Nitrification of urea and its loss through volatilization of ammonia under different soil conditions

Abstract

Nitrification of urea and its loss through the volatilization of NH3 were studied under different soil conditions. Under all conditions less urea was nitrified and more time was needed for its nitrification in sandy than in sandy loam soil. Nitrification was favoured at lower concentration of urea, onethird moisture of the moisture-holding capacity and at neutrality or the alkaline pH.Loss of NH3 was found to be twice as much from the sandy loam as from the sandy soil. It was also found that half of the total loss occurred during first drying. Loss of NH3 from urea was found to be proportional to its concentration. The loss increased with the increase in soil moisture and temperature; but it decreased with the decrease in pH on the acid side and the increase in depth of its placement.