Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer Technologies to Reduce Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Cropped Soils in Prairie Canada
IPNI-2014-CAN-4RC08
01 Apr 2014
Project Description
Background:
This request for funding is in response to a call by the Canadian Fertilizer Institute. The call is for bridge funding in the year 2014 for researchers involved in the proposal submitted to the AAFC AlP Program, "A Canadian Research Network to Improve 4R Nutrient Stewardship for Environmental Health and Crop Productivity". The purpose of the bridge funding is insuring a start of research activities in 2014 in anticipation of moving ahead in 2015 on the AlP project.
The University of Manitoba, Soil Ecology Laboratory, has the activity entitled "Reducing rates and not total nitrification to limit loss of fall applied N fertilizer in the humid condition of Manitoba using enhanced efficiency fertilizers" in the AlP proposal. For a quick and successful start to the anticipated 2015 research on the AlP project, several very important items need to be worked on in 2014. This proposal for bridge funding outlines these items to be worked.
2014 Work to Be Conducted:
The following are the bridge funding activity proposed for 2014;
- Develop a plot-scale anhydrous ammonia applicator to be used in the AlP project
- Validate the operation of the applicator to deliver ammonia at required depths, have good band closure, calibration of delivery rates and ability to meter and mix nitrification inhibitors into the ammonia injection stream
- Conduct preliminary tests with application of ammonia and inhibitors of the efficacy of the inhibitors to limit nitrification.
Since April 2014, we have been working with RTech Industries to develop the applicator. An existing applicator is being upgraded to apply inhibitors and also to meter the ammonia application. Agrium in 2013 purchased a side-kick unit and other pieces to conduct the upgrade. We are now waiting for certification of the tank from Transport Canada. In 2014 the applicator will be assembled. Drs. Baron and Tenuta of the University of Manitoba will work with RTech to configure the system. We hope this will be done by mid-July 2014.
In July and August 2014, we will conduct validation runs of the applicator on loam and clay soils in Manitoba. The runs will be done to develop protocols for operation of the applicator. The protocol will be optimized for accurate delivery rates of ammonia and inhibitor, mixing of inhibitor into the ammonia stream, and good band closure.
July through September 2014, we will conduct tests of the efficiency of the inhibitors to limit nitrification in field situations. This will involve application of ammonia and inhibitors at different rates in a loam and clay soil. Then soil sampling at time intervals to determine the impact of inhibitor rate on extractable ammonium and nitrate concentrations in soil. Also a key outcome will be determining if the inhibitors work equally well on the clay and loam soils.
October through November 2014, we will be analyzing the soils in the tests for ammonia and nitrate concentrations.
December 2014 through January 2015, we will prepare a report to CFI on the following;
- The configuration of the plot-scale anhydrous ammonia applicator developed. This will be a fairly unique field equipment for research in Canada and other researchers will likely want to duplicate the system,
- The validation of the applicator to deliver ammonia at required depths, close injection bands, delivery rates of ammonia and inhibitors accurately,
- The ability to mix nitrification inhibitors into the ammonia injection stream, and
- The preliminary tests of the efficacy of inhibitors to limit nitrification in a clay and loam soil.