Korean Journal of Agricultural Science ISSN:2466-2402(Print) 2466-2410(Online) 농업과학연구

Ammonia (NH3) emitted from the use of fertilizers during agricultural practice generates particulate matter and odors. The application of carbonized rice husk, an eco-friendly material, is one of the measures used to reduce NH3. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the application rate and pH of carbonized rice husk on NH3 emissions and soil quality. An experiment to assess NH3 emissions was performed in a glasshouse using a static chamber method. The pH of the carbonized rice husk was divided into acidic, neutral, and basic groups, and the carbonized rice husk application rates were 1, 3, and 5% of the soil weight. NH3 emissions showed a sharp increase within three days after the inorganic fertilizer was applied. Subsequently, NH3 emissions decreased rapidly after basal fertilization compared to primary and secondary top-dressing. When carbonized rice husks were applied to soil, NH3 emissions decreased in all treatments, and neutral carbonized rice husk was the most effective in comparison with acidic and basic carbonized rice husk. The application rate of carbonized rice husk and NH3 emissions showed a negative correlation, and the lowest emissions were found in units with a 5% application rate. Also, there was no statistically significant difference between NH3 emissions according to the application rate of carbonized rice husk, and when carbonized rice husks were applied at a 5% rate, soil OM increased excessively. Therefore, it is recommended to apply only 1% neutral carbonized rice husk to most effectively reduce NH3 emissions in the soil.