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Adapting the potentially mineralizable N concept for the prediction of fertilizer N requirements

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Abstract

Quantification of N dynamics in the ecosystem has taken on major significance in today's society, for economic and environmental reasons. A major fraction of the available N in soils is derived from the mineralization of organic matter. For decades, scientists have attempted to quantify the rate at which soils mineralize N, but the complexity of the N cycle has made this a major task. Further, agronomists have long sought soil test methods that are practical, yet will provide accurate means of predicting the amounts and rates of release of N from soils. Such tests would allow us to make more precise fertilization decisions. This paper discusses the potentially mineralizable N concept, first promoted by Stanford and colleagues [61, 62, 64], and suggests how it may be incorporated into deterministic models, such as CERES and LEACHM, so as to provide more accurate estimates of N mineralization under field conditions. We also suggest how the potentially mineralizable N concept may be coupled to quick, routine laboratory methods of determining available soil N, such as the hot 2M KCl extracted NH4-N method recently developed by Gianello and Bremner [35], and used together with deterministic N models, such as CERES, for predicting probable fertilizer N requirements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of crop and Soil Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, 30602-7272, Athens, Georgia, USA

    M. L. Cabrera

  2. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Research Station, P.O. Box 1030, S9H 3X2, Swift Current Saskatchewan, Canada

    C. A. Campbell, Y. W. Jame, O. O. Akinremi & M. L. Cabrera

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  1. C. A. Campbell
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  2. Y. W. Jame
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  3. O. O. Akinremi
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  4. M. L. Cabrera
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Campbell, C.A., Jame, Y.W., Akinremi, O.O. et al. Adapting the potentially mineralizable N concept for the prediction of fertilizer N requirements. Fertilizer Research 42, 61–75 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00750500

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