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The behaviour of the nitrification inhibitor “n‐serve” in broadcast and incorporated applications to soil
Author(s) -
Briggs Geoffrey G.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.2740260806
Subject(s) - nitrification , leaching (pedology) , nitrogen , ammonium , organic matter , chemistry , environmental science , agronomy , soil organic matter , environmental chemistry , soil science , soil water , biology , organic chemistry
N‐Serve rapidly evaporated from coated fertiliser crystals scattered on glass plates or on soil. In the field in May more than 80% of N‐Serve in a broadcast application volatilised overnight and no inhibition of nitrification was observed. Vapour loss from coated fertiliser incorporated 3 cm deep in soil was negligible and nitrification was inhibited for at least 9 weeks. The half‐life of N‐Serve was 28 days in a soil low in organic matter and 50 days in a soil high in organic matter. Movement of ammonium nitrogen and N‐Serve over short distances in soil was observed but leaching of N‐Serve more than 2 cm below the depth of incorporation was slight. Much N‐Serve was lost whilst coating fertiliser, particularly when using a rotary evaporator. Analysis of treated fertiliser for N‐Serve is necessary for reliable estimates of inhibitor concentration.