Value of copper, zinc, and oxidized charcoal for increasing forage efficiency of urea N uptake

Guimaraes, GGF; Mulvaney, RL; Cantarutti, RB; Teixeira, BC; Vergutz, L

HERO ID

3427747

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2016

HERO ID 3427747
In Press No
Year 2016
Title Value of copper, zinc, and oxidized charcoal for increasing forage efficiency of urea N uptake
Authors Guimaraes, GGF; Mulvaney, RL; Cantarutti, RB; Teixeira, BC; Vergutz, L
Journal Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment
Volume 224
Page Numbers 157-165
Abstract Volatilization losses reduce the efficiency of surface-applied urea for crop N uptake, and can be controlled using urease inhibitors to retard hydrolysis or by the presence of other amendments that enhance retention of NH4+ formed by urea hydrolysis. A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of oxidized charcoal (OCh; 150 g kg(-1) fertilizer) applied with or without Cu and/or Zn (similar to 0.5-2 g kg(-1) fertilizer), and of Cu and/or Zn applied without OCh, for increasing uptake of urea N-15 by a common tropical pasture grass, capim-Mombasa (Panicum maximum Jacq. Cv. Mombasa), grown on a coarse-textured Oxisol. Cuttings were collected 5, 14, 28, 42, and 56 days after surface placement of amended or unamended urea pellets to estimate dry matter production, total N uptake, and N-15 recovery. Soil sampling was carried out in conjunction with the first and fourth cuts to evaluate exchangeable NH4+ and NO3- concentrations. At the concentrations studied, OCh was more effective than Cu and/or Zn for prolonging NH4+-N availability in urea-treated soil; however, OCh alone or in combination with Zn and Cu had no effect on biomass production or N recovery and can safely be eliminated as a useful option for pasture improvement. The most promising amendment was Zn, which significantly increased total N uptake and the efficiency of urea N fertilization. The use of Zn in conjunction with urea has practical potential to improve forage production on tropical soils. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Doi 10.1016/j.agee.2016.03.036
Wosid WOS:000375809900017
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Keyword Forage production; Urease inhibitors; N-15; Zn fertilization; Zn-N synergism