Characteristics and Performance of Novel Water-Absorbent Slow Release Nitrogen Fertilizers

In this article, a research on the characteristics and performance of water-absorbent slow release nitrogen fertilizer （WASRNF） using infrared spectroscopy （IR）, scanning electronic microscopy （SEM）, differential scanning calorimetry （DSC）, and thermogravimetry analysis （TGA）, was present. The results indicate that the water absorbency and nitrogen analysis of WASRNF is 103 g g^-1 and 30%, respectively, and WASRNF exhibits approximately neutral pH and very low salt index. WASRNF is a copolymer of nitrogen fertilizer and super absorbent polymer （SAP） monomers which is formed through hydrogen bond interaction, and the molecule contains hydrophilic groups, which is responsible for the absorption and water retention capacity of the molecule. WASRNF is a gel that exhibits the ability to swell, but does not dissolve in water. WASRNF shows non-homogenous nature as a whole, but in local zone it is homogenous, the copolymer molecule shows chain network that is the physical structure responsible for absorption and retention of water in WASRNF. The water retained in WASRNF exists as free and nonfreezing bound and freezing bound water states, with the free and the nonfreezing water accounting for more than 95% of water retained in WASRNF, and the nonfreezing bound water for less than 5%. WASRNF functions in delaying the release of nitrogen from it, thereby serving a novel slow release nitrogenous fertilizer.

Study of Dynamics of Floodwater Nitrogen and Regulation of Its Runoff Loss in Paddy Field-Based Two-Cropping Rice with Urea and Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilizer Application

The article deals with the effects of urea and controlled release nitrogen fertilizer （CRNF） on dynamics of pH, electronic conductivity （EC）, total nitrogen （TN）, NH4^＋-N and NO3 -N in floodwater, and the regulation of runoff TN loss from paddy field-based two-cropping rice in Dongting Lake, China, and probes the best fertilization management for controlling N loss. Studies were conducted through modeling alluvial sandy loamy paddy soil （ASP） and purple calcareous clayey paddy soil （PCP） using lysimeter, following the sequence of the soil profiles identified by investigating soil profile. After application of urea in paddy field-based two-cropping rice, TN and NHa＋-N concentrations in floodwater reached peak on the 1st and the 3rd day, respectively, and then decreased rapidly over time; all the floodwater NO3--N concentrations were very low; the pH of floodwater gradually rose in case of early rice within 15 d （late rice within 3 d） after application of urea, and EC remained consistent with the dynamics of NH4^＋-N. The applied CRNF, especially 70% CRNF, led to significantly lower floodwater TN and NH4^＋ concentrations, pH, and EC values compared with urea within 15 d after application. The monitoring result for N loss due to natural rainfall runoff indicated that the amount of TN lost in runoff from paddy field- based two-cropping rice with urea application in Dongting Lake area was 7.47 kg ha^-1, which accounted for 2.49% of urea- N applied, and that with CRNF and 70% CRNF application decreased 24.5 and 27.2% compared with urea application, respectively. The two runoff events, which occurred within 20 d after application, contributed significantly to TN loss from paddy field. TN loss due to the two runoffs in urea, CRNF, and 70% CRNF treatments accounted for 72, 70, and 58% of the total TN loss due to runoff over the whole rice growth season, respectively. And the TN loss in these two CRNF treatments due to the first run-off event at the 10th day after application to early rice decreased 44.9 and 44.2% compared with urea, respectively. In conclusion, the 15-d period after application of urea was the critical time during which N loss occurred due to high floodwater N concentrations. But CRNF decreased N concentrations greatly in floodwater and runoff water during this period. As a result, it obviously reduced TN loss in runoff over the whole rice growth season.

Effects of Dissolved Oxygen on Nitrogen Release from Jialu River Sediment

[Objective] The aim was to study the effects of dissolved oxygen(DO) on nitrogen release from Jialu River sediment.[Method] Based on the present pollution of Jialu River(in Zhengzhou),the effects of dissolved oxygen on nitrogen transformation in Jialu River sediment were analyzed through simulation test of original columnar sediment.[Result] DO was the main impact factor of nitrogen transformation in Jialu River sediment,and DO with different concentrations had various effects on the transformation time and transformation efficiency of ammonia nitrogen,nitrite nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen.Under aerobic environment,ammoniation,nitrosification and nitrification conducted completely,and the transformation time of ammonia nitrogen,nitrite nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen was less than that under anaerobic environment,while the transformation efficiency was higher than that under anaerobic environment.[Conclusion] The study could provide scientific references for the water pollution control of Jialu River.

Study on Membrane Microstructures and Characteristics of Infrared Spectra and Nitrogen Release of Solid-Liquid Reaction Coated Urea

The membrane microstructures and the mechanism of two coated ureas formed through solid- liquid reaction were observed by scanning electron microscope and infrared spectra, the relation of the structural characteristics with the nitrogen release feature was also discussed by combining with nitrogen dissolution in water. The results showed that the membranes were made of solid particles tightly connected to each other and were piled up layer by layer through liquid glue. Porosity and aperture of membrane were determined by compactness of piled layers and the particles in a single layer and also related to the characteristics of coating materials. Research of the infrared spectra of membrane, made of a solid powder and a liquid glue, proved that O-H on the solid surface was bonded with the double bond of the liquid glue, thus forming membrane and keeping it stable. It was found that the two coated ureas showed obvious differences in nitrogen releasing due to their membrane structures, the porosity and aperture of membrane were the critical factors for nitrogen releasing.

Effects of Different Proportions of Controlled Release Urea and Ordinary Urea on Peanut Yield

[Objectives]To study the effects of different proportions of controlled release urea and ordinary urea on peanut yield.[Methods]A total of 5 treatments were set up according to different proportions of controlled release urea and ordinary urea,randomly arranged in blocks and repeated 3 times.[Results]The test results of field districts showed that different proportions of controlled release urea and conventional urea had different effects on peanut yield.On the basis of applying 50 kg/666.7 m^(2)of calcium superphosphate and 17 kg/666.7 m^(2)of potassium sulfate,13.34 kg/666.7 m^(2)of pure nitrogen was applied.The optimal ratio of controlled release urea to ordinary urea was 75:25,followed by 50:50.The output was 379.83 and 371.83 kg/666.7 m^(2),separately increased by 6.74%and 4.50%compared to the application of ordinary urea.[Conclusions]The combined application of controlled release urea and ordinary urea in peanuts can significantly increase peanut yield compared to just applying ordinary urea.

Nutrient exchange and release experiment and its simulation study in lake water-sediment interface

The sediment distributed and insolated under lake was collected for experiments. The nutrient layer distribution conditions of sampled sediment and its physical and chemical characteristics were analyzed to simulate and assess the influence degree to lake water quality. Based on the dynamic water exchanging experiments the nutrient release process in sediment and influence mechanism to substance exchanging on water-sediment interface was studied, and the correlation between the changing content of total phosphors and total nitrogen in sediment and covered water were analyzed for setting up a simulation model. At the same time the influence degree is explained in detail. The experimental results indicated that even if clean water without nutrient contents was used for water exchangement so as to decrease pollution or prevent eutrophication, however owing to the vertical nutrient distribution in lake sediment, it will lead to the increasing release amount greatly especially when the organic nutrient contained in sediment turns into inorganic status because of isolation. Besides the release process of total phosphate （TP） and total nitrogen （TN） were modeled and each nutrient＇s exchanging equation at interface caused by covered water nutrient concentration changing was set up. According to the simulating prediction, TP and TN content of cover water will also sustain a steady higher level in a long period. The nutrient release amount of sediment is not only affected by the covered water concentration but also connects with accumulative time. The experiments provide the fundamental theoretical and practical basis for taking ecological restoration project. And research is helpful to prevent or restore lake eutrophication.

Decomposition of Mongolian pine litter in the presence of understory species in semi-arid northeast China

The effects of understory plant litter on domi- nant tree litter decomposition are not well documented especially in semi-arid forests. In this study, we used a microcosm experiment to examine the effects of two understory species （Artemisia scoparia and Setaria viridis） litter on the mass loss and N release of Mongolian pine （Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica） litter in Keerqin Sandy Lands, northeast China, and identified the influencing mechanism from the chemical quality of decomposing litter. Four litter combinations were set up： one monocul- ture of Mongolian pine and three mixtures of Mongolian pine and one or two understory species in equal mass proportions of each species. Total C, total N, lignin, cel- lulose and polyphenol concentrations, and mass loss of pine litter were analyzed at days 84 and 182 of incubation.The chemistry of pine litter not only changed with the stages of decomposition, but was also strongly influenced by the presence of understory species during decomposition. Both understory species promoted mass loss of pine litter at 84 days, while only the simultaneous presence of two understory species promoted mass loss of pine litter at 182 days. Mass loss of pine litter was negatively correlated with initial ratios of C/N, lignin/N and polyphenol/N of litter combinations during the entire incubation period; at 182 days it was negatively correlated with polyphenol concentration and ratios of C/N and polyphenol/N of litter combinations at 84 days of incubation. Nitrogen release of pine litter was promoted in the presence of understory species. Nitrogen release at 84 days was negatively correlated with initial N concentration; at 182 days it was negatively correlated with initial polyphenol concentration of litter combinations and positively correlated with lignin concentration of litter com- binations at 84 days of incubation. Our results suggest that the presence ofunderstory species causes substantial changes in chemical components of pine litter that can exert strong influences on subsequent decomposition of pine litter.

Root morphology in response to nitrogen supply in mid-season indica rice cultivars released in different decades

Dear Editor,Roots,as a major organ of plants,are involved in nutrient and water acquisition,and might play a vital role in yield increase and efficient N absorption with genetic improvement.Because of the great differences in growth period and pattern between the old and new rice cultivars,it is difficult to clarify how genetic improvements contribute to root growth in rice.For example,for a solution culture system,Wu et al.suggested that total root length increased with increasing year of release for maize hybrids,while shoot dry weight,

Injectable reactive oxygen and nitrogen species-controlling hydrogels for tissue regeneration:current status and future perspectives

The dual role of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species(RONS)in physiological and pathological processes in biological systems has been widely reported.It has been recently suggested that the regulation of RONS levels under physiological and pathological conditions is a potential therapy to promote health and treat diseases,respectively.Injectable hydrogels have been emerging as promising biomaterials for RONS-related biomedical applications owing to their excellent biocompatibility,three-dimensional and extracellular matrix-mimicking structures,tunable properties and easy functionalization.These hydrogels have been developed as advanced injectable platforms for locally generating or scavenging RONS,depending on the specific conditions of the target disease.In this review article,the design principles and mechanism by which RONS are generated/scavenged from hydrogels are outlined alongside a discussion of their in vitro and in vivo evaluations.Additionally,we highlight the advantages and recent developments of these injectable RONS-controlling hydrogels for regenerativemedicines and tissue engineering applications.