Nitrogen Gradients and Nitrification Associated with Decomposing Corn Plants and Barley Straw in Soil

Smith, J.H. (1967) Nitrogen Gradients and Nitrification Associated with Decomposing Corn Plants and Barley Straw in Soil. Soil Science Society of America Proceedings. 31(3):377-379.

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Abstract

Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate concentrations and pH were
measured in 5-mm increments of sail over a 50-mm distance from
decomposing layers of corn plants (Zea mays L.) and barley straw
(Hordeum vulgare L.) that contained from 1.00 to 2.10% N.
During 16 days of incubation, corn plants containing 2.05% N
produced an ammonia concentration of 1.3 meq/100 g of soil in
the layer near the plant material and inhibited nitrification.
At 1.78% N the maximum ammonia concentration was approximately
0.55 meq/100 g of soil and nitrification proceeded almost
without inhibition. At 1.27% N, a nitrogen deficiency existed and
nitrate moved from the soil into the plant material. Similar
gradients of a lesser magnitude were found in soil near decomposing
layers of barley straw. Plant materials with the higher N
contents increased adjacent soil pH, whereas those with lower N
contents had less influence.

Item Type:	Article
NWISRL Publication Number:	0074
Subjects:	Irrigated crops > Corn / maize Soil > Chemistry > Nitrogen Mass Import - autoclassified (may be erroneous)
Depositing User:	Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited:	20 Nov 2010 21:53
Last Modified:	15 Mar 2017 22:28
Item ID:	559
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/559