Ammonium Sulfate (AMS) Reduces Ammonia Volatilization
New Study Finds AMS Reduces Ammonia Volatilization Compared to Urea in Alkaline Soils.
A recent research study has shed light on the surface application of ammonium sulfate (AMS) as a sulfur (S) source to soils with a pH level of 7.0 or higher. The study reveals that in such alkaline soils, AMS exhibits lower levels of ammonia (NH3) volatilization compared to urea. This finding suggests that AMS is a more efficient choice when it comes to minimizing NH3 losses through volatilization.
Interestingly, the study also highlights that in soils with a pH level below 7.0, AMS experiences minimal NH3 volatilization in contrast to urea. This implies that when AMS is used as an S source in slightly acidic soils, the associated nitrogen (N) content can potentially contribute to enhanced early biological N fixation, particularly beneficial for leguminous crops. In comparison, S sources lacking nitrogen, such as polyhalite, may not offer the same advantage.
These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing fertilizer choices for different soil conditions, emphasizing the potential benefits of utilizing AMS in alkaline and slightly acidic soils to reduce NH3 volatilization and promote early biological N fixation in leguminous crops.
