Volatilization losses of surface-applied urea nitrogen from Vertisols in the Indian semi-arid tropics

Patra, A K and Burford, J R and Rego, T J (1996) Volatilization losses of surface-applied urea nitrogen from Vertisols in the Indian semi-arid tropics. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 22 (4). pp. 345-349. ISSN 0178-2762

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Abstract

The N loss from Vertisols was estimated by measuring the loss of 15N-labelled urea N under conditions that promote NH3 volatilization. Urea granules were placed on the top of 150-mm deep soil columns (Vertisols) collected from three sites with a range in pH, electrical conductivity, and cation exchange capacity. There were two contrasting moisture treatments, one near field capacity (wet) and another with intermittent wetting of the soil surface before allowing the columns to dry (moist-dry). The results indicated that losses were influenced markedly by pH and moisture treatment, being 29.5, 33.5, and 33% from the wet soils and 37, 42, and 40.5% from the moistdry soils with pH values of 7.7, 8.2, and 9.3, respectively. These observations clearly indicate that broadcasting of urea on the surface of Vertisols may cause substantial N losses.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Vertisol, pH, Cation exchange capacity, Moisture, Urea, 15N Nitrogen losses, Ammonia volatilization
Subjects:	Others > Soil Science Others > Agriculture-Farming, Production, Technology, Economics
Depositing User:	Ms. Ishrath Durafsha
Date Deposited:	17 Feb 2014 05:39
Last Modified:	17 Feb 2014 05:39
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/7526
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00334581
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Acknowledgement:	AKP was the recipient of a Post-Doctoral Fellowship awarded by the Joint Committee e of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) New Delhi, and ICRISAT
Links:	Google Scholar

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