Volatilization Losses of Ammonia from Different Nitrogen Carriers as Affected by Soil-Moisture, Organic Matter and Method of Fertilizer Application

Laboratory experiment was conducted to study the effect of soil-moisture, organic matter addition and placement of fertilizers on the volatilization losses of NH₃ from added nitrogen in calcareous black soil having pH 8.6. The experiment was maintained at room temperature and covered a 30 day period.

It was observed that the peak of volatilization of NH₃ occurred during 5–12 days after the application of N fertilizers. The highest ammonia loss of 12.5% occurred from urea and lowest from Suphala. The volatilization losses of NH₃ decreased with increase in moisture content from 50 to 75 per cent water holding capacity of the soil. The fertilizer application by mixing with soil reduced the volatilization of NH₃. The addition of organic matter to the soil tended to minimize the volatilization of NH₃ at both the moisture levels.