Ammonia
volatilization was assessed with a nondisturbing micrometeorological technique after urea application in three different
periods in paddy fields (Gleyi stagnic Anthrosol) of the Taihu Lake region. And some factors (such as climate, NH 4 + N concentration in floodwater, et al .) influencing the ammonia loss were also studied. The results indicated that the
ammonia volatilization loss from the applied urea in the paddy fields varied between 18.6% and 38.7% of the total N applied each time. The peak of ammonia loss occurred within the first week after the application, amounting to 80.7%～94.3% of the total ammonia loss in each period. The highest ammonia
Volatilization flux from the paddy fields occurred within the first 24～72 hours after the application of basal fertilizer, tillering fertilizer and ear bearing fertilizer, being N 7.49, 11.17, and 5.52 kg hm -2 d -1 , respectively in Treatment HN and N 3.01, 6.79, and 1.72 kg hm -2 d -1 in Treatment LN. The ammonia loss from the tillering fertilizer was the highest and from the ear bearing fertilizer was the lowest. Factors influencing ammonia volatilization loss varied in effect in different rice growing stages. Significantly positive correlationship was observed between NH 3 loss and NH 4 + N concentration in the surface water in the paddy fields in all the three fertilization periods.