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Ion Gradients and Nitrification Associated with Decomposition of a Plant Material Layer in Soil
Author(s) -
Smith J. H.,
Burns G. R.
Publication year - 1965
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1965.03615995002900020020x
Subject(s) - nitrification , loam , environmental chemistry , chemistry , nutrient , ammonia , nitrogen , decomposition , soil ph , incubation , ammonium , soil water , environmental science , soil science , biochemistry , organic chemistry
Changes in the pH and in concentrations of ammonia, NO 2 ‐ , NO 3 ‐ , and K + with distance from layers of decomposing leguminous plant material in Red Bay sandy loam soil were measured after 16 days' incubation. High concentrations of ammonia (2.7 meq/100 g) and of K + (1.4 meq/100 g) were found near the plant material layer. Nitrification was inhibited and NO 2 ‐ was found in this zone. Farther away, NO 3 ‐ accumulated. A change in pH from 8.9, near the layer, to 5.6, about 4 cm away, was observed. Treatment with CaCO 3 decreased the pH range and increased nitrification. When the decomposing plant material layer was separated from the soil on one side by an air space, NH 3 diffused across the air space. This resulted in segregation of some of the NH 3 from the cations and other potentially toxic substances and lowered the overall toxicity to nitrification. Besides the toxicity observed, the availability of plant nutrients as well as growth of microorganisms and plant roots could be drastically affected by pH and cation concentration changes found near layers of decomposing plant material.