TY - JOUR
T1 - Nano-biochar-based struvite with urea reduces ammonia emission and warming potential, promotes nitrogen utilization balance, and improves net ecosystem economic benefits of paddy fields
AU - Li, Yanqi
AU - Wang, Xuanming
AU - Guan, Yu
AU - Wu, Qi
AU - Chi, Daocai
AU - Bolan, Nanthi S.
AU - Siddique, Kadambot H.M.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2025/5/1
Y1 - 2025/5/1
N2 - Context or problem: This study explores the development of an efficient, eco-friendly nano-biochar-based struvite (NBS) fertilizer by enhancing slow-release properties and nanocolloid content of biochar-based fertilizers through ultrasound-assisted magnesium modification. Objective or research question: The NBS fertilizer is designed to partially replace urea at low doses, reducing the environmental impact of fast-release fertilizers while promoting nitrogen (N) balance in the soil–crop system. Methods: A two-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different NBS substitution rates (0 %: CF, 10 %: B1N9, 30 %: B3N7) on soil aggregate stability, ammonia (NH3) volatilization, warming potential, soil apparent N balance, crop N uptake, yield, and net ecosystem economic benefits (NEEB). The critical N concentration dilution curve model and N nutrition index (NNI) were used for assessment. Results: The results showed that the treatments of replacing partial urea with NBS (BN treatments) significantly reduced cumulative NH3 emissions by 19.64–35.20 %, lowering the warming potential by 14.85–31.93 kg CO2-eq ha–1. Floodwater NH4+-N concentration played a stronger role in influencing NH3 volatilization than floodwater pH. Increasing NBS application improved soil aggregate stability by enhancing the proportion of > 250 μm water-stable aggregates, thereby improving N retention. The BN treatments reduced soil apparent N loss by 21.32–41.84 %, and resulted in NNI values between 0.88 and 1.00, indicating balanced crop N utilization. Replacing 10 % urea with NBS (B1N9) led to displayed stronger N assimilation than the 30 % substitution (B3N7) under identical dry matter conditions. The B1N9 treatment also increased yields by 15.02 %, and improved NEEB by 4.38 % (two-year average). Conclusions: Based on these findings, we recommend applying NBS to replace 10 % of urea to enhance agricultural sustainability and profitability.
AB - Context or problem: This study explores the development of an efficient, eco-friendly nano-biochar-based struvite (NBS) fertilizer by enhancing slow-release properties and nanocolloid content of biochar-based fertilizers through ultrasound-assisted magnesium modification. Objective or research question: The NBS fertilizer is designed to partially replace urea at low doses, reducing the environmental impact of fast-release fertilizers while promoting nitrogen (N) balance in the soil–crop system. Methods: A two-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different NBS substitution rates (0 %: CF, 10 %: B1N9, 30 %: B3N7) on soil aggregate stability, ammonia (NH3) volatilization, warming potential, soil apparent N balance, crop N uptake, yield, and net ecosystem economic benefits (NEEB). The critical N concentration dilution curve model and N nutrition index (NNI) were used for assessment. Results: The results showed that the treatments of replacing partial urea with NBS (BN treatments) significantly reduced cumulative NH3 emissions by 19.64–35.20 %, lowering the warming potential by 14.85–31.93 kg CO2-eq ha–1. Floodwater NH4+-N concentration played a stronger role in influencing NH3 volatilization than floodwater pH. Increasing NBS application improved soil aggregate stability by enhancing the proportion of > 250 μm water-stable aggregates, thereby improving N retention. The BN treatments reduced soil apparent N loss by 21.32–41.84 %, and resulted in NNI values between 0.88 and 1.00, indicating balanced crop N utilization. Replacing 10 % urea with NBS (B1N9) led to displayed stronger N assimilation than the 30 % substitution (B3N7) under identical dry matter conditions. The B1N9 treatment also increased yields by 15.02 %, and improved NEEB by 4.38 % (two-year average). Conclusions: Based on these findings, we recommend applying NBS to replace 10 % of urea to enhance agricultural sustainability and profitability.
KW - Ammonia volatilization
KW - Crop nitrogen balance
KW - Nano-biochar-based struvite
KW - Net ecosystem economic benefits (NEEB)
KW - Soil apparent nitrogen balance
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105000473679&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109872
DO - 10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109872
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105000473679
SN - 0378-4290
VL - 326
JO - Field Crops Research
JF - Field Crops Research
M1 - 109872
ER -
