Effect of nitrification inhibitors on fertiliser particle size distribution of the DASA® 26/13 and ENSIN® fertilisers
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:
airflow, fertiliser, nitrification inhibitors., particle, sorting