Ammonia volatilization, nitrous oxide emissions, and corn yields as influenced by nitrogen placement and enhanced efficiency fertilizers

Abstract

Ensuring sufficient fertilizer nitrogen (N) for crops while minimizing N losses requires best management practices optimized for climate, crop, soil, and root zone hydrology. In Ontario, pre-plant N fertilization of corn (Zea mays L.) is common; however, this practice extends the time between application and significant root interception of N by the plant, potentially increasing the risk of N loss through soil nitrous oxide emissions, ammonia (NH3) volatilization, and nitrate leaching. These losses contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, affect air quality (NH3), and are a substantial financial loss. This study compared three N placement methods (broadcast urea [BrUrea], broadcast incorporated urea [BrIncUrea], and injected urea ammonium nitrate [InjUAN]) and the presence or absence of N metabolite inhibitors (urease inhibitor [UI], urease plus nitrification inhibitor [UI+NI]). Fertilizer N was applied immediately before planting (150 kg N ha−1) to all treatments except for the control. Averaged over 3 yr (2015–2017), NH3 losses were reduced by 34% from BrIncUrea, by 42–55% from BrUrea+UI+NI and BrIncUrea+UI+NI, and by 99% from InjUAN relative to BrUrea (21 kg N ha−1). On average, N application increased corn grain yields by 83% relative to the control (6 t ha−1). There were no annual yield differences among N placement methods. It was concluded that incorporation or injection of N in soil and use of urease and nitrification inhibitors reduced NH3 emissions when N fertilizer was applied pre-plant.