Summary
The pattern of N2-ase activity in clay-loam soil of Nile Delta was determined. However, unamended soil showed somewhat low activity: an amount of 18–95 mg N2 fixed/kg soil/year was calculated. Addition of glucose greatly enhanced such activity and efficiencies of N2-fixation increased with decreasing carbon source concentration. Highest activities (800 n moles C2H4/gh−1) and efficiencies (18.06 mg N2/g glucose added) were reported in soil amended with 1% glucose, adjusted to 50% W.H.C. and incubated at 30°C. Enrichment of the soil with straw lead to a significant nitrogen gain particularly under water-logged conditions. During a short period of 16 days 5.8–9.3 mg N2 were fixed/g straw added at the latter conditions.
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Hegazi, N.A., Vlassak, K. & Monib, M. Effect of amendments, moisture and temperature on acetylene reduction in nile delta soils. Plant Soil 51, 27–37 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02205924
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02205924