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Effect of Atrazine on Soil Transformations of Nitrogen and Uptake by Corn
Author(s) -
Cervelli Stefano,
Ciardi Carlo,
Perna Amalia
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1982.00472425001100010020x
Subject(s) - atrazine , chemistry , urea , nitrogen , urease , zoology , agronomy , environmental chemistry , human fertilization , zea mays , pesticide , biology , biochemistry , organic chemistry
The influence of different rates of atrazine (2‐chloro‐4‐[ethylamino]‐6‐[isopropylamino]‐ s ‐triazine) (0,2, and 6 kg ha −1 ) on nitrogen balance and soil urease following 15 N‐urea fertilization (200 kg ha −1 ) was investigated in corn ( Zea mays L.) plots by emission spectrometry. Urease activity was affected by both urea and atrazine applications. Concentrations of NH 4 + ‐N and NO 3 − ‐N in soil were greater at the highest herbicide rate. Organic N buildup was slower in plots that received atrazine at the highest rate, but at the end of the cropping season the total amount of organic N was similar for all treatments. Nitrogen losses, as determined by an N balance sheet, were 51, 32, and 22% of added N in the plots treated with 0, 2, and 6 kg ha −1 of atrazine, respectively. The main role of organic N in the N cycle of the soil‐plant environment in the presence of atrazine is suggested.