Transformations of N derived from fertilizer in soil and use efficiency by sugarcane grown in straw-covered soil

Author(s)

Michele Xavier Vieira Megda

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2013-06-26

Examining board members

Paulo Cesar Ocheuze Trivelin; Marcelo Andreotti; José Laercio Favarin; José Lavres Junior; Renato de Mello Prado

• Advisor: Paulo Cesar Ocheuze Trivelin

Abstract

The addition of plant residue with high C/N ratio to the soil in a \"green cane\" system affects the balance of input/output processes of N in a soil-plant-atmosphere system. Thus, the presence of straw modifies the agroecosystem requiring adjustments in management of nitrogen fertilization. Accordingly, four studies were developed to: (i) evaluate the nutritional and productive characteristics of sugarcane crops to identify the source and N rates of greater agronomic efficiency; (ii) quantify the sugarcane N recovery from fertilizers; (iii) assess the potential inhibition of chloride ion in reaction to soil nitrification, (iv) evaluate mineralization and immobilization rates of fertilizer-N and their interaction with the native soil N. We conducted a field experiment on a Typic Hapludox with sugarcane, in the 2009/2010 harvest. The experimental design was a randomized block with four replications and nine treatments with nitrogen sources: ammonium sulfate, YaraBela NitromagTM, ammonium nitrate and urea at 100 kg N ha-1, ammonium chloride at N doses: 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1 and control. Microplots were installed with application of nitrogen sources labeled 15N at 100 kg N ha-1. Nitrogen fertilizers were applied manually over straw. Subsequently, previously collected soil samples were incubated aerobically for 21 days. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications and the treatments consisted of ammonium sulfate or ammonium chloride at 100 mg N kg-1 with potassium chloride at a chlorine dose 100 or 200 mg kg-1. We also evaluated doses of ammonium chloride (50, 100, and 200 mg N kg-1). Forms of mineral-N were determined by Flow Injection Analysis (FIA) system. Soil samples were incubated aerobically for 20 weeks. The experimental design was completely randomized with three replications and six treatments, comprising a 3x2 factorial (amidic-N, ammonium- N or without N versus with or without cane residue). Nitrogen sources (enriched with 2 atom% 15N) were applied to the soil surface at a N dose of 100 mg kg-1 and residue sugarcane incorporated at 5.2 g kg-1. The N supply in ammonium chloride form resulted in decreased yield of sugar and stalks. Nitric-ammonium sources promoted higher activity of nitrate reductase in sugarcane leave; however, they did not affect total N accumulation. The sugarcane recovery of fertilizer-N was approximately 60% in early stages, dropping to about 20% near the maturity stage. The chloride ion reduced nitrate concentration in soil due to the anion action in the nitrification reaction. The sugarcane residue incorporation to the soil showed higher N immobilization rates and the use of ammonium sulfate resulted in higher N mineralization rates of native soil N compared to urea. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/10192-9 - Agronomic efficiency of nitrogen sources applied in sugarcane ratoon harvested mechanically
• Grantee: Michele Xavier Vieira Megda
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate