NITROGEN

Nitrogen (N)

Jaringan tanaman mengandung 1 5% N

Diserap dalam bentuk NO3- dan NH4+
Penyusun protein (DNA dan RNA)
Bagian penting dari chlorofil (porphyrin ring
system )
Pertumbuhan vegetatif dan chlorosis
Mempercepat penuaan tanaman
Pembentukan karbohidrat
Mudah bergerak di dalam tanah (mobile)

Nitrogen (N): 1-5%

Gejala Defisiensi
(kekahatan)
Tanaman menjadi kerdil
dan/atau menjadi kuning
pada daun yang tua
N bersifat mobil dalam
tanaman, jadi daun baru
dapat tetap hijau
Kelebihan N menghambat
pemasakan, tanaman
sukulen dan mudah
terserang hama-penyakit

Nitrogen Fertilizers

Natural organic materials

guano
animal byproduct, manure, plant residues, sewage
sludge used in specialty fertilizersfor lawns and
shrubs
most of N released is converted to N in three weeks.

Natural inorganic N
Nitrate of soda (NaNO3)

mined and refined in Chile

contains 16% NO3-N

NH3 from coal (Europe)

Synthetic chemical fertilizers

Anhydrous ammonia
82% N; stored as a liquid under pressure;
becomes a gas when released.
Applied directly to soil by injection tubes
Some is lost to atmosphere during application.
Need special equipment
Urea [CO(NH2)2]

46% N
rapid hydrolysis to NH4+
incorporate to pervent volatilization

Synthetic chemical fertilizers

Ammonium Nitrate [NH4NO3]
33.5 -34.5 % N
adsorbs moisture (hygroscopic)
granulated to reduce caking
can be expolsive
Nitrogen Solutions (non-pressure)
NH4NO3 and or urea
urea and NH4NO3 dissolved in water called
UAN/solutions
Aqua ammonia - Ammonia gas dissolved in water
(21% N)

Synthetic chemical fertilizers

Ammonium sulfate 20.5% N
NH3 + H2SO4 =====> (NH4)2SO4
also supplies sulfate
good handling and storage
Ammonium phosphates - used primarily as a
source of P
NH3 + H3PO4 =====> NH4H2PO4 ............11-48-0
Monoammonium phosphate (MAP)..... 11-48-0
NH3 + H3PO4 =====> NH4H2PO4
Diammonium phosphate (DAP) ... 18-46-0
(NH4)2HOP4

Synthetic chemical fertilizers

potassium nitrate .... 13-0-44

6KCl + 12 HNO3 ==> 6KNO3 + 3Cl2 + 6NO2 +

6H20

used mostly as a sidedressing

calcium nitrate

used in Europe

Symptom of Nutrients deficiency

Symptom of Nutrient
Deficiency

Kekurangan Nitrogen (N)

Oxidation States of Soil N

N Form

Name

Oxidation state

organic-N

-3

NH4+

ammonium

-3

N2

dinitrogen gas

NO2-

nitrite

+3

NO3-

nitrate

+5

0 (oxidation) (reduction)

N-cycle

Volatilization

plant & animal residues

5
7 Fixation

Denitrification
NO3-

Aminasi

N2

organic-N

2
1

Nitrification
NO2-

NH4+
Amonifikasi

Forms of soil N
1.
2.

inorganic - NO3-, NH4+

organic - unavailable to plants : 97-98% of total
N in soils is in the organic form. 1-2% per year is
mineralized

Mineralization vs. Immobilization

Low C:N (high N content)

Alfalfa, peas, grass

High C:N (low N)

straw, bark, sawdust

Ammonia Volatilization
- gaseous loss of N

Ammonia Volatilization
Urea:
CO(NH2)2
NH3 +CO2 + H2O
urea
soil enzymes
& H2O

- Most volatilization when:

coarse or sandy-textured soils
low clay and low organic matter
(which adsorb NH4+)
dry alkaline surface

 Volatilization

Urea

NH4+ fertilizers

Anhydrous Ammonia (NH3)

Nitrification
NH4+

ammonium

NO2-

nitrite

NO3-

nitrate

- oxidation of N

* Autotrophic bacteria
obtain energy from N oxidation
Nitrosomonas
NH4+

NO2- + energy

Nitrobacter
NO2-

NO3- + energy

Nitrification (contd)
* Rapid in well-aerated,
warm, moist soils
aerobic organisms
(O2 is required)
little NO2- accumulation

* Acid-forming process
NH4+ +3/2O2

NO2- + 2H+ + H2O

Nitrogen (nitrate?) Leaching

Eutrification

Denitrification

Denitrification
Gaseous loss of N upon N reduction
+ e-

+ e-

+ e-

nitric
oxide

+ e-

nitrous
oxide

Denitrification (contd)
* Microorganisms responsible:
facultative anaerobes
- prefer O2 but will use N
for a terminal e- acceptor
mostly heterotrophic
- use organic-C for energy source
(reductions require energy)

Denitrification (contd)
* Denitrification enhanced by:
low O2 (flooding)
high O.M. (energy source)
high NO3-

Denitrification (contd)
* Metabolic reduction is not denitrification
(no N gas formation)
organisms
NO3-

NO3- NH4+ organic-N

- N is reduced for use in protein formation

Nitrogen Fixation
N2

(organisms) NH4+

* Symbiotic relation between

bacteria and plants:
- legumes
+
- rhizobium

Nitrogen Fixation
Bacteria: Rhizobium genus

(species specific)

R. meliloti - alfalfa
R. trifolii - clover
R. phaseoli - beans

- bacteria require plant to function

- inoculation of seed
(coat seed with proper bacteria)

Process:
nodule

Rhizobium

(b) Process:
organic-N

N2

Rhizobium
organic-C

C from plant photosynthesis

N from fixation of N2

symbiosis

Quantity of N Fixed

Alfalfa and clover provide

100 - 250 kg N/ha/yr

(mature stand, good fertility & pH)

Beans and peas

less fixation but high protein food

with minimum N input

added N fertilizer
lowered N fixation

Symbiotic Nodules - Nonlegumes

* Organisms
actinomycetes

* Plants

Alders

- Frankia

and other trees

Symbiotic - without nodules

* Azolla/Anabaena complex

blue-green algae (N-fixer)

in leaves
floating fern in rice paddies

* Rhizosphere organisms
use root exudates (C)
large areas

Nonsymbiotic N-fixation:
Free-living Organisms
* Bacteria and blue-green algae

aerobic and anaerobic

small amounts: 5 - 50 kg/ha/yr

inhibited by available soil N