Production and evaluation of the efficiency of urea enriched with additives for the control of nitrogen release

Author(s)

Ioná Rech

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2014-01-21

Examining board members

Paulo Sergio Pavinato; Henrique Coutinho Junqueira Franco; Jose Carlos Polidoro

• Advisor: Paulo Sergio Pavinato

Abstract

Due to the importance of increasing the agronomic efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers and the increasing fertilizer costs in agricultural production, the aim of this study was to develop urea-based formulations of nitrogen fertilizer with the addition of urease inhibitors (NBPT, Cu, B), elemental sulfur and clay minerals of the zeolite group, composing beads internally to minimize N losses by volatilization and leaching of ammonium and nitrate. The first experiment was conducted in greenhouse from January to March 2013 in the Department of Soil Science of ESALQ, where was assessed ten formulations produced in the Fertilizer Technology Laboratory of Embrapa Solos and some commercial fertilizers (FH Nitro Mais®, FH Nitro Gold®, Super N®, ammonium sulfate and urea). PVC columns with 15 cm in diameter and 45 cm in height were assembled and filled with soil samples of Latossolo Vermelho Amarelo medium-texture. Ammonia volatilization was determined using a semiopen static chamber installed on the top of columns. Evaluation of nitrate and ammonium leaching was taken at the end of the volatilization experiment by water percolation, simulating a rain of 15 mm for 4 consecutive days. Furthermore, soil samples were collected at 0-10, 10- 20 and 20-45 cm depth layers in order to determine the concentration of ammonium and nitrate accumulated in the profile. Another experiment, conducted in greenhouse from April to May of 2013, was carried out to test N use efficiency by corn plants with four produced formulations and three commercial fertilizers which obtained the lowest N losses by volatilization, including urea and a control treatment, being assessed N accumulated and dry matter produced by corn grown in pots with a volume of 6 kg. The formulations produced with urease inhibitor alone (NBPT, B, Cu) embedded in beads and those inhibitors combined with the clay mineral showed greater efficiency in reducing losses by volatilization compared to commercial coated fertilizer with the same inhibitors. Ammonium and nitrate leaching and soil accumulation showed no significant differences between produced formulations and commercial fertilizers. The N accumulation in corn plants grown with the new formulations was similar to commercial fertilizer, being higher to commercial urea. However, it is clear that the incorporation of a urease inhibitor in urea fertilizer is more efficient in the reduction of losses by volatilization compared to coated fertilizers produced with the same additives. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/11442-1 - PRODUCTION AND EFFICIENCY EVALUATION OF UREA WITH ADDITIVES FOR NITROGEN CONTROL RELEASE
• Grantee: Ioná Rech
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master