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Fertilizer and temperature effects on urea hydrolysis in undisturbed soil

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Summary

Few published studies have examined the effects of a continuous fertilizer application on urea hydrolysis. In the present study we investigated the effects of 9 years of continuous application of urea and P fertilizers on urea hydrolysis in undisturbed soil samples as affected by temperature (5–45°C). Undisturbed soil samples of surface horizons (0–7 cm) were obtained with cutting rings (50 cm3) from different fertilizer-treatment plots and inserted in polyethylene bottles (with cutting rings). Each soil sample (in the cutting ring) was treated with 10 ml urea solution (0.5 mmol urea N g-1 soil) and then broght to 90% field capacity. The samples were left to equilibrate for 30 min at a temperature of 4°C, then placed in an incubator at 37°C for 6 h. The results indicated that 9 years of continuous application of urea but not P had a significant effect on urea hydrolysis in soil. There was a good correlation between temperature and urea hydrolysis in soil. Q 10 was between 1.97 and 2.08 in the temperature range 5–45°C.

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Xu, J.G., Heeraman, D.A. & Wang, Y. Fertilizer and temperature effects on urea hydrolysis in undisturbed soil. Biol Fertil Soils 16, 63–65 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336517

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336517

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