Calcium chloride and ammonium thiosulfate as ammonia volatilization inhibitors for urea fertilizers |
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| Abstract: | 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. |
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