Impacts of N-stabilizers and biochar on nitrogen losses, nitrogen phytoavailability, and cotton yield in poultry litter-fertilized soils

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-2018

Abstract

Poultry litter (PL) serves as a multi-nutrient fertilizer. However, compared to inorganic fertilizers, PL requires high rate of application to meet crop nutrient requirements due to relatively low concentration and easy loss of nutrients. A 4-yr field experiment was conducted with cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to examine the effect of the N-stabilizers [N-(n-butyl) thio-phosphoric triamide (NBPT) and dicyandiamide (DCD)], and pine hardwood biochar (PBC) on minimizing N-losses through NH3 volatilization and N2O emissions, plant nutrient content and agronomic yield in PL applied soils. Application of NBPT to PL was evaluated at 1, 2, and 4 kg ha–1, and NBPT+DCD at 0.22 kg NBPT+2.72 kg DCD and 0.44 kg NBPT+5.44 kg DCD ha–1 with PL only and untreated control treatments. PBC applied to PL was evaluated at 2 and 4 Mg ha–1 along with PBC only at 4 Mg ha–1. The results showed that N-stabilizers were useful in mitigating PL N-losses via reducing NH3 volatilization and N2O emissions by up to 12 and 64%, respectively, compared to PL only treatment. N-stabilizers also improved plant tissue-N content by up to 5.5% and cotton yields by about 6% over PL treatment. The application of NBPT at 2 kg ha–1 with PL produced higher cotton yield along with lower N losses. For NBPT+DCD, 0.44 kg NBPT+5.44 kg DCD ha–1 with PL performed better than 0.22 kg NBPT+2.72 kg DCD ha–1. PBC was effective in reducing N-losses through NH3 volatilization and N2O emissions, compared to PL and the untreated control. However, PBC led to reduced N-availability to plants, as evidenced by lower tissue N-content and lower cotton yields.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Agronomy Journal

First Page

2016

Last Page

2024

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