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Field Denitrification Estimation by Nitrogen‐15 and Acetylene Inhibition Techniques
Author(s) -
Mosier A. R.,
Guenzi W. D.,
Schweizer E. E.
Publication year - 1986
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/sssaj1986.03615995005000030052x
Subject(s) - acetylene , denitrification , loam , ammonium sulfate , nitrogen , chemistry , soil water , ammonium , irrigation , field experiment , environmental chemistry , agronomy , environmental science , zoology , soil science , biology , chromatography , organic chemistry
Direct quantification of denitrification N loss from N‐fertilized soils has been a long standing problem in soil N research. Recently 15 N or acetylene inhibition methods have been used to make in‐field estimates of N loss from the soil resulting from denitrification. both methods have potential problems that may affect the validity of the data acquired. A field study was conducted to compare the acetylene inhibition approach with a 15 N technique for measuring total N evolution (N 2 O + N 2 ) from a N‐fertilized soil. Miniplots were established in an unplanted clay loam soil and fertilized with 15 N‐labeled ammonium sulfate. Total N emissions were followed during three irrigation and subsequent drying events. The total N emissions measured by the acetylene method averaged 12 kg N ha −1 compared to 9 kg N ha −1 measured by the 15 N technique from the nonacetylene‐treated plots. This difference between methods was small relative to the spatial variability observed in measuring gaseous N emissions in the field.