铵硝比和磷素营养对菠菜生长、氮素吸收和相关酶活性的影响

通过水培试验研究了不同铵硝比的氮素营养和磷素营养对菠菜生长、氮素吸收及硝酸还原酶活性（NRA）和谷氨酰胺合成酶活性（GSA）的影响。结果表明：在供磷水平相同时，菠菜的生物量随着铵硝比的降低而降低，但铵硝比为25：75与0：100两个处理之间没有显著差异；在铵硝比相同时，随着营养液中磷含量的增加，菠菜的生物量随之增加。菠菜茎叶中硝酸盐的含量随着铵硝比和磷水平的降低而升高。不同铵硝比处理，菠菜含氮量没有明显差异，随着磷水平的提高，菠菜植株含氮量有升高的趋势，但各处理之间差异不显著；受到生物量显著差异的影响，菠菜植株中氮素累积量随着铵硝比的降低和磷素水平的增加而增加。在铵硝混合营养条件下，缺磷会显著抑制菠菜对铵态氮和硝态氮的吸收，且磷索缺乏对菠菜吸收硝态氮的抑制作用要大于对铵态氮吸收的抑制作用。铵硝比相同时，随着营养液中磷索供应量的增加，菠菜茎叶中NRA显著增加；但是营养液中铵硝比较高时，会显著抑制菠菜茎叶中NRA，而铵硝比较低时，则有利于提高菠菜的NRA。缺磷会严重抑制GSA；在磷素水平相同时，随着营养液中铵比例的增加，菠菜茎叶中GSA显著增加。为此，在一些硝酸盐含量较高的土壤上栽培蔬菜时，可以采取增施适量磷肥的方法，以降低叶菜的硝酸盐含量。     

Acetylene and N-serve effects upon N2O emissions from NH4+ and NO3− treated soils under aerobic and anaerobic conditions

N₂O emissions from soils treated with NH₄⁺-N under aerobic conditions in the laboratory were 3- to 4-fold higher than those from controls (no extra N added) or when NO₃^?-N was added. Although the emission of N₂O-N in these field and laboratory experiments represented only 0.1–0.8% of the applied fertilizer NH₄⁺-N and are therefore not significant from an agronomic standpoint, these studies have conclusively demonstrated that the oxidation of applied ammoniacal fertilizers (nitrification) could contribute significantly to the stratospheric N₂O pool.Like N-serve, acetylene was shown to be a potent inhibitor of nitrification as it stopped the oxidation of NH₄⁺-N to (NO₃⁺-N + NO₂^?)-N and hence reduced the evolution of N₂O from nitrification within 60 min after its addition.Although high amounts of NO₃^?-N were present, the rate of denitrification was very low from soils with moisture up to 60% saturation. The further increase in the degree of saturation resulted in several-fold increase of denitrification which eventually became the predominant mechanism of gaseous N losses under anaerobic conditions.     

Impact of land-use types on soil nitrogen net mineralization in the sandstorm and water source area of Beijing,China

Changes of land-use type (LUT) can affect soil nutrient pools and cycling processes that relate long-term sustainability of ecosystem, and can also affect atmospheric CO₂ concentrations and global warming through soil respiration. We conducted a comparative study to determine NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ concentrations in soil profiles (0–200 cm) and examined the net nitrogen (N) mineralization and net nitrification in soil surface (0–20 cm) of adjacent naturally regenerated secondary forests (NSF), man-made forests (MMF), grasslands and cropland soils from the windy arid and semi-arid Hebei plateau, the sandstorm and water source area of Beijing, China. Cropland and grassland soils showed significantly higher inorganic N concentrations than forest soils. NO₃⁻-N accounted for 50–90% of inorganic N in cropland and grassland soils, while NH₄⁺-N was the main form of inorganic N in NSF and MMF soils. Average net N-mineralization rates (mg kg⁻¹ d⁻¹) were much higher in native ecosystems (1.51 for NSF soils and 1.24 for grassland soils) than in human disturbed LUT (0.15 for cropland soils and 0.85 for MMF soils). Net ammonification was low in all the LUT while net nitrification was the major process of net N mineralization. For more insight in urea transformation, the increase in NH₄⁺ and, NO₃⁻ concentrations as well as C mineralization after urea addition was analyzed on whole soils. Urea application stimulated the net soil C mineralization and urea transformation pattern was consistent with net soil N mineralization, except that the rate was slightly slower. Land-use conversion from NSF to MMF, or from grassland to cropland decreased soil net N mineralization, but increased net nitrification after 40 years or 70 years, respectively. The observed higher rates of net nitrification suggested that land-use conversions in the Hebei plateau might lead to N losses in the form of nitrate.     

Nitrification in two coniferous forest soils after different fertilization treatments

The effects of seven different fertilization treatments on nitrification in the organic horizons of a Myrtillus-type (MT) and a Calluna-type pine forest in southern Finland were studied. No (NO^?₃ + NO^?₂)-N accumulated in unfertilized soils during 6 weeks at 14 or 20°C in the laboratory. Net nitrification was stimulated by urea in both soils (but more in the MT pine forest soil) and to a lesser degree by wood ash but not by ammonium nitrate or nitroform (ureaformaldehyde). Nitrification was not detected in nitroform fertilized soils although ammonium accumulation was high during incubation. In the MT pine forest soil, net nitrification appeared to be stimulated by apatite, biotite and micronutrients. Nitrapyrin inhibited nitrification indicating that it was carried out by autotrophic nitrifiers. In the urea-fertilized MT pine forest soil, nitrification took place at an incubation temperature of 0°C. Accumulation of (N0^?₃ + NO^?₂)-N was highest in soil sampled at < 10°C.     

Effects of acidity of the water culture solution on uptake of nutrients by the root of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) and Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa)

The condition around coniferous trees in the soil is becoming gradually acidic when acid rain falls continuously. Nutrient uptake by the roots of coniferous trees could be affected in such environmental change of root zone. The experiments of water culture of coniferous seedlings in modified systems were carried out using (2-and, 3-year-old) of Japanese cedar(Cryptomeria japonica) and, Japanese cypress(Chamaecyparis obtusa) that are the typical Japanese forest trees. Nine major nutrients such as Na⁺, NH₄ ⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl^?, NO₃ ^?, PO₄ ^3?, and SO₄ ^2?, were given in the water culture solution and growth of trees was observed for two years. The aspects of nutrient uptake by these seedlings and the effects of acidity in culture solution were observed. The following results were obtained. 1) Japanese cedar of 50% and Japanese cypress of 30 % in tested seedlings could live for two years. 2) All Japanese cedar and cypress that started in the strong acidic condition ( pH=3.0) were dead within three months. 3) The minimum pH value in the acidic condition is estimated as 3.2 for these coniferous seedlings, and it means that they can live at least for two years in this condition. 4) The seasonal pattern of the uptake of nitrogen nutrient by Japanese cedar was determined.     

NH4-N Removal Through Nitrification and Hydrogenotrophic Denitrification in Simple Attached Growth Reactors

To provide good quality of drinking water, a biological system to remove ammonium-nitrogen (NH₄-N) from groundwater was studied in this research. The NH₄-N removal system consists of two attached growth reactors: one for nitrification and the other for hydrogenotrophic denitrification (H. denitrification). The nitrification reactor, fed by the NH₄-N contained water, could remove NH₄-N without any need of aeration. The nitrification efficiency was increased by reactor length; the highest efficiency of 92?% was achieved at the longest reactor of 100?cm. A high Fe in groundwater affected the reactor performance by decreasing the efficiency, while a low inorganic carbon (IC) had no effects. Despite of good efficiency in terms of NH₄-N removal, the nitrification reactor increased the concentration of NO₃-N in its effluent. To treat the NO₃-N, a H. denitrification reactor was set up after the nitrification reactor. Efficiency of the H. denitrification reactor was enhanced by increasing H₂ flow rates. The efficiencies were 3, 27, and 90?% for 30, 50, and 70?mL/min of H₂ flow rates, respectively. It was also found that the NO₃-N contained water (water from the nitrification reactor) had to supply IC (i.e., NaHCO₃ or CO₂) for efficient H. denitrification; however, an on-site reactor showed that it can be achieved even without IC addition. The treated water contained low NH₄-N and NO₃-N of <1.5 and <11.3?mg/L, respectively, which comply with drinking water standards. The good performance of the reactors in terms of high efficiency, no aeration need, and low H₂ supply indicated appropriateness of the system for groundwater treatment.     

Nitrification in soils incubated with pig slurry or ammonium sulphate

The effects of temperature, moisture content and the addition of pig slurry on nitrification in two soils were studed. There was no accumulation of NO₂^?-N under the incubation conditions investigated and the accumulation of NO₃^?-N was linear for additions of 50–250 μg NH₄⁺-N g^? soil, either as ammonium sulphate or as pig slurry. Nitrate formation was treated as a single step, zero order process to enable a rate constant to be calculated. Nitrification rate increased with increasing moisture content up to the highest level tested, soil water potential ?8.0 kPa, corresponding to approximately 60% of water holding capacity in both soils. Measurable nitrification was found in both soils at the lowest moisture content (soil water potential ?1.5 MPa) and temperature (5° C) tested. The nitrification rate constant in soils treated with 50 μg NH₄⁺-N g^? soil was not significantly affected (P = 0.05) by the form of ammonium added. Addition of 250 μg NH₄⁺-N as ammonium sulphate caused a marked inhibition of nitrification at all moisture contents and temperatures. Addition of 250 μg NH₄⁺-N as pig slurry caused a marked increase in nitrification rate, the increase being greater at the higher temperatures and moisture contents.     

亚热带松林中强酸性土壤自养和异养硝化作用的研究

The occurrence of nitrification in some acidic forest soils is still a subject of debate. Identification of main nitrification pathways in acidic forest soils is still largely unknown. Acidic yellow soil (Oxisol) samples were selected to test whether nitrification can occur or not in acidic subtropical pine forest ecosystems. Relative contributions of autotrophs and heterotrophs to nitrification were studied by adding selective nitrification inhibitor nitrapyrin. Soil NH₄⁺-N concentrations decreased, but NO₃^--N concentrations increased significantly for the no-nitrapyrin control during the first week of incubation, indicating that nitrification did occur in the acidic subtropical soil. The calculated net nitrification rate was 0.49 mg N kg^-1 d^-1 for the no-nitrapyrin control during the first week of incubation. Nitrapyrin amendment resulted in a significant reduction of NO₃^--N concentration. Autotrophic nitrification rate averaged 0.28 mg N kg^-1 d^-1 and the heterotrophic nitrification rate was 0.21 mg N kg^-1 d^-1 in the first week. Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) abundance increased slightly during incubation, but nitrapyrin amendment significantly decreased AOB amoA gene copy numbers by about 80%. However, the ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) abundance showed significant increases only in the last 2 weeks of incubation and it was also decreased by nitrapyrin amendment. Our results indicated that nitrification did occur in the present acidic subtropical pine forest soil, and autotrophic nitrification was the main nitrification pathway. Both AOA and AOB were the active biotic agents responsible for autotrophic nitrification in the acidic subtropical pine forest soil.     

北京潮土NO3—N在土体中的移动特点及其淋失动态

利用养分渗滤池研究了北京潮土地区春小麦夏玉米连作期间NO3N在土壤剖面中移动的时空动态。结果表明,NO3N的移动同降雨、灌水以及整个土壤系统中的水分状况密切相关。在春小麦期间只有个别处理在020cm和20-40cm中有显著移动,而夏玉米期间在0130cm的土体中NO3N发生了波浪式的移动。淋失量同当时的降雨量线性相关。130cm深处NO3N含量在淋失高峰期可达10mgN.L-1以上。此外,NO3N的移动同尿素施用量的多少有着密切关系,而尿素、硝铵和硫铵等肥料品种之间差异则不明显。15N示踪结果表明,在春小麦前期尿素中的酰胺态氮或NH4N在0-20cm土层中直接移动,而来自肥料的NO3N在4060cm处移动;夏玉米生长期间,在60cm以下深处有大量来自尿素和硝铵等残留标记氮的NO3N移动。     

Impact of nitrogen and phosphorus additions on soil gross nitrogen transformations in a temperate desert steppe

Nutrient addition has a significant impact on plant growth and nutrient cycling. Yet, the understanding of how the addition of nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) significantly affects soil gross N transformations and N availability in temperate desert steppes is still limited. Therefore, a ¹⁵N tracing experiment was conducted to study these processes and their underlying mechanism in a desert steppe soil that had been supplemented with N and P for 4 years in northwestern China. Soil N mineralization was increased significantly by P addition, and N and P additions significantly promoted soil autotrophic nitrification, rather than NH₄⁺-N immobilization. The addition of N promoted dissimilatory NO₃⁻ reduction to NH₄⁺, while that of P inhibited it. Soil NO₃⁻-N production was greatly increased by N added alone and by that of N and P combined, while net NH₄⁺-N production was decreased by these treatments. Soil N mineralization was primarily mediated by pH, P content or organic carbon, while soil NH₄⁺-N content regulated autotrophic nitrification mainly, and this process was mainly controlled by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria rather than archaea and comammox. NH₄⁺-N immobilization was mainly affected by functional microorganisms, the abundance of narG gene and comammox Ntsp-amoA. In conclusion, gross N transformations in the temperate desert steppe largely depended on soil inorganic N, P contents and related functional microorganisms. Soil acidification plays a more key role in N mineralization than other environmental factors or functional microorganisms.     

Heterotrophic nitrification is the predominant NO<Stack><Subscript>3</Subscript><Superscript>−</Superscript></Stack> production mechanism in coniferous but not broad-leaf acid forest soil in subtropical China

A study was carried out to investigate the potential gross nitrogen (N) transformations in natural secondary coniferous and evergreen broad-leaf forest soils in subtropical China. The simultaneously occurring gross N transformations in soil were quantified by a ¹⁵N tracing study. The results showed that N dynamics were dominated by NH₄⁺ turnover in both soils. The total mineralization (from labile and recalcitrant organic N) in the broad-leaf forest was more than twice the rate in the coniferous forest soil. The total rate of mineral N production (NH₄⁺ + NO₃⁻) from the large recalcitrant organic N pool was similar in the two forest soils. However, appreciable NO₃⁻ production was only observed in the coniferous forest soil due to heterotrophic nitrification (i.e. direct oxidation of organic N to NO₃⁻), whereas nitrification in broad-leaf forest was little (or negligible). Thus, a distinct shift occurred from predominantly NH₄⁺ production in the broad-leaf forest soil to a balanced production of NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ in the coniferous forest soil. This may be a mechanism to ensure an adequate supply of available mineral N in the coniferous forest soil and most likely reflects differences in microbial community patterns (possibly saprophytic, fungal, activities in coniferous soils). We show for the first time that the high nitrification rate in these soils may be of heterotrophic rather than autotrophic nature. Furthermore, high NO₃⁻ production was only apparent in the coniferous but not in broad-leaf forest soil. This highlights the association of vegetation type with the size and the activity of the SOM pools that ultimately determines whether only NH₄⁺ or also a high NO₃⁻ turnover is present.     

Seasonal,annual, and treatment-induced variation in available nitrogen pools and nitrogen-cycling processes in soils of two Douglas-fir stands

Summary Forest-floor and 0–10 cm depth mineral soil horizons in two stands of Douglas fir were sampled for available NH₄ ⁺-N and NO₃ ^–-N, N-mineralization potentials, and nitrification potentials for 2 years. The plots in each stand were sampled for 1 year, treated with either ammonium sulfate, carbohydrate (sawdust-sucrose), irrigation, carbohydrate plus irrigation, or no treatment (control), and then sampled for 1 year following treatment. In general, the direction of change following the treatments was the same for both the forest-floor and the mineral soils. Fertilization increased the NH₄ ⁺-N and NO₃ ^–-N pools, nitrification potential, and N-mineralization potential, while treatment with carbohydrate decreased all of these characteristics. Irrigation generally increased NH₄ ⁺-N pools, nitrification potential, and N-mineralization potential, but decreased these characteristics in the soil at one site. Irrigation plus carbohydrate gave similar results to those of carbohydrate alone. Treatments altered pool sizes and/or potentials, but did not reduce within-year variance in any of these characteristics. Distinct seasonal patterns occurred in all measurements, suggesting that control of short-term variation in N-transformation processes is by factors which are dynamic in nature.     

林分类型和氮添加对亚热带森林土壤氧化亚氮排放的影响

为揭示亚热带森林土壤N₂O排放对林分类型和氮添加的响应特征,选取位于福建省三明市的中亚热带米槠次生林、杉木人工林和马尾松人工林土壤为研究对象,分别设置无氮添加(N0 mg/kg)、低氮添加(N10 mg/kg)、中氮添加(N25 mg/kg)和高氮添加(N50 mg/kg)4个氮添加水平,进行微宇宙培养试验,测定土壤N₂O排放。结果表明：与无氮添加处理相比,氮添加整体上降低3种林分土壤pH,增加土壤NH₄⁺-N和NO₃^--N含量。无氮添加处理中杉木人工林和马尾松人工林土壤N₂O累积排放量分别为9.67和9.62 mg/kg,显著高于米槠次生林土壤N₂O累积排放量6.81 mg/kg。低氮添加处理中杉木人工林和马尾松人工林土壤N₂O累积排放量显著高于米槠次生林。但在中氮和高氮添加处理中,3种林分土壤N₂O累积排放量均无显著性差异。不同氮添加处理均促进3种林分土壤N     

农田土壤中氮同位素分级与硝化能力的关系研究

A laboratory-based aerobic incubation was conducted to investigate nitrogen(N) isotopic fractionation related to nitrification in five agricultural soils after application of ammonium sulfate((NH4)2SO4). The soil samples were collected from a subtropical barren land soil derived from granite(RGB),three subtropical upland soils derived from granite(RQU),Quaternary red earth(RGU),Quaternary Xiashu loess(YQU) and a temperate upland soil generated from alluvial deposit(FAU). The five soils varied in nitrification potential,being in the order of FAU YQU RGU RQU RGB. Significant N isotopic fractionation accompanied nitrification of NH+4. δ15N values of NH+4 increased with enhanced nitrification over time in the four upland soils with NH+4 addition,while those of NO-3 decreased consistently to the minimum and thereafter increased. δ15N values of NH+4 showed a significantly negative linear relationship with NH+4-N concentration,but a positive linear relationship with NO-3-N concentration. The apparent isotopic fractionation factor calculated based on the loss of NH+4 was 1.036 for RQU,1.022 for RGU,1.016 for YQU,and 1.020 for FAU,respectively. Zero- and first-order reaction kinetics seemed to have their limitations in describing the nitrification process affected by NH+4 input in the studied soils. In contrast,N kinetic isotope fractionation was closely related to the nitrifying activity,and might serve as an alternative tool for estimating the nitrification capacity of agricultural soils.     

Short-term effects of ammonium nitrogen in upland pasture soil affected or not affected by cattle

The short-term effects of excessive NH₄⁺-N on selected characteristics of soil unaffected (low annual N inputs) and affected (high annual N inputs) by cattle were investigated under laboratory conditions. The major hypothesis tested was that above a theoretical upper limit of NH₄⁺ concentration, an excess of NH₄⁺-N does not further increase NO₃⁻ formation rate in the soil, but only supports accumulation of NO₂⁻-N and gaseous losses of N as N₂O. Soils were amended with 10 to 500 μg NH₄⁺-N g⁻¹ soil. In both soils, addition of NH₄⁺-N increased production of NO₃⁻-N until some limit. This limit was higher in cattle-affected soil than in unaffected soil. Production of N₂O increased in the whole range of amendments in both soils. At the highest level of NH₄⁺-N addition, NO₂⁻-N accumulated in cattle-affected soil while NO₃⁻-N production decreased in cattle-unaffected soil. Despite being statistically significant, observed effects of high NH₄⁺-N addition were relatively weak. Uptake of mineral N, stimulated by glucose amendment, decreased the mineral N content in both soils, but it also greatly increased production of N₂O.     

Nitrification and Denitrification Estimates in a Louisiana Swamp Forest Soil as Assessed by 15N Isotope Dilution and Direct Gaseous Measurements

The transformations of applied (100 kg N ha^-1)¹⁵ N labelled NO₃ and NH₄ in Mississippi River deltaic plain swamp forest soil which receives agriculture run-off from adjacent sugarcane fields were determined. Using an isotopic dilution technique, the rates of NO³ production (nitrification) and reduction in the ¹⁵NO₃ treated soil-water-columns were approximately 240 and 2,320 g N ha^-1 d^-1, whereas NH₄ production (mineralization) and removal rates in the ¹⁵NH₄ treated soil-water-columns were 270 and 2160 g N ha^-1 d^-1, respectively. It was shown that if nitrification and NH₄ assimilation were the primary processes responsible for NH₄ removal, average NH₄ assimilation would be 145 g N ha-1 d^-1. Based on labelled N₂-emission, denitrification was 3 fold greater in the NO₃ treatment compared to the NH₄ treated soil water-columns with rates of 818 and 266 g N ha^-1 d^-1 respectively. Even though the rate was lower in the NH₄ treatment, results show that nitrification-denitrification of NH₄ is a significant process. Nitrogen losses determined by¹⁵ N₂ emissions were 20.4 and 6.4% and N₂O emissions were 0.10 and 0.03% of the applied NO₃-N and NH₄-N, respectively, over 32 days of incubation. Fertilizer loss through N₂O emission was only of minor significance compared to the fertilizer loss through N₂ evolution. Nitrous oxide fluxes from the control soil-water-columns averaged 9.4 g N ha^-1 d^-1. Addition of NO₃-N to the columns increased N₂O production 56% as compared to a 15% increase from the NH₄-N addition. Results show that this wetland soil has a large capacity to process inorganic nitrogen entering the system as a result of agriculture run-off.     

The behaviour of nitrogen fertilizers in neutral and acid loess soils II. Distribution and balances of 15 N-tagged nitrogen

A study, to investigate the remaining fertilizer-N in undisturbed soil columns from agricultural and forest soils after 60 days of percolation (see part I), was carried out. The columns were fertilized with two 15-N tagged nitrogen fertilizers (Ca(NO₃)₂ and (NH₄)₂SO₄) at a rate of 80kg N/ha. The investigation involved the distribution and fractionation of nitrogen in the soils. The soil columns were therefore cut into 8 segments and nitrogen forms analyzed were: total N, fixed-NH₄-N, exchangeable NH₄-N, NO₃-N and organic N. Consequently, the N-balances were established. It was ascertained that immobilization and gaseous losses from the fertilizers were higher after NH₄- than after NO₃-application in both soils. Immobilization in all treatments was temperature dependent and concentrated at the upper segments of the columns. The forest soil had higher incorporation than the agricultural soil. Nitrification was low in the forest soil while in the agricultural soil there was a fairly high nitrification even at 4°C. The balances showed losses of nitrogen in the range of 10 to 35 %. While this agrees with the findings of other workers in case of the agricultural soil, it leaves however, some questions unanswered in case of the forest soil.     

氮素不同形态配比对菠菜体内游离氨基酸含量和相关酶活性的影响

采用溶液培养试验,研究了氮素不同形态配比对菠菜茎叶中游离氨基酸含量及3种主要氮代谢酶活性的影响。结果表明:1)随着营养液中铵硝比(NH4+-N/NO3--N)的降低,菠菜茎叶中游离氨基酸的总量呈下降趋势。在全硝营养下(NH4+-N/NO3--N=0∶100)下,菠菜茎叶中游离氨基酸的总量只有全铵营养(NH4+-N/NO3--N=100∶0)的34.4%。2)在全铵营养下,菠菜茎叶中游离氨基酸的主要组分是谷氨酰胺、精氨酸和谷氨酸,三者占游离氨基酸总量的百分比依次为39.8%、20.2%和8.9%;在全硝营养下,菠菜茎叶中游离氨基酸以谷氨酸、天冬氨酸和丝氨酸为主,三者占游离氨基酸总量的百分比分别为30.3%1、8.6%和8.5%。3)提高营养液中硝态氮的比例,可以显着提高菠菜茎叶中硝酸还原酶(NR)的活性,同时降低了谷氨酸脱氢酶(GDH)的活性,谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)活性则呈现先升后降的抛物线状变化规律。4)菠菜茎叶中NR活性与谷胺酰胺含量之间存在着显著负相关关系(r=-0.968)。     

Transformations of nitrogen fertilizers in soil

The effects of ¹⁵N-labelled urea, (NH₄)₂SO₄ and KNO₃ on immobilization, mineralization, nitrification and ammonium fixation were examined under aerobic conditions in an acid tropical soil (pH 4.0) and in a neutral temperate soil (pH 6.8). Urea, (NH₄)₂SO₄ and KNO₃ slightly increased net mineralization of soil organic nitrogen in both soils. There was also an apparent Added Nitrogen Interaction (ANI) i.e. added labelled NH₄-N stood proxy for unlabelled NH₄-N that would otherwise have been immobilized. So far as immobilization and nitrification were concerned, urea and (NH₄)₂SO₄ behaved very similarly in each soil. Immobilization of NO₃-N was negligible in both soils. Some of the added labelled NH₄-N was rapidly fixed, more by the temperate soil than by the tropical soil. This labelled fixed NH₄-N decreased during incubation, in contrast to labelled organic N, which did not decline.     

Effect of tebuthiuron on soil N mineralization and nitrification

Abstract

Herbicides have potential for economical and efficient site preparation following timber harvest. The effects of tebuthiu‐ron, one of the herbicides approved for this use, on soil nitrogen (N) mineralization and nitrification were determined in laboratory incubations. Tebuthiuron was added at rates from 0 to 1000 μg g^‐1 to three soils. There was no effect of tebuthiuron additions of less than 1 μg g^‐1 on soil N mineralization and nitrification. Tebuthiuron reduced nitrification in all soils at 1000 μg g^‐1 and in two of the soils at 100 μg g^‐1 . All soils had increased net mineralization with tebuthiuron added at 100 and 1000 μg g^‐1. The addition of 50 μg NH⁺ ₄‐N and 1000 μg tebuthiuron g^‐1 resulted in increased net mineralization in the three soils. Nitrification was affected differently in each of the three soils by the addition of both NH⁺ ₄‐N and tebuthiuron. The added NH⁺ ₄‐N either removed the inhibition of nitrification by the herbicide or had no effect on the inhibition in two of the soils. In the third soil, nitrification was reduced by the addition of NH⁺ ₄‐N.

The presence of NO^‐ ₃‐N in these acid soils and the effects of added NH⁺ ₄‐N on NO^‐ ₃‐N production suggest that heterotrophic nitrification occurs in at least two of the soils. The findings of this study indicate that any effects of tebuthiuron on N mineralization and nitrification at the currently recommended application rates are likely to be transient and localized.