Mineralization of carbon and nitrogen,and nitrification in Scots pine forest soil treated with fast- and slow-release nitrogen fertilizers

We studied the effects of fast- and slow-release organic N fertilizers (urea and urea-formaldehyde, Nitroform) on mineralization, nitrification, and N leaching in an acid, poor forest soil. We also studied the effects of a nitrification inhibitor (dicyandiamide) applied together with urea. Net nitrification, mineralization of N and C were determined by aerobic laboratory incubation of soil samples taken one and three growing seasons after N application. Numbers of autotrophic nitrifiers were estimated by a most probable number method three growing seasons after the treatment. Urea increased the CO₂ production immediately after application, but after three growing seasons, CO₂ production was the lowest in the urea-treated soils. In the nitroform-treated soils, the concentration of exchangeable NH _inf4 ^sup+ after the first and third growing seasons was of the same magnitude, in contrast to the urea-treated soils, where hydrolysis took place immediately. Three growing seasons after application, the highest amount of NH _inf4 ^sup+ accumulated during the laboratory incubation was in the nitro-form-treated soils. Unlike urea, nitroform did not increase the production of NO _inf3 ^sup- or the number of NH _inf4 ^sup+ oxidizers. In the urea+dicyandiamide-treated soils there was less NO _inf3 ^sup- and a lower number of nitrifiers than in the urea-treated soils. The results showed that a slow-release N fertilizer, such as nitroform, increases the availability of mineral N in acid forest soils without increasing nitrification and hence the risk of NO _inf3 ^sup- leaching.     

Increase in nitrous oxide production in soil induced by ammonium and organic carbon

We observed that soil cores collected in the field containing relatively high NH _inf4 ^sup+ and C substrate levels produced relatively large quantities of N₂O. A series of laboratory experiments confirmed that the addition of NH _inf4 ^sup+ and glucose to soil increase N₂O production under aerobic conditions. Denitrifying enzyme activity was also increased by the addition of NH _inf4 ^sup+ and glucose. Furthermore, NH _inf4 ^sup+ and glocose additions increased the production of N₂O in the presence of C₂H₂. Therefore, we concluded that denitrification was the most likely source of N₂O production. Denitrification was not, however, directly affected by NH _inf4 ^sup+ in anaerobic soil slurries, although the use of C substrate increased. In the presence of a high substrate C concentration, N₂O production by denitrifiers may be affected by NO _inf3 ^sup- supplied from NH _inf4 ^sup+ through nitrification. Alternatively, N₂O may be produced during mixotrophic and heterotrophic growth of nitrifiers. The results indicated that the NH _inf4 ^sup+ concentration, in addition to NO _inf3 ^sup- , C substrate, and O₂ concentrations, is important for predicting N₂O production and denitrification under field conditions.     

Immobilization of ammonium and nitrate and their interaction with native N in three Illinois Mollisols

Summary Three Illinois Mollisols were incubated for 2 weeks at 25°C after treatment with different amounts of glucose and/or ¹⁵N-labelled (NH₄)₂SO₄ or ¹⁵N-labelled KNO₃. The objectives were: (1) to compare the immobilization and interaction of NH _inf4 ^sup+ –N and NO _inf3 ^sup- –N with the native soil N, and (2) to study the relationship between immobilization of applied N and the added N interaction. As determined, immobilized N refers to forms not extractable with 2 MKCl (immobilized ¹⁵N+clay-fixed ¹⁵NH _inf4 ^sup+ ). In all cases, both NH _inf4 ^sup+ –N and NO _inf3 ^sup- –N were actively immobilized and transformed into organic forms in the presence of glucose. In the absence of glucose, a higher proportion of NH _inf4 ^sup+ than NO _inf3 ^sup- was recovered in organic forms. Although the three soils differed considerably in the amounts of applied N immobilized, similar trends in N immobilization were observed. A positive added N interaction occurred with all soils, the magnitude increasing with the rate of N addition. In the absence of glucose, higher added N interactions were obtained for NH _inf4 ^sup+ than NO _inf3 ^sup- , whereas there was very little difference between NH _inf4 ^sup+ and NO _inf3 ^sup- in the presence of glucose. The results indicate that under conditions of rapid immobilization (e.g., in the presence of glucose), NH _inf4 ^sup+ and NO _inf3 ^sup- will show comparable interaction with the native soil N, whereas in unamended soil, the extent of this interaction will be greater with NH _inf4 ^sup+ than with NO _inf3 ^sup- . Significant correlations were observed between applied N immobilized and the added N interaction only in one soil having a high initial mineral N content.     

Effects of ammonium and nitrate on mineralization of nitrogen from leguminous residues

A laboratory incubation experiment was conducted to compare the effects of NH _inf4 ^sup+ and NO _inf3 ^sup- on mineralization of N from ¹⁵N-labelled vetch (Vicia villosa Rotn) in an Illinois Mollisol, and to determine the effect of a nitrification inhibitor (nitrapyrin) on mineralization of vetch N when used with NH _inf4 ^sup+ . The addition of either NH _inf4 ^sup+ or NO _inf3 ^sup- (100 and 200 mg N kg^-1 soil) significantly increased mineralization of vetch N during incubation for 40 days. The effect was greater with NH _inf4 ^sup+ than with NO _inf3 ^sup- , and a further increase occurred in the presence of nitrapyrin (10 mg kg^-1 soil). The addition of NO _inf3 ^sup- retarded the nitrification of NH _inf4 ^sup+ -N derived from vetch.     

Influence of thiosulfate on nitrification,denitrification, and production of nitric oxide and nitrous oxide in soil

Thiosulfate and CS₂ inhibit nitrification. The effect of the addition of thiosulfate on the turnover of inorganic N compounds was tested in an Egyptian and a German arable soil under nitrifying and denitrifying conditions. For nitrification, the soils were amended with NH _inf4 ^sup+ and incubated under aerobic conditions. For denitrification, the soils were amended with NO _inf3 ^sup- and incubated under anaerobic conditions. In both cases, the thiosulfate decreased with time while tetrathionate accumulated to an intermediate extent. Both compounds disappeared completely after <25 days. Production of CS₂ was not observed. Carbonyl sulfide was produced only in the Egyptian soil, but production decreased with increasing amounts of added thiosulfate. Under nitrifying conditions, the addition of increasing amounts of thiosulfate (25, 50, and 100 g S g^-1 dry weight) resulted in decreasing rates of NH _inf4 ^sup+ oxidation to NO _inf3 ^sup- ; it also resulted in an increasing intermediate accumulation of NO _inf2 ^sup- and NO, and in an increasing production of N₂O. Under denitrifying conditions, the addition of increasing amounts of thiosulfate did not significantly affect the rate of NO _inf3 ^sup- reduction, and resulted in an increasing intermediate accumulation of NO _inf2 ^sup- and of NO only in the German soil in which the production of N₂O was slightly inhibited by thiosulfate. These results demonstrate that the nitrification of NH _inf4 ^sup+ and NO _inf2 ^sup- was inhibited by increasing concentrations of thiosulfate and/or tetrathionate without involving the formation of volatile S compounds as potential nitrification inhibitors. Denitrification was not affected by the addition of thiosulfate.     

Effects of biotechnology byproducts and organic acids on nitrification in soils

Summary Recent developments in biotechnology industries produce increasing amounts of byproducts with potential uses in agriculture. The present research focused on the nitrification of NH _inf4 ^sup+ -N in biotechnology byproducts added to soils, and on the effects of 29 naturally occurring organic acids (19 aliphatic and 10 aromatic) on nitrification in soils. A 10-g soil sample was incubated for 10 days at 30°C with 2.0 mg NH _inf4 ^sup+ -N in a byproduct or with 10 or 50 mol organic acid and 2.0 mg reagent-grade NH _inf4 ^sup+ -N. In condensed molasses-fermentation solubles, produced during the microbial fermentation of sugar derived from corn (Zea mays L.) and molasses derived from beets (Beta sp.), in the production of lysine as a supplement in animal food, the nitrification of NH _inf4 ^sup+ -N was similar to that of byproduct or reagent-grade (NH₄)₂SO₄. Nitrite accumulated when either of these materials was added to a calcareous Canisteo soil. The NH _inf4 ^sup+ -N in slops (produced during microbial fermentation processes occurring in the production of citric acid) was not nitrified in soils. Some organic acids inhibited, whereas others activated, nitrification in soils. Formic, acetic, and fumaric acids enhanced the production of NO _inf2 ^sup- -N in a calcareous Canisteo soil, whereas all other aliphatic and aromatic acids studied decreased the accumulation of NO _inf2 ^sup- -N. It is concluded that the addition or production of organic acids in soils affects the microbial dynamics, leading to significant changes in rates of nitrification and possibly in other N-transformation processes in soils.     

Effects of ammonium and nitrate on the growth of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizalErythrina poeppigiana O.I. Cook seedlings

Erythrina poeppigiana, a woody tropical plant, was inoculated with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungiGlomus etunicatum Becker and Gerdeman,G. mosseae Nicol. and Gerd. Gerdeman and Trappe, orG. intraradices Schenk and Smith. Growth, N uptake, and nutrition were evaluated in VAM-inoculated plants and controls fertilized with two levels (3 or 6 mM) of either NH _inf4 ^sup+ -N or NO _inf3 ^sup- -N. The response by the mycorrhizal plants to N fertilization, according to N source and/or level differed significantly from that of the control plants. In general, the growth of the mycorrhizal plants was similar to that of the non-mycorrhizal plants when N was provided as NH _inf4 ^sup+ . When the N source was NO _inf3 ^sup- the control plants grew significantly less than the VAM plants. Inoculation with VAM fungi gave yield increases of 255 and 268% forG. etunicatum-colonized plants, 201 and 164% forG. mosseae-colonized plants and 286 and 218% forG. intraradices-colonized plants fertilized with 3 and 6 mM NO _inf3 ^sup- -N, respectively. The increased growth and acquisition of nutrients by plants fertilized with NO _inf3 ^sup- -N and inoculated with VAM shows that VAM mycelium has a capacity for NO _inf3 ^sup- absorption. The results also showed thatE. poeppigiana seedlings preferred NH _inf4 ^sup+ as an N source.G. etunicatum was the most effective endophyte, not only increasing N, P, Ca, Mg, and Zn uptake in the presence of NO _inf3 ^sup- fertilizer but also P and Mg in the presence of NH _inf4 ^sup+ applications. From these results we conclude that VAM symbiosis affects N metabolism inE. poeppigiana plants and that this species can overcome limitations on the use of NO _inf3 ^sup- -N by the mediation of VAM fungi.     

Denitrification and nitrogen immobilization as affected by organic matter and different forms of nitrogen added to an anaerobic water-sediment system

The effects of wheat straw and different forms of N on denitrification and N immobilization were studied in an anaerobic water-sediment system. The water-sediment system was supplemented with various combinations of wheat straw and ¹⁵N-labelled and unlabelled (NH₄)₂SO₄ or KNO₃, and incubated anaerobically at 30°C for 10 days. ¹⁵N-labelled and unlabelled NO _inf3 ^sup- , NO _inf2 ^sup- , NH _inf4 ^sup+ , and organic N were determined in the water-sediment system. The gases evolved (N₂, CO₂, N₂O, and CH₄) were analyzed by gas chromatography at regular intervals. Larger quantities of ¹⁵N₂–N and organic ¹⁵N were formed in wheat straw-amended systems than in non-amended systems. Trends in CO₂ production were similar to those of N₂–N evolution. The evolution of N₂O and CH₄ was negligible. Denitrification processes accounted for about 22 and 71% of the added ¹⁵NO _inf3 ^sup- –N in the absence and presence of wheat straw, respectively. The corresponding denitrification rates were 3.4 and 12.4 g ¹⁵Ng^-1 dry sediment day^-1. In systems amended with ¹⁵NO _inf3 ^sup- –N and ¹⁵NO _inf3 ^sup- +NH _inf4 ^sup+ –N without wheat straw, 1.82 and 1.58%, respectively, of the added ¹⁵NH _inf3 ^sup- –N was immobilized. The corresponding figures for the same systems supplemented with wheat straw were 5.08 and 4.10%, respectively. Immobilization of ¹⁵NO _inf4 ^sup+ –N was higher than that of ¹⁵NO _inf3 ^sup- –N. The presence of NO _inf3 ^sup- –N did not stimulate NH _inf4 ^sup+ –N immobilization.     

Physiological and nutritional responses by Lactuca Sativa L. to nitrogen sources and mycorrhizal fungi under drought conditions

We measured the growth, nutrition, and N assimilation of arbuscular-mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) as affected by forms of N and drought. Moisture was maintained at 80% water-holding capacity, and N was applied as NO _inf3 ^sup- , NH _inf4 ^sup+ , or NO _inf3 ^sup- /NH _inf4 ^sup+ (3:1, 1:1, or 1:3). The growth of Glomus fasciculatum-colonized plants was comparable to that of uncolonized P-supplemented plants when N was provided as NH _inf4 ^sup+ or combined NO _inf3 ^sup- /NH _inf4 ^sup+ . When N was supplied solely as NO _inf3 ^sup- , G. fasciculatum-colonized plants produced a higher yield than P-fertilized plants, suggesting that the uptake and/or assimilation of NO _inf3 ^sup- was particularly affected by mycorrhizal status in this water-limited situation. Nutrient availability, except Ca, was less limited for mycorrhizal plants than for P-fertilized plants. P fertilization increased the growth, glutamine synthetase activity, and protein content of lettuce to the same extent that G. fasciculatum colonization did when N was applied as NH _inf4 ^sup+ . With NO _inf3 ^sup- -fertilization, G. fasciculatum-colonized plants showed increased growth, nitrate reductase activity, and protein content compared to P-fertilizer treatment. Plants colonized by G. mosseae showed increased photosynthetic activity and proline acumulation, and these mechanisms may be important in adaptation by the plant to drought conditions. The present results confirmed that under drought conditions, the uptake or metabolism of N forms is particularly affected in mycorrhizal fungi-colonized plants, depending on the mycorrhizal endophyte and the N source added. Thus the significance of arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungus selection for plant growth in drought conditions is a consideration for management strategy.     

Effect of insecticides on the availability of nutrients,nitrogen fixation,and phosphate solubility in the rhizosphere soil of rice

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane (BHC), phorate, carbofuran, and fenvalerate, at their recommended doses, on some chemical and microbiological properties of the rhizosphere soil in relation to rice yields. In general, the insecticides had a beneficial effect on rhizosphere soil properties. Carbofuran strongly stimulated the mineralization of organic C. BHC and phorate led to the retention of less total N in the soil. BHC released more NH _inf4 ^sup+ -N than the other insecticides. Phorate, however, liberated the most NO _inf3 ^sup- -N. Phorate and fenvalerate released more available P than BHC and carbofuran did. All the insecticides stimulated the proliferation of aerobic non-symbiotic N₂-fixing and phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms, resulting in an overall increase in rice yield. BHC had the greatest effect on rice yields, followed by phorate.     

Nitrogen turnover rates in a riparian fen determined by 15N dilution

Summary Gross rates of N mineralization, assimilation, nitrification, and NO _in3 ^sup- reduction were determined in soil from a wet riparian fen by 1-day incubations of soil cores and slurries with ¹⁵N-labelled substrates. N mineralization transformed 0.1% of the total organic N pool daily in the soil cores, of which 25% was oxidized through autotrophic nitrification and 53%–70% was incorporated into microorganisms. N mineralization and nitrification were markedly inhibited below 5 cm in soil depth. At least 80% of the NO _in3 ^sup- reduction in aerated cores occurred through dissimilatory processes. Dissimilatory reduction to NH _in4 ^sup+ (DNRA) occurred only below 5 cm in depth. The results show that NH _in4 ^sup+ oxidation was limited by available substrate and was itself a strong regulator of NO _in3 ^sup- -reducing activity. NO _in3 ^sup- reduction was significantly increased when the soil was suspended under anaerobiosis; adding glucose to the soil slurries increased NO _in3 ^sup- reduction by 2.4–3.7 times. Between 3% and 9% (net) of the added NO _in3 ^sup- was reduced through DNRA in the soil slurries. The highest percentage was observed in soil samples from deeper layers that were pre-incubated anaerobically.     

Hyphal transport by a vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus of N applied to the soil as ammonium or nitrate

Summary Transport of N by hyphae of a vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus was studied under controlled experimental conditions. The N source was applied to the soil as ¹⁵NH _inf4 ^sup+ or ¹⁵NO _inf3 ^sup- . Cucumis sativus was grown for 25 days, either alone or in symbiosis with Glomus intraradices, in containers with a hyphal compartment separated from the root compartment by a fine nylon mesh. Mineral N was then applied to the hyphal compartment as ¹⁵NH _inf4 ^sup+ or ¹⁵NO _inf3 ^sup- at 5 cm distance from the root compartment. Soil samples were taken from the hyphal compartment at 1, 3 and 5 cm distance from the root compartment at 7 and 12 days after labelling, and the concentration of mineral N in the samples was measured from 2 M KCl extracts. Mycorrhizal colonization did not affect plant dry weight. The recovery of ¹⁵N in mycorrhizal plants was 38 or 40%, respectively, when ¹⁵NH _inf4 ^sup+ or ¹⁵NO _inf3 ^sup- was applied. The corresponding values for non-mycorrhizal plants were 7 and 16%. The higher ¹⁵N recovery observed in mycorrhizal plants than in non-mycorrhizal plants suggests that hyphal transport of N from the applied ¹⁵N sources towards the host plant had occurred. The concentration of mineral N in the soil of hyphal compartments was considerably less in mycorrhizal treatments than in controls, indicating that the hyphae were able to deplete the soil for mineral N.     

Growth and nitrogen nutrition of maize (Zea mays L.) in soil treated with the nitrification-inhibiting insecticide Baythroid

A pot experiment was conducted to compare the uptake and dry matter production potential of NH _inf4 ^sup+ and NO _inf3 ^sup- and to study the effect of Baythroid, a contact poison for several insect pests of agricultural crops, on growth and N uptake of maize (Zea mays L.). Nitrogen was applied as (¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄, K¹⁵NO₃, or ¹⁵NH₄NO₃ and in one treatment Baythroid was combined with ¹⁵NH₄NO₃. Source of N had, in general, a nonsignificant effect on dry matter and N yield, but uptake of NO _inf3 ^sup- was significantly higher than that of NH _inf4 ^sup+ when both N sources were applied together. Substantial loss of N occurred from both the sources, with NH _inf4 ^sup+ showing greater losses. Baythroid was found to have a significant positive effect on dry matter yield of both root and shoot; N yield also increased significantly. Uptake of N from both the applied and native sources increased significantly in the presence of Baythroid and a substantial added nitrogen interaction (ANI) was determined. The positive effect of Baythroid was attributed to: (1) a prolonged availability of NH _inf4 ^sup+ due to inhibition of nitrification, (2) an increased availability of native soil N through enhanced mineralization, and (3) an enhanced root proliferation.     

Effect of an increasing carbon: nitrate-N ratio on the reliability of acetylene in blocking the N2O-reductase activity of denitrifying bacteria in soil

Summary In model experiments with a silty loam soil the effect of different C : NO _inf3 ^sup- -N ratios on the reliability of C₂H₂ (1% v/v) in blocking N₂O-reductase activity was examined. The soil was carefully mixed with different amounts of powdered lime leaves (Tilia vulgaris) to obtain organic C contents of about 1.8, 2.3, and 2.8%, and of NO _inf3 ^sup- solution to give C : NO _inf3 ^sup- -N ratios of 84, 107, 130, 156, 200, and 243. The soil samples were incubated in specially modified anaerobic jars (22 days, 25°C, 80% water-holding capacity, He atmosphere) and the atmosphere was analysed for N₂, N₂O, CO₂, and C₂H₂ by gas chromatography at regular intervals. Destruction jars were used to analyse soil NO _inf3 ^sup- , NH ₄ ⁺ and C. The results clearly showed that N₂O-reductase activity was completely blocked by 1% (v/v) C₂H₂ only as long as NO _inf3 ^sup- was present. In the presence of C₂H₂, NO _inf3 ^sup- was apparently entirely converted into N₂O. The C₂H₂ blockage of N₂O-reductase activity ceased earlier in soils with a wide C : NO _inf3 ^sup- -N ratio (156, 200, and 243) than in those with closer C : NO _inf3 ^sup- -N ratios (84, 107, and 130). As soon as NO _inf3 ^sup- was exhausted, N₂O was reduced to N₂ in spite of C₂H₂. The wider the C : NO _inf3 ^sup- -N ratio, the earlier the production of N₂ and the less the reliability of the C₂H₂ blockage. In the untreated control complete inhibition of N₂O-reductase activity by C₂H₂ lasted for 7–12 days. In the field, estimates of total denitrification losses by the C₂H₂ inhibition technique should be considered reliable only as long as NO _inf3 ^sup- is present. Consequently, NO _inf3 ^sup- monitoring in the field is essential, particularly in soils supplied with easily decomposable organic matter.     

Preservation of nitrifying capacity and nitrate availability in waterlogged soils by radial oxygen loss from roots of wetland plants

The effects of radial O₂ loss from roots on nitrification and NO _inf3 ^sup- availability were studied. Plants of the flooding-resistant species Rumex palustris and the flooding-sensitive species Rumex thyrsiflorus were grown on drained and waterlogged soils with an initially high nitrifying capacity. Nitrate reductase activity in the plant leaves was used as an indicator of NO _inf3 ^sup- availability to the plants. In a separate experiment these species were shown to have higher levels of nitrate reductase activity when NO _inf3 ^sup- was added to the soils compared to when only NH _inf4 ^sup+ was provided. In drained soils nitrification was maintained and both plant species showed relatively high nitrate reductase activities in their leaves. In the water-logged series planted with R. thyrsiflorus, nitrification was inhibited, NH _inf4 ^sup+ accumulated, and the plants grew less well compared to those on drained soils. In contrast, waterlogged soils planted with R. palustris had a redox potential high enough for O₂ to be continuously replenished. Furthermore, the nitrifying capacity of these latter soils was maintained at a high level. R. palustris grew well and NO _inf3 ^sup- must have been available to the plant, since a high level of nitrate reductase activity was observed in the leaves.     

Variables controlling denitrification from earthworm casts and soil in permanent pastures

Summary Denitrification (using the acetylene block method) was determined in earthworm casts and soils from permanent, drained or undrained pasture plots fertilized with 0 or 200 kg N ha^-1 year^-1 as ammonium nitrate. Rates of N₂O production from soil cores were about three times higher from the fertilized than from the unfertilized plots while drainage had a relatively small effect. Denitrification rates from casts were 3–5 times higher than those from soil irrespective of the drainage treatment. Casts generally had higher NO _inf3 ^sup- , NH _inf4 ^sup+ , and moisture contents, and higher microbial respiration rates than soil. Rates of N₂O production were determined primarily by NO _inf3 ^sup- supply, secondarily by moisture; available C did not appear to limit denitrification in these pastures. Estimates of the potential contribution of casts to denitrification ranges from 10.1% of 29.3 kg ha^-1 year^-1 from the unfertilized, drained plot to 22% of 82.5 kg ha^-1 year^-1 from the fertilized undrained plot.     

Effects of soil variables and season on the production and consumption of nitric oxide in oxic soils

Summary NO production rates, NO uptake rate constants, NO compensation points, and different soil variables were determined for various soil types and different soil horizons, and checked for mutual correlations. NO production was detected in all, and NO comsuption in most soils tested. Only soils in a very early state of soil genesis showed no NO consumption activity. NO consumption was positively correlated with soil water and NH ₄ ⁺ contents. NO production rates were not correlated with any soil variable. Both NO production and NO consumption tended to decrease from the upper organic to the deeper mineral horizons in different climax soils. The seasonal variation of NO production and NO consumption in a calcic cambisol and a luvisol showed highest rates in summer. The rates of NO production and NO consumption were correlated with a few of the soil variables, but showed no uniform, theoretically comprehensible pattern. However, NO production in samples of the calcic cambisol was stimulated by fertilization with NH ₄ ⁺ , but not with NO ₃ ^– and was inhibited by nitrapyrin, indicating that NO was produced by nitrification. NO production made up about 3% of the nitrification rates. In the luvisol, in contrast, NO production was not affected by the addition of NH ₄ ⁺ or NO ₃ ^– . Nitrification was also undetectable in this acidic soil, except for a few patches where NO production was also detected.     

Selection and evaluation of nitrate-tolerant strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viceae specific to the lentil

Seventeen strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viceae specific to the lentil (Lens culinaris L.) were screened, using the high-yielding lentil cultivar L 4076, for their tolerance to three levels of NO _inf3 ^sup- : 0, 4, and 8 mM NO _inf3 ^sup- . Preliminary screening of this symbiosis for nodulation and N fixation in the presence of NO _inf3 ^sup- showed significant variations among the strains. The number of nodules decreased and nitrogenase activity was depressed in all strains in the presence of NO _inf3 ^sup- . Strains L-1-87, L-27-89, L-33-89, and L-40-89 tolerated 8 mM NO _inf3 ^sup- . Four strains, three tolerant of NO _inf3 ^sup- (L-1-87, L-27-89, and L-33-89), and one sensitive (L-11-89) to NO _inf3 ^sup- , were selected from preliminary screening and used in a pot experiment to assess the symbiosis in the presence of 6 mM NO _inf3 ^sup- at three stages of plant growth, viz., 40 days, 60 days, and at the final harvest. In general, the weight of nodules and C₂H₂ reduction activity was significantly higher after 60 days than after 40 days. Inoculation with strain L-1-87 produced the maximum number of nodules, and root and shoot biomass both in the presence and the absence of NO _inf3 ^sup- . Nitrate reductase activity in the tops and nodules was assayed only after 60 days and did not show significant variations among strains and NO _inf3 ^sup- treatments. The grain yields for all strains except L-11-89 were significantly higher in the presence of NO _inf3 ^sup- than in the absence of NO _inf3 ^sup- , indicating that tolerant strains contributed symbiotically fixed N to the plant's N pool, resulting in an additive effect on yield. Inoculation with strain L-1-87 produced the maximum grain yield and this strain appears to have potential use as an inoculant in the presence of high levels of soil N.     

Potential variation of nitrogen transformations in pinyon-juniper ecosystems resulting from burning

Summary Forest floor litter, duff, and underlying soils were assembled in laboratory microcosms representing pinyon, juniper, and interspace field conditions. Burning removed more than 95% of both N and C from the litter, with losses from the duff dependent on soil moisture conditions. No significant changes in total N or C were noted in the soil. Immediate increases were observed in soil NH _inf4 ^sup+ , decreasing with depth and related to soil heating. The greatest increases were noted in both the pinyon and juniper soils that were dry at the time of the burn, with interspace soils exhibiting the least changes. Soil NH _inf4 ^sup+ closely approximated the controls on day 90 after the burns in all treatments. Ninety days after the burn microbial biomass N was highest in the controls, followed by the wet and then the dry-burned soils, in both the pinyon and juniper microcosms. This was inversely related to the levels of accumulated NO _inf3 ^sup- . Nitrifying bacteria populations were indirectly correlated to soil temperatures during the burn. Population levels 90 days after the burn showed increases in both the wet- and the dry-burn treatments, with those in the pinyon treatments exceeding those found in the nitial controls of pinyon soils.The use of trade and company names in this paper is for the benefit of the reader; such use does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of any service or product by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to the exclusion of others that may be suitable     

Significance of soil microorganisms for the mobilization of nonexchangeable ammonium

To estimate the availability of nonexchangeable NH _inf4 ^sup+ –N for soil microorganisms four incubation experiments were conducted under controlled conditions. The following results were obtained: Incorporating glucose as a source of readily oxidizable organic material favored the release of nonexchangeable NH _inf4 ^sup+ –N. Mobilization of NH _inf4 ^sup+ from the interlayers of the clay minerals was decreased by the application of K⁺⁺, while Ca²⁺, which is supposed to expand the lattice of the clay minerals, had no influence on the release of NH _inf4 ^sup+ . Soil temperature had no effect on microbiological mobilization of NH _inf4 ^sup+ . It is assumed that, generally, the influence of nitrifying bacteria on the mobilization of nonexchangeable NH _inf4 ^sup+ –N is negligible. However, in soils with abundant amounts of available carbon promoting the activity of heterotrophic soil microorganisms, the release of NH _inf4 ^sup+ from clay minerals is favored under fallow conditions.