The Effect of the Nitrification Inhibitor Dicyandiamide on Nitrate Leaching and Ammonia Volatilization: A U.K. Nitrate Sensitive Areas Perspective

The use of nitrification inhibitors as nitrate leaching retardants is a proposal that has been suggested for inclusion in the U.K. Nitrate Sensitive Areas scheme. In this study, the efficacy of the nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) was tested in two simulated high-risk leaching situations: (a) ploughing-in of grassland, and (b) autumn application of inorganic N-fertiliser. DCD was found to have no significant effect on the total amount of nitrate leached in either of these agricultural scenarios. There were, however, indications that it may increase nitrogen losses associated with ammonia volatilisation. The environmental implications of these findings are discussed.