Procedure to estimate ammonia loss after N fertiliser application to moist soil
Ian R. P. Fillery A B and Nirav Khimashia A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A CSIRO Agriculture, PO Private Bag Number 5, Wembley, WA 6913, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: Ian.Fillery@csiro.au
Soil Research 54(1) 1-10 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR14073
Submitted: 28 March 2014 Accepted: 11 April 2015 Published: 29 November 2015
Abstract
Decision support systems (DSS) that provide advice on best N fertiliser management practice ideally need to assess the effect that fertiliser type, rate and management have on N loss. Currently only nitrate leaching and denitrification losses can be assessed in Australian DSS that use output from the Agriculture Production Simulator (APSIM). This paper describes a simple spreadsheet-based model for estimating NH3 loss from urea, urea ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate that can be used in conjunction or independent of current DSS. The use of scaling factors that reduce NH3 emission on the basis of factors known to be key determinants of NH3 loss, including type of fertiliser used, rate of fertiliser applied, management of fertiliser, rainfall and crop development was found to account for 85% of the variance between predicted and observed values when tested against 40 case studies. The model also had good predictive power with a root mean square error (RMSE) equivalent to 4.8% of N applied.
Additional keywords: ammonium sulfate, ammonia volatilisation, model, N use efficiency, urea, urea ammonium nitrate.
References
AL-Kanani T, Mackenzie AF, Blenkhorn H (1990) The influence of formula modifications and additives on ammonia loses from surface-applied urea–ammonium nitrate solutions. Fertilizer Research 22, 49–59.| The influence of formula modifications and additives on ammonia loses from surface-applied urea–ammonium nitrate solutions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bettanay E, Hingston FJ (1961) Soils of the Merredin area, Western Australia. Soils and land use series No. 41, CSIRO Division of Soils. (CSIRO: Melbourne)
Black AS, Sherlock RR, Smith NP, Cameron KC, Goh KM (1985) Effects of form of nitrogen, season, and urea application rate on ammonia volatilisation from pastures. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 28, 469–474.
| Effects of form of nitrogen, season, and urea application rate on ammonia volatilisation from pastures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Black AS, Sherlock RR, Smith NP (1987) Effect of timing of simulated rainfall on ammonia volatilization from urea, applied to soil of varying moisture content. Journal of Soil Science 38, 679–687.
| Effect of timing of simulated rainfall on ammonia volatilization from urea, applied to soil of varying moisture content.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL1cXptlGksQ%3D%3D&md5=b557ba04beba503582812ac2495f5566CAS |
Bolan NS, Sagger S, Luo J, Bhandral R, Singh J (2004) Gaseous emissions of nitrogen from grazed pastures: processes, measurements and modelling, environmental implications and mitigation. Advances in Agronomy 84, 37–120.
| Gaseous emissions of nitrogen from grazed pastures: processes, measurements and modelling, environmental implications and mitigation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXnvVynsw%3D%3D&md5=d6e974c81c58895c31b2baa3c0aa83d2CAS |
Buresh RJ, Austin ER, Craswell ET (1982) Analytical methods in 15N research. Fertilizer Research 3, 37–62.
| Analytical methods in 15N research.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL38XkvFSqt7k%3D&md5=3ecb9c0851b606b5396e9643dbe68b09CAS |
Cai G, Chen D, White RE, Fan XH, Pacholski A, Zhu ZL, Ding H (2002) Gaseous nitrogen losses from urea applied to maize on a calcareous fluvo-aquic soil in the North China Plain. Australian Journal of Soil Research 40, 737–748.
| Gaseous nitrogen losses from urea applied to maize on a calcareous fluvo-aquic soil in the North China Plain.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Christianson CB, Baethgen WE, Carmona G, Howard RG (1993) Microsite reactions of urea–nBTPT fertilizer on the soil surface. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 25, 1107–1117.
| Microsite reactions of urea–nBTPT fertilizer on the soil surface.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXmsVyqtr8%3D&md5=ecb2ea9cff7a0611bfdf9470818458f1CAS |
Cox H, Hammer G, McLean G, King C (2004) National WhopperCropper – risk assessment discussion support software. In ‘4th International Crop Science Congress.’ Brisbane, Australia.
Fenn LB, Kissel DE (1973) Ammonia volatilization from surface applications of ammonium compounds on calcareous soils: I. General theory. Soil Science Society of America Journal 37, 855–859.
| Ammonia volatilization from surface applications of ammonium compounds on calcareous soils: I. General theory.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE2cXmvFKktw%3D%3D&md5=4b6872c5ddad77e48a850d5fb993e045CAS |
Fox RH, Piekielek WP, Macneal KE (1996) Estimating ammonia volatilization losses from urea fertilizers using a simplified micrometeorological sampler. Soil Science Society of America Journal 60, 596–601.
| Estimating ammonia volatilization losses from urea fertilizers using a simplified micrometeorological sampler.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK28Xitleqsbo%3D&md5=03dafd5ccdefc329c8df2d890145252eCAS |
Génermont S, Cellier P (1997) A mechanistic model for estimating ammonia volatilisation from slurry applied to bare soil. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 88, 145–167.
| A mechanistic model for estimating ammonia volatilisation from slurry applied to bare soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harper LA, Denmead OT, Sharpe RR (2000) Identifying sources and sinks of scalars in corn canopy with inverse Lagrangian dispersion analysis II. Ammonia. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 104, 75–83.
| Identifying sources and sinks of scalars in corn canopy with inverse Lagrangian dispersion analysis II. Ammonia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hochman Z, van Rees H, Carberry PS, Hunt JR, McCown RL, Gartmann A, Holzworth D, van Rees S, Dagliesh NP, Long W, Peake AS, Poulton PL, McClelland T (2009) Re-inventing model–based decision support: 4. Yield Prophet®, an internet-enabled simulation-based system for assisting farmers to manage and monitor crops in climatically variable environments. Crop & Pasture Science 60, 1057–1070.
| Re-inventing model–based decision support: 4. Yield Prophet®, an internet-enabled simulation-based system for assisting farmers to manage and monitor crops in climatically variable environments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Holcomb JC, Sullivan DM, Horneck DA, Clough GH (2011) Effect of irrigation rate on ammonia volatilisation. Soil Science Society of America Journal 75, 2341–2347.
| Effect of irrigation rate on ammonia volatilisation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXhsVKjs7bM&md5=fb115e77f0207b44ddf119961979ca78CAS |
Izaurralde RC, Kissel DE, Cabrera ML (1990) Simulation-model of banded ammonia in soils. Soil Science Society of America Journal 54, 917–922.
| Simulation-model of banded ammonia in soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3cXlvFShtL0%3D&md5=5b253ffcf02d438db0207ea5bf7b508bCAS |
Keating BA, Carberry PS, Hammer GL, Probert ME, Robertson MJ, Holzworth D, Huth NI, Hargreaves JNG, Meink H, Hochman Z, McLean G, Verburg K, Snow V, Dimes JP, Silburn M, Wang E, Brown S, Bristow KL, Asseng S, Chapman S, McCown RL, Freebairn DM, Smith CJ (2003) An overview of APSIM, a model designed for farming systems simulation. European Journal of Agronomy 18, 267–288.
| An overview of APSIM, a model designed for farming systems simulation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kirk GJD, Nye PH (1991) A model of ammonia volatilization from applied urea. V. The effects of steady-state drainage and evaporation. Journal of Soil Science 42, 103–113.
| A model of ammonia volatilization from applied urea. V. The effects of steady-state drainage and evaporation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXktVOms7s%3D&md5=98bb45758bed9baa4f2f8655c999d5caCAS |
Li L, Sherwood Lollar B, Li H, Wortmann UG, Lacrampe–Couloume G (2012) Ammonium stability and nitrogen isotope fractionations for NH4 +-NH3(aq)-NH3(gas) systems at 20−70°C and pH of 2–13: Applications to habitability and nitrogen cycling in low-temperature hydrothermal systems. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 84, 280–296.
| Ammonium stability and nitrogen isotope fractionations for NH4 +-NH3(aq)-NH3(gas) systems at 20−70°C and pH of 2–13: Applications to habitability and nitrogen cycling in low-temperature hydrothermal systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XltFyqsL0%3D&md5=6b338e10508149ce729f87e3a214853bCAS |
Macnack NE, Chim BK, Ruan WR (2013) Applied model for estimating potential ammonia loss from surface-applied urea. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 44, 2055–2063.
| Applied model for estimating potential ammonia loss from surface-applied urea.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhtFals7nJ&md5=bd6cd576c35d37ee6514efcda275c1d8CAS |
McIlroy IC (1971) Instrument for continuous recording of natural evaporation. Agricultural Meteorology 9, 93–100.
| Instrument for continuous recording of natural evaporation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Minasny B, McBratney AB, Brough DM, Jacquier D (2011) Models relating soil pH measurements in water and calcium chloride that incorporate electrolyte concentration. European Journal of Soil Science 62, 728–732.
| Models relating soil pH measurements in water and calcium chloride that incorporate electrolyte concentration.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXhtlOntL3P&md5=d06b2662b24ac4bc8ba009068585c8c0CAS |
Misselbrook TH, Sutton MA, Scholefield D (2004) A simple process-based model for estimating ammonia emissions from agricultural land after fertilizer applications. Soil Use and Management 20, 365–372.
| A simple process-based model for estimating ammonia emissions from agricultural land after fertilizer applications.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nuttall JG, Armstrong RD, Connor DJ, Matassa VJ (2003) Interrelationships between edaphic factors potentially limiting cereal growth on alkaline soils in north-western Victoria. Australian Journal of Soil Research 41, 277–292.
| Interrelationships between edaphic factors potentially limiting cereal growth on alkaline soils in north-western Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXktFKisrk%3D&md5=3af5f3db15f6461b8786f72cd9ff661aCAS |
Nyord T, Schelde KM, Sogaard HT, Jensen LS, Sommer SG (2008) A simple model for assessing ammonia emission from ammoniacal fertilisers as affected by pH and injection into soil. Atmospheric Environment 42, 4656–4664.
| A simple model for assessing ammonia emission from ammoniacal fertilisers as affected by pH and injection into soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXntFGgs74%3D&md5=7dbd3143f06e22562c52dccabd7cb8c5CAS |
Rachpal-Singh , Nye PH (1986) A model of ammonia volatilization from applied urea. I. Development of the model. Journal of Soil Science 37, 9–20.
| A model of ammonia volatilization from applied urea. I. Development of the model.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rochette P, Angers DA, Chantigny MH, Gasser M, MacDonald JD, Pelster DE, Bertrand N (2013) Ammonia volatilisation and nitrogen retention: how deep to incorporate urea? Journal of Environmental Quality 42, 1635–1642.
| Ammonia volatilisation and nitrogen retention: how deep to incorporate urea?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhvVyiurrL&md5=bdf86f64e209b0dd1761329647813489CAS | 25602404PubMed |
Schwenke GD, Manning W, Haigh BM (2014) Ammonia volatilisation from nitrogen fertilisers surface-applied to bare fallows, wheat crops and perennial-grass based pastures on Vertisols. Soil Research 52, 805–821.
| Ammonia volatilisation from nitrogen fertilisers surface-applied to bare fallows, wheat crops and perennial-grass based pastures on Vertisols.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhvFKltrnP&md5=b7aa48e705f54e4aa06e07efc9479fe3CAS |
Smith CJ, Freney JR, Chapman SL, Galbally IE (1989) Fate of urea nitrogen applied to irrigated wheat at heading. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 40, 951–963.
| Fate of urea nitrogen applied to irrigated wheat at heading.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sommer SG, Schjoerring JK, Denmead OT (2004) Ammonia emission from mineral fertilizers and fertilized crops. Advances in Agronomy 82, 557–622.
| Ammonia emission from mineral fertilizers and fertilized crops.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXnvVymsQ%3D%3D&md5=de4f9c45891019dd9a21f72366e4dd3bCAS |
Thorman RE, Hansen MN, Misselbrook TH, Sommer SG (2008) Algorithm for estimating the crop height effect on ammonia emission from slurry applied to cereal fields and grassland. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 28, 373–378.
| Algorithm for estimating the crop height effect on ammonia emission from slurry applied to cereal fields and grassland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhtVeisb%2FO&md5=8b71a732be556de9532fca0a66733005CAS |
Turner DA (2010) Quantification and mitigation of gaseous nitrogen emissions from pasture and cropping systems. PhD Thesis, Department of Resource Management and Geography, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Turner DA, Edis RE, Chen D, Freney JR, Denmead OT (2012) Ammonia volatilization from nitrogen fertilizers applied to cereals in two cropping areas of southern Australia. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 93, 113–126.
| Ammonia volatilization from nitrogen fertilizers applied to cereals in two cropping areas of southern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XpvVyqtb8%3D&md5=51600c087c119c277243af987460f9fbCAS |
Walker JT, Jones MR, Bash JO, Myles L, Meyers T, Schwede D, Herrick J, Nemitz E, Robarge W (2013) Processes of ammonia air–surface exchange in a fertilised Zea mays canopy. Biogeosciences 10, 981–998.
| Processes of ammonia air–surface exchange in a fertilised Zea mays canopy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zadoks JC, Chang TT, Konzak CF (1974) A decimal code for the growth stages of cereals. Weed Research 14, 415–421.
| A decimal code for the growth stages of cereals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zhang SL, Cai GX, Wang XZ, Xu YH, Zhu ZL, Freney JR (1992) Losses of urea-nitrogen applied to maize grown on a calcareous fluvo-aquic soil in the North China Plain. Pedosphere 2, 171–178.
