Effects of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) straw and its biochar application on NH₃ volatilization and N use efficiency in a drip-irrigated cotton field

Abstract

Reducing ammonia (NH 3) volatilization is a practical way to increase nitrogen (N) fertilizer use efficiency (NUE). In this field study, soil was amended once with either cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) straw (6 t ha −1) or its biochar (3.7 t ha −1) unfertilized (0 kg N ha −1) or fertilized (450 kg N ha −1), and then soil inorganic N concentration and distribution, NH 3 volatilization, cotton yield and NUE were measured during the next two growing seasons. In unfertilized plots, NH 3 volatilization losses in the strawamended and biochar-amended treatments were 38-40% and 42-46%, respectively, less than that in control (i.e., unamended soil) during the two growing seasons. In the fertilized plots, NH 3 volatilization losses in the straw-amended and biochar-amended treatments were 30-39% and 43-54%, respectively, less than that in the control. Straw amendment increased inorganic N concentrations, cotton yield, cotton N uptake and NUE during the first cropping season after application, but not during the second. In contrast, biochar increased cotton N uptake and NUE during both the first and the second cropping seasons after application. Furthermore, the effects of biochar on cotton N uptake and NUE were greater in the second year than in the first year. These results indicate that cotton straw and cotton straw biochar can both reduce NH 3 volatilization and also increase cotton yield, N uptake and NUE. In addition, the positive effects of one application of cotton straw biochar were more long-lasting than those of cotton straw.

Modeling the biogeochemical effects of rotation pattern and field management practices in a multi-crop (cotton, wheat, maize) rotation system: a case study in northern China

“…For the simulations of other nitrogen losses from the cotton field, the NH 3 volatilization and NO 3 − leaching accounted for 18−24% and 6−13%, respectively, of the applied fertilizer nitrogen during the 2-year period used for model validation. These loss rates were comparable with the field measurements of 10−23% for NH 3 volatilization (Li et al, 2016) and…”

Using a modified DNDC biogeochemical model to optimize field management of a multi-crop (cotton, wheat, and maize) system: a site-scale case study in northern China

“…The simulated NH 3 volatilization from the cotton field accounted for 18 %-24 % of the applied fertilizer nitrogen during the two year-round periods involved in the model validation. These simulated nitrogen loss rates via NH 3 volatilization were comparable with the reported field measurements of 10 %-23 % (Li et al, 2016).…”

Nitrogen Contributions from Peanut Residues to Subsequent Crops

“…Soil microorganisms also compete with roots for available N, representing another pathway by which N derived from residues becomes unavailable. Considering the different pathways by which N becomes unavailable to plants, it is not surprising that N use efficiency (NUE) by cereals and cotton is estimated to be only 33-44% (Li et al 2016;Raun and Johnson 1999). The amount of peanut residue N actually used by winter cereals or spring-sown crops such as cotton is likely insufficient to increase yields.…”