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15 N Studies of the Behavior of Fertilizer Nitrogen in Three Different Soils (Lysimeter Trials)
Author(s) -
Dressel J.,
Jung J.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of agronomy and crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.095
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1439-037X
pISSN - 0931-2250
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-037x.1990.tb00810.x
Subject(s) - loam , lysimeter , fertilizer , nitrogen , soil water , agronomy , ammonium , ammonium nitrate , nitrate , chemistry , nutrient , zoology , environmental science , soil science , biology , organic chemistry
A lysimeter trial is described in which the fate of 15 N was monitored in a sand, loam and clay soil by using it over a period of 6 years. The following results were obtained. 1. The uptake of fertilizer nitrogen by plants, determined by using 15 N, is lower than by using the conventional method (“difference method”). Nitrate 15 N is better utilized by the plants than is ammonium 15 N. The total nitrogen uptake only gives hints of these differences. 2. The extent to which plants utilize fertilizer 15 N is between 38 and 58%; in the case of the method of differences this figure is between 48 and 68%. 3. Plants remove more nitrogen from the soil when fertilizer N is applied than when without fertilization. The influence of these two nutrient forms is of subordinate significance. 4. After a trial period of six years between 26 and 54 % of the fertilizer 15 N remains in the soil. The resulting sequences are clay > loam > sand > and ammonium > nitrate. 5. The immobilization of the fertilizer 15 N is most pronounced in the first four years but then decreased considerably; in the case of the sandy soil it is then even slightly regressive. 6. The biggest part of the 15 N is deposited in the uppermost layer of the soil. The amount of 15 N in the deeper layers is diminished appreciably. The type of soil has a greater influence than the form of nitrogen. 7. If the amount of fertilizer N left in the soil is compared with the N losses from the soil's reservoir (plants' uptake, leaching) there is a negative balance for the soil nitrogen which mainly is determined by the type of soil.