A greenhouse bioassay of advanced urease and nitrification inhibitors: Effects on ammonia volatilization and wheat biomass yield and N uptake

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Improving the recovery and utilization of fertilizer nitrogen (N) by crops remains a challenge, with less than 50% of the applied N recovered in most cropping systems. For urea-based fertilizers, this is mostly due to gaseous losses of N via ammonia volatilization and, in some cases, leaching of nitrate N. The use of fertilizer additives, such as urease and nitrification inhibitors, presents an opportunity for improving the recovery of fertilizer N via reductions in volatilization and leaching. Active AgriScience Inc. is a major player in the design of such products and recently commissioned ARM U Advanced (AUA), which inhibits the conversion of urea to volatile (ammonia) and leachable (nitrate) forms. The company is seeking research-based data that will assist it improve their product. The proposed research examines the processes and mechanisms controlling ammonia volatilization from a fertilizer (urea ammonium nitrate, UAN) treated with AUA. The greenhouse experiment will utilize a high pH soil from western Manitoba and UAN rates based on standard agronomic practice for the region. AUA will be added to UAN at varying rates. Spring wheat will be the test crop and will be grown until flowering to evaluate treatment effects on dry matter yield. Ammonia volatilization will be measured throughout the crop growing period. Results will be used by the company to improve the design, hence performance of AUA as measured by improved uptake and utilization of fertilizer N by the crop. This is important in that high yields can be attained at lower rates of fertilizer N compared to cases where the fertilizer is not treated with AUA. This will not only result in savings to Canadian farmers, but also reduce environmental degradation that results from the loss of N from cropland, hence benefitting all Canadians.