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Agriculture

Nitrogen Management Practices in Maize Production: Impact on N2O Emissions and Ammonia Volatilization

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research has been conducted to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) rate and source on gaseous losses through ammonia (NH3) volatilization and N2O emissions, as well as agronomic traits such as grain yield and N uptake in maize production. The study found that nitrogen fertilization significantly increased grain yield, with the highest yields obtained from 0 to 200 kg N ha-1, but no differences were determined between N sources. However, calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) presented the greatest N uptake, which was up to 27% higher than urea-based N sources. The study also found that NH3 volatilization was the major N loss process, with urea exhibiting the highest values. Urea with urease inhibitor (UUI) and CAN significantly reduced NH3 volatilization compared to urea.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nitrogen fertilization increased grain yield by 20% to 64%.
  • No differences were determined between N sources on grain yield.
  • Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) presented the greatest N uptake, up to 27% higher than urea-based N sources.
  • NH3 volatilization was the major N loss process, with urea exhibiting the highest values.
  • Urea with urease inhibitor (UUI) and CAN significantly reduced NH3 volatilization compared to urea.
  • Urea with nitrification inhibitor (UNI) significantly reduced N2O emissions by 50%.
  • Emission factors for both NH3 and N2O were consistently lower than the default values suggested by the IPCC guidelines.
  • N sources such as UUI and UNI lead to achieve high grain yields with a low environmental impact.

Statistics:

  • Nitrogen fertilization increased grain yield by 20% to 64%.
  • 0 to 200 kg N ha-1 were applied in the study.
  • Urea presented the highest NH3 volatilization values.
  • Urea with urease inhibitor (UUI) reduced NH3 volatilization by up to 50%.
  • Urea with nitrification inhibitor (UNI) reduced N2O emissions by up to 50%.
  • Emission factors for both NH3 and N2O were consistently lower than the default values suggested by the IPCC guidelines, being 1.5% and 27.8% respectively.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Studies from National University Update Current Data on Soil and Tillage Research (Are Gaseous Nitrogen Losses Affected By the Fertilizer Type and Rate In Maize?). Agriculture Week. September 4, 2025; p 3743.
  • Are Gaseous Nitrogen Losses Affected By the Fertilizer Type and Rate In Maize? Soil & Tillage Research, 2025;251.

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