A slow release nitrogen fertiliser produced by simultaneous granulation and superheated steam drying of urea with brown coal

Michael T. Rose, Emily L. Perkins, Biplob K. Saha, Evone C.W. Tang, Timothy R. Cavagnaro, W. Roy Jackson, Karen P. Hapgood, Andrew F.A. Hoadley, Antonio F. Patti

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Background: The inefficient use of nitrogen (N) fertiliser as a consequence of N losses from soil is a pressing issue in broad-acre agricultural systems. The research reported here tested the hypothesis that granulation of synthetic N fertiliser (urea) with a natural organic C resource (brown coal) would reduce fertiliser N loss from the soil system. 

Results: Urea-enriched brown coal granules were simultaneously formed and dried within a pilot-scale superheated steam dryer. After application to unplanted soil columns, the urea-brown coal granules reduced nitrous oxide emission by up to 40 %, reduced mineral nitrogen leaching and maintained higher levels of N in topsoil when compared to conventional urea alone. Reduced gaseous N losses without a reduction in plant N uptake were also observed in planted soil columns treated with urea-brown coal granules. 

Conclusions: Brown coal-urea blended fertiliser showed potential for more efficient use of N in the long term and has environmental benefits in retaining more N in the soil.

Original languageEnglish
Article number10
Number of pages14
JournalChemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture
Volume3
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 May 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Controlled-release fertiliser
  • Greenhouse gas emissions
  • Lignite
  • Nitrous oxide
  • Soil enhancement
  • Superheated steam drying

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