Urease and nitrification inhibitors represent ways to reduce nitrogen losses; their presence modifies microbial and enzymatic activity in the soil, affecting pH and organic matter (OM), which in turn affects the mobility of heavy metals. To evaluate the effect of urea with inhibitors, pH, OM content, and pseudo-total and mobile metal content (Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, Cr, Zn, and Mn) were determined in soil samples fertilized with six different urea variants with inhibitors. The modification in the pseudo-total content of heavy metals following fertilization (%) was as follows: Cu (−39.26 ÷ −8.82), Cd (10.74 ÷ 15.40), Ni (5.76 ÷ 18.84), Pb (−13.30 ÷ 12.46), Cr (−15.55 ÷ 11.60), Zn (35.10 ÷ 162.76), and Mn (−1.32 ÷ 12.17). The pH was situated in the range of 7.05 to 7.17, while OM content showed an average increase of 16%. The determined pollution indicators revealed an accumulation of Zn in the soil. The results showed a trend of accumulation of bioavailable heavy metals, with the greatest increase for Mn (43%). Only in the case of Zn, there was a decrease in mobile content with the lowest value when applying two urease inhibitors and one nitrification inhibitor. Inhibitors modify the OM content and soil pH, influencing the mobility and bioavailability of heavy metals.

Liming is an essential practice for neutralizing soil acidity, influenced by factors like lime particle size and application rate, addressing challenges from climate change, acid rain, nitrate leaching, and mineral oxidation. This study evaluated the efficiency of fine (0.1 mm) and coarse lime (1–2 mm) applied at rates of 3 t/ha and 6 t/ha in mitigating soil acidity, with a particular focus on their impact on subsoil characteristics. Over two years, key soil parameters were monitored, including pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and exchangeable base cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺), along with exchangeable aluminum (Al³⁺). Fine lime particles demonstrated superior effectiveness compared to coarser ones, leading to faster and more uniform pH increases due to their greater surface area and higher solubility. Lime application significantly improved CEC by reducing exchangeable aluminum and increasing calcium availability, particularly in the topsoil. While these effects were most pronounced in surface layers, aluminum toxicity remained a concern in deeper soil levels. Strong positive correlations were observed between lime application and soil parameters such as pH, CEC, and exchangeable cations, while aluminum showed a negative correlation. Principal component analysis confirmed the benefits of higher lime doses, with fine lime producing rapid improvements and coarse lime offering a slower but sustained effect on soil health.

Liming is a common practice for improving the quality of soils affected by acidity, due to climate change, acid rain, nitrate leaching, and oxidation of sulphide minerals. This study aimed not only to assess the efficiency of fine and coarse lime application at 3 t/ha and 6 t/ha doses in mitigating soil acidity, but also to determine which of the options has a stronger impact on improving subsoil characteristics. Over a period of two years, several key parameters were monitored: pH, exchangeable base cations (Caexch, Mgexch, and Kexch), and Alexch. In the topsoil, the highest increase in pH was observed 6 months after the ap-plication of 3 t/ha fine lime, while in the subsoil, only a modest increase was noted. The highest values of exchangeable base cations in the topsoil were: Caexch = 9.06 cmol/kg soil; Mgexch = 1.15 cmol/kg soil; Kexch = 0.360 cmol/kg soil. These were recorded 24 months after applying 6 t/ha of fine aglime, and were higher than those obtained in the subsoil. While in topsoil Alexch reached 0 at T3, in subsoil, the largest decrease was 38% at T3. The release rate of ca Ca and its mobility depend on the particle size and dose of aglime, playing an important role in alleviating aluminium toxicity.

Efficient nitrogen (N) management is essential for improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) while reducing environmental N losses in wheat production. A two-year field experiment (2023–2024) evaluated six urea formulations containing urease (UI), nitrification (NI), or combined inhibitors for their effects on soil nitrogen transformations, fertilizer N retention, and wheat productivity in a Cambic Chernozem under temperate conditions. Six fertilization treatments were compared: conventional urea (U1), urea with one NI (U2), two UIs (U3), one UI (U4), one UI plus one NI (U5), and two UIs plus one NI (U6). U1 produced the greatest early-season nitrate accumulation (153.4 mg kg⁻¹), whereas fertilizers containing NI reduced nitrate formation and prolonged ammonium availability. The combined formulation containing two UIs and one NI (U6) exhibited the highest and most persistent nitrification inhibition (70.3% at stem elongation), indicating effective regulation of soil N transformations. Although fertilizer N retention declined during crop development in all treatments, U6 produced the highest grain yield (6417 kg ha⁻¹), while U2 achieved the highest grain protein concentration (12.64%). Across both growing seasons, inhibitor-containing fertilizers consistently outperformed conventional urea by improving the synchronization between nitrogen release and crop demand. These findings demonstrate that combining urease and nitrification inhibitors enhances nitrogen use efficiency, sustains wheat productivity and grain quality, and represents a promising strategy for more sustainable nitrogen management under temperate agroecosystem conditions.