Register      Login
Soil Research Soil Research Society
Soil, land care and environmental research
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Urea-induced nitrous oxide emissions under sub-tropical rain-fed sorghum and sunflower were nullified by DMPP, partially mitigated by polymer-coated urea, or enhanced by a blend of urea and polymer-coated urea

G. D. Schwenke https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2206-4350 A B and B. M. Haigh A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A NSW Department of Primary Industries, Tamworth Agricultural Institute, Tamworth, NSW 2340, Australia.

B Corresponding author. Email: graeme.schwenke@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Soil Research 57(4) 342-356 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR18285
Submitted: 19 September 2018  Accepted: 27 February 2019   Published: 24 April 2019

Abstract

Delaying the accumulation of soil nitrate from urea applied at sowing should mitigate nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions without compromising optimum crop production. This delay may be achieved chemically using a nitrification inhibitor such as 3,4 dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP), or physically by coating urea with a degradable polymer (PCU). In five field experiments across three summers, the impact of DMPP-coated urea applied at sowing on soil mineral nitrogen (N), N2O emissions and yields of grain sorghum or sunflower grown on sub-tropical Vertosols was assessed. At two experiments, DMPP effects on plant N uptake, soil N movement and total N loss were determined with 15N. One experiment included PCU and several blends: urea+DMPP-urea; urea+PCU; urea+DMPP-urea+PCU. Averaged across all experiments, DMPP reduced cumulative N2O emitted by 92% (range: 65–123%) and N2O emission factor (EF: percent of applied N emitted) by 88%. There was no statistical difference in N2O emitted between the 0N control and DMPP-urea. PCU reduced N2O emitted by 27% and EF by 34%. The urea+DMPP-urea blend also nullified urea-induced N2O, but urea+PCU increased N2O emissions and decreased grain yield due to a mismatch between soil N availability and plant N demand. DMPP arrested 15N movement in soil and reduced total 15N loss from 35% to 15% at one of the two 15N experiments. Applying DMPP-urea at sowing is an effective N strategy that nullifies urea-induced N2O emissions, maintains crop yield, and retains N in the soil–plant system. Negative impacts of the PCU+urea blend highlight the influence of growing season conditions on fertiliser N release.

Additional keywords: denitrification, enhanced efficiency fertiliser, N2O emission factor, N2O emission intensity, polymer coated urea, urea blending.


References

Abalos D, Jeffery S, Sanz-Cobena A, Guardia G, Vallejo A (2014) Meta-analysis of the effect of urease and nitrification inhibitors on crop productivity and nitrogen use efficiency. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 189, 136–144.
Meta-analysis of the effect of urease and nitrification inhibitors on crop productivity and nitrogen use efficiency.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Abalos D, Jeffery S, Drury CF, Wagner-Riddle C (2016) Improving fertilizer management in the U.S. and Canada for N2O mitigation: understanding potential positive and negative side-effects on corn yields. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 221, 214–221.
Improving fertilizer management in the U.S. and Canada for N2O mitigation: understanding potential positive and negative side-effects on corn yields.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Akiyama H, Yan X, Yagi K (2010) Evaluation of effectiveness of enhanced-efficiency fertilizers as mitigation options for N2O and NO emissions from agricultural soils: meta-analysis. Global Change Biology 16, 1837–1846.
Evaluation of effectiveness of enhanced-efficiency fertilizers as mitigation options for N2O and NO emissions from agricultural soils: meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Armstrong R, Halpin N, McCosker K, Standley J, Lisle A (1996) Applying nitrogen to grain sorghum in central Queensland: residual value and effect of fallowing and tillage practice. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 47, 81–95.
Applying nitrogen to grain sorghum in central Queensland: residual value and effect of fallowing and tillage practice.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Azeem B, KuShaari K, Man ZB, Basit A, Thanh TH (2014) Review on materials & methods to produce controlled release coated urea fertilizer. Journal of Controlled Release 181, 11–21.
Review on materials & methods to produce controlled release coated urea fertilizer.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24593892PubMed |

Bremner JM (1997) Sources of nitrous oxide in soils. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 49, 7–16.
Sources of nitrous oxide in soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Chen D, Suter H, Islam A, Edis R, Freney JR, Walker CN (2008) Prospects of improving efficiency of fertiliser nitrogen in Australian agriculture: a review of enhanced efficiency fertilisers. Soil Research 46, 289–301.
Prospects of improving efficiency of fertiliser nitrogen in Australian agriculture: a review of enhanced efficiency fertilisers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

De Antoni Migliorati M, Bell M, Grace P, Rowlings D, Scheer C, Strazzabosco A (2014) Assessing agronomic and environmental implications of different N fertilisation strategies in subtropical grain cropping systems on Oxisols. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 100, 369–382.
Assessing agronomic and environmental implications of different N fertilisation strategies in subtropical grain cropping systems on Oxisols.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

De Antoni Migliorati M, Bell M, Lester D, Rowlings DW, Scheer C, de Rosa D, Grace PR (2016) Comparison of grain yields and N2O emissions on Oxisol and Vertisol soils in response to fertiliser N applied as urea or urea coated with the nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate. Soil Research 54, 552–564.
Comparison of grain yields and N2O emissions on Oxisol and Vertisol soils in response to fertiliser N applied as urea or urea coated with the nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Farquharson R (2016) Nitrification rates and associated nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural soils – a synopsis. Soil Research 54, 469–480.
Nitrification rates and associated nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural soils – a synopsis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Firestone MK, Smith MS, Firestone RB, Tiedje JM (1979) The influence of nitrate, nitrite, and oxygen on the composition of the gaseous products of denitrification in soil. Soil Science Society of America Journal 43, 1140–1144.
The influence of nitrate, nitrite, and oxygen on the composition of the gaseous products of denitrification in soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Freney JR, Chen DL, Mosier AR, Rochester IJ, Constable GA, Chalk PM (1993) Use of nitrification inhibitors to increase fertilizer nitrogen recovery and lint yield in irrigated cotton. Fertilizer Research 34, 37–44.
Use of nitrification inhibitors to increase fertilizer nitrogen recovery and lint yield in irrigated cotton.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Gilsanz C, Báez D, Misselbrook TH, Dhanoa MS, Cárdenas LM (2016) Development of emission factors and efficiency of two nitrification inhibitors, DCD and DMPP. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 216, 1–8.
Development of emission factors and efficiency of two nitrification inhibitors, DCD and DMPP.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Harris RH, Armstrong RD, Wallace AJ, Belyaeva ON (2016a) Delaying nitrogen fertiliser application improves wheat 15N recovery from high rainfall cropping soils in south eastern Australia. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 106, 113–128.
Delaying nitrogen fertiliser application improves wheat 15N recovery from high rainfall cropping soils in south eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Harris RH, Armstrong RD, Wallace AJ, Belyaeva ON (2016b) Effect of nitrogen fertiliser management on soil mineral nitrogen, nitrous oxide losses, yield and nitrogen uptake of wheat growing in waterlogging-prone soils of south-eastern Australia. Soil Research 54, 619–633.
Effect of nitrogen fertiliser management on soil mineral nitrogen, nitrous oxide losses, yield and nitrogen uptake of wheat growing in waterlogging-prone soils of south-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Isbell RF, National Committee on Soil and Terrain (2016) ‘The Australian soil classification.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)

Lai TV, Denton MD (2018) N2O and N2 emissions from denitrification respond differently to temperature and nitrogen supply. Journal of Soils and Sediments 18, 1548–1557.
N2O and N2 emissions from denitrification respond differently to temperature and nitrogen supply.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lester DW, Bell MJ, Bell KL, De Antoni Migliorati M, Scheer C, Rowlings D, Grace PR (2016) Agronomic responses of grain sorghum to DMPP-treated urea on contrasting soil types in north-eastern Australia. Soil Research 54, 565–571.
Agronomic responses of grain sorghum to DMPP-treated urea on contrasting soil types in north-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ramu K, Watanabe T, Uchino H, Sahrawat KL, Wani SP, Ito O (2012) Fertilizer induced nitrous oxide emissions from Vertisols and Alfisols during sweet sorghum cultivation in the Indian semi-arid tropics. The Science of the Total Environment 438, 9–14.
Fertilizer induced nitrous oxide emissions from Vertisols and Alfisols during sweet sorghum cultivation in the Indian semi-arid tropics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22967492PubMed |

Rochester IJ (2003) Estimating nitrous oxide emissions from flood-irrigated alkaline grey clays. Australian Journal of Soil Research 41, 197–206.
Estimating nitrous oxide emissions from flood-irrigated alkaline grey clays.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Rose TJ, Morris SG, Quin P, Kearney LJ, Kimber S, Van Zwieten L (2017) The nitrification inhibitor DMPP applied to subtropical rice has an inconsistent effect on nitrous oxide emissions. Soil Research 55, 547–552.
The nitrification inhibitor DMPP applied to subtropical rice has an inconsistent effect on nitrous oxide emissions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Rowlings DW, Scheer C, Liu S, Grace PR (2016) Annual nitrogen dynamics and urea fertilizer recoveries from a dairy pasture using 15N; effect of nitrification inhibitor DMPP and reduced application rates. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 216, 216–225.
Annual nitrogen dynamics and urea fertilizer recoveries from a dairy pasture using 15N; effect of nitrification inhibitor DMPP and reduced application rates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Scheer C, Rowlings DW, De Antoni Migliorati M, Lester DW, Bell MJ, Grace PR (2016) Effect of enhanced efficiency fertilisers on nitrous oxide emissions in a sub-tropical cereal cropping system. Soil Research 54, 544–551.
Effect of enhanced efficiency fertilisers on nitrous oxide emissions in a sub-tropical cereal cropping system.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Schwenke GD, Haigh BM (2016) The interaction of seasonal rainfall and nitrogen fertiliser rate on soil N2O emission, total N loss and crop yield of dryland sorghum and sunflower grown on sub-tropical Vertosols. Soil Research 54, 604–618.
The interaction of seasonal rainfall and nitrogen fertiliser rate on soil N2O emission, total N loss and crop yield of dryland sorghum and sunflower grown on sub-tropical Vertosols.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Shcherbak I, Millar N, Robertson GP (2014) Global metaanalysis of the nonlinear response of soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions to fertilizer nitrogen. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 111, 9199–9204.
Global metaanalysis of the nonlinear response of soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions to fertilizer nitrogen.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24927583PubMed |

Singh S, Verma A (2007) The potential of nitrification inhibitors to manage the pollution effect of nitrogen fertilizers in agricultural and other soils: a review. Environmental Practice 9, 266–279.
The potential of nitrification inhibitors to manage the pollution effect of nitrogen fertilizers in agricultural and other soils: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Strong W, Saffigna P, Cooper J, Cogle A (1992) Application of anhydrous ammonia or urea during the fallow period for winter cereals on the Darling Downs, Queensland. II. The recovery of 15N by wheat and sorghum in soil and plant at harvest. Soil Research 30, 711–721.
Application of anhydrous ammonia or urea during the fallow period for winter cereals on the Darling Downs, Queensland. II. The recovery of 15N by wheat and sorghum in soil and plant at harvest.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Thapa R, Chatterjee A, Awale R, McGranahan DA, Daigh A (2016) Effect of enhanced efficiency fertilizers on nitrous oxide emissions and crop yields: a meta-analysis. Soil Science Society of America Journal 80, 1121–1134.
Effect of enhanced efficiency fertilizers on nitrous oxide emissions and crop yields: a meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Tian Z, Wang JJ, Liu S, Zhang Z, Dodla SK, Myers G (2015) Application effects of coated urea and urease and nitrification inhibitors on ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions from a subtropical cotton field of the Mississippi delta region. The Science of the Total Environment 533, 329–338.
Application effects of coated urea and urease and nitrification inhibitors on ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions from a subtropical cotton field of the Mississippi delta region.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26172600PubMed |

Trenkel M (2010) ‘Slow- and controlled-release and stabilized fertilizers: an option for enhancing nutrient use efficiency in agriculture.’ (International Fertilizer Industry Association: Paris, France)

Venterea RT, Maharjan B, Dolan MS (2011) Fertilizer source and tillage effects on yield-scaled nitrous oxide emissions in a corn cropping system. Journal of Environmental Quality 40, 1521–1531.
Fertilizer source and tillage effects on yield-scaled nitrous oxide emissions in a corn cropping system.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21869514PubMed |

Wang WJ, Reeves SH, Salter B, Moody PW, Dalal RC (2016) Effects of urea formulations, application rates and crop residue retention on N2O emissions from sugarcane fields in Australia. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 216, 137–146.
Effects of urea formulations, application rates and crop residue retention on N2O emissions from sugarcane fields in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Yang M, Fang Y, Sun D, Shi Y (2016) Efficiency of two nitrification inhibitors (dicyandiamide and 3, 4-dimethypyrazole phosphate) on soil nitrogen transformations and plant productivity: a meta-analysis. Scientific Reports 6, 22075
Efficiency of two nitrification inhibitors (dicyandiamide and 3, 4-dimethypyrazole phosphate) on soil nitrogen transformations and plant productivity: a meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26902689PubMed |

Zhang L, Wu Z, Jiang Y, Chen L, Song Y, Wang L, Xie JXM (2010) Fate of applied urea 15N in a soil-maize system as affected by urease inhibitor and nitrification inhibitor. Plant, Soil and Environment 56, 8–15.
Fate of applied urea 15N in a soil-maize system as affected by urease inhibitor and nitrification inhibitor.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |