Author(s): MORO, E.; CRUSCIOL, C. A. C.; NASCENTE, A. S.; CANTARELLA, H.

Summary: In no-tillage systems (NTS), biological activity and nitrification process in the soil are higher due to higher organic matter and moisture contents, resulting in higher levels of nitrate compared with areas under conventional tillage systems. However, nitrogen in the form of nitrate is more easily leached, helping to reduce nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) by plants, besides contaminating water resources. Therefore, the use of alternatives that promote the persistence of ammonium in the soil contribute to increased nitrogen use efficiency in agricultural systems, as well as to their sustainability. The purpose of this review was to discuss the process of nitrification inhibition. We observed that it is possible to increase the content of ammonium in the soil, contributing to the reduction of N loss through leaching and increasing the efficiency of nitrogen use by crops, thus providing sustainability to agricultural systems. To this end, the use of cover crops, such as Brachiaria species, and synthetic nitrification inhibitors incorporated to nitrogen fertilizers are among the alternatives. Nevertheless, studies should be developed in order to clarify the conditions under which these cover crops can be introduced in agricultural systems for this purpose and also which factors interfere on the efficiency of synthetic nitrification inhibitors.

Publication year: 2014

Types of publication: Journal article

Unit: Embrapa Rice & Beans

Keywords: Amônia, Nitrato, Nitrificação, Nitrogênio, Plantio direto