Ammonia Losses from Fertilized Nebraska Soils¹

Abstract

Synopsis Field experiments with different crops in Nebraska often have shown a low efficiency of surface applied N fertilizer, especially when broadcasting was done in the fall. As partial explanation, laboratory and greenhouse studies of this problem showed substantial ammonia evolution from fertilized soil particularly with neutral to alkaline soil reaction, with surface application of the fertilizer and with limited moisture. Losses were greatest with urea and urea‐containing materials among the N salts studied. A surface residue accentuated ammonia volatilization, especially with N solution containing urea.