3,4-Dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) – a new nitrification inhibitor for agriculture and horticulture

Abstract.

3,4-Dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) is a new nitrification inhibitor with highly favourable properties. It has undergone thorough toxicology and ecotoxicology tests and application-technology experiments, and has been shown to have several distinct advantages compared to the currently used nitrification inhibitors. Application rates of 0.5–1.5 kg ha^–1 are sufficient to achieve optimal nitrification inhibition. DMPP can significantly reduce NO₃ ^– leaching, without being liable to leaching itself. DMPP may reduce N₂O emission, apparently without a negative effect on CH₄ oxidation of the soil. The use of DMPP-containing fertilizers can improve yield. This offers the possibility of saving mineral fertilizer N, reducing the number of N-application rounds, and obtaining higher crop yields with current fertilizer-N rates.