The effect of nitrification inhibitors on nitrous oxide flux from haplic luvisol soil of DASA® 26/13 and ENSIN® fertilisers in a laboratory experiment

T. Šima¹,*, L. Nozdrovický¹, K. Krištof¹, M. Dubeňová² and J. Krupička³

¹Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Machines and Production Systems, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovak Republic; *Correspondence: tomasko.sima@gmail.com 2Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Production Engineering, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovak Republic 3Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Agricultural Machines, Kamýcká 129, 16521 Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract:

The aim of the paper was to compare the effects of two very similar fertilisers on nitrous oxide (N2O) flux from soil to the atmosphere in laboratory conditions. The following fertilisers were used: granulated nitrogenous fertiliser DASA® 26/13 with the nitrogen content of 26%, sulphur content of 13%, and nitrogen fertiliser ENSIN® with the nitrogen content of 26%, sulphur content of 13% and nitrification inhibitors dicyandiamide DCD and 1, 2, 4-triazole (TZ). Both fertilisers are produced by the same manufacturer, DUSLO, Inc., Šala, Slovakia. For both fertilisers, there variants of experiments were carried out for application rates equivalent to 0, 250 and 500 kg ha-1. The amount of the N2O emissions released from soil to the atmosphere was measured by a photo-acoustic field gas monitor INNOVA 1412 connected to a multipoint sampler INNOVA 1309. The experiments were conducted for 30 days in laboratory conditions. The fertiliser was incorporated into the soil in sampling tubes to a depth of 80 mm after 24 hours of measurement. Subsequently, after every 24 hours of measurement, another 48 hours was carried out, and this measuring cycle was repeated 10 times. The results of our experiment have confirmed that the fertiliser application rate and type of the fertiliser used have a significant effect on N2O flux and have confirmed the importance of accurate and uniform application of fertilisers in field conditions in order to eliminate the negative environmental effects.

Key words:

application rate., fertilising, nitrification inhibitors., nitrous oxide, soil emissions

Effect of nitrification inhibitors on fertiliser particle size distribution of the DASA® 26/13 and ENSIN® fertilisers

T. Šima¹,*, J. Krupička² and L. Nozdrovický³

1,3Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Faculty of Engineering,Department of Machines and Production Systems, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra,Slovak Republic; *Correspondence: tomasko.sima@gmail.com
²Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Engineering, Departmentof Agricultural Machines, Kamýcká 129, 16521 Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract:

Effectiveness of the spinning disc fertiliser spreaders is affected by the physicalproperties of the fertiliser. One of the most important factors is the fertiliser particle-sizedistribution which depends upon the size of the fertiliser particles. The aim of the paper wascomparison of two very similar fertilisers from the same manufacturer DUSLO, Inc. usinggranulated nitrogen fertiliser with sulphur content DASA® 26/13 and nitrogen fertiliserENSIN® containing sulphur and nitrification inhibitors dicyandiamide DCD and 1, 2, 4 triazole– TZ. Comparison was done by evaluation of the particle-size distribution of the fertiliserseparated at first in the vertical air flow by K-293 Laboratory screening machine with steeplyincreasing flow speed. The airflow speed was regulated by airflow volume from 60 to 150 m3 h-1. Secondary separation was done by sieve screening of the samples by Haver EML digital plusTest Sieve Shaker. Sieves with square holes with dimensions 1 mm, 2 mm, 3.15 mm, 5 and10 mm were used. Both fertilisers meet the requirements of the manufacturer for grain-sizedistribution. Air flow separation shows higher variability of weight of the ENSIN fertiliserparticles in comparison with DASA fertiliser. Air flow 130 m3 h-1 separated all the particles ofDASA fertiliser. To separate all ENSIN® particles there was used air flow to 150 m3 h-1. Thesedifferences affect the quality of work of the spinning disc fertiliser spreader and cause non-uniformity in the field distribution of fertiliser which has negative environmental andeconomical effects.

Key words: