Nitrification Inhibitors

Introduction

Nitrification inhibitors  are chemical compounds that slow the  nitrification  of ammonia, ammonium-containing, or urea-containing fertilizers, which are applied to soil as fertilizers. These  inhibitors  can help reduce losses of nitrogen in soil that would otherwise be used by crops. The present invention reports the development and use of potential nitrification inhibitors and their compositions for improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency and a process of obtaining such products. The compounds are effective as nitrification inhibitors/ slow N release products and are cost effective.

 

Types

 

Nitrification inhibitors (NI) are chemicals that reduce the rate at which ammonium is converted to nitrate by killing or interfering with the metabolism of Nitrosomonas bacteria. The loss of N from the rooting zone can be minimized by maintaining applied N in the ammonium form during periods of excess rainfall prior to rapid N uptake by crops.

N-Serve and Dwell may also be impregnated on solid fertilizers or mixed with N solution fertilizers prior to broadcast applications. However, incorporation of the nitrification inhibitor-treated fertilizer must occur shortly after application because both compounds are volatile.

Higher rates (2 to 4 times band applications) of N-Serve and Dwell are often required to control nitrification of broadcast ammoniacal fertilizers. NI can also be effectively used with liquid animal manures and sewage sludge that are injected into the soil.

 

Advantages

 

•  Genetic diversity in nitrification inhibition will allow genetic recombination of nitrification inhibition with other agronomically desirable traits in tropical forages and crops.

•  Discovery of natural compounds responsible for nitrification inhibition will lead to development of novel nitrogen fertilizers.

•  Gene discovery for nitrification inhibition will facilitate transfer of genes to economically important crops.

•  Integration of crop and forage components with different levels of nitrification inhibition will lead to improvements in nitrogen management.

•  Crops and forages with enhanced nitrification inhibition ability will increase productivity of agricultural systems and improve rural livelihoods.

•  Improved nitrogen management in agricultural systems will have positive impacts on human and agro-ecosystem health.

 

For further information please contact

National Research Development Corporation
20-22, Zamroodhpur Community Centre
Kailash Colony Extn.
New Delhi - 110048