The Volatilization of Ammonia from Perennial Ryegrass During Decomposition, Drying and Induced Senescence

The volatilization of gaseous ammonia was measured from cutherbage (leaf lamina + sheath) of perennial ryegrass (Loliumperenne L.), during a 70 d period of either decomposition ordrying, and also from intact plants of perennial ryegrass subjectedto induced senescence by shading. Volatilization during decompositionamounted to 20–47% of the herbage nitrogen, but volatilizationduring drying, and from intact plants during induced senescence,amounted to less than 1% of the herbage nitrogen. During decomposition, volatilization of ammonia was proportionallygreater from herbage containing 3.52% nitrogen than from herbagecontaining 2.32% nitrogen. Volatilization occurred more rapidlyat 20 °C than at 10 °C but, with both samples of herbageand at both temperatures, at least 4 d elapsed before appreciablevolatilization occurred. Ammonia, atmosphere, decomposition, leaves, Lolium perenne L, nitrogen, perennial ryegrass