Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Enhanced-Efficiency Urea Coated with Ground Phosphate Rock Powder, Inhibitor and Epoxy Resin: Preparation and Effects on Soil Nitrogen Supply Capacity, Wheat Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency

  • AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY AND FERTILITY OF SOILS
  • Published:
Eurasian Soil Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A develop a new environmentally friendly controlled-release urea to improve soil nitrogen supply capacity, wheat yield and nitrogen use efficiency, six coated urea were prepared in this study: resin-coated urea; phosphate rock powder-coated urea; phosphate rock powder and epoxy resin-coated urea; urease and nitrification inhibitors combined with epoxy resin-coated urea; urease and nitrification inhibitors combined with phosphate rock-coated urea; and urease and nitrification inhibitors combined with phosphate rock and epoxy resin-coated urea (RPHDU). Scanning electron microscopy and hydrostatic release tests were used to evaluate the microstructure and controlled-release properties of different urea. Using zero nitrogen treatment and conventional urea treatment as controls, six self-made coated urea were used for different fertilization treatments, with a total of eight treatments set up for ammonia volatilization test and field experiment to study the effects of different fertilization treatments on ammonia volatilization, soil nitrogen supply capacity, wheat yield, and nitrogen use efficiency. The results showed that the RPHDU coating had a complete and tight membrane shell. RPHDU had controlled-release periods for nitrogen, hydroquinone, and dicyandiamide (cumulative nutrient release > 80%) of 112, 56, and 28 days, respectively, effectively controlling the release of nutrients and inhibitors. The treatments of adding inhibitors delayed the ammonia volatilization peak and reduced the peak value, with the RPHDU treatment having the lowest cumulative ammonia volatilization. During the critical growth period of wheat, the soil available nitrogen content in the RPHDU treatment was higher than in other treatments, which brought soil nutrient supply closer to wheat demand. Moreover, the soil apparent nitrification rate was lower in the RPHDU treatment than in other treatments throughout the entire wheat growth cycle, reducing the risk of nitrate nitrogen leaching. The RPHDU treatment achieved the highest wheat yield and nitrogen use efficiency, which were significantly increased by 21 and 21%, respectively, compared to the U treatment. In summary, RPHDU could more effectively control nutrient release, improve soil nitrogen supply capacity, reduce soil nitrogen loss, and increase wheat yield and nitrogen use efficiency. The results of this study may provide a basis for the development of novel and environmentally friendly fertilizers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 5.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. I. Barrena, S. Menéndez, D. Correa-Galeote, I. Vega-Mas, E. J. Bedmar, C. González-Murua, and J. M. Estavillo, “Soil water content modulates the effect of the nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) on nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria,” Geoderma 303, 1–8 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2017.04.022

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Z. Chen, J. Dolfing, S. Zhuang, and Y. Wu, “Periphytic biofilms-mediated microbial interactions and their impact on the nitrogen cycle in rice paddies,” Eco-Environ. Health 1 (3), 172–180 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eehl.2022.09.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Z. Chen, Q. Wang, J. Ma, P. Zou, and L. Jiang, “Impact of controlled-release urea on rice yield, nitrogen use efficiency and soil fertility in a single rice cropping system,” Sci. Rep. 10 (1), 6 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-67110-6

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. X. Chen, Z. Cui, M. Fan, P. Vitousek, M. Zhao, W. Ma, Z. Wang, W. Zhang, X. Yan, J. Yang, X. Deng, Q. Gao, Q. Zhang, S. Guo, J. Ren, S. Li, Y. Ye, Z. Wang, J. Huang, Q. Tang, Y. Sun, X. Peng, J. Zhang, M. He, Y. Zhu, J. Xue, G. Wang, L. Wu, N. An, L. Wu, L. Ma, W. Zhang, and F. Zhang, “Producing more grain with lower environmental costs,” Nature 514 (7523), 486–489 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature13609

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. F. Eghbali Babadi, R. Yunus, S. Abdul Rashid, M. A. Mohd Salleh, and S. Ali, “New coating formulation for the slow release of urea using a mixture of gypsum and dolomitic limestone,” Particuology 23, 62–67 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2014.12.011

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. J. Feng, F. Li, A. Deng, X. Feng, F. Fang, and W. Zhang, “Integrated assessment of the impact of enhanced-efficiency nitrogen fertilizer on N2O emission and crop yield,” Agric., Ecosyst. Environ. 231, 218–228 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2016.06.038

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. T. He, J. Yuan, J. Xiang, Y. Lin, J. Luo, S. Lindsey, X. Liao, D. Liu, and W. Ding, “Combined biochar and double inhibitor application offsets NH3 and N2O emissions and mitigates N leaching in paddy fields,” Environ. Pollut. 292 (Part A), 118344 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118344

  8. J. Hou, Y. Tian, J. Zhou, K. Liu, and B. Cao, “An environmental and economic assessment of sustained cleaner production for double rice from the combination of controlled-released urea and water-saving irrigation,” J. Cleaner Prod. 383, 135467 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.135467

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. J. Ke, J. Sun, T. Chen, S. Tao, T. Zhu, C. Yin, H. He, C. You, L. Wu, and S. Guo, “Effects of mixed fertilizers formed by the compounding of two targeted controlled-release nitrogen fertilizers on yield, nitrogen use efficiency, and ammonia volatilization in double-cropping rice,” Crop J. 11 (2), 628–637 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cj.2022.09.011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. N. Kottegoda, C. Sandaruwan, G. Priyadarshana, A. Siriwardhana, U. A. Rathnayake, D. M. Berugoda Arachchige, A. R. Kumarasinghe, D. Dahanayake, V. Karunaratne, and G. A. Amaratunga, “Urea-hydroxyapatite nanohybrids for slow release of nitrogen,” ACS Nano 11 (2), 1214–1221 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.6b07781

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. T. Lan, X. He, Q. Wang, O. Deng, W. Zhou, L. Luo, G. Chen, J. Zeng, S. Yuan, M. Zeng, H. Xiao, and X. Gao, “Synergistic effects of biological nitrification inhibitor, urease inhibitor, and biochar on NH3 volatilization, N leaching, and nitrogen use efficiency in a calcareous soil–wheat system,” Appl. Soil Ecol. 174, 104412 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2022.104412

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. D. Lawrencia, S. K. Wong, D. Y. S. Low, B. H. Goh, J. K. Goh, U. R. Ruktanonchai, A. Soottitantawat, L. H. Lee, and S. Y. Tang, “Controlled release fertilizers: a review on coating materials and mechanism of release,” Plants (Basel) 10 (2), 10020238 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.10.003

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Y. Li, M. R. He, X. L. Dai, and Y. J. Dong, “Preparation of dual controlled release urea with nitrogen inhibitor and resine coating and the effects on soil nitrogen supply capacity and wheat yield,” J. Plant Nutr. Fert. 26 (09), 1612–1624 (2020). https://doi.org/10.11674/zwyf.20030

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. H. Li, X. Song, L. R. Bakken, and X. Ju, “Reduction of N2O emissions by DMPP depends on the interactions of nitrogen sources (digestate vs. urea) with soil properties,” J. Integr. Agric. 22 (1), 251–264 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jia.2022.08.009

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. D. Li, Z. Wu, and C. Liang, “Nitrogen release characteristics of coated urea amended with biological inhibitors in meadow brown soil, " J. Plant Nutr. Fert. 16 (01), 214–218 (2010). https://doi.org/10.11674/zwyf.2010.0132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. P. Liu, X. Ma, H. Wan, J. Zheng, J. Luo, Y. Hu, and Z. Pu, “Effects of differential nitrogen application on wheat grain proteome,” J. Cereal Sci. 102, 103367 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcs.2021.103367

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. S. Muurinen, G. A. Slafer, and P. Peltonen-Sainio, “Breeding effects on nitrogen use efficiency of spring cereals under northern conditions,” Crop Sci. 46 (2), 561–568 (2006). https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2005-05-0046

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. K. O. Olagunju, S. Feng, and M. Patton, “Dynamic relationships among phosphate rock, fertilisers and agricultural commodity markets: evidence from a vector error correction model and Directed Acyclic Graphs,” Resour. Policy 74, 102301 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2021.102301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Z. Qi, M. He, X. Dai, and Y. Dong, “The effect of controlled release of urea coated with natural rubber and biochemical inhibitor on soil nitrogen supply and winter wheat growth,” Acta Pedol. Sin. 59, 1408–1419 (2023). https://doi.org/10.11766/trxb202012010592

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Z. Qi, M. Wang, Y. Dong, M. He, and X. Dai, “Effect of coated urease/nitrification inhibitor synergistic urea on maize growth and nitrogen use efficiency,” J. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr. 22 (4), 5207–5216 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-022-00996-5

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Z. Qi, Y. Dong, M. He, M. Wang, Y. Li, and X. Dai, “Coated, stabilized enhanced-efficiency nitrogen fertilizers: preparation and effects on maize growth and nitrogen utilization,” Front. Plant Sci. 12, 792262 (2021). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.792262

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. C. F. Santos, O. O. d. Silva Aragão, D. R. G. Silva, E. d. C. Jesus, W. F. T. Chagas, P. S. Correia, and F. M. d. Souza Moreira, “Environmentally friendly urea produced from the association of N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide with biodegradable polymer coating obtained from a soybean processing byproduct,” J. Cleaner Prod. 276, 123014 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123014

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. A. Sanz-Cobena, L. Sánchez-Martín, L. García-Torres, and A. Vallejo, “Gaseous emissions of N2O and NO and NO3 − leaching from urea applied with urease and nitrification inhibitors to a maize (Zea mays) crop,” Agric., Ecosyst. Environ. 149, 64–73 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2011.12.016

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. S. I. Sempeho, H. T. Kim, E. Mubofu, and A. Hilonga, “Meticulous overview on the controlled release fertilizers,” Adv. Chem. 2014, 1–16 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/363071

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. A. Shaviv, “Advances in controlled-release fertilizers,” Adv. Agron. 71, 1–49 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2113(01)71011-5

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. A. Shaviv, S. Raban, and E. Zaidel, “Modeling controlled nutrient release from polymer coated fertilizers:  diffusion release from single granules,” Environ. Sci. Technol. 37 (10), 2251–2256 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1021/es011462v

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. E. F. C. Souza, C. J. Rosen, and R. T. Venterea, “Co-application of DMPSA and NBPT with urea mitigates both nitrous oxide emissions and nitrate leaching during irrigated potato production,” Environ. Pollut. 284, 117124 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117124

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. H. Tian, Z. Liu, M. Zhang, Y. Guo, L. Zheng, and Y. C. Li, “Bio-based polyurethane, epoxy resin and polyolefin wax composite coating for controlled-release fertilizer,” ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 11 (5), 5380–5392 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.8b16030

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. D. Tilman, C. Balzer, J. Hill, and B. L. Befort, “Global food demand and the sustainable intensification of agriculture,” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 108 (50), 20260–20264 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1116437108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Y. P. Timilsena, R. Adhikari, P. Casey, T. Muster, H. Gill, and B. Adhikari, “Enhanced efficiency fertilisers: a review of formulation and nutrient release patterns,” J. Sci. Food Agric. 95 (6), 1131–1142 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.6812

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. M. E. Trenkel, Slow- and Controlled-Release and Stabilized Fertilizers: an Option for Enhancing Nutrient Use Efficiency in Agriculture (Agric. Food Sci., 2010). https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:155056013.

  32. R. T. Venterea, J. A. Coulter, and T. J. Clough, “Nitrite accumulation and nitrogen gas production increase with decreasing temperature in urea-amended soils: experiments and modeling,” Soil Biol. Biochem. 142, 107727 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2020.107727

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. X. Yan, L. Xia, and C. Ti, “Temporal and spatial variations in nitrogen use efficiency of crop production in China,” Environ. Pollut. 293, 118496 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118496

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. X. Yu and B. Li, “Release mechanism of a novel slow-release nitrogen fertilizer,” Particuology 45, 124–130 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2018.09.005

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. S. Zhang, T. Shen, Y. Yang, Y. C. Li, Y. Wan, M. Zhang, Y. Tang, and S. C. Allen, “Controlled-release urea reduced nitrogen leaching and improved nitrogen use efficiency and yield of direct-seeded rice,” J. Environ. Manage. 220, 191–197 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.05.010

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. W. Zhang, Z. Liang, X. He, X. Wang, X. Shi, C. Zou, and X. Chen, “The effects of controlled release urea on maize productivity and reactive nitrogen losses: a meta-analysis,” Environ. Pollut. 246, 559–565 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.12.059

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. L. Zhang, Z. Wu, L. Chen, X. Ma, Y. Zhang, and Z. Chen, “Effect of coating and hydroquinone incorporation on urea-N release and its hydrolysis,” Ecol. Environ. Sci. 18 (03), 1112–1117 (2009). https://doi.org/10.16258/j.cnki.1674-5906(2009)03-1112-06

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. M. Zhao, G. Cai, and Y. Shi, “Determination of dicyandiamide in water by spectrophotometry with vicinal diketones,” J. Environ. Health 31 (08), 713–715 (2014). https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:100841614.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. W. Zheng, M. Zhang, Z. Liu, H. Zhou, H. Lu, W. Zhang, Y. Yang, C. Li, and B. Chen, “Combining controlled-release urea and normal urea to improve the nitrogen use efficiency and yield under wheat-maize double cropping system,” Field Crops Res. 197, 52–62 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2016.08.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. W. Zheng, Z. Liu, M. Zhang, Y. Shi, Q. Zhu, Y. Sun, H. Zhou, C. Li, Y. Yang, and J. Geng, “Improving crop yields, nitrogen use efficiencies, and profits by using mixtures of coated controlled-released and uncoated urea in a wheat-maize system,” Field Crops Res. 205, 106–115 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2017.02.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. C. Zorb, U. Ludewig, and M. J. Hawkesford, “Perspective on wheat yield and quality with reduced nitrogen supply,” Trends Plant Sci. 23 (11), 1029–1037 (2018). .https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2018.08.012

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. F. Zvomuya and C. J. Rosen, “Evaluation of polyolefin-coated urea for potato production on a sandy soil,” Hortscience 36, 1057–1060 (2001). https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.36.6.1057

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was funded by the National Major Agricultural Science and Technology Program of China (No. NK2022180803), the Agricultural fiber application project of Zibo Huayuan Science and Technology Innovation Development Co., Ltd of China (No. 381192).

Funding

This work was supported by ongoing institutional funding. No additional grants to carry out or direct this particular research were obtained.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer, 271000, Taian, China

    Yaru Ge, Maoying Wang & Yuanjie Dong

  2. Agronomy College, Shandong Agricultural University, 271000, Taian, China

    Xinglong Dai & Mingrong He

Authors
  1. Yaru Ge
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Maoying Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yuanjie Dong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xinglong Dai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Mingrong He
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yuanjie Dong.

Ethics declarations

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors of this work declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

ETHICS APPROVAL AND CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE

This work does not contain any studies involving human and animal subjects.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note.

Pleiades Publishing remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

These authors contributed equally to this research and should be considered as co-first authors.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ge, Y., Wang, M., Dong, Y. et al. Enhanced-Efficiency Urea Coated with Ground Phosphate Rock Powder, Inhibitor and Epoxy Resin: Preparation and Effects on Soil Nitrogen Supply Capacity, Wheat Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency. Eurasian Soil Sc. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1064229323603670

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1064229323603670

Keyword:

Search

Navigation