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Improving DNDC model to estimate ammonia loss from urea fertilizer application in temperate agroecosystems

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Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Process-based biogeochemical models such as the DeNitrification–DeComposition (DNDC) model can provide reliable estimations of agricultural nitrogen loss, information necessary for developing better management practices. The Canadian version of the model (DNDC v.CAN) was recently developed to predict NH3 volatilization after the field application of liquid animal manure; however it did not include a mechanism for simulating soil pH buffering or fertilizer application at depth. Using published data collected from four studies in Québec, Canada, this research included the effects of urea hydrolysis and buffer capacity on soil pH in DNDC v.CAN. The improved model was tested for estimating NH3 loss after surface and incorporated urea applications. Owing to the developments, the NH3 loss estimations of the improved DNDC v.CAN model better correlated to observations in all four field studies (r = 0.95 for P ≤ 0.05) compared to the previous model versions (0.63 and 0.47 respectively). Soil pH predictions were also better correlated (r = 0.56) while the other versions had poor correlations of −0.27 and −0.33, respectively. An assessment of environmental and management factors on NH3 losses using scenario and sensitivity analyses was also carried out. The scenario assessment suggested that incorporated urea application had the highest reduction in cumulative NH3 loss and the sensitivity analysis indicated that soil pH and temperature had the greatest influence on estimates of NH3 loss under the incorporated and split scenarios. The improvements to the mechanisms regulating N losses in DNDC v.CAN will have positive implications to accurately simulate N cycling in agro-ecosystems.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the students and research professionals who assisted with the field and laboratory measurements and data handling at the research sites in Québec. This work was funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Growing Forward 2 (GF2) policy framework program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 960 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0C6, Canada

    B. Dutta, W. N. Smith, B. B. Grant & R. L. Desjardins

  2. School of Environmental Sciences, Agrometeorology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada

    K. A. Congreves

  3. Quebec Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 2560 Hochelaga Blvd., Sainte-Foy, QC, G1V 2J3, Canada

    P. Rochette & M. H. Chantigny

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  1. B. Dutta
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  2. K. A. Congreves
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Correspondence to B. Dutta.

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Dutta, B., Congreves, K.A., Smith, W.N. et al. Improving DNDC model to estimate ammonia loss from urea fertilizer application in temperate agroecosystems. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 106, 275–292 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-016-9804-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-016-9804-z

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