Can zeolites be used in sugarcane cropping systems to help reduce nitrogen losses into the Australian Great Barrier Reef?
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Description
Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of natural (NatZeo) and acid-treated (AcidZeo) zeolites in increasing the nitrogen (N) recovery of sugarcane grown under conditions highly conducive for N losses. Methods: This glasshouse trial replicated the pedoclimatic conditions typical of the Australian sugarcane industry in the Wet Tropics to evaluate the capacity and economic feasibility of using NatZeo and AcidZeo to reduce leaching and increase plant and soil N recovery in a highly permeable sandy-loam soil. Nitrogen fertiliser was applied at two rates (84 and 120 kg N ha−1) as 15N-enriched urea. Results: Compared with the unamended treatments, AcidZeo led to significantly higher average fertiliser N recoveries in both the soil (+24%) and plant (+54%), which resulted in significantly lower overall N losses (−22%). However, the significantly higher capacity of AcidZeo in retaining ions limited the availability of potassium and sulphur to the plants and led to a 4% yield reduction. The use of NatZeo led to lower abatements of N losses (−6%) but increased N recoveries in the plant (+22%). NatZeo did not result in as much cation immobilisation, which, combined with the increased plant/soil N recovery, resulted in the highest yield of the trial (+8% compared with the unamended treatments). The economic analysis indicated that only NatZeo could potentially increase farmer’s income when applied in 20 cm wide strips around the fertiliser band. Conclusions: This study highlights that zeolites have potential to improve the environmental sustainability and profitability of sugarcane cropping systems.
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ID Code: | 248636 | ||||||||
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Item Type: | Contribution to Journal (Journal Article) | ||||||||
Refereed: | Yes | ||||||||
ORCID iD: |
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Measurements or Duration: | 18 pages | ||||||||
Keywords: | N, Fertilisation, Nitrate leaching, Nitrogen use efficiency, Stable isotope, Water quality | ||||||||
DOI: | 10.1007/s11104-024-06643-5 | ||||||||
ISSN: | 0032-079X | ||||||||
Pure ID: | 169227112 | ||||||||
Divisions: | Current > Research Centres > Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy ?? 1469140 ?? Current > QUT Faculties and Divisions > Faculty of Science Current > Schools > School of Biology & Environmental Science Current > QUT Faculties and Divisions > Faculty of Engineering Current > Schools > School of Mechanical, Medical & Process Engineering |
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Funding Information: | This research was conducted as part of the Early-Career and Mid-Career Researcher Award funded by Sugarcane Research Australia (SRA) and is dedicated to the memory of Gregory Stephen, Managing Director of Zeolite Australia. | ||||||||
Copyright Owner: | Crown 2024 | ||||||||
Copyright Statement: | This work is covered by copyright. Unless the document is being made available under a Creative Commons Licence, you must assume that re-use is limited to personal use and that permission from the copyright owner must be obtained for all other uses. If the document is available under a Creative Commons License (or other specified license) then refer to the Licence for details of permitted re-use. It is a condition of access that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. If you believe that this work infringes copyright please provide details by email to qut.copyright@qut.edu.au | ||||||||
Deposited On: | 21 May 2024 03:37 | ||||||||
Last Modified: | 06 Aug 2024 22:45 |
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