Summary
We have compared sulfur-coated urea granules (SCU) with ammonium sulfate granules (AS) in regard to nitrogen (N) release, diffusion, nitrification and the effect of irrigation.
In the experiments plastic containers were filled with six layers of soil, separated from each other by fine nylon cloths. The fertilizer granules were placed between the two central layers, and irrigation was simulated by application of tap water to the uppermost layer.
Nitrogen release from the SCU was slow, and after three months, 29.5% of the applied N remained in the granules. At the end of the experiment there was a deficit of 37.1% N in the case of the AS granules, while there was virtually none with the SCU. Throughout the experiment, N from SCU remained at a relatively even level, while 95% of the N applied as AS had disappeared after irrigation. Nitrification was rapid in both cases.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allen S E and Mays D A 1974 Coated and other slow release fertilizers for forages.In Forage Fertilization. Ed. S A Mays Am. Soc. Agron., Madison, Wis. 559–582.
Allison F E 1966 The fate of nitrogen applied to soils. Adv. Agron. 18, 219–258.
Bremner J M 1965 Inorganic forms of nitrogen.In Methods of soil Analysis. Am. Soc. Agron. Madison, Wis. 1219–1224.
Bremner J M and Backmer A M 1978 Nitrous oxide: emission from soils during nitrification of fertilizer nitrogen. Science 199, 295–296.
Broadbent F E 1978 Mineralization, immobilization and nitrification.In Management of Nitrogen in Irrigated Agriculture Sacramento, California. 109–134.
Broadbent F E and Clark F 1965 DenitrificationIn Soil Nitrogen. Am. Soc. Agron., Madison, Wis. 349–359.
Douglas L A and Bremner J M 1970 Extraction and colorimetric determination of urea in soils. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 34, 859–862.
Maynard D N and Lorenz O A 1979 Controlled-release fertilizers for horticultural crops. Hortic. Reviews. 1, 78–140.
McNeal B L and Pratt P F 1978 Leaching of nitrate from soils.In Management of Nitrogen in Irrigated Agriculture, Sacramento, California. 195–230.
Prasad M 1976 Gaseous loss of ammonia from sulfur coated urea, ammonium sulfate, and urea applied to calcareous soil (pH 7.3). Soil. Sci. Soc. Am. J. 40, 130–134.
Rolston D E 1978 Volatile losses of nitrogen from soil.In Management of Nitrogen in Irrigated Agriculture, Sacramento, California. pp 169–193.
Scheiss R M and McClellan G H 1976 Characteristics of sulfur texture on SCU. Sulfur Inst. J. 12, 2–5.
Terman G L 1979 Volatilization losses of ammonia from surface-applied fertilizers, organic amendments and crop residues. Adv. Agron. 31, 189–223.
Tennessee Valley Authority 1974 TVA'S development of Sulfur Coated Urea. National Fertilizer Development Center. Bull. Y-79.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Puchades, R., Yufera, E.P. & Rubio, J.L. The release, diffusion and nitrification of nitrogen in soils surrounding sulfur-coated urea granules. Plant Soil 78, 345–356 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02450368
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02450368