Improving Ammonium and Nitrate Release from Urea Using Clinoptilolite Zeolite and Compost Produced from Agricultural Wastes

Abstract

Improper use of urea may cause environmental pollution through NH3 volatilization and NO3 − leaching from urea. Clinoptilolite zeolite and compost could be used to control N loss from urea by controlling NH4 + and NO3 − release from urea. Soil incubation and leaching experiments were conducted to determine the effects of clinoptilolite zeolite and compost on controlling NH4 + and NO3 − losses from urea. Bekenu Series soil (Typic Paleudults) was incubated for 30, 60, and 90 days. A soil leaching experiment was conducted for 30 days. Urea amended with clinoptilolite zeolite and compost significantly reduced NH4 + and NO3 − release from urea (soil incubation study) compared with urea alone, thus reducing leaching of these ions. Ammonium and NO3 − leaching losses during the 30 days of the leaching experiment were highest in urea alone compared with urea with clinoptilolite zeolite and compost treatments. At 30 days of the leaching experiment, NH4 + retention in soil with urea amended with clinoptilolite zeolite and compost was better than that with urea alone. These observations were because of the high pH, CEC, and other chemical properties of clinoptilolite zeolite and compost. Urea can be amended with clinoptilolite zeolite and compost to improve NH4 + and NO3 − release from urea.

Soil Nitrogen Fractions, Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Yield of Zea mays L. Grown on a Tropical Acid Soil Treated with Composts and Clinoptilolite Zeolite

“…The chemical characteristics of the rice straw and paddy husk composts are shown in Table 2 as reported by Latifah et al [11][12][13]. The composts were high in macronutrients, humic acid (HA), and ash contents but low in micronutrients and microbial counts which indicate the composts' stability, maturity, and non-toxicity [11][12][13]. The values for the other properties (shown in Table 2) are characteristic of mature composts [13].…”

“…Detailed information on how the CZ, rice straw compost, and paddy husk compost were characterized have been reported in published articles [11][12][13]. The CZ used in this study was obtained from Luxurious Empire Sdn Bhd, a fertilizer supplier in Kulai Jaya, Johor, Malaysia.…”

“…+ ions against microbial nitrification [26]. The use of rice straw and paddy husk composts affected the retention of soil total N partly because their organic matter contents were 47% and 48.6%, respectively [11]. He et al [27] reported that the organic matter content of composts resulted in slower mineralization to NH 3 or NH 4 + and NO 3 − .…”

“…Clinoptilolite zeolite is commonly used in agriculture as a soil amendment to improve nutrient retention. Applying chemical fertilizers with compost and zeolite resulted in the improvement of macronutrient uptake in maize plants, NUE, and maize ear yield [11]. The primary focus of this research was on the aspects of mineralization of organic N fractions into available forms of N upon application of different amounts of inorganic fertilizers and organic amendments (rice straw or paddy husk composts) combined with CZ in maize crop field trials.…”

Formulasi dan Pola Kelarutan N Pupuk Urea-Zeolit Lepas Lambat

“…Dengan persentase kelarutan berkisar 7,77 -58,71%. Pencampuran Zeolit, kompos dengan Urea mampu menurunkan kehilangan Urea karena retensi Zeolit terhadap amonium dan nitrat dalam tanah (Omar et al 2015), nano Zeolit mampu mengefisiensikan pemakaian Urea hingga 30-35% (Kaushik et al 2014). Bahkan untuk aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS)-Zeolit mampu mengefisiensi Urea hingga 44% (Hidayat et al 2015).…”