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Related Concept Videos

Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism01:20

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Nitrogen is a very important element for life because it is a major constituent of proteins and nucleic acids. It is a macronutrient, and in nature, it is recycled from organic compounds and stored in the form of  ammonia, ammonium ions, nitrate, nitrite, or  nitrogen gas by many metabolic processes. Many of these metabolic processes are carried out only by prokaryotes.
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Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
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Moderation of nitrogen availability through the application of pyrolyzed and unpyrolyzed organic materials in saline water irrigated soil.

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Calibrated Passive Sampling - Multi-plot Field Measurements of NH3 Emissions with a Combination of Dynamic Tube Method and Passive Samplers
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Biochar and urea co-application regulates nitrogen availability in soil.

Debomita Dey1, Manpreet S Mavi2

  • 1Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004, Ludhiana, India. debomitadey26@gmail.com.

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
|May 5, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Adding biochar (pyrolyzed biomass) with urea fertilizer significantly reduces nitrogen loss from soil. This method moderates nitrogen mineralization, making nutrients available to plants for longer periods and mitigating environmental impacts.

Keywords:
Biochar co-applied with ureaN-fertilizerN-mineralizationPyrolysed biomassUrease activity

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Area of Science:

  • Soil Science
  • Environmental Science
  • Agronomy

Background:

  • Nitrogenous fertilizers, particularly urea, contribute to environmental pollution via nitrogen (N) losses.
  • Reactive N release from fertilizers causes leaching, volatilization, and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions.
  • Biochar, a pyrolyzed biomass, is explored as a strategy to mitigate these environmental issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of co-applying rice-residue biochar (RB) or poultry manure biochar (PB) with urea on nitrogen dynamics.
  • To quantify the effects of biochar on N mineralization and related soil processes.
  • To evaluate biochar as a method to reduce nitrogen losses from fertilized soils.

Main Methods:

  • A 60-day soil incubation experiment was conducted.
  • Urea was applied solely or co-applied with RB or PB.
  • Nitrogen (N) mineralization rates, ammonical-N (NH4+-N) levels, and urease activity were measured.

Main Results:

  • Sole urea application resulted in higher N mineralization compared to sole biochar or biochar-urea co-applications.
  • Co-application of biochar with urea reduced N mineralization by 19-28% compared to sole urea.
  • Sole biochar application reduced N mineralization by 38-45% compared to sole urea.
  • Lower N mineralization in biochar-amended soils was attributed to increased C:N ratio, NH4+-N adsorption, microbial immobilization, and reduced urease activity.

Conclusions:

  • Co-applying biochar with urea effectively reduces nitrogen losses by moderating N mineralization.
  • This approach enhances nitrogen availability to plants over extended periods.
  • Biochar amendment offers a promising strategy for sustainable nitrogen fertilizer management and environmental protection.