Abstract

The application of surface films to flooded rice fields is one of the most effective measures of controlling ammonia volatilisation for improving nitrogen use efficiency. The feasibility of using a surface film is determined to some extent by the longevity of the effectiveness and this has never been estimated accurately in the field. The concept of half-life was introduced to estimate the effective life of a surface film by calculation from its effect on water evaporation. A simple laboratory experiment was carried out to validate the usefulness of the half-life concept. The results showed that effects on ammonia volatilisation could be quantified using a logistic equation based on the half-life concept.