ISSN:
1432-0789
Keywords:
N2O
;
Coated Calcium Carbide
;
Acetylene
;
Nitrification
;
Denitrification
;
Soil respiration
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Geosciences
,
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract Coated CaC2 is a newly developed product which can supply nitrification-inhibiting quantities of C2H2 (1–10 Pa) to the soil, throughout a cropping season. This method of applying C2H2 to the soil maintains C2H2 in the soil continuously for several months. It is not know whether these low C2H2 concentrations alter soil microbial processes. A field study was initiated to determine the effect of supplying C2H2 to a clay soil, using coated CaC2, on soil respiration, denitrification, nitrification, and C2H2 consumption. The C2H2 consumption rate increased with length of soil exposure to C2H2 (r 2=0.59). The rates of CO2 production (r 2=0.88) and denitrification (r 2=0.86) were both highly correlated with the C2H2 consumption rates. The nitrifier potential decreased to a minimum of 21% of the control after 3 months of C2H2 treatment. After this time, nitrifier activity increased to 41% of the control after 11 months of treatment. This increase was due to increased C2H2 consumption in the soil. After 3 months of continuous application of C2H2 to the soil, the C2H2 concentrations were generally below that necessary to inhibit nitrification. No adaptation to the C2H2 by nitrifiers was found. Repeating these measurements 1 year later showed that soils previously exposed to C2H2 retained their enhanced C2H2 oxidation capacity and the capacity to use C2H2 to increase denitrification. Nitrification potentials remained about 50% lower in soils exposed to C2H2 a year earlier compared to soils not previously exposed to C2H2.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00336443
Permalink
