Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The influence of sward mass, defoliation and watering on ammonia volatilization losses from an Italian ryegrass sward topdressed with urea

  • Published:
Fertilizer research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Using intact pasture sods with 0.15m2 surface area and sealed in volatilization chambers, the influence of the mass of herbage on the ammonia volatilization losses following a surface application of urea was determined. Ammonia volatilization loss increased as sward mass decreased. This effect was still evident in poorly established pastures.

Under drying conditions the timing of defoliation and water applications relative to the application of urea was also shown to influence ammonia volatilization patterns and magnitude of loss. Delaying defoliation promotes a reduction in ammonia volatilization losses while delayed watering resulted in increased losses.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Denmead OT, Freney JR and Simpson JR (1976) A closed ammonia cycle within a plant canopy. Soil Biol Biochem 8: 161–164

    Google Scholar 

  2. Harper LA, Catchpoole VR, Davis R and Weir KL (1983) Ammonia volatilization: Soil, plant, and microclimate effects on diurnal and seasonal fluctuations. Soil Sci Soc Am J 75: 212–218

    Google Scholar 

  3. Hoult EH, Barlow EWR and McGarity JW (1974) Air temperature control in nitrogen volatilization chambers. Pl Soil 40: 413–416

    Google Scholar 

  4. Hoult EH and McGarity JW (1978) Predicting fertilizer interception by swards. J Br Grassld Soc 33: 57–60

    Google Scholar 

  5. Hoult EH and McGarity JW (1986) Distribution of urease in a pasture sward. Pl Soil 93: 359–366.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Hutchinson GL, Millington RJ and Peters, DB (1972) Atmospheric ammonia: Absorption by plant leaves. Science 175: 771–772

    Google Scholar 

  7. Martin JP and Chapman HD (1951) Volatilization of ammonia from surface-fertilized soils. Soil Sci 71: 25–34

    Google Scholar 

  8. McGarity JW and Hoult EH (1971) The plant component as a factor in ammonium volatilization from pasture swards. J Br Grassld Soc 26: 31–34

    Google Scholar 

  9. Sherlock RR and Goh KM (1985) Dydnamics of ammonia volatilization from simulated urine patches and aqueous urea applied to pasture. III. Field verification of a simplified model. Fert Res 6: 23–36

    Google Scholar 

  10. Yamada Y, Wittwer sHG and Bukovac MJ (1965) Penetration of organic compounds through isolated cuticular membranes with special reference to14C urea. Plant Physiol 40: 170–175

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Soil Science, Department of Agronomy and Soil Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia

    E. H. Hoult & J. W. McGarity

Authors
  1. E. H. Hoult
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. W. McGarity
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hoult, E.H., McGarity, J.W. The influence of sward mass, defoliation and watering on ammonia volatilization losses from an Italian ryegrass sward topdressed with urea. Fertilizer Research 13, 199–207 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01066444

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01066444

Key words

Search

Navigation