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The Effect of Certain Fertilizers on Nitrification 1
Author(s) -
Brown P. E.,
Gowda R. N.
Publication year - 1924
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1924.00021962001600020009x
Subject(s) - citation , library science , mathematics , computer science
It is quite generally accepted now that the increases b~ought about by the application of fertilizers to soils may not be due entirely. to the addition of plant food constituents, but may be in part at least, the result of more intense bacterial action and a consequently greater production of available plant food frgm the supply already present in the soil. It is even conceivable that in some cases the bacterial effects of fertilizers may be more significant than the chemical. In general, however, fertilizers undoubtedly act mainly m supplying available plant food, while the bacterial changes brought about in the soil are a secondary benefit. The physical conditions .in the soil are also often profoundly affected by certain fertilizers and as a result bacterial action in the soil may be much modified. Evidently a thoro knowledge of the effect of fertilizers on bacteria inthe soil is essential to a full understanding of the theory of fertilization and may be of large significance in the final solution of the many problems involved in the practical use of various natural and commercial fertilizing materials. Among the many bacterial processes occurring in soils, nitrification isof particular interest and importance, inasmuch as this process controls the supply of ’nitrogen available to plants. While other elements may often be controlling factors in crop production, vigorous nitrification must always occur in soils if yields are to be satisfactory. Furthermore there are indications from some experiments which have been conducted recently that the nitrification occurring in soil, or its nitrifying power, may bear a close relation to its crop-producing power. A study of the effects of certain fertilizers on nitrification may therefore yield results of special value from the practical standpoint ̄ The influence of applications of farm manure on nitrification has been studied.by various investigators. Velbel (2i) * found large nitrate formation in soils receiving manure. Frankfurt and Duschechkin (5) observed increased nitrification only in the fields on which the manure increased the yield. Heinze (9)’, Temple (20), Steven (xg), Greaves and Carter (8), and White (22) noted nitrification