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Nitrate Nitrogen Quantification via Ultraviolet Absorbance: A Case Study in Agricultural and Horticultural Regions in Central China

Author

Listed:
  • Yiheng Zang

    (Henan International Joint Laboratory of Laser Technology in Agriculture Sciences, College of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Jing Chen

    (Henan International Joint Laboratory of Laser Technology in Agriculture Sciences, College of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Muhammad Awais

    (Henan International Joint Laboratory of Laser Technology in Agriculture Sciences, College of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China)

  • Mukhtar Iderawumi Abdulraheem

    (Henan International Joint Laboratory of Laser Technology in Agriculture Sciences, College of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China)

  • Moshood Abiodun Yusuff

    (Henan International Joint Laboratory of Laser Technology in Agriculture Sciences, College of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China)

  • Kuan Geng

    (Henan International Joint Laboratory of Laser Technology in Agriculture Sciences, College of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China)

  • Yongqi Chen

    (Henan International Joint Laboratory of Laser Technology in Agriculture Sciences, College of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China)

  • Yani Xiong

    (Henan International Joint Laboratory of Laser Technology in Agriculture Sciences, College of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China)

  • Linze Li

    (Henan International Joint Laboratory of Laser Technology in Agriculture Sciences, College of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China)

  • Yanyan Zhang

    (Henan International Joint Laboratory of Laser Technology in Agriculture Sciences, College of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China)

  • Vijaya Raghavan

    (Department of Bioresource Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Studies, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada)

  • Jiandong Hu

    (Henan International Joint Laboratory of Laser Technology in Agriculture Sciences, College of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
    State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Zhengzhou 450002, China)

  • Junfeng Wu

    (Henan International Joint Laboratory of Laser Technology in Agriculture Sciences, College of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China)

  • Guoqing Zhao

    (School of Management, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK)

Abstract

Soil nitrate nitrogen (NO 3 − -N) is a key indicator of agricultural non-point source pollution. The ultraviolet (UV) dual-wavelength method is widely used for NO 3 − -N detection, but interference from complex soil organic matter affects its accuracy. This study investigated how organic matter influences NO 3 − -N detection by optimizing UV dual-wavelength combinations. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations showed slight spectral broadening of fulvic and humic acids in the presence of NO 3 − -N under UV spectrum. Standard solutions and soil samples were used to compare the detection performance of different wavelength pairs. The findings indicated that the dual-wavelength combination of 235 nm/275 nm is optimal rather than 220 nm/275 nm for measuring soil samples at NO 3 − -N concentrations exceeding 5 mg·L −1 . The 235/275 nm method gave an average calibration coefficient of 1.57. Compared to the national standard and flow analysis methods, the average relative errors were 19.7% and 22.3% ( p < 0.001), respectively, indicating its suitability for practical soil applications. These results demonstrate the method’s potential for rapid and accurate NO 3 − -N detection in real soil samples, supporting its application in environmental monitoring and agricultural management.

Suggested Citation

  • Yiheng Zang & Jing Chen & Muhammad Awais & Mukhtar Iderawumi Abdulraheem & Moshood Abiodun Yusuff & Kuan Geng & Yongqi Chen & Yani Xiong & Linze Li & Yanyan Zhang & Vijaya Raghavan & Jiandong Hu & Jun, 2025. "Nitrate Nitrogen Quantification via Ultraviolet Absorbance: A Case Study in Agricultural and Horticultural Regions in Central China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-18, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:11:p:1131-:d:1663142
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