Effects of boric acid on urea‐N transformation and 3,4‐dimethylpyrazole phosphate efficiency

Abstract Background 3,4‐Dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) is a nitrification inhibitor which can restrict nitrate (NO 3 − ) production. Boric acid is a substance which inhibits urease activity. However, few studies have focused on the inhibitory effect of boric acid on urea hydrolysis and the possible synergistic effect with DMPP. Thus, an incubation trial was conducted to determine the impact of boric acid and DMPP addition on urea‐N transformation, and their synergistic effects, in chernozem soil (Che) and red soil (RS). Four treatments were set up in each soil: urea only (U); urea combined with DMPP (UD); urea combined with boric acid (UB); and urea combined with both DMPP and boric acid (UDB). Results Compared to U, adding DMPP (UD) increased NH 3 emissions by 11% and 13% and decreased soil NO 3 − ‐N concentration by 38% and 13% in Che and RS, respectively. Boric acid addition (UB) effectively prolonged the half‐life time of urea by 0.8 and 0.4 days, reduced NH 3 volatilizations by 11% and 16% and delayed the occurrence of NH 3 emission peaks for 3 and 4 days in contrast to U treatment in Che and RS, respectively. UDB treatment mitigated the NH 3 volatilizations caused by the addition of DMPP (UD) by 16% and 29% in Che and RS, respectively. Additionally, a better nitrification inhibition rate was found in the UDB treatment compared to other treatments in both soils. Conclusions There is potential to develop a new N transformation inhibition strategy with the use of a combination of boric acid and DMPP. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry