Premium
Availability of Nitrogen to Sudangrass from Ammonium‐Saturated Clinoptilolite
Author(s) -
Bartz Joan K.,
Jones Robert L.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1983.03615995004700020017x
Subject(s) - clinoptilolite , loam , ammonium , soil water , nitrogen , agronomy , zeolite , chemistry , fertilizer , environmental science , biology , soil science , biochemistry , organic chemistry , catalysis
Clinoptilolite, a zeolite and a highly selective exchanger for ammonium ions, was evaluated as an ammonium fertilizer carrier. Mill‐run clinoptilolite from Buckhorn, N. Mex., was ammonium‐saturated, then added to Flanagan (Aquic argiudoll; fine, montmorillonitic, mesic) and Cisne (Mollic albaqualf; fine, montmorillonitic, mesic) silt loam soils at levels of 0.15, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.50% zeolite by weight equivalent to fertilization rates of 71, 236, 353, and 706 mg N/pot, respectively. These amendments amount to additions of 24, 79, 110, and 235 mg N/kg soil. Flanagan and Cisne soils represent high and low native productivities, respectively. Sudangrass ( Sorghum sudanese cv. Trudan II) was grown in replicated greenhouse trials and six cuttings were made over a period of 242 d. Significant positive‐treatment effects were observed for yields and nitrogen contents of the third through sixth cuttings from the amended Flanagan soil. For all cuttings from the Cisne soil, NH 4 ‐saturated clinoptilolite significantly increased yields and nitrogen contents. Nitrogen recovery in a comparison treatment of (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 at 236 mg N/pot with N‐bearing clinoptilolite at the same N level was greater for zeolitetreated Cisne silt loam, however, recoveries were similar for the two treatments on Flanagan silt loam.