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New fertilizer combinations for improved nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiency and reduced environmental damage in corn production

Urea and triple superphosphate (TSP) are important N and P fertilizers, respectively, but they suffer from inefficiency because of NH$ sb3$ volatilization and phytotoxicity and P fixation. Combinations of urea and TSP or KCl might improve N and P use efficiency primarily through pH changes. Mixtures of urea, TSP and KCl, either compacted or blended, were studied as to NH$ sb3$ volatilization, denitrification and P transformation in soils, and N and P use efficiency in crops. Soils studied included a Ste. Rosalie clay (Humic Gleysol), an Ormstown silty clay loam (Humic Gleysol), a Chicot sandy clay loam (Grey Browm Luvisol), a St. Bernard loam (Melanic Brunisol) and an Upland loamy sand (Humo Ferric Podzol). Triple superphosphate or KCl reduced urease activity and delayed urea hydrolysis primarily through acidification. Ammonia volatilization decreased when urea was surface-applied with TSP or KCl. The depressive effect of TSP on NH$ sb3$ volatilization was reduced and the KCl effect was increased in the soil with high exchangeable acidity. Phytotoxicity from banded urea, NO$ sb2 sp-$ accumulation and denitrification declined with added TSP. Urea hydrolysis caused a rise in pH and dissolution of organic matter in soils, and as a result, Mehlich (3) and water extractable P increased when urea were banded with TSP. Corn yield and N and P use efficiency were improved with application of mixtures of TSP and urea as compared with urea or TSP alone. Compacted mixtures of urea and TSP or KCl were superior to blended mixtures, possible because of the intimate association of fertilizer dissolution products. Compacted mixtures of urea and TSP or KCl hold promise for improved agricultural productions.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.42111
Date January 1997
CreatorsOuyang, Duosheng.
ContributorsMacKenzie, A. F. (advisor)
PublisherMcGill University
Source SetsLibrary and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation
Formatapplication/pdf
CoverageDoctor of Philosophy (Department of Natural Resource Sciences.)
RightsAll items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated.
Relationalephsysno: 001567342, proquestno: NQ30353, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest.

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