Slow-Release Fertilisers Control N Losses but Negatively Impact on Agronomic Performances of Pasture: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis
High nitrogen (N) losses and low nitrogen utilisation efficiency (NUE) of conventional-nitrogen fertilisers (CNFs) are due to a mismatch between N-delivery and plant demand; thus, slow-release N fertilisers (SRNFs) are designed to improve the match. A quantitative synthesis is lacking to provide the...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-11-01
|
| Series: | Nitrogen |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3129/5/4/68 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850037304025939968 |
|---|---|
| author | Gunaratnam Abhiram |
| author_facet | Gunaratnam Abhiram |
| author_sort | Gunaratnam Abhiram |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | High nitrogen (N) losses and low nitrogen utilisation efficiency (NUE) of conventional-nitrogen fertilisers (CNFs) are due to a mismatch between N-delivery and plant demand; thus, slow-release N fertilisers (SRNFs) are designed to improve the match. A quantitative synthesis is lacking to provide the overall assessment of SRNFs on pasture. This meta-analysis analyses application rate and type of SRNFs on N losses and agronomic performances with 65 data points from 14 studies in seven countries. Standardized mean difference of SRNFs for nitrate leaching losses and N<sub>2</sub>O emission were −0.87 and −0.69, respectively, indicating their effectiveness in controlling losses. Undesirably, SRNFs had a more negative impact on dry matter (DM) yield and NUE than CNFs. Subgroup analysis showed that SRNF type and application rate had an impact on all tested parameters. The biodegradable coating-type of SRNF outperformed other types in controlling N losses and improving agronomic performances. High application rates (>100 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup>) of SRNFs are more effective in controlling N losses. In conclusion, SRNFs are more conducive to controlling N losses, but they showed a negative impact on yield and NUE in pasture. Further studies are recommended to assess the efficacy of SRNFs developed using advanced technologies to understand their impact on pastoral agriculture. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fec2c01c8d00486b9ef6db92d53718b4 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2504-3129 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nitrogen |
| spelling | doaj-art-fec2c01c8d00486b9ef6db92d53718b42025-08-20T02:56:54ZengMDPI AGNitrogen2504-31292024-11-01541058107310.3390/nitrogen5040068Slow-Release Fertilisers Control N Losses but Negatively Impact on Agronomic Performances of Pasture: Evidence from a Meta-AnalysisGunaratnam Abhiram0Department of Export Agriculture, Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture, Uva Wellassa University, Badulla 90000, Sri LankaHigh nitrogen (N) losses and low nitrogen utilisation efficiency (NUE) of conventional-nitrogen fertilisers (CNFs) are due to a mismatch between N-delivery and plant demand; thus, slow-release N fertilisers (SRNFs) are designed to improve the match. A quantitative synthesis is lacking to provide the overall assessment of SRNFs on pasture. This meta-analysis analyses application rate and type of SRNFs on N losses and agronomic performances with 65 data points from 14 studies in seven countries. Standardized mean difference of SRNFs for nitrate leaching losses and N<sub>2</sub>O emission were −0.87 and −0.69, respectively, indicating their effectiveness in controlling losses. Undesirably, SRNFs had a more negative impact on dry matter (DM) yield and NUE than CNFs. Subgroup analysis showed that SRNF type and application rate had an impact on all tested parameters. The biodegradable coating-type of SRNF outperformed other types in controlling N losses and improving agronomic performances. High application rates (>100 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup>) of SRNFs are more effective in controlling N losses. In conclusion, SRNFs are more conducive to controlling N losses, but they showed a negative impact on yield and NUE in pasture. Further studies are recommended to assess the efficacy of SRNFs developed using advanced technologies to understand their impact on pastoral agriculture.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3129/5/4/68grassnitrate leachingnitrogen utilisation efficiencynitrous oxide emissionpasture yield |
| spellingShingle | Gunaratnam Abhiram Slow-Release Fertilisers Control N Losses but Negatively Impact on Agronomic Performances of Pasture: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis Nitrogen grass nitrate leaching nitrogen utilisation efficiency nitrous oxide emission pasture yield |
| title | Slow-Release Fertilisers Control N Losses but Negatively Impact on Agronomic Performances of Pasture: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis |
| title_full | Slow-Release Fertilisers Control N Losses but Negatively Impact on Agronomic Performances of Pasture: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Slow-Release Fertilisers Control N Losses but Negatively Impact on Agronomic Performances of Pasture: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Slow-Release Fertilisers Control N Losses but Negatively Impact on Agronomic Performances of Pasture: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis |
| title_short | Slow-Release Fertilisers Control N Losses but Negatively Impact on Agronomic Performances of Pasture: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis |
| title_sort | slow release fertilisers control n losses but negatively impact on agronomic performances of pasture evidence from a meta analysis |
| topic | grass nitrate leaching nitrogen utilisation efficiency nitrous oxide emission pasture yield |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3129/5/4/68 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT gunaratnamabhiram slowreleasefertiliserscontrolnlossesbutnegativelyimpactonagronomicperformancesofpastureevidencefromametaanalysis |