A closer look at nitrogen sources, processes and inhibitors

Giving a presentation on nitrogen sources and inhibitors at Hamilton County’s Feb. 2 “Ag Day” was Extension Crop Nutrient and Water Quality Specialist Javed Iqbal.
“In today’s presentation, I’m going to share some information about nitrogen sources,” he began. “Enhanced efficiency fertilizers have gotten much attention recently for improving nitrogen use efficiency, so I will be providing some background information about those nitrogen sources and enhanced efficiency fertilizers and nitrification inhibitors.”
If those nitrogen inhibitors are enhanced efficiency fertilizers, it can make some difference, he added. 
Before going much further, however, Iqbal said he would explain a bit about the “mystery” behind what happens when nitrogen is added into the soil.
“For example, here we are going to take an example (in which) urea (is) applied into the soil,” he said. “Once applied into the soil first, it converts into ammonia and then into ammonium. This ammonium is positively charged, which binds with the negatively charged clay particles so it doesn’t move. During this process, while this conversion takes place, it is really important that this urea is incorporated into the soil within a few days or right away, so that there are less nitrogen losses that we (might) see in the form of ammonia volatilization.”
In the next step, Iqbal continued, the ammonium would be converted into the nitrate form of nitrogen, which has a negative charge. This would then be repelled, “or not attracted,” by the negatively charged soil particles.

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