Ammonia volatilization from blends with stabilized and controlled-released urea in the coffee system

Abstract

Application of stabilized and controlled-release urea blends can reduce the losses of N-NH3 as compared to conventional urea. The aim of this study was to quantify ammonia volatilization from conventional nitrogen fertilizers and blends of urea + (urea + NBPT) + controlled release urea applied in drip irrigated coffee system. The experiment was conducted under field conditions in in a Red Latosol located in Lavras-MG, Brazil. The randomized complete block design with six treatments: Urea = 450 kg ha-1 yr-1 N (100% of the recommended dose) divided in three splittings equal to 150 kg ha-1 N with an interval of 50 days; ammonium nitrate = 450 kg ha-1 yr-1 N (100% of the recommended dose) in three splittings equal to 150 kg ha-1 N with an interval of 50 days; Polyblen Extend®-100%= 450 kg ha-1 yr-1 (100% of the recommended dose) applied in two splittings, 315 kg ha-1 N in the 1º split and 135 kg ha-1 N in the 2º split; Polyblen Extend®-70% = 315 kg ha-1 yr-1 N (70% of the recommended dose) in two splittings, 220.5 kg ha-1 N in the 1º split and 94.5 kg ha-1 N in the 2º split; Polyblen Montanha®-100% = 450 kg ha-1 yr-1 (100% of the recommended dose) in an unique application in the 1º split and Polyblen Montanha®-70% = 315 kg ha-1 yr-1 N (70% of the recommended dose) at an unique application in the 1º split, with three repetitions. Total accumulated N-NH3 losses followed the decreasing order: Urea (83.2 kg ha-1 N) > Polyblen Extend® - 100% (60.3 kg ha-1 N) > Polyblen Montanha® - 100% (46.8 kg ha-1 N) > Polyblen Extend® - 70% (35.1 kg ha-1 N) > Polyblen Montanha® - 70% (24.2 kg ha-1 N) > nitrate ammonium (2.0 kg ha-1 N ). The use of Polyblen Montanha® decreases two splittings compared to conventional sources such as urea and ammonium nitrate, by applying only 70% of the recommended dose without affecting yield and coffee crop nutrition.