氮肥运筹对水稻农学效应和氮素利用的影响

通过田间试验,以不同氮肥量级为参照,结合关键生育期叶片叶绿素含量（SPAD值）指导氮肥施用,以探明潜江地区水稻关键生育期的氮肥适宜用量。结果表明,在施N 90～180kg/hm2间水稻产量差异不显著,当超过N 180 kg/hm2,产量降低。根据水稻产量（y）和施氮量（x）拟合得出一元二次关系式:y = -0.0728x2 + 22.335x + 6811.5,R2 = 0.9442。结合当年水稻价格肥料投入费用等计算出水稻的经济效益（Y）和施氮量（X）之间的函数式:y = -0.134x2 + 37.097x + 12533-M,R2 = 0.9331;由此得出经济效益最大时水稻的施氮量是N 138 kg/hm2。该施氮量下水稻的氮肥表观利用率,农学利用率和氮肥偏生产力可保持在40.9%,11.5 kg/ kg和63.2 kg/ kg,与完全依据SPAD值指导关键生育期的氮肥施用量相近似（N 140 kg/hm2）,保证了水稻最大的经济效益,同时也保持了较高的氮肥利用率,降低氮素表观损失。     

Agronomic productivity,nitrogen fertilizer savings and soil organic carbon in conservation agriculture: efficient nitrogen and weed management in maize-wheat system

Conservation agriculture (CA) practice increases agronomic productivity and soil fertility, yet CA stimulate nitrogen (N) immobilization and weed interference during the early periods of implementation. This study focuses on efficient N management by soil testing and optical sensor (GreenSeeker^TM) information; and weed management using brown manuring (Sesbania aculeata co-culture) and herbicide mixtures under CA-based maize (Zea mays L.) – wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend Fiori & Paol) system in the Indo-Gangetic Plains. Fertilizer N application guided by the optical sensor increased grain yields of maize and wheat up to 20 and 14% (average of two years), respectively, compared to whole N application at sowing. Weed management using brown manuring in maize and herbicide mixtures in wheat increased the grain yields up to 10 and 21%, respectively, over the weedy check. The optical sensor-based N management saved up to 45 and 30 kg N ha^–1 of the optimized N fertilizer rate in maize and wheat, respectively, over whole N application. Fertilizer N management coupled with brown manuring resulted in 5 and 4% higher soil organic carbon accumulation. Implementing efficient N fertilizer and weed management in the early years of CA can improve agronomic yield, fertilizer savings, and soil organic carbon content.     

施氮量和土壤含水量对黑麦草还田红壤氮素矿化的影响

目标 氮素矿化是决定土壤供氮能力的重要生态过程,养分添加和水分在调节土壤的氮转化方面起着重要的作用。探讨施氮和土壤水分对黑麦草还田过程中土壤氮素矿化的影响有利于进一步优化红壤旱地作物生产的水肥管理。 【方法】 通过室内培养试验,研究了施氮量 (0、60、120 mg/kg) 和土壤含水量 (15%、30%、45%) 对红壤旱地黑麦草还田过程中土壤净硝化量、氨化量和氮矿化量的影响。 【结果】 土壤含水量15%时,施氮有利于提高黑麦草还田初期土壤净硝化量,施氮量120 mg/kg抑制了黑麦草还田后期土壤硝化作用。在30%土壤含水量时,施氮量120 mg/kg明显抑制了黑麦草还田后期土壤硝化作用。土壤含水量45%抑制了黑麦草还田初期不同施氮水平下土壤净硝化量,但增加了黑麦草还田91 d时土壤净硝化量,且施氮量60 mg/kg下的净硝化量显著高于120 mg/kg水平下的。土壤净氨化量在整个黑麦草还田过程中均为正值,且呈现多次升高-降低的往复动态变化。土壤净氨化量在三种土壤含水量下均表现为施氮条件下的显著高于不施氮处理。土壤含水量的增加有利于提高施氮量120 mg/kg下黑麦草还田初期土壤的氨化作用,但降低了黑麦草还田后期土壤净氨化量。相比不施氮,三个含水量条件下的施氮处理在黑麦草还田过程中的大部分阶段都显著增加了土壤净氮矿化量,土壤含水量30%条件下土壤净氮矿化量的变化最大。相比土壤含水量15%,30%含水量促进了黑麦草还田中期 (13～57 d) 土壤净氮矿化量的增加,45%含水量抑制了黑麦草还田后期 (73～91 d) 土壤净氮矿化量。 【结论】 红壤区旱地黑麦草还田时应合理施入化学氮肥 (60 mg/kg),在黑麦草还田初期保持较高的土壤含水量 (45%) 能够抑制土壤的氮矿化作用,还田中后期适当降低土壤含水量 (30%)有利于增加土壤氮素的矿化。      

土壤增氧方式对其氮素转化和水稻氮素利用及产量的影响

以3种不同生态型水稻品种中浙优1号(水稻)、IR45765-3B(深水稻)和中旱221(旱稻)为材料,比较研究了不同增氧方式(T1-增施过氧化钙、T2-微纳气泡水增氧灌溉、T3-表土湿润灌溉和CK-淹水对照)下稻田土壤氮素转化和水稻氮素吸收利用特性。结果表明:1)增氧处理明显改善土壤氧化还原状况,3种增氧方式下土壤氧化还原电位均高于CK。稻田增氧促进土壤氮素硝化,在分蘖期和齐穗期T1、T2和T3的土壤硝化强度和脲酶活性均显著高于CK,反硝化强度显著低于CK。2)不同增氧处理对水稻氮素吸收的影响不同,在拔节期、齐穗期和完熟期3品种的植株氮素积累量均表现为T1、T2显著高于CK,而T3显著低于CK;在完熟期,T1处理下中浙优1号、IR45765-3B和中旱221植株氮素积累量分别较CK增加了21.2%、13.2%和17.0%,而T2处理下3品种的植株氮素积累量分别较CK增加了14.3%、6.9%和9.1%。3)与CK相比,T1和T2显著提高水稻籽粒产量和收获指数,氮素籽粒生产效率与CK无显著差异,而T3显著增加水稻氮素干物质生产效率和氮素籽粒生产效率。可见,施用过氧化钙和微纳气泡水增氧灌溉能有效改善稻田土壤氧化还原状况,不仅显著提高水稻产量,而且显著增强稻田氮的硝化而减少氮素损失,从而提高水稻氮素积累量和氮素收获指数。     

Biological aspects of soil protection

Abstract. Soil provides an environment for all forms of life, from viruses and bacteria to trees, and these soil inhabitants play many important roles in soil development and in the maintenance of soil fertility. Policies for protection of soil should therefore include criteria for the biological quality of soil. The establishment of such criteria can only be based on an understanding of the function of the different groups of soil organisms, including the interactions between these groups which give rise to such processes as mineralization of organic matter. However, we are only beginning to understand this most complex of ecosystems. Current information is reviewed and the problems of establishing biological standards for soil are considered. Much of the discussion on assessment of pesticide side effects is relevant to this topic, and the future need to quantify risk associated with the introduction of genetically-engineered organisms into soils is likely to stimulate further debate on this topic.     

The dynamics of soil-soluble nitrogen and soil-retained nitrogen in greenhouse soil

Field experiments were conducted to determine the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilization and manure addition on the soil-soluble nitrogen (SSN) (soil mineral N (SMN); soil-soluble organic N (SSON)) and soil-retained N (SRN) (soil fixed ammonium; soil microbial biomass N). The combined application of manure and inorganic N (different N fertilizer rates: M3N0, M3N1, M3N2, and M3N3; different manure rates: M0N2, M1N2, M2N2, and M3N2) was used in a greenhouse fertilization experiment. SSN and SRN increased with increasing N rate up to M3N2. SSON decreased with increasing manure rate and was the highest in the M1N2, whereas SMN and SRN were the highest in the M3N2, and increased with increasing manure rate on all sampling dates. Both SSN and SRN declined significantly with increasing soil depth in the different application rates of manure (p < .05). Moreover, the SSN and SRN significantly varied with plant growth and followed a different pattern during the growing season. SSN and FA peaked in the first ear fruit period, but SMBN was at its highest level in the second ear fruit period. There was a significant positive relationship (p < .05) between SSN and SRN throughout the plant growing season, and the annual apparent loss of N in the M3N3 was the highest. The combined application of inorganic N fertilizer and manure at an appropriate rate may be an effective strategy for maintaining the long-term health of greenhouses.     

Salinity and nitrogen mineralization in soil

A laboratory study determined the effects of salinity on ammonification, nitrification and mineral N accumulation in incubated soils. NH⁺₄-N, NO^?₂-N and NO^?₃-N were measured periodically for 102 days in unamended soil of varying salinity and in soil amended with farm compost, mustard oil cake or urea. Increased salinity progressively retarded ammonification but did not suppress it completely. Nitrification was retarded, suppressed or inhibited completely by salinity, the effect depended on both the amount of salt and the type of amendment added to the soil. The amount of mineral N that accumulated generally decreased with increased salinity.     

Arbuscular mycorrhiza and soil nitrogen cycling

Nitrogen is a major nutrient that frequently limits primary productivity in terrestrial ecosystems. Therefore, the physiological responses of plants to soil nitrogen (N) availability have been extensively investigated, and the study of the soil N-cycle has become an important component of ecosystem ecology and biogeochemistry. The bulk of the literature in these areas has, however, overlooked the fact that most plants form mycorrhizal associations, and that nutrient uptake is therefore mediated by mycorrhizal fungi. It is well established that ecto- and ericoid mycorrhizas influence N nutrition of plants, but roles of arbuscular mycorrhizas in N nutrition are less well established; perhaps even more importantly, current conceptual models ignore possible influences of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on N-cycling processes. We review evidence for the interaction between the AM symbiosis with microbes and processes involved in soil N-cycling. We show that to date investigations have rather poorly addressed such interactions and discuss possible reasons for this. We outline mechanisms that could potentially operate with regards to AM fungal – N-cycling interactions, discuss experimental designs aimed at studying these, and conclude by pointing out priorities for future research.     

Quantitative effects of soil depth and soil and fertilizer nitrogen on nitrogen uptake by tall fescue and switchgrass

Abstract

In semi‐arid regions, soil depth influences soil N uptake, but not ferilizer N uptake. How soil depth interacts with soil and fertilzer N to influence N uptake in humid regions is not known. The objective was to determine the relative importance of soil depth and soil and fertilizer N uptake, by forage grasses. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) were grown on soils of varying depths. Nitrogen rates are 0, 90, and 180 kgN/ha of ¹⁵N depleted (NH₄)SO₄ applied in a split application on fescue and in one aplication to switchgrass. Total N and fertilizer N uptake, were regressed against fertilizer N, variables related to soil depth (waterholding capacity (WC), water use (WU), water loss (WL), and total soil N (SN). Soil variables explained 28% of the accoutable variation in total N uptake by first cut fescue but only 10% by second cut fescue. Soil variables explained 11% of the accountable variation in fertilizer N uptake by first cut fescue and none by the seoond. Soil variables explained 40% of the accountable variation in the total N uptake, by switchgrass, but only 10% of the variation in the fertilizer N uptake. Only where soil depth was less than 90 cm did it have a significant effect on the fertilizer N uptake by first cut fescue. Soil depth had no significant effect on the uptake, of fertilizer N by second cut fescue or switchgrass.     

施氮量对植烟土壤不同土层无机氮质量含量的调控

为研究不同施氮量对土壤各层次和烤烟各生长期土壤中无机氮质量含量的影响,大田试验中设置5个氮肥施用量并分配在基肥、苗肥和追肥时期施用,烟苗移栽后第5周开始分7次钻取3个土层样,样品冷藏贮存并用流动注射分析仪测定硝态氮和铵态氮质量含量。结果表明：各施氮处理在移栽后第6周前0～20 cm土壤中硝态氮质量含量大于铵态氮,施用氮肥越多,土壤中无机氮质量含量提高幅度越大,施氮肥对0～20 cm土壤中无机氮质量含量的影响在烟株生育前期要远大于对20～40 cm土壤中无机氮质量含量的影响,同一时期不同深度比较,0～20 cm土层中硝态氮质量含量略大于20～40 cm和40～60 cm土层的硝态氮质量含量;烟株移栽7周后,0～20 cm土层中硝态氮被极大耗竭。各施氮量在各土层铵态氮质量含量变化幅度远大于硝态氮,铵态氮质量含量从第6周即开始上下波动,并在50 mg/kg附近上下变动,第8周土壤各层铵态氮质量含量有一个上升峰,而硝态氮质量含量在第7周停止快速下降后进入0～100 mg/kg范围的较平稳波动阶段。认为：不同施氮量对于生育前期和0～20 cm土层硝态氮质量含量影响深刻,但促进烤烟打顶前足量吸收并形成健壮烟株的合适施氮量还需结合烟草产量与品质而定;铵态氮调控是调节后期氮供应的关键。     

耕层土层交换对土壤氮素关键转化过程和玉米氮素利用的影响

翻耕会使耕层土壤发生显著位置交换。耕层土壤位置交换会通过影响土壤物理、化学和生物性状,改变氮素转化过程。本文研究了土层交换对黄淮海平原南端砂姜黑土硝化、反硝化过程和玉米生长及氮素利用的影响,为该区域选择合理的耕作方式、减少氮素损失及提高氮素利用效率提供理论依据。试验在人工气候室条件下,以土壤(0～35 cm)田间原位分层作为常规土层处理(CK),以原位0～10 cm和10～20 cm土层交换后作为土层交换处理(SE),并用20μm的尼龙网区分非根际和根际土壤。于玉米小喇叭口期利用荧光定量PCR技术测定土壤氨氧化微生物和反硝化菌群丰度,并结合非根际和根际土壤的硝化潜势、土壤呼吸、反硝化能力、反硝化潜势、土壤理化性质和玉米总氮含量及根系形态的测定,探讨土层交换对土壤氮素转化和玉米生长及氮素利用的影响。结果显示,SE处理的玉米植株氮吸收量比CK处理显著降低8.9%(P0.05)。土层交换显著影响根际而不是非根际土壤的硝化潜势,使其显著降低13.5%(P0.05);并使非根际和根际土壤的反硝化能力分别提高36.6%(P0.05)和8.4%(P0.05)。土层交换使非根际和根际土壤的可溶性有机碳含量分别提高11.7%(P0.05)和5.2%。相关分析显示硝化潜势与氨氧化细菌(AOB)丰度呈显著正相关(r=0.91**),与氨氧化古菌(AOA)丰度无显著相关关系;反硝化能力与土壤可溶性有机碳和呼吸速率呈显著正相关(r=0.89**和0.93**),与nirK、nirS拷贝数无显著相关性;玉米植株氮吸收量与根际土壤的硝化潜势、根表面积×AOB拷贝数都呈显著正相关(r=0.83*和0.86*),而与反硝化能力呈显著负相关(r=?0.88**)。以上结果表明砂姜黑土土壤硝化速率的降低和反硝化速率的增强,是土层交换后玉米氮素利用效率低的重要原因。AOB是硝化速率的主要驱动微生物。土层交换后土壤可溶性有机碳是反硝化能力的关键主导因子。在翻耕条件下,有效调节土壤可溶性有机碳含量是提高作物氮肥利用效率的关键。     

长期有机培肥模式下黑土碳与氮变化及氮素矿化特征

土壤氮的矿化是土壤氮素肥力的重要指标,是影响作物产量至关重要的因素。本研究依托黑土长期定位试验,通过取样分析研究了32 a不同培肥模式下黑土碳、 氮及主要活性组分的变化,采用淹水培养法研究了不同施肥模式下黑土氮素的矿化特征。结果表明,施肥显著提高黑土可溶性碳（DOC）、 氮（DON）的含量及其比例。在氮、 磷、 钾化肥的基础上配施有机肥,显著降低了土壤微生物量氮（SMBN）占土壤总氮的比例,提高了土壤微生物量的C/N比值（SMBC/SMBN）,促进了土壤氮的生物固持。施肥32 a后,单施常量和高量有机肥处理的土壤氮的矿化量（Nt）显著提高,分别相当于不施肥的8.2倍和10.2倍,而单施氮或氮磷钾化肥对黑土氮素矿化量无明显影响。施用有机肥显著提高了土壤氮素的矿化率（Nt/TN）,但有机肥配施化肥（氮或氮磷钾）的处理与单施有机肥相比,黑土氮的矿化率显著降低,降低幅度分别为23.5%~32.1% 和14.1%~17.8%。土壤氮素矿化量与土壤有机质、 全氮储量、 活性碳、 氮组分均呈极显著线性相关,但氮素的矿化率随着有机质和全氮含量的提高而提高至0.4% 后基本稳定。表明尽管土壤氮的矿化与有机质的含量直接相关,但土壤有机质的品质同样决定着土壤氮素的矿化能力。施有机氮是提高土壤供氮能力的重要途径。     

水分状况与供氮水平对土壤可溶性氮素形态变化的影响

采用通气培养试验,研究比较了两种水稻土在不同水分和供氮水平下的矿质氮(TMN)和可溶性有机氮(SON)的变化特征。结果表明,加氮处理及淹水培养均显著提高青紫泥的NH4+-N含量;除加氮处理淹水培养第7 d外,潮土NH4+-N含量并未因加氮处理或淹水培养而明显升高。无论加氮与否,控水处理显著提高两种土壤的NO3--N含量,其中潮土始见于培养第7 d,青紫泥则始于培养后21 d;加氮处理可显著提高淹水培养潮土NO3--N含量,却未能提高淹水培养青紫泥NO3--N含量。两种土壤的SON含量从开始培养即逐步升高,至培养21～35 d达高峰期,随后急剧下降并回落至基础土样的水平;SON含量高峰期,潮土SON/TSN最高达80%以上,青紫泥也达60%。综上所述,潮土不仅在控水条件下具有很强硝化作用,在淹水条件下的硝化作用也不容忽视,因此氮肥在潮土中以硝态氮的形式流失的风险比青紫泥更值得关注;在SON含量高峰期,两种土壤的可溶性有机氮的流失风险也应予以重视。     

聚丙烯酸盐类土壤改良剂对燕麦土壤微生物量氮及酶活性的影响

以燕麦田土壤为研究对象,探讨了聚丙烯酸盐类土壤改良剂及其复配(聚丙烯酸钾、聚丙烯酰胺、腐植酸钾、聚丙烯酸钾+腐植酸钾、聚丙烯酰胺+腐植酸钾)对燕麦田土壤微生物量氮及土壤酶活性的影响。结果表明,不同土壤改良剂均能提高土壤有机质、碱解氮、速效磷和速效钾的含量,各指标分别比对照增加了8.24%～30.22%、7.60%～19.29%、5.15%～29.45%和27.86%～68.86%;土壤改良剂能促使燕麦全生育期内0～10、10～20和20～40 cm各土层的土壤微生物量氮含量显著提高,聚丙烯酸钾+腐植酸钾和聚丙烯酰胺+腐植酸钾复配处理较其各单施效果显著,随土壤深度的增加土壤微生物量氮逐层递减;与对照相比,土壤改良剂能显著提高燕麦全生育期各土层过氧化氢酶活性,在抽穗期活性最高,且以聚丙烯酸钾+腐植酸钾较高;但对于脲酶,聚丙烯酸钾+腐植酸钾、聚丙烯酰胺+腐植酸钾和腐植酸钾3个处理在苗期显著低于对照,在抽穗期和成熟期高于对照,两种酶活性均随土壤深度的增加逐渐降低。     

过量施氮对旱地土壤碳、氮及供氮能力的影响

【目的】过量施氮会影响土壤有机碳、氮的组成与数量,进而改变土壤供氮能力,但关于西北旱地长期过量施用氮肥后土壤有机碳、氮及土壤供氮能力变化的研究尚缺乏。本文在长期定位试验的基础上,通过分析不同氮肥水平特别是过量施氮条件下土壤硝态氮,有机碳、氮和微生物量碳、氮的变化,探讨长期过量施氮对土壤有机碳、氮及供氮能力的影响。【方法】长期定位试验位于陕西杨凌西北农林科技大学农作一站。在施磷(P2O5)100kg/hm2的基础上,设5个氮水平,施氮量分别为N 0、80、160、240、320 kg/hm2。重复4次,小区面积40 m2,完全随机区组排列。种植冬小麦品种为小堰22。本文选取其中3处理,以不施氮为对照(N0)、施氮量N 160 kg/hm2为正常施氮(N160),施氮量N 320 kg/hm2为过量施氮(N320),分别于2012年6月小麦收获后和10月下季小麦播前采集土壤样品,进行测定分析。【结果】过量施氮导致下季小麦播前0—300 cm各土层硝态氮含量显著增加,平均由对照的2.8 mg/kg增加到15.5 mg/kg;同时,0—60 cm和0—300 cm土层的硝态氮累积量分别由对照的47.2和108.9 kg/hm2增加到76.5和727.7 kg/hm2。过量施氮也增加了夏闲期间0—300 cm土层土壤有机氮矿化量,由对照的72.4 kg/hm2增加到130.7 kg/hm2。但过量施氮未显著增加土壤的有机碳含量,却显著增加了土壤有机氮含量,过量施氮0—20、20—40 cm土层土壤有机碳分别为9.24和5.39 g/kg,有机氮分别为1.05和0.71 g/kg,较对照增加52.2%和54.3%。同样,过量施氮未显著影响0—20、20—40 cm土层土壤微生物量碳含量,其平均含量分别为253和205 mg/kg,却显著提高了0—20、20—40 cm土层土壤微生物量氮含量,由对照的24.1和7.5 mg/kg提高到43.6和16.1 mg/kg。【结论】过量施氮可以显著增加旱地土壤剖面中的硝态氮累积量、夏闲期氮素矿化量、小麦播前土壤氮素供应量和土壤微生物量氮含量,但对土壤有机碳和微生物量碳没有显著性影响,同时过量施氮增加了土壤硝态氮淋溶风险,故在有机质含量低的黄土高原南部旱地冬小麦种植中不宜施用高量氮肥,以减少土壤氮素残留和农业投入,达到保护环境和培肥土壤的目的。     

Aphid honeydew sugars and soil nitrogen fixation

Insect honeydew stimulation of soil non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation was investigated. Microcosm experiments showed that single sugar solutions added to soils at rates approximating honeydew deposition increased N₂ fixation rates. The common honeydew sugar, melezitose, did not stimulate N₂ fixation to a greater extent than any other honeydew sugar tested.     

潮土小麦–玉米轮作体系氮肥用量阈值及土壤硝态氮年际变化

  【目的】  合理施氮是粮食高产、稳产的重要保证。研究不同施氮水平下作物产量的可持续指数以及土壤硝态氮年际迁移特征,对指导黄淮海地区冬小麦–玉米轮作体系下农田氮肥的合理施用具有重要意义。  【方法】  长期定位试验始建于2006年,设置10个施氮水平:0、60、120、180、240、300、360、420、500和600 kg/hm2。测定冬小麦和夏玉米产量及土壤剖面 (0—200 cm) 硝态氮含量的年际变化特征。  【结果】  施氮水平显著影响冬小麦–夏玉米轮作体系下作物产量,施肥年限以及施肥年限与施肥量间的交互作用对小麦、玉米产量也存在极显著影响。施N 0～240 kg/hm2的处理,小麦、玉米产量随施氮量的增加逐渐增加;施N 300～600 kg/hm2的处理作物产量基本稳定,处理间差异不显著 (P > 0.05)。施氮能显著提高冬小麦产量的可持续性指数 (P < 0.05),但对夏玉米产量的可持续指数影响较小。随着施氮量增加,土壤硝态氮含量呈现逐渐增加的趋势,且施N量低于300 kg/hm2时,0—200 cm土层硝态氮含量均处于较低水平,施氮量超过300 kg/hm2后,土壤硝态氮含量显著增加。另外,随着试验年限的延长,土壤硝态氮累积峰逐渐下移,2008、2011和2017年土壤硝态氮含量峰值分别在40—60 cm、80—120 cm和80—160 cm。  【结论】  黄淮海盐化潮土区,冬小麦–夏玉米轮作制度下氮合理用量在冬小麦上的阈值为240 kg/hm2、在夏玉米上的阈值为180 kg/hm2,在此氮肥用量下,长期施肥既可保证作物 (小麦、玉米) 稳产,又不会显著增加土壤硝态氮残留及向下迁移。     

Understanding the soil nitrogen cycle

Abstract. A quantitative knowledge of nitrogen cycle processes is required to design strategies for decreasing leakage of N from agriculture to the wider environment. However, it is remarkably difficult to make reliable measurements of many of the key processes under realistic field conditions. In impermeable soils hydrologically separated plots provide an invaluable method of measuring leaching and runoff. Estimates of nitrate leaching using porous ceramic cups agree well with lysimeter measurements on sandy soil but are suspect on more structured soils. Estimates of N₂O flux from soil are subject to great spatial heterogeneity; developing long path-length measuring techniques may overcome this problem.
¹⁵N labelling is valuable for assessing fertilizer N loss, forms of N left in soil and the fate of N from crop residues. The combination of experimental and modelling approaches can provide insights that are otherwise unattainable, including a basis for more precise advice on N fertilization.
Mineralization of soil organic matter and crop or animal residues provides much of the nitrate leached during winter under the climatic conditions of north-west Europe, because mineralization is poorly synchronized with crop N uptake. Maintenance of crop cover during winter can greatly decrease leaching but the long-term effects on the N cycle of winter cover crops or incorporating cereal straw are not yet clear.