Improving ammonium and nitrate release from urea using clinoptilolite zeolite and compost produced from agricultural wastes

Abstract

Improper use of urea may cause environmental pollution through NH 3 volatilization and NO 3 - leaching from urea. Clinoptilolite zeolite and compost could be used to control N loss from urea by controlling NH 4 + and NO 3 - release from urea. Soil incubation and leaching experiments were conducted to determine the effects of clinoptilolite zeolite and compost on controlling NH 4 + and NO 3 - losses from urea. Bekenu Series soil (Typic Paleudults) was incubated for 30, 60, and 90 days. A soil leaching experiment was conducted for 30 days. Urea amended with clinoptilolite zeolite and compost significantly reduced NH 4 + and NO 3 - release from urea (soil incubation study) compared with urea alone, thus reducing leaching of these ions. Ammonium and NO 3 - leaching losses during the 30 days of the leaching experiment were highest in urea alone compared with urea with clinoptilolite zeolite and compost treatments. At 30 days of the leaching experiment, NH 4 + retention in soil with urea amended with clinoptilolite zeolite and compost was better than that with urea alone. These observations were because of the high pH, CEC, and other chemical properties of clinoptilolite zeolite and compost. Urea can be amended with clinoptilolite zeolite and compost to improve NH 4 + and NO 3 - release from urea.