Advances in nitrogen fertilizer technologies for improved nutrient efficiency and sustainable coffee production

This study evaluated, over three crop seasons, the fertilizers: ammonium nitrate (AN), conventional urea (UC), and urea with N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (U _NBPT ), applied at five rates (0 to 525 kg N ha⁻¹). The following parameters were analyzed: NBPT concentration, urease activity, leaf N content, N accumulation in the beans, ammonia volatilization losses, and yield. At the 150 kg N ha⁻¹ rate, N-NH₃ losses were UC (20%) > U _NBPT (16%) > AN (0.87%). At 400 kg N ha⁻¹, losses were 18% (UC), 16% (U _NBPT ), and 0.69% (AN), respectively. AN reduced volatilization by up to 96%, while U _NBPT delayed peak loss by up to 3.3 days, reduced urease activity by 92%, and mitigated cumulative losses by 45% compared to UC. Both AN and U _NBPT significantly reduced nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, with emission factors below those recommended by the IPCC. These technologies, which minimize volatilization losses and greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing nitrogen use efficiency, are essential for sustainable coffee production. This study contributes to advances in the efficient and sustainable management of nitrogen in coffee cultivation.