ISSN:
1432-0789
Keywords:
Denitrification
;
Earthworms
;
Casts
;
Pasture
;
Rate determinants
;
Acetylene blockage technique
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Geosciences
,
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
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.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00335829
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