New Slow-Release Urea Fertilizer Fortified with Zinc for Improving Zinc Availability and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Maize
Atena Mirbolook, MirHassan Rasouli-Sadaghiani, Payman Keshavarz, Mina Alikhani
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Improving nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE) is necessary to reduce the entry of excess N into the environment and to retain N in the soil. Few studies have been done on dual-purpose slow-release fertilizers using urea and zinc (Zn). In this study, a new Zn-incorporated urea slow-release fertilizer with diatomite (DE) and nano diatomite (NDE) was synthesized by matrix-type formulation. The treatments included the following: C: control, U: urea, Zn: zinc sulfate, UZn: urea–Zn complex, UZn–DE: urea–Zn–diatomite, and UZn–NDE: urea–Zn–nano diatomite. The slow-release urea–Zn fertilizers (SRUZns) were characterized, and then the releasing behavior of these in the soil was monitored. A greenhouse study was carried out to check the agronomic effects of the maize ( Zea mays L.). Instrumental analyses approved the binding of the UZn complex into DE and NDE. Usage of SRUZns leads to better retention of NH 4 + relative to NO 3 – . The nano diatomite was twice as effective as diatomite in NH 4 + retention in soil. The cumulative losses of available Zn in the soil were the lowest upon UZn–NDE application. A pot study revealed that UZn fertilizers boosted crop growth in comparison to urea and zinc sulfate. N uptake increased 44.8% in the application of UZn–NDE compared to the U, and Zn uptake in soils supplied with the same treatment was 34.37% more than the ZnSO 4 application. The NUE increased by about 50% in plants supplied by nano slow-release compared to U. The results showed that the dual-purpose SRUZns with slow-release behavior could be reflected as well-organized N and Zn fertilizers in agricultural and horticultural areas with minimal environmental effluence.