Persistence of effects of nitrification inhibitors added to soils

Abstract

The persistence of the effects of four nitrification inhibitors (2‐ethynylpyridine, nitrapyrin, etridiazole, 3‐methylpyrazole‐l‐carboxamide) on nitrification in soil was assessed by measuring the ability of two soils to nitrify NH₄ ⁺ [added as (NH₄)₂SO₄] after they had been treated with 5 μg inhibitor g^‐1 soil and incubated at 10, 20, or 30°C for 0, 21, 42, 84, 126, or 168 days. The soils used differed markedly in organic‐matter content (1.2 and 4.2% organic C). The data obtained showed that the persistence of the effects of the inhibitors studied decreased markedly with increase in soil temperature from 10 to 30°C and that, whereas the initial inhibitory effects of the test compounds on nitrification were greatest with the soil having the lower organic‐matter content, the persistence of their effects at 20 or 30°C was greatest with the soil having the higher organic‐matter content. The inhibitory effects of 2‐ethynylpyridine and etridiazole on nitrification were considerably more persistent than those of nitrapyrin or 3‐methylpyrazole‐l‐carboxamide and were significant even after incubation of inhibitor‐treated soil at 20°C for 168 days.