Temporal response of ureolytic and ammonia-oxidizing microbes and pasture yield to urea and NBPT at Leigh Creek of Victoria in Australia

Abstract

The urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) has been reported to effectively reduce nitrogen (N) losses by inhibiting urea hydrolysis. However, the effect of NBPT on soil ureolytic and ammonia-oxidizing microbes is not well understood, with inconsistent effects on crop yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Further, repeated use or overuse of chemical fertilizers can have environmental implications like soil acidification. A field experiment was conducted at Leigh Creek, Victoria at a site with a history of repeated application of urea alone (40U) or with NBPT (as Green Urea NV® (40GU)) at 40 kg N ha−1, and urea applied at 80 kg N ha−1 (80U), to perennial ryegrass (Loli..