Search for a command to run...
Enhanced‐efficiency N fertilizers (EENFs) have potential for mitigating N 2 O emissions from N‐fertilized cropping systems. Stabilized EENFs contain nitrification and/or urease inhibitors. Slow‐release EENFs contain N components that are slowly released with variable release rates. Controlled‐release EENFs release N at more predictable rates. The effectiveness of several EENFs in reducing soil N 2 O emissions from a clay loam soil under irrigated, corn ( Zea mays L.)‐based production systems in Colorado (2002–2012) was investigated. A controlled‐release, polymer‐coated urea, ESN, reduced N 2 O emissions by 42% compared with urea and 14% compared with urea–NH 4 NO 3 solution (UAN) in no‐till and strip‐till environments, but had no effect in a conventional tillage environment. A stabilized urea source, SuperU, reduced N 2 O emissions by 46% compared with urea and 21% compared with UAN. A stabilized UAN source, UAN + AgrotainPlus, reduced N 2 O emissions by 61% compared with urea and 41% compared with UAN alone. A slow‐release UAN source, UAN + Nfusion, reduced N 2 O emissions by 57% compared with urea and 28% compared with UAN. Urea–NH 4 NO 3 reduced N 2 O emissions by 35% compared with urea. A linear increase in N 2 O emissions with increasing N rate was observed for untreated urea and UAN. Developers of management protocols to reduce N 2 O emissions from irrigated cropping systems in semiarid areas can use this information to estimate reductions in N 2 O emissions when EENFs are used. Policymakers can use this information to help determine financial credits needed to encourage producers to use these technologies in their crop production systems.