Nitrification Inhibitors
Nitrification inhibitor refers to the chemical that inhibits the conversion of ammonium nitrogen to nitrate nitrogen (NCT). Nitrification inhibitors reduce the loss of nitrogen fertilizer in the form of nitrate nitrogen and its impact on the ecological environment by reducing the formation and accumulation of nitrate nitrogen in the soil. Some studies have shown that nitrification inhibitors are beneficial to reduce nitrogen leaching loss and greenhouse gas (nitrogen oxide) emissions, and have a positive effect on improving fertilizer efficiency under certain conditions.
They selectively inhibit the activity of nitrifying bacteria in the soil, thereby slowing the reaction rate of ammonium nitrogen into nitrate in the soil. Ammonium nitrogen can be absorbed by soil colloids and is not easily lost. However, under soil venting conditions, ammonium nitrogen can be converted to nitrate nitrogen under the action of microorganisms. This process is called nitrification. The rate of reaction depends on soil moisture and temperature. When the temperature is below 10 ° C, the nitrification reaction rate is very slow; when the temperature is above 20 ° C, the reaction speed is fast. In addition to some crops such as rice that can directly absorb ammonium nitrogen under irrigation conditions, most crops absorb nitrate nitrogen. However, nitrate nitrogen is easily lost in the soil, and the use of nitrification inhibitors to control the rate of nitrification can reduce the loss of nitrogen and increase the utilization rate of nitrogen fertilizer. Usually the nitrification inhibitor is mixed with the nitrogen fertilizer before application. In addition to reducing nitrogen fertilizer loss, increasing nitrogen use efficiency and increasing yield, nitrification inhibitors can also reduce nitrite content in crops, improve crop quality, and reduce soil, groundwater and environmental pollution when fertilization is too high.