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Nitrification Potential of Secondary‐Succession Upland Oak Forests: I. Mineralization and Nitrification during Laboratory Incubations
Author(s) -
Donaldson Jennifer M.,
Henderson Gray S.
Publication year - 1990
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/sssaj1990.03615995005400030047x
Subject(s) - nitrification , soil water , ecological succession , mineralization (soil science) , environmental science , nitrogen cycle , autotroph , cycling , ecology , vegetation (pathology) , environmental chemistry , chemistry , biology , soil science , forestry , nitrogen , bacteria , geography , medicine , genetics , organic chemistry , pathology
Experiments were carried out to examine factors regulating N mineralization and nitrification in upland oak ( Quercus spp.) forests of the Missouri Ozarks. Soils were collected from three sites representing secondary oak succession. Sampling dates represented different stages in the phenological development of the vegetation during a 1‐yr period. Soils were incubated in the laboratory, and changes in soil NO 3 ‐ and NH 4 ‐N were measured, along with changes in populations of autotrophic NH 4 ‐oxidizing bacteria. The NO 3 ‐production curves during laboratory incubation were used to calculate three variables that describe potential nitrification. These variables were lag prior to NO 3 accumulation, and initial rate and maximum rate of NO 3 production. This nitrification potential is greater in more mature oak stands. Multiple regression analyses of these data show that nitrification in these sites is indirectly regulated by soil NH 4 ‐N availability and pH. However, the strong sampling‐date effect on soil NH 4 ‐N levels, lags in nitrification, and populations of NH 4 ‐oxidizing bacteria suggest interactions between soil nitrification potential and possible inhibition by vegetation.