Evaluation of a New Generation of Coated Fertilizers to Reduce the Leaching of Mineral Nutrients and Greenhouse Gas (N2O) Emissions

Abstract

The increased use of fertilizers in agriculture and forest and horticulture nurseries contributes to the pollution of water resources and greenhouse gas emissions. The objective of this study is to evaluate a new generation of fertilizers coated with new biodegradable polymers in terms of physical quality, release kinetics, and their effect on reducing nitrate leaching and N2O emissions and compare them to uncoated fertilizers (Urea, monoammonium phosphate (MAP), and KCl) having the same mineral nutrient concentration. In a peat-based substrate, the release of mineral nutrients was similar in both types of fertilizer. Two hours after application, Urea released 34% more urea than Biodrix N, the difference disappearing after one day. The leaching of cumulative ammonium nitrogen after 20 days was reduced by 40% and 26% respectively by Aminaex and Biodrix N compared to Urea. In a peat-based substrate containing 30% (v/v) of compost, the cumulative nitrate leaching was reduced by 54% by Biodrix N and by 41% by Aminaex compared to Urea. The highest average N2O flux was observed on the first day for Urea, whereas for Aminaex and Biodrix N, N2O emissions increased on the third day, reaching a peak of efflux on day 10. A 10-day delay of the N2O efflux emissions and a longer period of emissions were observed in treatments containing Aminaex and Biodrix N compared to Urea. Cumulative N2O efflux was 142, 154, and 171 mg m−2, respectively, for Urea, Aminaex, and Biodrix N over a 20-day period. These new biodegradable polymer-coated nitrogen fertilizers can reduce mineral nutrient leaching in the event of heavy rainfall and lower maximum N2O emissions in comparison with conventional nitrogen sources.

Enhanced-Efficiency Fertilizers Impact on Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Nitrous Oxide Emissions from an Open-Field Vegetable System in North China

“…The peak N 2 O fluxes from CK, FP, OPT, CU and CUNI treatments ranged from 9.1 to 21.7, 40.6 to 56.3, 36.3 to 54.0, 21.0 to 41.4 and 19.5 to 39.9 g N ha –1 d –1 , respectively ( Figure 3 ). The peak N 2 O fluxes of EENF treatments appeared 2–8 days later than the first N 2 O peaks of FP and OPT treatments ( Figure 3 ) due to the delayed urea hydrolysis, retarded nitrification and impeded accumulation of NO 3 − in soil via the addition of CRF and NI [ 48 , 53 ], as supported by the lower soil NH 4 + –N and NO 3 − –N contents during the early lettuce growing stage in this study ( Figure 2 ) and previous findings [ 54 , 55 ].…”

Subsurface-Applied Coated Nitrogen Fertilizer Enhanced Wheat Production by Improving Nutrient-Use Efficiency with Less Ammonia Volatilization

“…Polymer coating of the conventional N fertilizers is one of the most effective techniques for reducing N losses and enhancing nitrogen-use efficiency [42]. Benlamlih et al [43] described that biodegradable polymer coated N fertilizers reduced N 2 O and leaching losses of N under heavy rain fall events.…”

Value-Added Fertilizers Enhanced Growth, Yield and Nutrient Use Efficiency through Reduced Ammonia Volatilization Losses under Maize–Rice Cropping Cultivation

“…The addition of micronutrients and beneficial microbial strains to major nutrient sources could accelerate the crop performance due to their interaction with major nutrients and improvement in soil health [30]. It has been shown that biodegradable polymer-coated N fertilizers can reduce losses of ammonia and leaching during periods of heavy rain [31].…”