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Posted 21 September 2011. Crop Management. Improving Applied Nitrogen-Use Efficiency In the lab or in the field: new technology proven to combat common forms of N loss Source: SFP Press Release. www.sfp.com Leawood, Kansas (September 16, 2011)--Many considerations go into managing nitrogen (N) use efficiency, including minimizing the risk of loss due to leaching, denitrification or volatilization. N sourcing paired with strategic application methods and timing, as well as the appropriate use of fertilizer efficiency products, can contribute to minimizing the risk of N loss prior to plant uptake.
Managing N loss Even with today’s modern crop production tools and sound farming practices, as much as 50 percent of applied N fertilizer may be lost through volatilization, leaching and surface runoff. One technology has proven to be effective in improving N-use efficiency of urea and urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) solutions. Known by the trade name NutriSphere-N® Nitrogen Fertilizer Manager, it stabilizes applied N fertilizer (liquid or dry) regardless of application timing, offering growers both flexibility and the most advanced protection against three types of loss — leaching, denitrification and volatilization. NutriSphere-N helps keep more N in its ammonium (NH4+) form, resulting in less leaching, less volatilization and more available N to aid development and growth. Research proves NutriSphere-N reduces N loss Over the past seven years, 184 university, third-party and on-farm studies on a variety of crops conducted across the United States, as well as the Philippines, the United Kingdom and other countries have demonstrated the positive effects of NutriSphere-N in reducing N volatilization, denitrification and leaching. Studies specific to corn show adding NutriSphere-N to applied N increases yield by an average of 13.2 bushels per acre, or 7.7 percent. University of Missouri In spring 2010, David Dunn, at the University of Missouri-Delta Research Center, conducted an ammonia volatilization experiment to test urea’s response to four different N fertilizer additives on corn, including NutriSphere-N. Treatments were applied on May 21, and then volatilization data was collected on June 24, June 26 and June 29. Cumulative volatilization data showed NutriSphere-N and Agrotain to be statistically equal. Research findings proved NutriSphere-N effectiveness increased while Agrotain protection showed decrease over the course of the trial, suggesting NutriSphere-N has a longevity advantage over other products (see Table 1).
University of Kentucky Lab studies, directed by Mark S. Coyne, Ph.D., crop and soil science professor at the University of Kentucky, tested the effects of NutriSphere-N on urease activity in soil by measuring nitrification in four replicated samples. After only seven minutes of incubation, NutriSphere-N proved to inhibit urease. Additionally studies by Coyne also showed an inhibiting effect with NutriSphere-N on nitrification in Woolper soil (pHW: 6.71). The greatest increase in nitrification was on day 1 for both treatments (see Chart 1); thereafter, nitrification was inhibited by NutriSphere-N. Arkansas field trials encourage N-use efficiency Rice field trials in Arkansas, conducted by Ronnie Helms, Ph.D., show an increased yield response to NutriSphere-N. Urea was applied seven days pre-flood in a variety of rates — 50, 100, 150 and 200 pounds per acre — both with and without NutriSphere-N. “Even before harvest, visual differences of plots applied with NutriSphere-N and urea were quite apparent — there was a distinct growth and color improvement,” says Helms. Harvest proved, regardless of application rate, that all plots treated with urea plus NutriSphere-N out-yielded urea-only plots. The most evident yield advantage was applying 100 pounds of urea (N) per acre with NutriSphere-N, with an 11 bushel-per-acre advantage. The urea treated with NutriSphere-N applied at a rate of 100 pounds per acre also achieved essentially the same yield as the 150 pound-per-acre rate of urea alone. Utilizing this data, growers under these conditions could achieve high yields by using 50 pounds per acre less N (see Chart 2). Nitrogen: A crop’s best friend Despite its efficiency challenges and threats of leaching, denitrification and volatilization, N is still a crop’s best friend. Nitrogen is a major component of amino acids, the foundation of all proteins. A healthy supply of N stimulates crop growth and development, as well as promotes the uptake of other essential nutrients. In short, N dependent crops need adequate N uptake in order for other growth processes to function. Using modern agricultural tools and understanding keys to proper N fertilization as part of a complete nutrient management program can prove beneficial — beginning with healthier crops and leading to the potential for increased yields and profits.
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