Nitrogen loss from soils

The largest use of a-picoline (2) is for production of 2-vinylpyridine (11) which, with butadiene and styrene, is converted into a terpolymer latex. This latex provides a coating that stiffens fabrics (e. g. nylon, polyester, rayon) that are incorporated into biased-ply car tires. The 2-vinylpyridinc assists in binding the rubber to the fabric carcass. a-Picoline is also used as a precursor to nitrapyrin (12), which prevents nitrogen loss from soil, and the herbicide picloram (13). 

K. A. Smith and J. R. M. Arah, Losses of Nitrogen by Denitrification and Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides from Soils, The Fertiliser Soeiety, 1990, Proeeedings No. 299. 

Loss of nitrogen compounds from soils is also a major pathway into the atmosphere for some compounds (e.g., N2O, NO, and NH3). As in the aquatic systems, parameters that play an important role in this process include the nature of the compound soil temperature, water content, pH, aeration of the soil and a concentration gradient of the gas in question. 

Minimization of agricultural losses from soil toxins Toxins from soils appear to be responsible for inhibition of nitrogen fixation, metabolism and nodulation in legumes. Removal of toxins could be achieved by proper adsorption techniques and also by growing companion plants that contribute organic matter to microoranisms which help to destroy or degrade toxic chemicals. 

RYDEN, J.C., LOCKYER, D.R. and BRISTOW, A.W. (1983). Circulation of mineral elements within the environment of forage plants. Gaseous nitrogen losses from grassland soils. Annual Report 1982, 25-32, Hurley, The Grassland Research Institute. 

De Datta SK, Trevitt ACF, Freney JR, Obcemea WN, Real JG, Simpson JR. 1989. Measuring nitrogen losses from lowland rice using bulk aerodynamic and nitrogen-15 balance methods. Soil Science Society of America Journal 53 1275-1281. 

The N-serve literature points out that a nitrification inhibitor is helpful only when conditions favor high nitrogen loss from the soil. Such conditions are heavy rainfall or heavy irrigation, coarse-textured soil, and soil in the pH range where nitrification readily occurs. Nitrate thus formed will leach down into anaerobic soil layers. 

Buresh, R., DeLaune, R., and Patrick, W. (1981). Influence of Spartina alternijlora on nitrogen loss from marsh soil. Soil Sd. Soc. Am. J. 45, 660-661. 

Debreczeni K, Berecz K. 1998. Monitoring of gaseous nitrogen losses from nitrogen fertilizers in model experiments. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 29(11-14) 2207-2216. 

Hooker, M. L., G. A. Peterson, and D. H. Sander (1973). Ammonia nitrogen losses from simulated plowing of native sods. Soil Sci. Am. Proc. 37, 247-249. 

This mechanism of loss of nitrogen is now considered as one of the more important channels of loss from soils. As already pointed out, soil organic matter is constantly undergoing decomposition with the formation of ammonia as the end product of the degradation process. The ammonia rarely accumulates, however, for if not assimilated by plants or microorganisms it is oxidized rather rapidly to nitrite, and then to nitrate. In the absence of a crop, nitrate nitrogen may accumulate to the extent of 20, 50 or even 100... 

The main nitrogen losses from marshes are caused by denitrification and detrital export and sedimentation sinks. Denitrification has been reported to be the major cause of nitrogen loss from marshes. Although the potential for denitrification is very high in the reduced marsh soil, the level of in situ denitrification depends on the availability of nitrate. Nitrate must be either formed through nitrification of ammonium or supplied from an extrinsic source such as tidal input, wet deposition, or groundwater flow. 

Nitrogen input to soil Microbiological fixation Atmospheric electrical discharge Nitrogen loss from the soil Growing crops... 

Nitrogen losses from organic sources can be minimised by application in the spring and summer rather than the autumn and winter, and such practices as soil injection will reduce volatilisation losses. Nitrification inhibitors have been investigated but their effects are often variable, and their widespread use is precluded by high costs. Dilution, acidification and separation are also techniques which have been investigated and which show some promise. 

BROADBENT F.E. 1947. Nitrogen release and carbon loss from soil organic matter during decomposition of added plant residues. Proceedings of the Soil Science Society of America, 12, 246-249. 

Figure 4 Losses of nitrogen as nitrate during 38 years from soil that was uneropped, uneultivated, and unfertilized. (Taken from Addiseott et air)...

The interest in gaseous losses of nitrogen from soil is now extensive and includes the well established community of soil scientists concerned with losses of fertilizer-applied nitrogen by nitrification and denitrification. More recently, interest in ammonia losses from plants and soil has been stimulated by the very large emissions from intensive cattle production in the Netherlands and their... 

In addition to a complete water balance, EPIC estimates plant biomass production, fertilizer use, wind and water erosion, loss of nitrogen and phosphorus from the soil, and the effect of nutrient loss from the soil on plant growth. 

FRENEY, J.R., SIMPSON, J.R. and DENMEAD, O.T. (1983). Volatilisation of ammonia. In Freney, J.R. and Simpson, J.R. (eds), Gaseous Loss of Nitrogen from Soil-Plant Systems, 1-32. The Hague, Martinus Nijhoff/Dr W.Junk. 

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