Summary
This field study used 15N stable isotope labelling to track the fate of ammonium nitrate fertiliser applied to irrigated maize, with and without DMPSA, a nitrification inhibitor. The research examined how DMPSA affects nitrogen partitioning between crop uptake, soil pools, and gaseous losses. The findings contribute to understanding whether this inhibitor can improve nitrogen use efficiency and reduce environmental losses in intensive cereal systems.
UK applicability
Direct relevance to UK maize production is limited, as irrigation is less common in the United Kingdom; however, findings on nitrification inhibitor efficacy may inform fertiliser recommendations for high-input arable systems and nitrogen loss mitigation strategies applicable to UK cereals under wetter conditions.
Key measures
15N isotope tracing; nitrogen recovery in plant biomass; soil mineral nitrogen content; likely nitrous oxide and dinitrogen gas emissions; nitrification rates
Outcomes reported
The study tracked the fate of 15N-labelled ammonium nitrate in irrigated maize, comparing nitrogen cycling and losses with and without the nitrification inhibitor DMPSA. As suggested by the title, the research likely measured nitrogen partitioning between plant uptake, soil retention, and gaseous losses (as nitrous oxide or dinitrogen).
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