components were significantly improved in Urea + NI + UI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Soil Fertility Management for Sustainable Crop Production)
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 4832 KiB  
Article
Selected Carbon and Nitrogen Compounds in a Maize Agroecosystem under the Use of Nitrogen Mineral Fertilizer, Farmyard Manure, Urease, and Nitrification Inhibitors
by Monika Skowrońska, Sebastian Kuśmierz and Jacek Walczak
Agriculture 2024, 14(2), 274; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14020274 - 8 Feb 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1893
Abstract
Carbon and nitrogen compounds in agroecosystems have attracted much attention in recent years due to their key roles in crop production and their impacts on environment quality and/or climate change. Since fertilization profoundly disrupted the C and N cycles, several mitigation and/or adaptation [...] Read more.
Carbon and nitrogen compounds in agroecosystems have attracted much attention in recent years due to their key roles in crop production and their impacts on environment quality and/or climate change. Since fertilization profoundly disrupted the C and N cycles, several mitigation and/or adaptation strategies, including the application of farmyard manure (FYM) and/or urease and nitrification inhibitors (UI and NI), have been developed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contents of soil organic carbon and its fractions, the total and mineral forms of nitrogen, as well as CO2 and N2O emissions under mineral and organic fertilization with and without urease and nitrification inhibitors in a maize agroecosystem. A two-year field study was carried out on Cambisols (silt) in Poland. The experiment scheme included nine treatments: C (the control without fertilization), UAN (Urea Ammonium Nitrate), UAN+UI, UAN+NI, UAN+UI+NI, FYM with N mineral fertilizer base, FYM with N mineral fertilizer base+UI, FYM with N mineral fertilizer base+NI, and FYM with N mineral fertilizer base+UI+NI. It was found that treatments fertilized with cattle FYM were higher sinks and sources of C and N compounds in comparison to the UAN plots. The organic carbon, humic and humin acid, and total nitrogen concentrations, in contrast to ammonium and nitrate nitrogen, were not affected by the inhibitors added. Nitrification and urease inhibitors were effective in decreasing N2O emissions only in treatments that were exclusively applied with UAN and had no significant influence on CO2 emissions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Management and Efficient Use of Nutrients in Crop Systems)
Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 2117 KiB  
Article
Response of Nitrification and Crop Yield to the Presence of NBPT and DCD in a Wheat-Corn Double Cropping System
by Zhaoqi Qu, Xuejing Xia, Dan Liu, Huimin Dong, Tingliang Pan, Haojie Feng, Yanhong Lou, Hui Wang, Quangang Yang, Zhongchen Yang, Hong Pan and Yuping Zhuge
Agronomy 2024, 14(2), 285; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14020285 - 27 Jan 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1887
Abstract
The excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer aggravated the loss of nitrogen in farmland and exerted detrimental effects on the soil and water environment. Examining the effects of N-(n-Butyl)thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) and nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) on nitrification and crop yield in wheat-corn double [...] Read more.
The excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer aggravated the loss of nitrogen in farmland and exerted detrimental effects on the soil and water environment. Examining the effects of N-(n-Butyl)thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) and nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) on nitrification and crop yield in wheat-corn double cropping systems would provide valuable insights for improving nitrogen efficiency and ensuring a rational application of inhibitors. A field experiment lasting one and a half years was performed in the winter wheat–summer maize double agroecosystem in North China. The four treatments that were applied included (I) conventional fertilization without inhibitors (CK), (II) conventional fertilization with 0.26 g/m2 NBPT (NBPT), (III) conventional fertilization with 1.00 g/m2 DCD (DCD), and (IV) conventional fertilization with 0.26 g/m2 NBPT and 1.00 g/m2 DCD (NBPT + DCD). The results demonstrated that the combined use of NBPT and DCD exerted better effects in reducing NO3-N leaching. Nitrification could be inhibited for up to 95 days by combining NBPT and DCD, while 21 days by DCD. Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) (R2 = 0.07159, p < 0.01) along with ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) (R2 = 0.09359, p < 0.01), rather than a complete ammonia oxidizer (comammox), were significantly and positively correlated with NO3-N content, which indicated that the ammoxidation process was mainly regulated by AOA and AOB, instead of comammox in the winter wheat–summer maize double agroecosystem in North China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Research and Extension in Agronomic Soil Fertility Series II)
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 3992 KiB  
Article
Mulched Drip Fertigation with Growth Inhibitors Reduces Bundle-Sheath Cell Leakage and Improves Photosynthesis Capacity and Barley Production in Semi-Arid Regions
by Yinping Xu, Jianhua Liu, Cheng Ren, Xiaoxia Niu, Tinghong Zhang and Kecang Huo
Plants 2024, 13(2), 239; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13020239 - 15 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1387
Abstract
A better understanding of the factors that reduce bundle-sheath cell leakage to CO2 (Փ), enhance 13C carbon isotope discrimination, and enhance the photosynthetic capacity of barley leaves will be useful to develop a nutrient- and water-saving strategy for dry-land farming systems. Therefore, [...] Read more.
A better understanding of the factors that reduce bundle-sheath cell leakage to CO2 (Փ), enhance 13C carbon isotope discrimination, and enhance the photosynthetic capacity of barley leaves will be useful to develop a nutrient- and water-saving strategy for dry-land farming systems. Therefore, barley plants were exposed to a novel nitrification inhibitor (NI) (3,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl succinic acid) (DMPSA) and a urease inhibitor (UI) (N-butyl thiophosphorictriamide (NBPT)) with mulched drip fertigation treatments, which included HF (high-drip fertigation (370 mm) under a ridge furrow system), MF (75% of HF, moderate-drip fertigation under a ridge furrow system), LF (50% of HF, low-drip fertigation under a ridge furrow system), and TP (traditional planting with no inhibitors or drip fertigation strategies). The results indicated that the nitrification inhibitor combined with mulched drip fertigation significantly reduced bundle-sheath cell leakage to CO2 (Փ) as a result of increased soil water content; this was demonstrated by the light and CO2 response curves of the photosynthesis capacity (An), the apparent quantum efficiency (α), and the 13C-photosynthate distribution. In the inhibitor-based strategy, the use of the urease and nitrification inhibitors reduced Փ by 35% and 39% compared with TP. In the NI-HF strategy, it was found that barley could retain the maximum photosynthesis capacity by increasing the leaf area index (LAI), An, rubisco content, soluble protein, dry matter per plant, and productivity. The CO2 and light response curves were considerably improved in the NI-HF and NI-MF treatments due to a higher 13C carbon isotope (Δ‰), respiration rate (Rd), and Ci/Ca, therefore obtaining the minimum Փ value. With both inhibitors, there was a significant difference between HF and LF drip fertigation. The NI-MF treatment significantly increased the grain yield, total chlorophyll content, WUE, and NUE by 52%, 47%, 57%, and 45%, respectively. Collectively, the results suggest that the new nitrification inhibitor (DMPSA) with HF or MF mulched drip fertigation could be promoted in semi-arid regions in order to mitigate bundle-sheath cell leakage to CO2 (Փ), without negatively affecting barley production and leading to the nutrient and water use efficiency of barley. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Barley: A Versatile Crop for Sustainable Food Production)
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 2505 KiB  
Article
Optimizing One-Time Nitrogen Fertilization for Rice Production Using Controlled-Release Urea and Urease Inhibitors
by Peiyuan Cui, Xiaozhou Sheng, Zhixuan Chen, Qianqian Ning, Haipeng Zhang, Hao Lu and Hongcheng Zhang
Agronomy 2024, 14(1), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14010067 - 27 Dec 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1909
Abstract
One-time fertilization with controlled-release urea (CRU) is a research hotspot for its lower labor cost and stability of nitrogen (N) supply for rice growth. Yet the fertilizer formulation needs to be further improved to better adjust the N supplement to meet the demand [...] Read more.
One-time fertilization with controlled-release urea (CRU) is a research hotspot for its lower labor cost and stability of nitrogen (N) supply for rice growth. Yet the fertilizer formulation needs to be further improved to better adjust the N supplement to meet the demand of rice plants and obtain a higher grain yield. Therefore, the effects of novel fertilizer formulations composed of CRU, urease inhibitor (UI) and nitrification inhibitor (NI) on the rice growth and photosynthetic characteristics as well as high-yield formation were tested through a two-year field experiment. The result indicated that the combined use of CRU and UI treatment can achieve higher yields than with CRU at the same N application level. Meanwhile, with a 20% reduction of N use, one-time application of CRU + UI can obtain the same high yield as the conventional split application of urea. Compared with conventional fertilization and CRU treatment, the CRU + UI treatment had suitable leaf area and biomass accumulation at the vegetative growth stage and high effective stem tiller rate. More post-anthesis dry matter accumulation, higher net photosynthesis rate and low senescence rate were guaranteed for its high yield and nitrogen agronomic efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Soil and Plant Nutrition)
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 2072 KiB  
Article
Reduction of NH3 Emissions from Urea by Long-Term No-Tillage and Stover Mulching with Inhibitors: An Isotopic Field Study in Northeast China
by Jiayi Zhao, Lei Yuan, Huaihai Chen, Xin Chen, Hongbo He, Xudong Zhang, Hongtu Xie and Caiyan Lu
Agronomy 2023, 13(9), 2235; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13092235 - 26 Aug 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1865
Abstract
Large nitrogen (N) losses during fertilization in agricultural production may result in energy wastage, soil and water contamination, and potentially influence crop development. Thus, with the help of a 15N-labeled tracer, we carried out a field monitoring analysis of NH3 emissions [...] Read more.
Large nitrogen (N) losses during fertilization in agricultural production may result in energy wastage, soil and water contamination, and potentially influence crop development. Thus, with the help of a 15N-labeled tracer, we carried out a field monitoring analysis of NH3 emissions in a long-term (9-year) conservation tillage agroecosystem of Mollisols in northeast China, in order to determine whether a no-tillage regime and four levels of stover mulching (0%, 33%, 67%, and 100%), combined with urease and nitrification inhibitors, could improve fertilizer utilization efficiency in agricultural systems by reducing ammonia volatilization. Our results showed that in comparison with ridge tillage, no-tillage with stover mulching levels of 33%, 67%, and 100% significantly reduced NH3 emission rates and cumulative volatilization from 159.67 to 130.42 g N ha−1 and 15N-NH3 cumulative volatilization emission by 26% (on average). Furthermore, the application of urease and nitrification inhibitors significantly reduced 15N-NH3 volatilization levels from 1.19 to 0.98 g N ha−1. Our research results demonstrate that a long-term no-tillage regime and straw mulching can significantly reduce NH3 volatilization in fertilizers. Furthermore, when combined with the use of urease and nitrification inhibitors, these practices further enhance the reduction in NH3 volatilization. Although the volatilization of 15N-NH3 is minimally studied in Mollisols, these findings provide a solid foundation for improving fertilizer utilization efficiency, reducing crop production costs and mitigating subsequent environmental pollution. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 20501 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Long-Term Application of Stabilized and Coated Urea on Soil Chemical Properties, Microbial Community Structure, and Functional Genes in Paddy Fields
by Yiji Zhang, Dongpo Li, Ke Zhang, Furong Xiao, Yonghua Li, Yandi Du, Yan Xue, Lili Zhang, Ping Gong, Yuchao Song and Kaikuo Wu
Agronomy 2023, 13(9), 2190; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13092190 - 22 Aug 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3524
Abstract
The addition of fertilizers is indispensable in agricultural production, and currently, there is a wide variety of new types of fertilizers available. For example, commonly used are stabilized fertilizers with inhibitors and coated slow-release fertilizers, among others. However, the long-term effects of these [...] Read more.
The addition of fertilizers is indispensable in agricultural production, and currently, there is a wide variety of new types of fertilizers available. For example, commonly used are stabilized fertilizers with inhibitors and coated slow-release fertilizers, among others. However, the long-term effects of these fertilizers, when applied continuously are still uncertain. This study will provide scientific and theoretical support for the development and promotion of these fertilizers. A 16-year paddy field with brown soil treated with different urease and nitrification inhibitors, sulfur-coated urea (SCU), and resin-coated urea (PCU) was studied. The study showed that long-term use of conventional urea nitrogen fertilizer resulted in a significant reduction in soil total phosphorus (TP). Long-term application of NBPT and conventional urea significantly increased soil organic matter (SOM). Moreover, except for HQ and NBPT+DMPP, the prolonged application of new urea fertilizers also significantly enhanced soil total potassium (TK). Application of SCU fertilizer in brown soil type paddy fields resulted in a significant decrease in soil pH over time. However, changes in pH had no effect on the abundance of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), as AOB was mainly affected by soil-available N. DMPP, HQ+DCD, NBPT+DMPP, SCU, and PCU significantly reduced the 16S rRNA gene copy number of soil bacteria, with the greatest effect of coated urea fertilizer (SCU and PCU). Long-term application of stable urea fertilizer with HQ significantly reduced the bacterial community in paddy soil. Conversely, HQ+DCD-stabilizede urea fertilizer significantly increased the population structure and abundance of Basidiomycota fungi while decreasing the population structure and abundance of Rozellomycota fungi. DMPP-stabilized urea fertilizer notably increased the population structure and abundance of Ascomycota fungi while decreasing the population structure and abundance of Rozellomycota and Chytridiomycota fungi. Furthermore, HQ-stabilized urea fertilizer significantly reduced the population structure and abundance of Chytridiomycota fungi. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Farming in Harmony with Nature)
Show Figures

Figure 1

30 pages, 3997 KiB  
Review
Deciphering the Interactions in the Root–Soil Nexus Caused by Urease and Nitrification Inhibitors: A Review
by Sneha Gupta, Sibel Yildirim, Benjamin Andrikopoulos, Uta Wille and Ute Roessner
Agronomy 2023, 13(6), 1603; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13061603 - 13 Jun 2023
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5458
Abstract
Optimizing nitrogen (N) availability to plants is crucial for achieving maximum crop yield and quality. However, ensuring the appropriate supply of N to crops is challenging due to the various pathways through which N can be lost, such as ammonia (NH3) [...] Read more.
Optimizing nitrogen (N) availability to plants is crucial for achieving maximum crop yield and quality. However, ensuring the appropriate supply of N to crops is challenging due to the various pathways through which N can be lost, such as ammonia (NH3) volatilization, nitrous oxide emissions, denitrification, nitrate (NO3) leaching, and runoff. Additionally, N can become immobilized by soil minerals when ammonium (NH4+) gets trapped in the interlayers of clay minerals. Although synchronizing N availability with plant uptake could potentially reduce N loss, this approach is hindered by the fact that N loss from crop fields is typically influenced by a combination of management practices (which can be controlled) and weather dynamics, particularly precipitation, temperature fluctuations, and wind (which are beyond our control). In recent years, the use of urease and nitrification inhibitors has emerged as a strategy to temporarily delay the microbiological transformations of N-based fertilizers, thereby synchronizing N availability with plant uptake and mitigating N loss. Urease inhibitors slow down the hydrolysis of urea to NH4+ and reduce nitrogen loss through NH3 volatilization. Nitrification inhibitors temporarily inhibit soil bacteria (Nitrosomonas spp.) that convert NH4+ to nitrite (NO2), thereby slowing down the first and rate-determining step of the nitrification process and reducing nitrogen loss as NO3 or through denitrification. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of urease and nitrification inhibitor technologies and their profound implications for plants and root nitrogen uptake. It underscores the critical need to develop design principles for inhibitors with enhanced efficiency, highlighting their potential to revolutionize agricultural practices. Furthermore, this review offers valuable insights into future directions for inhibitor usage and emphasizes the essential traits that superior inhibitors should possess, thereby paving the way for innovative advancements in optimizing nitrogen management and ensuring sustainable crop production. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 744 KiB  
Review
Climate-Neutral Agriculture?
by Lucas Reijnders
Environments 2023, 10(5), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10050072 - 26 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 6007
Abstract
Regarding the achievement of worldwide agricultural climate neutrality, the focus is on a worldwide net-zero emission of cradle-to-farmgate greenhouse gases (GHGs), while, when appropriate, including the biogeophysical impacts of practices on the longwave radiation balance. Increasing soil carbon stocks and afforestation have been [...] Read more.
Regarding the achievement of worldwide agricultural climate neutrality, the focus is on a worldwide net-zero emission of cradle-to-farmgate greenhouse gases (GHGs), while, when appropriate, including the biogeophysical impacts of practices on the longwave radiation balance. Increasing soil carbon stocks and afforestation have been suggested as practices that could be currently (roughly) sufficient to achieve agricultural climate neutrality. It appears that in both cases the quantitative contributions to climate neutrality that can actually be delivered are very uncertain. There is also much uncertainty about the quantitative climate benefits with regard to forest conservation, changing feed composition to reduce enteric methane emission by ruminants, agroforestry and the use of nitrification and urease inhibitors to decrease the emission of N2O. There is a case for much future work aimed at reducing the present uncertainties. The replacing of animal husbandry-based protein production by plant-based protein production that can reduce agricultural GHG emissions by about 50%, is technically feasible but at variance with trends in worldwide food consumption. There is a case for a major effort to reverse these trends. Phasing out fossil fuel inputs, improving nitrogen-use efficiency, net-zero GHG-emission fertilizer inputs and reducing methane emissions by rice paddies can cut the current worldwide agricultural GHG emissions by about 22%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Net-Zero Principles and Practices)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop