CHANGES OF MINERAL NITROGEN IN SOIL UNDER CONTROLLED CLIMATE CONDITIONS

Abstract

Nitrogen is one of the most important elements in the mineral nutrition, promoting plant growth and productivity. This element of mineral nutrition strongly affects not only the plant, but also the microorganisms in the soil and the soil microflora. Changes in the content of amide (NH₂^-), ammonia (NH₄⁺) and nitrate (NO₃^-) nitrogen are directly influenced by soil moisture, ambient temperature and the activity of microorganisms. Improving the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer use reduces the amount of nitrogen that directly affects the contamination of soil and water resources. Vegetative research conducted in 2020 Vytautas Magnus University Agricultural Academy at the experimental station, climatic chamber. The aim of this study was to evaluate different forms of nitrogen fertilizers and environments temperature impact on ammonium (N-NH₄⁺), nitrate (N-NO₃^-) and mineral (N-NH₄⁺ + N-NO₃^-) nitrogen content changes in soil 0-15 cm by simulating 20 mm of precipitation.

Ammonia (N-NH₄) nitrogen content on day 7 after fertilization was significantly higher in urea fertilized soil compared to ammonium nitrate and nitrate nitrogen in ammonium nitrate fertilized soil. Ambient temperature has more affected the transformation of urea in the soil. Mineral (N_min) Nitrogen content in the 0–15 cm soil layer depends directly on the fertilizer forms and soil temperature.