Dynamics of Nitrogen Balance Under the Influence of N-Stabilizers.

The use of nitrogen (N) stabilizers in retarding ammonia volatilization has received a lot of attention. However, limited data exists on the effect of these compounds on N transformation in the soil. The objective of this research was to determine the influence of some of the current commercially available N stabilizers on soil N cycling. Two N sources (UAN and Urea) and three stabilizers (Agrotain, Agrotain Plus, and Nutrisphere) were evaluated in six treatment combinations along with Nitamin, UAN, urea, and a 0-N control, resulting in 10 treatment combinations. Two types of soil were used, a Galestown loamy sand (Siliceous, mesic, Psammentic Hapludults) and a Mattapex Variant silt loam (Fine-silty, mixed, mesic Aquic Hapludults). Treatments were randomly assigned to the two soil types at a mass-based rate of 178 kg-N ha^-1. Samples were destructively collected 1, 7, 14, 35, and 63 d after amendment. Preliminary results indicate that soil type, N source, and stabilizer type all had significant effects on soil nitrate and ammonium concentrations.