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Soil surfactants applied with 15 N labeled urea increases bermudagrass uptake of nitrogen and reduces nitrogen leaching #
Author(s) -
Abagandura Gandura Omar,
Park Dara,
Bridges William C.,
Brown Kristen
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of plant nutrition and soil science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.644
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1522-2624
pISSN - 1436-8730
DOI - 10.1002/jpln.201900162
Subject(s) - loam , chemistry , urea , leaching (pedology) , soil water , nitrogen , agronomy , ammonia volatilization from urea , environmental chemistry , environmental science , soil science , biology , organic chemistry
Background : Increasing nitrogen (N) plant uptake efficiency may result in better plant quality and growth, less N susceptible to leaching and potential contamination to surrounding environments. Soil surfactants have been documented to increase water infiltration and enhance water uniformity throughout the soil profile. Thus, applying a surfactant may increase N uptake and use efficiency. Methods : To investigate this theory, four treatments were applied to bermudagrass grown in leaching columns filled with one of three soils (sand, sandy loam, and sandy clay loam): (1) 10% alkoxylated polyols and 7% of glucoethers surfactant with 15 N labeled urea, (2) 10% oleic acid esters of block copolymer surfactant with 15 N labeled urea, (3) water with 15 N labeled urea, and (4) water without 15 N labeled urea. Ambient 15 N was determined by the no surfactant and no urea treatment. Each treatment combination was replicated five times and the greenhouse experiment was repeated. Bermudagrass quality and density, leachate volume, and volumetric water content were determined over a 28d period following application. Determination of 15 N recovery in plant, soil, and leachate occurred at experiment termination. Results : Applying either surfactant with urea resulted in significantly higher soil volumetric water content (in sandy loam and sandy clay loam soils) and higher bermudagrass clipping yield (in all soils) than urea. Surfactants applied with urea decreased percent 15 N recovery in leachate from sand by 37–46%, increased percent 15 N recovery in the sandy loam by 37%, and increased percent utilization of 15 N by bermudagrass grown in the sandy clay loam by 61–67% compared to urea applied alone. Conclusion : Applying surfactants with urea can increase bermudagrass N uptake efficiency and reduce potential N leaching.