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Copy link Eqo.s coated fertilizer improves nitrogen efficiency
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UK, Bangor University
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Key Conclusions
- The trial work demonstrates that urea can potentially volatilize to NH₃ quickly after application, reducing nitrogen efficiency and increasing potential for nitrogen pollution.
- Using eqo.s coated nitrogen significantly reduces nitrogen losses to the environment compared with uncoated nitrogen.
- Losses of NO₃- and NH₄+ through leaching were low (non-significant), suggesting that a mature turfgrass system in a sand-based rootzone is efficient at capturing these nitrogen ions (data not presented).
- Losses of NH₃ by volatilization from eqo.s were significantly (P<0.01) reduced by 58% compared with uncoated urea, providing a calculated emission factor for eqo.s of 2.4%.
Trial Details
Trial station
UK, 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 fertilizer coating (eqo.s). A range of experiments were completed focussed on eqo.s coated controlled release fertilizer (CRF) and how use of a coated urea fertilizer 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.
Image 1. Experimental set up
Elin takes a gas sample for NO₂, CH₄ and CO₂
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 fertilizer coating (eqo.s). A range of experiments were completed focussed on eqo.s coated controlled release fertilizer (CRF) and how use of a coated urea fertilizer 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.
Image 1. Experimental set up
Elin takes a gas sample for NO₂, CH₄ and CO₂
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 volatilization 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 volatilization more is available for supporting plant growth and development. Only 2.4% of the nitrogen applied as eqo.s was lost through NH₃ volatilization, a 58% reduction from uncoated urea.
Figure 2. Cumulative NH₃ emissions over 18-day period. Values represent means ± SEM (n = 4).
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