Reducing options of ammonia volatilization and improving nitrogen use efficiency via organic and inorganic amendments in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the effect of organic and inorganic supplements on the reduction of ammonia (NH(3)) volatilization, improvement in nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and wheat yield. METHODS: A field experiment was conducted following a randomized block design with 10 treatments i.e., T(1)-without nitrogen (control), T(2)-recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN), T(3)-(N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide) (NBPT @ 0.5% w/w of RDN), T(4)-hydroquinone (HQ @ 0.3% w/w of RDN), T(5)-calcium carbide (CaC(2) @ 1% w/w of RDN), T(6)-vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM @ 10 kg ha(−1)), T(7)-(azotobacter @ 50 g kg(−1) seeds), T(8)-(garlic powder @ 0.8% w/w of RDN), T(9)-(linseed oil @ 0.06% w/w of RDN), T(10)-(pongamia oil @ 0.06% w/w of RDN). RESULTS: The highest NH(3) volatilization losses were observed in T(2) at about 20.4 kg ha(−1) per season. Significant reduction in NH(3) volatilization losses were observed in T(3) by 40%(,) T(4) by 27%, and T(8) by 17% when compared to the control treatment. Soil urease activity was found to be decreased in plots receiving amendments, T(3), T(4), and T(5). The highest grain yield was observed in the T(7) treated plot with 5.09 t ha(−1,) and straw yield of 9.44 t ha(−1) in T(4). CONCLUSION: The shifting towards organic amendments is a feasible option to reduce NH(3) volatilization from wheat cultivation and improves NUE.