Efficacy of LAN compared to urea under dry conditions for maize

Transcription

1 Efficacy of LAN compared to urea under dry conditions for maize Dr Erik Adriaanse, Manager Product Development and Technical Support Introduction Nitrogen (N) is normally more efficiently utilised when applied 4 to 8 weeks after planting under high rainfall conditions compared to pre-plant applications (Grove et. al., 1980). In contrast, most N applied 2 weeks after planting showed higher yields than later applications at 5 and 9 weeks after planting under relatively dry conditions (Adriaanse and Human 1993). For applications, 2 weeks after planting a nitrate-n: ammonium-n ratio of 1:1 resulted in higher yield than a 1:0 or 0:1 ratio (Adriaanse and Human, 1993). Similarly it was demonstrated that combinations of nitrate and ammonium were better than either ammonium or nitrate on their own under field conditions (Adriaanse, 1990 and Adriaanse and Human, 1991). When LAN dissolves in soil water it is already in a 1:1 nitrate-n: ammonium-n ratio and readily available for uptake. In contrast urea is not readily available for uptake when dissolved in soil water. After hydrolysis, urea will firstly result in a 0:1 nitrate- N: ammonium-n ratio and only after nitrification will more ammonium be converted to nitrate. The time period for these processes to take place may vary from a few days to several weeks. Low temperatures, wet conditions and low soil ph will delay these processes. In addition urea is more toxic, leaches more and is more volatile compared to LAN (Adriaanse 2012a). Many studies have shown better yield responses to LAN compared to urea in long term trials over years as well as over different localities (Adriaanse, 2012a, Adriaanse 2012b, Mangle and Hawkins, 1995, Levington Agriculture, 2009, ITGC, 2004, Avails, 1998). The objectives of this study under a particular dry season were to determine: 1. The optimum timing of N-applications. 2. The efficacy of LAN compared to urea applied 3 weeks before planting, at planting and 3 weeks after planting over different N-rates as knifed in side dressings. 3. To determine the efficacy of LAN compared to urea at different N-rates over time treatments. Materials and Methods Research done by the ARC-GCI in the Viljoenskroon district was carried out over a three year period from 1998 to 2000 on the same plots. The long term annual rainfall average for this area was 592 mm. The soil was from the Avalon form (RSA) or Luvisol (international) containing a soft plinthic layer, varying in depth from 1.2 m to 1.7 m. The soil clay content for different depth increments was 9.1 % from 0 to 15 cm, 10.4 % from 15 to 30 cm and 16.0 % from 30 to 60 cm. Under these specific conditions nitrogen will leach to reach the water in the water table, but it will also move upwards with the water table. Leaching of nitrogen is

2 therefore restricted and movement of water in the sub soil is also much slower due to the higher clay content. Every year the trial was preceded by a rip on row tillage practise to a depth of 0.6 to 0.7 m. Treatments consisted of five N rates (35 to 175 kg N/ha, three application times (before, at and after planting) and two N sources (LAN and urea) plus two controls (0 kg N/ha). Treatments were arrangement in a factorial combination and a randomised block design with two replications. Applications were either, three weeks before, at or after planting, 10 to 15 cm from the row, at a depth of 10 cm, manually by hand. Except for the control, 20 kg N/ha of each N rate was applied in the form of LAN together with 30 kg P/ha (Triple Superphosphate 20%) and 30 kg K/ha (Potassium Chloride) 5 cm away and 5 cm deeper than the seed with a specialised planter at planting. The maize cultivar PANNAR 6479 was planted at row widths of 1.5 m on 18/12/97, 23/11/98 and 5/12/99 to effective plant densities of 26514, en plants/ha respectively for the three seasons. Only results from the last season s planting were selected due to a particular interest in effects of a dry spell that occurred after planting. Treatment effects over seasons have been reported previously (Adriaanse 2012a, Adriaanse 2012b). Rainfall Rainfall distribution differences between seasons are presented in Table 1. Total rain for the growing period of the first season (1997/98) was the lowest followed by the second season (1998/99) and then highest for the third season (1999/00). The first effective rain did however come much later after planting for the last season compared to the previous seasons. In addition the quantity of first effective rain, maximum rain within 30 days after planting and total rainfall for a 30 day period after planting were much lower for the last season compared to the first two seasons. Only results from the last season were selected for further discussion. Table 1: Rainfall distribution differences between seasons( ARC-GCI, Research Report, 2000). Season Timing of first effective(> 10 mm) rain (Days after planting) Quantity of first effective rain Maximum rainfall within 30 day period after planting Total rainfall for 30 day period after planting Seasonal total rainfall for 132 days after planting 1997/ / / Results and discussion Timing of N-applications The application of both N-sources 3 weeks after planting was most effective followed by applications before planting and then followed by applications at planting which was much

3 Yield (kg/ha) less effective (Figure 1). This trend was similar to responses over seasons, as was previously reported (Adriaanse, 2012a; Adriaanse, F. G., 2012b.) except for LAN which performed better when applied at planting than before planting over seasons. LAN compared to urea for time treatments over N-rates LAN was more effective than urea over N-rates particularly for applications at planting but also for before and after planting applications (Figure1). A yield difference between LAN and urea of as much as 3.2 ton/ha for applications at planting was observed (Figure 1). Ammonia toxicity due to the band placement of urea at row widths of 1.5 m, which resulted in high concentrations of urea under very dry conditions, was probably largely responsible for this. A lack of adequate rain after planting would also have resulted in a reduction in vertical spread of urea and thus would have concentrated it even more. Ammonia volatilization from a depth of 10 cm in a sandy soil could also have contributed to this negative result from concentrated urea. The risk of a yield loss due to a dry spell after planting will clearly be significantly reduced when LAN is used in preference to urea (Figure 1). Delaying N-applications until 3 weeks after planting was also significantly better than applying all N at planting for both N-sources (Figure 1). LAN applications, 3 weeks after planting, were also significantly better than urea applications before planting (Figure 1) LSD (0.05) = 687 kg/ha LAN Urea Before Planting At Planting After Planting Time of N-applications Figure 1. Yield responses to times of applications for the 1999/2000 season averaged over N-rates (ARC-GCI, Research Report, 2000). LAN compared to urea for N-rates over time of application On average LAN was more effective than urea over time of application (Figure 2). Band placed urea-n applications > 15 kg/ha (35 minus 20 kg N/ha in the plant mixture) resulted in much lower yields than for LAN at comparable N-rates (Figure 2). Yield at 155 kg LAN-N/ha was 3.0 ton/ha more than with urea at the same N-rate (Figure 2). This difference is mostly

4 Yield (kg/ha) ascribed to ammonia toxicity effects and possibly also ammonia volatilisation resulting from concentrated urea applications LAN Urea N-Rate (kg/ha) Figure 2. Yield responses to N-rates averaged over times of application for the 1999/2000 season. At planting 20 kg N/ha of each N-rate, except the control was applied as LAN in the plant mixture (ARC-GCI, Research Report, 2000). Conclusions N-topdressings, 3 weeks after planting will be more effective than applications before planting but also much more effective than N-applications at planting for both N- sources. Higher yields for LAN compared to urea is expected over N-rates when applied before planting, at planting and after planting. The difference was most pronounced for applications at planting (Higher yields for LAN compared to urea = 3.2 ton/ha = 177% for applications at planting). Responses to band placed N-rates were much better for LAN compared to urea at > 15 kg N/ha over time treatments. (Higher yields for LAN compared to urea = 3.0 ton/ha = 88% at 155 kg N/ha) References The risk of considerable yield loss due to a dry spell after planting is much higher when urea is used as the main band placed N-source compared to LAN. This is applicable to different times of applications but also over time treatments from relatively low N-rates. ADRIAANSE F.G., Effects of nitrate: ammonium ratios, times of application and prolificacy on nitrogen response of Zea mays L. Ph. D. University of the Free State.

5 ADRIAANSE, F. G., & HUMAN J.J., The effects of nitrate: ammonium ratios and dicyandiamide on the nitrogen response of Zea Mays L. in a high rainfall area on an acid soil. Plant and Soil 135, ADRIAANSE, F. G., 2012a, Efficacy and application of nitrogen sources. The Fertilizer Society of South Africa Journal. ADRIAANSE, F. G., 2012b. KAN of ureum : voor-plant, met-plant of na-plant S A Graan/Grain. 5/12. ADRIAANSE, F. G., & HUMAN J.J., Effect of time of application and nitrate: ammonium ratios on maize grain yield, grain N concentration and soil mineral N concentration in a semi-arid region. Field Crops Research 34, AVAILS, 1998, Official advisory service, France GROVE, T.L., RITCHEY, K.D.& NADERMAN, G.C.,1980. Nitrogen fertilization of maize on an oxisol of the Cerrado of Brazil. AGRON. J.,72: MANGIE & HAWKINS, Penchant Manual. Purdue University, West Lafayette Indiana, USA. ITGC, Instituto Técnicode Gestión del Cereal, Spain. LEVINGTON AGRICULTURE UK, In M. Basten. Fertiliser quality and the environment. The Fertilizer Society of South Africa Journal, For more information contact Sasol Fertilisers at or fertiliser@sasol.com Note: Consult a qualified agronomist for locality specific applications. The results referred to in this article were obtained under specific conditions and are therefore not generally applicable under all conditions.