Verteilung von Stickstoff auf Sproß und Wurzel bei jungen Bohnenpflanzen nach der Aufnahme von NO und NH

Translocation of nitrogen to the shoot of young bean plants after uptake of NO and NH by the root Phaseolus vulgaris plants (var. nana, cv. Saxa) at the primary leaf stage (without nodules) were fed during 6 hours with ¹⁵NO and ¹⁵NH, respectively. 24 hours after the absorption period more ₁₅N from the absorbed NO was translocated from the root to the shoot. The presence of NH in the nutrient solution enhanced the translocation of ¹⁵NON, probably by an inhibition of nitrate reductase. NH_4-⁺¹⁵N is mainly retained in the root by a high incorporation into the root protein. It can be concluded that nitrogen from newly absorbed NO is not retained and used for protein synthesis in the root according to the root's potential to synthesize protein. Nitrate reduction in the root is considered to be the limiting factor. This is supported by the fact that withdrawal of NO in the nutrient solution prior to the ¹⁵N-experiment increased NOtranslocation to the shoot as a consequence of a lowered level of nitrate reductase. In an experiment with ¹⁴NOsupply to the roots and ¹⁵NOapplication to the primary leaves (infiltration method) a considerable amount of ¹⁵N was translocated from the leaves to the roots. This indicates that an insufficient NOreduction in the root can be substituted by a retranslocation of reduced N-compounds from leaves to the roots. The proportion of NO reduced in the root influences also the pattern of primary distribution of nitrogen in the shoot of plants at the 4 leaf stage. At a concentration of 0,2 meq/l NO in the nutrient solution as compared to 20 meq/l NO during 10 hours a relative higher amount of ₁₅N was transported from the root to the younger, growing leaves i.e. via the phloem to metabolic sinks.     

Nitratammonifizierung im Boden mit Abwasserverrieselung

Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium in a Soil with Wastewater Irrigation Flooding with wastewaters including 48 mg/l NH-N, 15 mg/l organic N and 63 mg/l K¹⁵NO-N has led to strong nitrogen losses by denitrification from a sandy Cambisol. Beside this ¹⁵NH was formed also. Possible reasons of the nitrate reduction to ammonium are discussed and conclusions for practical wastewater irrigation are drawn.     

Soil Acidification and Solute Budgets for Forested Lysimeters in Nordrhein-Westfalen

Solute budgets and nitrogen use were quantified in two 400 m² forested lysimeters in St. Arnold, Nordrhein-Westfalen. The lysimeters are covered by a mixture of oak-beech and Weymouth pine, respectively. The average bulk deposition between May 1985 and May 1987 of NH, SO and NO₃ was 1.1, 1.7, and 0.4 kmol_c ha^?1 yr^?1 in the deciduous stand and 2.1, 2.1, and 0.8 kmol_c ha^?1 yr^?1 in the coniferous stand. The input of N is almost completely retained in the deciduous stand. In the coniferous stand about 30% of this N-input is leached as NO₃. Due to N-transformations, total proton turnover is 4.4 kmol_c ha^?1 yr^?1 in the coniferous stand and only 2.5 kmol_c ha^?1 yr^?1 in the deciduous stand. Ca-mobilization is the major acid buffering process in both lysimeters. Only the deciduous stand was limed in 1980 (90 kmol_c/ha). Mobilization of Al is only relevant down to a soil depth of 30 cm. Below a 30 cm depth, Al is immobilized. The amounts of exchangeable and silicate-bound Ca in the soil underlying the coniferous stand are very small, but no evidence was found for explanation of the observed high Ca-mobilization by artificial Ca-sources.     

Does the source of nitrogen affect the response of subterranean clover to prolonged root hypoxia?

Nitrogen (N) is taken up by most plant species in the form of nitrate (NO ) or ammonium (NH ). The plant response to continuous ammonium nutrition is species‐dependent. In this study, the effects of the source of N nutrition (NO , NH , or the mixture of NO and NH ) on the response of clover (Trifolium subterraneum L. cv. 45C) plants to prolonged root hypoxia was studied. Under aerobic conditions, plant growth was strongly depressed by NH , compared to NO or mixed N nutrition, as indicated by the significant decrease in root and shoot‐dry‐matter production (DW), root and shoot water contents (WC), leaf chlorophyll concentration, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (F₀, F_v/F_m). However, the N source had no effect on chlorophyll a–to–chlorophyll b ratio. Under hypoxic conditions, the negative effects of root hypoxia on plant‐growth parameters (DW and WC), leaf chlorophyll concentration, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were alleviated by NH rather than NO supply. Concomitantly, shoot DW–to–root DW ratio, and root and leaf NH concentrations were significantly decreased, whereas root and leaf carbohydrate concentrations, glutamine synthetase activities, and protein concentrations were remarkably increased. The present data reveal that the N source (NO or NH ) is a major factor affecting clover responses to hypoxic stress, with plants being more tolerant when NH is the N form used. The different sensitivity is discussed in terms of a competition for energy between nitrogen assimilation and plant growth.     

Relative effects of ammonia and nitrite on the germination and early growth of aerobic rice

Recent studies have documented adverse affects of urea on the establishment and growth of aerobic rice when applied at seeding. The following experiments were conducted to examine the relative importance of ammonia and nitrite (NO$ _2^- $ ) toxicities as mechanisms contributing to poor germination and early growth of aerobic rice. Soil was collected from an experiment in the Philippines where aerobic rice was grown continuously for 7 years. Subsamples of the soil were: (1) pretreated with sulfuric acid (0.5 M H₂SO₄ added at 75 mL kg^–1), (2) oven‐heated at 120°C for 12 h, or (3) left untreated. In a greenhouse study N was applied to the untreated, acidified, and oven‐heated soils as either urea or ammonium sulfate (0.0 or 0.3 g N kg^–1). Plant height, root length, total biomass, and number of seminal roots were evaluated after 10 d. Microdiffusion incubations were used to assess the effects of soil pretreatment, N source, and N rate (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 g N kg^–1) on ammonia (NH₃) volatilization and germination. Nitrite incubations were conducted to establish a critical level for NO$ _2^- $ toxicity and measure the extractable NO$ _2^- $ and germination trends as affected by soil pretreatment, N source, and N rate. On untreated soil, urea reduced early growth and germination while ammonium sulfate caused no adverse effects. Progressively higher rates of urea increased NH₃ volatilization and inhibited germination, while oven‐heating and acidification minimized the adverse effects. All treatment combinations (soil pretreatment, N source, N rate) had extractable NO$ _2^- $ levels below the critical level of 0.2 g N kg^–1, suggesting that ammonia and not NO$ _2^- $ toxicity was the principal cause of inhibition. Since the risk of NH₃ toxicity is highest just following urea hydrolysis, strategies to optimize the timing and placement of urea should be considered.     

Changes in soil nitrogen availability due to stand development and management practices on semi‐arid sandy lands,in northern China

Soil nitrogen (N) availability is one of the limiting factors for plant growth on sandy lands. Little is known about impacts of afforestation on soil N availability and its components in southeastern Keerqin sandy lands, China. In this study, we measured N transformation under sandy Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica Litv.) plantations of different ages (grassland, young, middle‐aged, close‐to‐mature) and management practices (non‐grazing and free‐grazing) during the growing seasons using the ion exchange resin bag method. Results showed that, for all plots and growing season, soil NH‐N, NO‐N, mineral N, and relative nitrification index, varied from 0·18 to 1·54, 0·96 to 22·05, 1·23 to 23·58 µg d⁻¹ g⁻¹ dry resin, and 0·76 to 0·97, respectively, and NO‐N dominated the available N amount due to intense nitrification in these ecosystems. In general, the four indices significantly increased in the oldest plantation, with corresponding values in non‐grazing sites lower than those in free‐grazing sites (p < 0·05). Our studies indicated that it is a slow, extended process to achieve improvement in soil quality after afforestation of Mongolian pine in the study area. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Einfluß von Stroh und Nitrapyrin auf den verfügbaren Stickstoff im Boden,den Ertrag und den Stickstoffentzug von Lolium multiflorum

Effect of straw and nitrapyrin application on the nitrogen availability in the soil and the yield and nitrogen uptake of Lolium multiflorum. In pot experiments the effect of straw and nitrapyrin application on the turn-over of fertilizer NH and on the nitrogen availability in the soil was investigated. The investigation comprised two sections: an incubation experiment in which straw and nitrapyrin together with NH-N were incorporated into a brown podsolic soil and a subsequent pot experiment with ryegrass. Nitrapyrin inhibited the nitrification and reduced the nitrogen loss of the soil. Compared with the treatments without nitrapyrin application, nitrapyrin resulted in a lower dry matter yield and in a lower nitrogen uptake of the ryegrass. Straw application reduced the nitrate content in the soil significantly. This effect was particulary evident in the treatments which did not receive nitrapyrin. Accordingly, nitrogen uptake and yield of ryegrass were significantly lower in the ‘straw treatments’ as compared with the treatments without straw. It is suggested that the impared nitrogen availability in the ‘straw treatments’ was mainly due to nitrogen losses caused by denitrification.     

Nitrogen mineralization of leguminous crops in soils

Organic‐N production by legumes is a key benefit of growing cover crops and green manures. A soil sample was mixed with legume residue commonly used as green manure in Kenya at a rate of 500 mg N (kg soil)^–1. Silica sand equal to the weight of the soils was added and mixed thoroughly. The mixture was packed in a leaching tube and leached with 100 mL of 5 mM of CaCl₂ ^. 2H₂O and incubated at 30°C. The leaching was repeated every 2 weeks for a total of 16 weeks and analyzed for N as NH , NO , and NO . Five legume residues and five different soils were used in this study. Nitrogen mineralization of the legume residues conformed to an exponential model. Application of a two‐components exponential model showed two phases of N mineralization. The relationship between the organic N remaining after each incubation period and time of incubation was controlled by two first‐order reactions. The initial fast rate (k₁) changed to a slow rate (k₂) at incubation times ranging from 2 to 8 weeks, depending on the legume residue and the soil used. The percentage of N in each phase varied among the legume residue and soils. Linear regression analyses showed that net cumulative amounts of N mineralized from individual legume residues was significantly correlated with the total polyphenols and polyphenol‐to‐N ratios for two soils. Nitrogen mineralization of dolichos and field bean was significantly and negatively correlated with clay and sand, respectively; of field bean and alfalfa was significantly correlated with C_mic; and of dolichos significantly but negatively correlated with the total N and organic N in soils. Linear regression analysis of the pooled data showed that net cumulative amounts of N mineralized and percentage N mineralized were significantly correlated with C : N ratios of the residues (r = 0.44 and 0.48 at p < 0.05, respectively), and that net cumulative N mineralized was significantly correlated with (lignin + polyphenols)‐to‐N ratios (r = 0.41 at p < 0.05) and with lignin contents (r = 0.61 at p < 0.001).     

Plant availability and leaching of (heavy) metals from ammonium‐, calcium‐, carbohydrate‐, and citric acid‐treated uranium‐mine‐dump soil

Remediation of an uranium‐mine soil from Settendorf (East Germany) includes phytoextraction under conditions which make its heavy metals more plant‐available but less leachable. A second way is active inhibition of heavy metal uptake by the plant. In a pot trial with Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis L.), planted and unplanted soil samples were daily irrigated with deionized water or aqueous solutions with a total of (g (kg soil)^–1) CaCl₂ (0.26 Ca), NH₄Cl (1.39), casein, sucrose, citric acid (13), and an extract of rape (B. napus L.) shoots (13 DW) in a phytotron for 26 d. Water‐irrigated plants were also treated with a 50 mM citric acid solution (10.5 g (kg soil)^–1) 6 and 7 d prior to harvesting. Total elements in plant tissue and soluble elements in aqueous extracts from control and postharvest soils were determined by ICP‐AES. Supplements of NH , and the NH ‐generating casein and rape extract reduced soil pH during nitrification, and increased plant uptake of Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn. Citric acid at 50 mM adjusted soil to pH 4.5–6.0 and enhanced uptake of all elements. Long‐term application of sucrose and citric acid increased pH and inhibited uptake of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn. Contemporarily, leaching of heavy metals and humic substances was lowest with Ca and NH and highest with sucrose and citric acid amendments. It is concluded that Chinese cabbage grown for chelate‐assisted phytoextraction should be supplied with Ca and NH to obtain a high plant biomass on soil with a low hazard of leaching. Metal uptake should be stimulated by application of chelator 7 d prior to harvesting. Undesired uptake of heavy metals by Chinese cabbage determined as food should be inhibited with carbohydrate amendments. Long‐term application of NH or chelator, which reduces the solubility of certain elements but increases their uptake moderately, is recommended as a tool for continuous phytoextraction technologies.     

Ferrous and ferric iron ratio in normal and chlorotic bean plants (Vicia faba L.)

The objective of this study was to determine the ratio and amount of Fe II and Fe III iron in different parts of 20 and 40 day old bean plants grown in pots under normal and HCO-treatment. The Fe II and Fe III iron determination was carried out by a modification of a method described by Vogel (1969). The Fe II and Fe III concentrations in the plant varied according to its age, the plant part, the order of leaves and HCO-treatment. At the second sampling date, the lower total iron content in the lower leaf particularly under the HCO-treatment suggests that the supply of iron from the roots was restricted. The iron content of the different leaves was almost evenly divided into Fe II and Fe III at the first date. At the second date, most of the iron in the bud leaf was present as Fe II. Under HCO-treatment the Fe II content of the bud leaf and the flower was similar as in the corresponding parts of the normal green plants whereas the Fe III content was considerably lowered in these plant parts as result of the HCO-treatment. The results indicate a substantial retranslocation of iron from older to younger leaves and a higher Fe II/Fe III ratio in flowers and bud leaves particularly under HCO-induced chlorosis.     

Influence of nitrogen forms and mycorrhizal colonization on growth and composition of Chinese bunching onion

In recent years, interest has grown in cultivating Allium species with enhanced health benefits and/or distinct flavor. Concentrations of phytochemicals determining these desired characteristics may be influenced by nitrogen forms (ammonium or nitrate) and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. We examined these relations with the test plant bunching onion (Allium fistulosum L.). Three different ammonium‐to‐nitrate (NH : NO ) ratios were supplied in combination with or without inoculation with an AM fungus (Glomus mosseae). The plants were evaluated for dry weight, leaf number, and content of nutrients (N, NO , P, S), sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose), and organosulfur compounds (measured as pyruvic acid). The experiment was carried out under controlled conditions in a greenhouse. Plants were grown on perlite amended twice a day with nutrient solution. In nonmycorrhizal plants, the application of nutrient solution with predominant NO or NH₄NO₃ as N source supported adequate growth of Allium fistulosum while predominant NH supply resulted in decreased growth and occurrence of wilting symptoms. Mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased dry weight and leaf number of predominantly NH ‐fed or NH₄NO₃‐fed plants. While shoot P concentration increased with higher NH supply, shoot N concentration increased in predominantly NH ‐fed plants only. Nitrogen form and AM colonization had little effect on shoot S or sugar concentrations. The total content in organosulfur compounds was significantly affected by both, N form and AM colonization. The optimal growth condition for a high formation of organosulfur compounds in this experiment was a nutrient solution with predominant NO supply, but when supported by AM fungi, Allium fistulosum produced similar amounts of pyruvic acid in NH₄NO₃‐fed plants.     

Effect of alternative anions (Cl– vs. SO$ _4^{2-} $) on concentrations of free amino acids in young tea plants

The quality of green tea is highly dependent on the concentration of free amino acids, whose profile is dominated by the unique amino acid theanine (N⁵‐ethyl‐glutamine). A high quality is associated with a high amino acid–to–catechin ratio, but previous results indicated that excessive chloride (Cl^–) supply is detrimental for amino acid accumulation. Several experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of chloride on growth and concentrations of free amino acids in young tea plants. Soil‐grown tea plants supplied with different levels of potassium (K) as K₂SO₄ or KCl exhibited increased concentrations of free amino acid in young shoots only when supplied with K₂SO₄, and the negative effect of KCl supply was mainly due to a reduced concentration of theanine. Concentrations of other nutrients in plant tissues were not influenced. The uptake of Cl^– and its interaction with nitrogen (N) uptake were further investigated in a second experiment, in which soil‐cultivated tea plants were supplied with varying amounts of Cl^–. Chloride application reduced yield of young shoots, and severity of leaf damage was related to the concentration of Cl^– in leaves. Nitrogen uptake was reduced by Cl^– addition. To verify whether the decrease of free amino acids was simply a result of inhibited NO assimilation, a third experiment was conducted, in which tea plants were NH ‐fed in the absence or presence (equivalent to the NH concentration) of Cl^–. Again, concentrations of theanine and total free amino acids in young shoots were reduced by Cl^– supply, but changes of the free–amino acid pool did not contribute to the maintenance of charge balance. However, concentration of theanine in roots, where it is synthesized, was not influenced by Cl^–. Total N concentrations of roots and mature leaves, uptake rate of NH , and activity of glutamine synthetase in fibrous roots and young leaves were all unaffected by Cl^– as well. It is suggested that translocation of theanine from root to shoot and its catabolism in young shoots might be influenced by Cl^–.     

Depletion of non‐exchangeable NH$ _4^+ $ at the root–soil and hyphae–soil interface of VA mycorrhizal maize (Zea mays) and parsley (Petroselinum sativum)

Mobilization of non‐exchangeable ammonium (NH ) by hyphae of the vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungus Glumus mosseae was studied under controlled experimental conditions. Maize (Zea mays) and parsley (Petroselinum sativum) were grown either alone or in symbiosis with Glomus mosseae in containers with separated compartments for roots and hyphal growth. In one experiment, ¹⁵NH was added to the soil to differentiate between the native non‐exchangeable NH and the non‐exchangeable NH derived from N fertilization. Non‐exchangeable NH was mobilized by plant growth. Plant dry weight and N uptake, however, were not significantly influenced by mycorrhizal colonization of the roots. The influence of root infection with mycorrhizal fungus on the mobilization of non‐exchangeable NH was negligible. In the hyphal compartment, hyphal uptake of N resulted in a decrease of NH in the soil solution and of exchangeable NH . However, the NH concentration was still too high to permit the release of non‐exchangeable NH . The results demonstrate that, in contrast to roots, hyphae of VAM fungi are not able to form a non‐exchangeable‐NH depletion zone in the adjacent soil. However, under conditions of a more substantial depletion of the exchangeable NH in the mycorrhizal sphere (e.g., with longer growth), an effect of mycorrhiza on the non‐exchangeable NH might be found.     

N form–dependent growth retardation of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings as revealed from physiological and microarray studies

Ammonium (NH ) nutrition causes retardation of growth in many plant species. In Arabidopsis grown with NH as the sole N source, growth retardation occurs already at early stages before photosynthesis has come to its full power. In order to describe the peculiarities of these retarded plants, they were compared with nitrate (NO )‐grown plants of the same age of 15 d. Photosynthetic activity as measured by CO₂ uptake per unit chlorophyll is half as high in NH ‐grown seedlings as in NO ‐grown ones. This finding is confirmed by the analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence. Chloroplasts of NO ‐grown, but not of NH ‐grown, seedlings show starch deposits after 5 h of illumination with 40 μmol m^–2 s^–1. Gene‐expression analysis based on cDNA microarray and on Northern blots provide a clue about the biochemical background. After the first 2 weeks of growth, it seems that NO ‐grown seedlings subsist mainly on normal photosynthesis, whereas NH ‐grown seedlings still use lipids from the seeds stored in oleosomes. Corresponding to this observation, the mRNAs for enzymes of β‐oxidation are more strongly expressed in NH ‐grown seedlings. Different carbohydrate sources for sucrose synthesis are indicated by different gene expression. Higher gene expression of fructose bisphosphate aldolase (cytosolic isoform) in NO ‐grown seedlings indicates the dependence on photosynthesis, whereas a higher gene expression of PEP carboxykinase in NH ‐grown seedlings points to a prominent role of β‐oxidation of storage lipids still present.     

Comparison of urease inhibitor N‐(n‐butyl) thiophosphoric triamide and oxidized charcoal for conserving urea‐N in soil

Charcoal‐based amendments have a potential use in controlling NH₃ volatilization from urea fertilization, owing to a high cation‐exchange capacity (CEC) that enhances the retention of NH . An incubation study was conducted to evaluate the potential of oxidized charcoal (OCh) for controlling soil transformations of urea‐N, in comparison to urease inhibition by N‐(n‐butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT). Four soils, ranging widely in texture and CEC, were incubated aerobically for 0, 1, 3, 7, and 14 d after application of ¹⁵N‐labeled urea with or without OCh (150 g kg^?1 fertilizer) or NBPT (0.5 g kg^?1 fertilizer), and analyses were performed to determine residual urea and ¹⁵N recovery as volatilized NH₃, mineral N (as exchangeable NH , NO , and NO ), and immobilized organic N. The OCh amendment reduced NH₃ volatilization by up to 12% but had no effect on urea hydrolysis, NH and NO concentrations, NO accumulation, or immobilization. In contrast, the use of NBPT to inhibit urea hydrolysis was markedly effective for moderating the accumulation of NH , which reduced immobilization and also controlled NH₃ toxicity to nitrifying microorganisms that otherwise caused the accumulation of NO instead of NO . Oxidized charcoal is not a viable alternative to NBPT for increasing the efficiency of urea fertilization.     

Calcium carbonate solubilization through H‐proton release from some legumes grown in calcareous saline‐sodic soils

Increasing levels of CO₂ and H⁺ proton in the rhizosphere from some legumes may play an important role in calcite dissolution of calcareous salt affected soils. Soils planted with white and brown varieties of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) and hyacinth bean (Dolichos lablab L.) relying on either fertilizer N (KNO₃) or N‐fixation were compared against soils to which gypsum was applied and a control without plants and gypsum application to study the possibility of Ca²⁺ release from calcite and Na⁺ leaching. As compared to plants relying on inorganic N, leachates from all pore volumes (0·5, 1·0, 1·5, 2·0 pore volume) in lysimeters planted with N‐fixing hyacinth bean contained significantly higher concentrations of HCO with lower concentrations from lysimeters planted with white cowpea relying on N‐fixation. However, the lowest concentrations of HCO were recorded in the gypsum and control treatments. In initial leaching, lysimeters planted with N‐fixing plants maintained similar leachate Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ concentrations compared to gypsum amended soils. However, gypsum amended soils were found to have a prolonged positive effect on Na⁺ removal. It might be concluded that some legumes that are known to fix N in calcareous salt affected soils may be an alternative ameliorant to the extremely expensive gypsum through calcite solubilization and a consequent release of Ca²⁺. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nitrous oxide emissions and dynamics of soil nitrogen under 15N‐labeled cow urine and dung patches on a sandy grassland soil

Grazing animals highly influence the nutrient cycle by a direct return of 80% of the consumed N in form of dung and urine. In the autumn‐winter period, N uptake by the sward is low and rates of seepage water in sandy soils are high, hence high mineral‐N contents in soil and in seepage water as well as large losses of N₂O are expected after cattle grazing in autumn. The objective of this study was the quanitfication of N loss deriving from urine and dung leaching and by N₂O emission. Therefore the deposition of urine and dung patches was simulated in maximum rates excreted by cows by application of ¹⁵N‐labeled cow urine and dung (equivalent to 1030 kg N ha^–1 and 1052 kg N ha^–1, respectively) on a sandy pasture soil in N Germany. Leachate was collected in weekly intervals from free‐draining lysimeters, and ¹⁵N‐NO , ¹⁵N‐NH , and ¹⁵N‐DON (dissolved organic N) were monitored over 171 d. Furthermore, the ¹⁵N‐N₂O emission rates and the dynamics of inorganic ¹⁵N in the upper soil layer were monitored in a field trial, adjacent to the lysimeters. After 10 d following the urine application, the urea was completely hydrolyzed, shown by a 100% recovery of urine‐N in the soil NH . The following decrease of ¹⁵N‐NH in the soil was higher than the increase of ¹⁵N‐NO , and some N loss was explained by leaching. Amounts of 51% and 2.5% of the applied ¹⁵N were found in leachate as inorganic N, 2.4% and 0.7% as DON derived from urine and dung, respectively. Release of N₂O from urine and dung patches applied to the pasture was low, with losses of 0.05% and 0.33% of the applied ¹⁵N, respectively. Overall loss of dung‐derived N was very low, but as the bulk dung N remained in the soil, N loss after mineralization of the dung needs to be investigated.     

Nitrogen turnover in bare soil planted subsequently with grass as investigated by electro‐ultrafiltration (EUF)

Changes of EUF‐extractable nitrogen (N) (nitrate, ammonium, organic N) in 20 arable bare soils, subsequently planted with ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) and cutting three times were investigated in pot experiments. All 20 soils responded qualitatively in the same way. During the period of bare soil, there was a significant increase of EUF‐extractable nitrate (EUF NO ), while extractable ammonium (EUF NH ) remained on the same level and organic N (EUF N_org) decreased. This decrease, however, was not significant. From sowing until the first cutting of the grass, EUF‐NO concentration decreased to almost zero. This low EUF‐NO level was maintained throughout the subsequent experimental period (three cuttings of grass). During the growth of the first cutting, EUF N_org decreased while EUF NH remained constant, however, on a low level. EUF NH fell during the growth of the second and third cutting. In this period, however, the N supply of the grass was insufficient. EUF N_org decreased during the growth of the second cutting, but increased during the growth of the third cutting. This shows that the EUF‐N_org fraction represents a transient pool, which gains and loses N. EUF NO , EUF NH , and EUF N_org correlated with the N uptake of the grass. Strongest correlation for EUF NO was found for the first cutting (p < 0.001), and for EUF NH and EUF N_org for the second and third cutting (p < 0.001). Total soil N was not correlated with the N uptake of the grass. EUF N_org was only about 2% of the total N. This relatively small EUF‐N_org fraction, however, is relevant for the mineralization of organic soil N, and the N quantity indicated by EUF N_org is in the range of the N amount mineralized in arable soils within a growing season.     

Chemische Untersuchungen an Verbindungen aus Lignin mit Cyanamid,Kalkstickstoff sowie Dicyandiamid

Chemical investigations on reaction products from lignin and cyanamide, Ca-cyanamide, as well as dicyandiamide Chemical interactions between lignin from Triticum aestivum and cyanamide, “Kalkstickstoff” (Ca-cyanamide) as well as dicyandiamide were proved. The methods used to indicate the oxygen absorption, gas release, typical structures and reaction procedures, specially carbonylgroups, the nucleophilic addition and esterification were the WARBURG-Technik, infrared-spectroscopy, measurement of pH-values and color reactions with phloroglucine/HCl. Additionally the C- and N-content was determined. The N-containing reaction products formed at maximal 30°C were isolated after 3–5 weeks and purified. Dyanamide (H₂CN₂) and “Kalkstickstoff” (CaCN₂) reacted already in water with lignin. In opposite dicyandiamide first displayed chemical interactions to a larger extent after CaO had been added. The reaction with the nitrogen-containing compounds by nucleophilic addition only reduced the carbonyl groups (keto and aldehyde) of lignin. The N-content of the reaction products ranged from (0,37 % lignin with cyanamide + CaO or CaCN₂ + CaO) to 1,2 % (lignin + dicyandiamide + CaO). Even the lowest of these values corresponds already a maximal bond of ～ 7 kg poor N/ha with respects to the lignin of a wheat harvest.     

Problems in CEC determination of calcareous clayey sediments using the ammonium acetate method

Cation‐exchange–capacity (CEC) results of calcareous soils and clays can be erroneous if the ammonium acetate method is used. In this study, a model is proposed to explain the process for systematic underestimation of the CEC. Seven clayey sediments from Germany with varying calcite and low organic‐C content were studied. After several exchange treatments with concentrated ammonium acetate (NH₄Ac) solutions, the exchange population is assumed to be in homoionic ammonium form. Throughout the cation‐exchange experiment, calcite reacts with the NH₄Ac exchange solution generating Ca²⁺ cations. During the necessary washing steps to remove excess salt, calcite dissolution is lower but still occurs. The permanently added Ca²⁺ ions compete successfully with NH , especially during the washing steps. This leads to a more or less partial biionic exchange population resulting in an underestimation of the CEC which is calculated based on NH concentration of the clay by Kjeldahl analysis. The biionic exchange population was proven using the new silver thiourea technique with presaturation of calcite, AgTU calcite . The clay with 148 g kg^–1 calcite had a fraction of 16.4 cmol₊ kg^–1 exchangeable Ca²⁺. This is ca. 50% of the CEC of this clay being 31.8 cmol₊ kg^–1_. For clays with similar mineralogical composition, this trend is proportional to the calcite content.