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Nitrogen transformation in arable soils of North-West Germany during the cereal growing season

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Abstract

In 1991, field experiments on loess (with winter wheat) and sandy soils (with summer barley) were conducted to study N dynamics in the microbial biomass and non-exchangeable NH sup+inf4 . The measurements showed a mass change in microbial N, with a maximum increase of 100 kg N ha-1 30 cm-1 from March to July in the loess soil, and a change for only 1 month (May) in the sandy soil. Plots treated with conventional levels of N fertilizer (213 kg N ha-1 on a loess soil to winter wheat and 130 kg ha-1 on the sandy soil to summer barley), reduced levels of N (83% and 62% of the conventional N application), or no N showed no consistent fertilizer N effect on microbial biomass N. From March to July, non-exchangeable NH sup+inf4 in loess soils under winter wheat decreased by 110 kg N ha-1 30 cm-1 in conventionally fertilized plots and by 200 kg N ha-1 30 cm-1 in a plot with no N fertilizer. After harvest, the pool of non-exchangeable NH sup+inf4 increased due to increasing mineral N concentrations in the soil.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Geographie und Geoökologie, Technische Universität Carolo Wilhemina, Langer Kamp 19c, D-38106, Braunschweig, Germany

    R. Nieder, E. Neugebauer, A. Willenbockel & J. Richter

  2. Institut für Ökosystem-und Prozeßmodellierung, ZALF, Eberswalder Strasse 84, D-15374, Müncheberg, Germany

    K. C. Kersebaum

Authors
  1. R. Nieder
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  2. E. Neugebauer
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  3. A. Willenbockel
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  4. K. C. Kersebaum
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  5. J. Richter
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Nieder, R., Neugebauer, E., Willenbockel, A. et al. Nitrogen transformation in arable soils of North-West Germany during the cereal growing season. Biol Fert Soils 22, 179–183 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00384452

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00384452

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