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Journal article
In situ nitrogen mineralization, nitrification, and ammonia volatilization in maize field fertilized with urea in Huanghuaihai region of northern China
PLoS One, Vol.10
10
2015
PMCID: PMC4311962
PMID: 25635864
Web of Science ID: WOS:000350680700016
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) fertilization potentially affects soil N mineralization and leaching, and can enhance NH₃ volatilization, thus impacting crop production. A fertilizer experiment with five levels of N addition (0, 79, 147, 215 and 375 kg N ha⁻¹) was performed in 2009 and 2010 in a maize field in Huanghuaihai region, China, where > 300 kg N ha⁻¹ has been routinely applied to soil during maize growth period of 120 days. Responses of net N mineralization, inorganic N flux (0–10cm), NH₃ volatilization, and maize yield to N fertilization were measured. During the growth period, net N mineralization and nitrification varied seasonally, with higher rates occurring in August and coinciding with the R1 stage of maize growth. Soil NO₃−-N contributed to more than 60% of inorganic N flux during maize growth. Cumulative NH3 volatilization increased with N additions, with total NH₃ volatilization during maize growth accounting for about 4% of added N. Relative to the control, mean maize yield in the
fertilizer treatments increased by 17% and 20% in 2009 and 2010, respectively. However, grain yield, aboveground biomass, and plant N accumulation did not increase with added N at levels > 215 kg N ha⁻¹. These results suggest that the current N rate of 300 kg N ha⁻¹ is not only excessive, but also reduces fertilizer efficacy and may contribute to environmental problems such as global warming and eutrophication of ground water and streams.
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- Title
- In situ nitrogen mineralization, nitrification, and ammonia volatilization in maize field fertilized with urea in Huanghuaihai region of northern China
- Publication Details
- PLoS One, Vol.10
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publisher
- Public Library of Science; United States
- Series
- 10
- Grant note
- This study was financially supported by grants from the Henan Science and Technology Department of China under the Key Research Project (30200051).
- Copyright
- This is an open access article, free of all copyright, and may be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, built upon, or otherwise used by anyone for any lawful purpose. The work is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication.
- Identifiers
- WOS:000350680700016; 99380090764206600
- Academic Unit
- Biology; Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering
- Language
- English