Delaying application and injecting nitrogen fertilizer with urease and nitrification inhibitors decreased nitrous oxide emissions and enhanced corn yields.

ABSTRACT: Early season nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions following nitrogen fertilizer application can be significant if spring rains lead to anaerobic conditions before the crop is established and able to utilize the applied N. However, delaying fertilizer application by 4-5 weeks after planting usually results in warmer temperatures which promote ammonia (NH₃) volatilization losses. This 3-year study on a clay loam soil compared NH₃ losses, N₂O emissions, and corn (Zea mays L.) grain yields for pre-plant urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) injection versus side-dress UAN injection using no inhibitors, a urease inhibitor, or a urease and nitrification inhibitor. Side-dress N-application resulted in 13% greater corn grain yields compared to pre-plant N application whe

SUBMITTER: Woodley AL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12431951 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep-Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature