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Copy link Reduced nitrogen loss
Bangor University 2024
Key Conclusions
The study showed that eqo.s coated nitrogen significantly reduced nitrogen lost to the environment, including a 58% decrease in NH₃ volatilisation compared to uncoated urea, and indicated that mature turfgrass systems efficiently capture nitrogen ions, thereby enhancing nitrogen efficiency and minimising potential pollution.
Objective
To investigate the nitrogen use efficiency benefits of a new biodegradable controlled release fertiliser coating (eqo.s).
Trial Details
Trial station
Bangor University
Assessments
Measurements of cumulative NH₃ emissions
Treatments
One year of laboratory and glasshouse trials completed at Bangor University Environment Centre Wales under the supervision of Professor Dave Chadwick allowed MRes candidate Elin Thompson to complete her Masters on nitrogen use efficiency benefits of a new biodegradable controlled release fertiliser coating (eqo.s).
A range of experiments were completed focussed on eqo.s coated controlled release fertiliser (CRF) and how use of a coated urea fertiliser reduces losses of N and improves nitrogen use efficiency.
A bench scale ammonia emission experiment was completed which captured NH₃ from an established Lolium perenne sward growing in a 90:10 (sand:soil) sports turf rootzone. Applications of uncoated urea were compared with applications of coated urea (eqo.s) at a rate of 100 kg N/ha equivalent.
Treatments
One year of laboratory and glasshouse trials completed at Bangor University Environment Centre Wales under the supervision of Professor Dave Chadwick allowed MRes candidate Elin Thompson to complete her Masters on nitrogen use efficiency benefits of a new biodegradable controlled release fertiliser coating (eqo.s).
A range of experiments were completed focussed on eqo.s coated controlled release fertiliser (CRF) and how use of a coated urea fertiliser reduces losses of N and improves nitrogen use efficiency.
A bench scale ammonia emission experiment was completed which captured NH₃ from an established Lolium perenne sward growing in a 90:10 (sand:soil) sports turf rootzone. Applications of uncoated urea were compared with applications of coated urea (eqo.s) at a rate of 100 kg N/ha equivalent.
Results
A large pulse of NH₃ was measured from the uncoated urea treatment over the first 96 hours (figure 1) clearly demonstrating how urea can transform quickly to NH₃ on application to turf. eqo.s coated urea showed NH₃ volatilisation to a much lower extent, rising more slowly to 72 hours and then remaining relatively consistent for the duration of the experiment (18 days).
Figure 1. NH₃ emissions over a 18-day period from 2 fertiliser treatments. Values represent means ± SEM (n = 4).
An examination of the cumulative NH₃ emissions clearly illustrates the difference between uncoated and coated urea over the 18 day experimental period (figure 2), the NH₃ release from urea happens quickly and then evens off as the N source solubilises, whereas eqo.s coated urea shows a significantly (P<0.01) lower NH₃ emission, linearly increasing over the experimental period. With less nitrogen lost to volatilisation more is available for supporting plant growth and development. Only 2.4% of the nitrogen applied as eqo.s was lost through NH₃ volatilisation, a 58% reduction from uncoated urea.
Figure 2. Cumulative NH₃ emissions over 18-day period. Values represent means ± SEM (n = 4).
