HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Stanley, F. A. Articles by Smith, G. E. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Stanley, F. A. Articles by Smith, G. E. Agricola Articles by Stanley, F. A. Articles by Smith, G. E.

Effect of Soil Moisture and Depth of Application on Retention of Anhydrous Ammonia¹

ABSTRACT

A procedure for the accurate application of small quantities of anhydrous ammonia to soil and measurement of losses has been developed. Retention of ammonia was high when applied to soils of optimum moisture content, or when placed at least 6 inches deep in dry soil. Losses were much greater when applied to wet soils. The loss from wet soil was gradual, indicating the escape was not from the knife openings. When anhydrous ammonia equivalent to 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre in 40-inch spacings was applied, some soils could not adsorb this amount in the diffusion area. As moisture evaporated from the surface, the ammonia moved upward and was lost. When ammonia was released in the soil, movement upward was greater than to the side or below the point of release. Movement and retention were greater in cloddy soil than where there was good crumb structure. Anhydrous ammonia increased the availability of phosphorus, had little effect on exchangeable potassium, but depressed the availability of calcium. The magnitude of the effects of ammonia on these ions is probably of little practical importance.

Contribution from the Missouri Agr. Exp. Sta., Journal Series 1543. Approved by the Director. This study was supported in part by a grant from the Phillips Petroleum Company, Bartlesville, Okla.

² Assistant in Soils, and Professor of Soils, respectively.

Received for publication September 10, 1955.