Enhanced Efficiency Nitrogen Fertilizers Release in An Illinois Soil.

The release rates of ammonium and nitrate from applications of enhanced efficiency nitrogen fertilizers to soil is not well understood. A better knowledge of the soil processes involved with N release could allow for greater acceptance of these fertilizers. The objective of this study was to compare traditional quick release fertilizers with enhanced efficiency nitrogen fertilizers to examine their release rates. The fertilizers chosen were urea and a polymer-coated urea, which were applied to soil cores. Weekly extractions using 0.03 M potassium chloride were formed over a 10 week period to achieve release curves of the ammonium and nitrate fertilizers. Results show that there were differences between the PCU and urea fertilizers, with the PCU fertilizer exhibiting reduced levels of nitrate release throughout the study compared to the urea. It can be concluded from the study that the PCU fertilizer showed promise as a possible method of reducing N leaching and providing a more efficient fertilizer by releasing N slowly, allowing for improved nutrient absorption by plants.