Effects of soil properties on ammonia volatilization

By using a small culture dish located above a large-sized closed dish with soil samples to trap emissions as well as applying multivariate analysis me thods, the influence of soil properties on ammonia volatilization and their correlation was studied. The results showed that the ammonia volatilizatio n rates were positively correlated with the soil pH, CaCO3, and total salt contents but negatively correlated with the organic matter content, CEC, an d clay content. Of the three negative correlation factors, the CEC was most highly correlated with ammonia volatilization, while among the three posit ive correlation factors, the pH predominated. These results enabled to asse ss the magnitude of ammonia volatilization from soils. According to the cor relation equation of ammonia volatilization versus pH and CEC, the potentia l of ammonia volatilization of some soils in China was determined and the s oils were divided into four groups. It was concluded that by increasing the application rate of organic matter ammonia volatilization might decrease.