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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Raleigh, North Carolina » Soybean and Nitrogen Fixation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #213073
Title: Nitrogen Release in Different Soils Amended with Controlled-Release Fertilizers

Author
item CAHILL, SHERI - NC STATE UNIV
item OSMOND, DEANNA - NC STATE UNIV
item Israel, Daniel

Submitted to: Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/20/2008
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: A fertilizer product purported to have slow N release characteristics was shown to exhibit this characteristic in three different soils and two soil moisture regimes. The slow release characteristic of this product may more closely match crop N uptake patterns, increase crop N use efficiency and lower the potential for N leaching. This product now needs testing in crop production systems.

Technical Abstract: Nitrogen (N) release from two controlled-release N fertilizers (CRNFs) (Arborite® and ESN®) and two traditional N fertilizers (urea [(NH2)2CO)] and ammonium urea nitrate (UAN) [(NH2)2CO, NH4NO3]) in three soil types of North Carolina was measured throughout a 12 week laboratory incubation. Treatments were N source and soil water holding capacity. In both the Candor and Cecil soils, Arborite released 40% N by day 2 after addition to the soil. Maximum Arborite N release was achieved by week 6 for both soils. ESN N release began between week 1 and 2, and maximum release was attained by week 6 for the Candor soil and by week 8 for the Cecil soil. On Portsmouth, ESN reached 70% release by week 8 and Arborite had an immediate release. A field study of these CRNFs would be needed to determine if they are economically viable over more traditional N fertilizers in North Carolina.