Injury of leatherleaf fern and tomato from volatilized ammonia after fertilizer application

Abstract

A commercially blended 7–2–11 fertilizer containing 27 g • kg^‐1 soluble ammoniacal nitrogen (NH₄‐N) was evaluated for ammonia (NH₃) volatilization and injury to leatherleaf fern (Rumohra adiantiformis) and an indicator plant, tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Closed system laboratory incubation studies on pH‐buffered sand medium indicated a very highly significant response (p≤0.001) of NH₃ volatilization to sand pH. The greatest risk from NH₃ emissions at pH 8.6 and 32°C appeared to be in the 5 to 70 hour period after fertilizer application. Gypsum (CaSO₄) did not affect NH₃ volatilization. Ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) was identified as the main source of NH₃ volatilization from this fertilizer formulation, while on an equal mass basis, ammonium sulphate [(NH₄)₂SO₄] was more important. Both tomato and immature leatherleaf fern fronds were highly sensitive to volatilized NH₃ from the fertilizer. A critical phytotoxic NH₃(aq) concentration in sand solution of 0.14 mM was estimated for immature fern fronds. Mature fern fronds were significantly more tolerant of NH₃ emissions, which may explain their observed resistance to NH₃ injury in the field. Assessment of selected soil and irrigation water pH's from a leatherleaf fern growing area in Florida indicated a strong likelihood that volatilized NH₃ injury to foliage can occur under field conditions.