Please wait a minute...
Journal of Integrative Agriculture  2019, Vol. 18 Issue (3): 656-666    DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(18)61950-1
Agro-ecosystem & Environment Advanced Online Publication | Current Issue | Archive | Adv Search |
Effects of urea enhanced with different weathered coal-derived humic acid components on maize yield and fate of fertilizer nitrogen
ZHANG Shui-qin1, 2*, YUAN Liang1*, LI Wei1, LIN Zhi-an1, LI Yan-ting1, HU Shu-wen2, ZHAO Bing-qiang
1 Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer, Ministry of Agriculture/Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, P.R.China
2 College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R.China
Download:  PDF (773KB) ( )  
Export:  BibTeX | EndNote (RIS)      
Abstract  
Humic acid (HA) is a readily available and low-cost material that is used to enhance crop production and reduce nitrogen (N) loss.  However, there is little consensus on the efficacy of different HA components.  In the current study, a soil column experiment was conducted using the 15N tracer technique in Dezhou City, Shandong Province, China, to compare the effects of urea with and without the addition of weathered coal-derived HA components on maize yield and the fate of fertilizer-derived N (fertilizer N).  The HA components were incorporated into urea by blending different HA components into molten urea to obtain the three different types of HA-enhanced urea (HAU).  At harvest, the aboveground dry biomass of plants grown with HAU was enhanced by 11.50–21.33% when compared to that of plants grown with U.  More significantly, the grain yields under the HAU treatments were 5.58–18.67% higher than the yield under the urea treatment.  These higher yields were due to an increase in the number of kernels per plant rather than the weight of individual kernels.  The uptake of fertilizer N under the HAU treatments was also higher than that under the urea treatment by 11.49–29.46%, while the unaccounted N loss decreased by 12.37–30.05%.  More fertilizer-derived N was retained in the 0–30 cm soil layer under the HAU treatments than that under the urea treatment, while less N was retained in the 30–90 cm soil layer.  The total residual amount of fertilizer N in the soil column, however, did not differ significantly between the treatments.  Of the three HAU treatments investigated, the one with an HA fraction derived from extraction with pH values ranging from 6 to 7, resulted in the best improvement in all assessment targets.  This is likely due to the abundance of the COO/C–N=O group in this HA component.
 
Keywords:  humic acid enhanced urea        maize        aboveground dry biomass        fertilizer N uptake        fertilizer N residue  
Received: 18 December 2017   Accepted:
Fund: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31601827) and the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFD0200402).
Corresponding Authors:  Correspondence ZHAO Bing-qiang, Tel: +86-10-82108658, E-mail: zhaobingqiang@caas.cn    
About author:  ZHANG Shui-qin, E-mail: shuiqin08@163.com; YUAN Liang, E-mail: yuanliang123@126.com; * These authors contributed equally to this study.

Cite this article: 

ZHANG Shui-qin, YUAN Liang, LI Wei, LIN Zhi-an, LI Yan-ting, HU Shu-wen, ZHAO Bing-qiang. 2019. Effects of urea enhanced with different weathered coal-derived humic acid components on maize yield and fate of fertilizer nitrogen. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 18(3): 656-666.

Ahmed O H, Aminuddin H, Husni M H A. 2008. Ammonia volatilization and ammonium accumulation from urea mixed with zeolite and triple superphosphate. Acta Agricultrae Scandinavica (Section B: Soil and Plant Science), 58, 182–186.
Amelong A, Gambín B L, Severini A D, Borrás L. 2015. Predicting maize kernel number using QTL information. Field Crops Research, 172, 119–131.
Borrás L, Zinselmeier C, Senior M L, Westgate M E, Muszynski M G. 2009. Characterization of grain-filling patterns in diverse maize germplasm. Crop Science, 49, 999–1009.
Celik H, Katkat A V, A??k B B, Turan M A. 2010. Effects of humus on growth and nutrient uptake of maize under saline and calcareous soil conditions. ?emdirbyst? (Agriculture), 97, 15–22.
Chen Z, He J, Li X, Chen J. 2007. Studies on increasing N utilizing efficiency in maize by applying humic acid. Chinese Journal of Eco-Agriculture, 15, 52–54. (in Chinese)
Dong L, Yuan H. 2009. Nitrogen incorporation into lignite humic acids during microbial degradation. Geomicrobiology Journal, 26, 484–490.
El-Mekser H K A, Mohamed E O M, Ali M A M. 2014. Influence of humic acid and some micronutrients on yellow corn yield and quality. World Applied Sciences Journal, 32, 1–11.
Fan M, Lu S, Jiang R, Liu X, Zeng X, Keithwt G, Zhang F. 2007. Nitrogen input, 15Nbalance and mineral N dynamics in a rice-wheat rotation in southwest China. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 79, 255–265.
Fan M, Shen J, Yuan L, Jiang R, Chen X, Davies W, Zhang F. 2012. Improving crop productivity and resource use efficiency to ensure food security and environmental quality in China. Journal of Experimental Botany, 63, 13–24.
Fang Q, Yu Q, Wang E, Chen Y, Zhang G, Wang J, Li L. 2006. Soil nitrate accumulation, leaching and crop nitrogen use as influenced by fertilization and irrigation in an intensive wheat-maize double cropping system in the North China Plain. Plant and Soil, 284, 335–350.
FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations). 2014. FAO Statistical Yearbook. [2017-08-20]. http://www.fao.org/3/a-i3590e.pdf
Gambín B L, Borrás L, Otegui M E. 2006. Source-sink relations and kernel weight differences in maize temperate hybrids. Field Crops Research, 95, 316–326.
HG/5045-2016. 2016. Humic acid containing urea. Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China. (in Chinese)
Jindo K, Martim S A, Navarro E C, Pérez-Alfocea F, Hernandez T, Garcia C, Aguiar N Q, Canellas L P. 2012. Root growth promotion by humic acids from composted and non-composted urban organic wastes. Plant and Soil, 353, 209–220.
Kasim S, Ahmed O H, Nik Muhamad A M, Yusop M K, Jalloh M B. 2009. Effect of organic based N fertilizer on dry matter (Zea mays L.), ammonium and nitrate recovery in an acid soil of Sarawak, Malaysia. American Journal of Applied Sciences, 6, 1289–1294.
Ladha J K, Krupnik T J, Six J, Kessel C V, Pathak H. 2005. Efficiency of fertilizer nitrogen in cereal production: Retrospects and prospects. Advances in Agronomy, 87, 85–156.
Lee E A, Tollenaar M. 2007. Physiological basis of successful breeding strategies for maize grain yield. Crop Science, 47, S202–S205.
Li J, Yuan L, Zhao B, Li Y, Zhang S, Wen Y, Li W, Lin Z. 2017. Effect of urea containing humic acid on maize growth and 15N utilization. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer, 23, 524–530. (in Chinese)
Li Z, Ma G, Wang S, Lu X. 2005. Transformation of long-lasting urea humic acid in soil and its effect on maize yield. Chinese Journal of Eco-Agriculture, 13, 121–123. (in Chinese)
Liang Z, Cheng S, Wu L. 1999. Study on mechanism of interaction between coal humic acid and urea. Journal of Fuel Chemical and Technology, 27, 176–181. (in Chinese)
Liu Y, Ding F, Zhang J, Qi C, Gu R, Wu Q, Li C. 2016. Effect of activated humic acid-urea on nitrogen use efficiency and its driving factors under wheat-maize rotation system. Chinese Journal of Eco-Agriculture, 24, 1310–1319. (in Chinese)
Liu Z, Zhao B, Lin Z. 2009. Study on slow release property of melting granulating humic acid urea. Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer Science, 15, 1444–1449. (in Chinese)
Mackowiak C L, Grossl P R, Bugbee B G. 2001. Beneficial effects of humic acid on micronutrient availability to wheat. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 65, 1744–1750.
Mahler R L, Koehler F E, Lutcher L K. 1994. Nitrogen source, timing of application, and placement: Effects on winter wheat production. Agronomy Journal, 86, 637–642.
Malcolm R E, Vaughan D. 1979. Effects of humic acid fractions on invertase activities in plant tissues. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 11, 65–72.
Mato M C, Olmedo M G, Mendez J. 1972. Inhibition of indoleacetic acid-oxidase by soil humic acids fractionated on sephadex. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 4, 469–473.
Muscolo A, Sidari M. 2009. Carboxyl and phenolic humic fractions affect callus growth and metabolism. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 73, 1119–1129.
Nardi S, Pizzeghello D, Reniero F, Rascio N. 2000. Chemical and biochemical properties of humic substances isolated from forest soils and plant growth. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 64, 639–645.
NBSPRC (National Bureau of Statistics of the People’s Republic of China). 2014. China Statistical Yearbook. China Statistical Press, China. (in Chinese)
Paponov I A, Sambo P, Presterl T, Geiger H H, Engels C. 2005. Kernel set in maize genotypes differing in nitrogen use efficiency in response to resource availability around flowering. Plant and Soil, 272, 101–110.
Pflug W, Ziechmann W. 1981. Inhibition of malate dehydrogenase by humic acids. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 13, 293–299.
Purakaystha T J, Katyal J C. 1998. Evaluation of compacted urea fertilizers prepared with acid and non-acid producing chemical additives in three soils varying in pH and cation exchange capacity: I. NH3 volatilization. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 51, 107–115.
Quaggiotti S, Ruperti B, Pizzeghello D, Francioso O, Tugnoli V, Nardi S. 2004. Effect of low molecular size humic substances on nitrate uptake and expression of genes involved in nitrate transport in maize (Zea mays L.). Journal of Experimental Botany, 55, 803–813.
Reeza A A, Ahmed O H, Nik Muhamad N A M, Jalloh M B. 2009. Reducing ammonia loss from urea by mixing with humic and fulvic acids isolated from coal. American Journal of Environmental Sciences, 5, 420–426.
Richter J, Roelcke M. 2000. The N-cycle as determined by intensive agriculture-examples from central Europe and China. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 57, 33–46.
Saha B K, Patti A F. 2016. Brown coal-urea blend for increasing nitrogen use efficiency and biomass yield. In: Proceedings of the 2016 International Nitrogen Initiative Conference, “Solutions to Improve Nitrogen Use Efficiency for the World”. Melbourne, Australia. pp. 4–8.
Shen J, Li C, Mi G, Li L, Yuan L, Jiang R, Zhang F. 2013. Maximizing root/rhizosphere efficiency to improve crop productivity and nutrient use efficiency in intensive agriculture of China. Journal of Experimental Botany, 64, 1181–1192.
Shi Z, Li D, Jing Q, Cai J, Jiang D, Cao W, Dai T. 2012. Effects of nitrogen applications on soil nitrogen balance and nitrogen utilization of winter wheat in a rice-wheat rotation. Field Crops Research, 127, 241–247.
Stevenson F J. 1994. Humus Chemistry: Genesis, Composition, Reactions. 2nd ed. Wiley, New York.
Tan K H. 2014. Humic Matter in Soil and the Environment: Principles and Controversies. CRC Press, USA.
Thorn K A, Mikita M A. 1992. Ammonia fixation by humic substances: A nitrogen-15 and carbon-13 NMR study. Science of the Total Environment, 113, 67–87.
Tollenaar M, Dwyer L M, Stewart D W. 1992. Ear and kernel formation in maize hybrids representing three decades of grain yield improvement in Ontario. Crop Science, 32, 432–438.
Tsimba R, Edmeades G O, Millner J P, Kemp P D. 2013. The effect of planting date on maize grain yields and yield components. Field Crops Research, 150, 135–144.
Uhart S A, Andrade F H. 1995. Nitrogen deficiency in maize: II. Carbon-nitrogen interaction effects on kernel number and grain yield. Crop Science, 35, 1384–1389.
Vitousek P M, Naylor R, Crews T, David M B, Drinkwater L E, Holland E, Johnes P J, Katzenberger J, Martinelli L A, Matson P A, Nzibuheba G, Ojima D, Palm C A, Robertson G P, Sanchez P A, Townsend A R, Zhang F. 2009. Nutrient imbalances in agricultural development. Science, 324, 1519–1520.
Van Vuuren J A J, Claassens A S. 2009. Greenhouse pot trials to determine the efficacy of black urea compared to other nitrogen sources. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 40, 576–586.
Westgate M E, Forcella F, Reicosky D C, Somsen J. 1997. Rapid canopy closure for maize production in the northern US Corn Belt: radiation-use efficiency and grain yield. Field Crops Research, 49, 249–258.
Wiesler F. 1998. Comparative assessment of the efficacy of various nitrogen fertilizers. Journal of Crop Production, 1, 81–114.
Yang G, Chu K, Tang H, Nie Y, Zhang X. 2013. Fertilizer 15N accumulation, recovery and distribution in cotton plant as affected by N rate and split. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 12, 999–1007.
Yang Y, Wang X, Dai K, Jia S, Meng C, Zhao Q, Zhang X, Zhang D, Feng Z, Sun Y, Wu X, Cai D, Grant C. 2011. Fate of labeled urea-15N as basal and topdressing applications in an irrigated wheat-maize rotation system in North China Plain: II summer maize. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 90, 379–389.
Yuan L, Zhao B, Lin Z, Wen Y, Li Y. 2014. Effect of value-added urea on wheat yield and N use efficiency and the distribution of residual N in soil profiles. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer, 20, 620–628. (in Chinese)
Yusuff M T M, Ahmed O H, Majid N M A. 2009. Effect of enhancing urea-humic acid mixture with refined acid sulphate soil. American Journal of Applied Sciences, 6, 1892–1896.
Zaman M, Saggar S, Blennerhassett J D, Singh J. 2009. Effect of urease and nitrification inhibitors on N transformation, gaseous emissions of ammonia and nitrous oxide, pasture yield and N uptake in grazed pasture system. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 41, 1270–1280.
Zhang S, Yuan L, Li W, Lin Z, Li Y, Hu S, Zhao B. 2017a. Characterization of pH-fractionated humic acids derived from Chinese weathered coal. Chemosphere, 166, 334–342.
Zhang S, Yuan L, Li W, Lin Z, Li Y, Hu S, Zhao B. 2017b. Effects of humic acid urea on yield and the fate of fertilize nitrogen. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer, 23, 1207–1214. (in Chinese)
Zhao B, Yang X, Li Y, Lin Z, Yuan L. 2012. Discussion on development of new type fertilizer in China. Phosphate & Compound Fertilizer, 27, 1–4. (in Chinese)
Zheng P. 1991. The Application and Production of Peat Humic Acids. Chemical Industry Press, Beijing. (in Chinese)
Zhou S, Wu Y, Wang Z, Lu L, Wang R. 2008. The nitrate leached below maize root zone is available for deep-rooted wheat in winter wheat-summer maize rotation in the North China Plain. Environmental Pollution, 152, 723–730.
Zhu Z, Chen D. 2002. Nitrogen fertilizer use in China - Contributions to food production, impacts on the environment and best management strategies. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 63, 117–127.
 
[1] LI Teng, ZHANG Xue-peng, LIU Qing, LIU Jin, CHEN Yuan-quan, SUI Peng. Yield penalty of maize (Zea mays L.) under heat stress in different growth stages: A review[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2022, 21(9): 2465-2476.
[2] HUI Jing, LIU Zhi, DUAN Feng-ying, ZHAO Yang, LI Xue-lian, AN Xia, WU Xiang-yu, YUAN Li-xing. Ammonium-dependent regulation of ammonium transporter ZmAMT1s expression conferred by glutamine levels in roots of maize[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2022, 21(8): 2413-2421.
[3] TIAN Xue-liang, LIU Jia-jia, LIU Quan-cheng, XIA Xin-yao, PENG Yong, Alejandra I. HUERTA, YAN Jian-bing, LI Hui, LIU Wen-de. The effects of soil properties, cropping systems and geographic location on soil prokaryotic communities in four maize production regions across China [J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2022, 21(7): 2145-2157.
[4] ZHANG Wen-li, LIN Qi-mei, Li Gui-tong, ZHAO Xiao-rong. The ciliate protozoan Colpoda cucullus can improve maize growth by transporting soil phosphates[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2022, 21(3): 855-861.
[5] LI Kun, YANG Xue, LIU Xiao-gang, HU Xiao-jiao, WU Yu-jin, WANG Qi, MA Fei-qian, LI Shu-qiang, WANG Hong-wu, LIU Zhi-fang, HUANG Chang-ling. QTL analysis of the developmental changes in cell wall components and forage digestibility in maize (Zea mays L.)[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2022, 21(12): 3501-3513.
[6] Jules NGANGO, Seungjee HONG. Adoption of small-scale irrigation technologies and its impact on land productivity: Evidence from Rwanda[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2021, 20(8): 2302-2312.
[7] CHEN Bao-qing, Shahar BARAM, DONG Wen-yi, HE Wen-qing, LIU En-ke, YAN Chang-rong. Response of carbon footprint to plastic film mulch application in spring maize production and mitigation strategy[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2021, 20(7): 1933-1943.
[8] WU Yang, BIAN Shao-feng, LIU Zhi-ming, WANG Li-chun, WANG Yong-jun, XU Wen-hua, ZHOU Yu. Drip irrigation incorporating water conservation measures: Effects on soil water–nitrogen utilization, root traits and grain production of spring maize in semi-arid areas[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2021, 20(12): 3127-3142.
[9] WU Jian-zhai, ZHANG Jing, GE Zhang-ming, XING Li-wei, HAN Shu-qing, SHEN Chen, KONG Fan-tao . Impact of climate change on maize yield in China from 1979 to 2016[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2021, 20(1): 289-299.
[10] LU Feng-zhong, YU Hao-qiang, LI Si, LI Wan-chen, ZHANG Zhi-yong, FU Feng-ling. Functional polymorphism among members of abscisic acid receptor family (ZmPYL) in maize[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2020, 19(9): 2165-2176.
[11] TIAN Bei-jing, ZHU Jin-cheng, LIU Xi-wei, HUANG Shou-bing, WANG Pu.
Interacting leaf dynamics and environment to optimize maize sowing date in North China Plain
[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2020, 19(5): 1227-1240.
[12] CHANG Hui-qing, WANG Qi-zhen, LI Zhao-jun, WU Jie, XU Xiao-feng, SHI Zhao-yong.
The effects of calcium combined with chitosan amendment on the bioavailability of exogenous Pb in calcareous soil
[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2020, 19(5): 1375-1386.
[13] GONG An-dong, JING Zhong-ying, ZHANG Kai, TAN Qing-qun, WANG Guo-liang, LIU Wen-de.
Bioinformatic analysis and functional characterization of the cfem proteins in maize anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum graminicola
[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2020, 19(2): 541-550.
[14] YI Fu-jin, FENG Jia-ao, WANG Yan-jun, JIANG Fei.
Influence of surface ozone on crop yield of maize in China
[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2020, 19(2): 578-589.
[15] DONG Peng-fei, XIE Rui-zhi, WANG Ke-ru, MING bo, HOU Peng, HOU Jun-feng, XUE Jun, LI Chao-hai, LI shao-kun. Kernel crack characteristics for X-ray computed microtomography (μCT) and their relationship with the breakage rate of maize varieties[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2020, 19(11): 2680-2689.
No Suggested Reading articles found!