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Nitrification Potential of Secondary‐Succession Upland Oak Forests: II. Regulation of Ammonium‐Oxidizing Bacteria Populations
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/sssaj1990.03615995005400030048x
Subject(s) - nitrification , ammonium , soil water , microorganism , autotroph , vegetation (pathology) , population , ecological succession , environmental chemistry , nitrifying bacteria , ecology , environmental science , biology , chemistry , bacteria , nitrogen , medicine , genetics , demography , organic chemistry , pathology , sociology
Field plots were treated with NH 4 ‐N and Ca(OH) 2 to test the hypothesis that NH 4 and pH control nitrification in these soils. The most probable number ( mpn ) of autotrophic NH 4 ‐oxidizing bacteria were estimated in treated and control soils at five dates within a 1‐yr period. Sampling dates coincided with periods of significant phenological development of the vegetation. The effect of the treatments on the population of NH 4 ‐oxidizers was used to assess the treatment effect on soil nitrification potential. The results suggested that soil NH 4 is a major factor regulating populations of these microorganisms; however, numbers of NH 4 ‐oxidizers in both treated and untreated soils vary significantly with date of sample collection. The seasonal responses of these microorganisms indicate that vegetation affects NH 4 ‐oxidizer populations, perhaps through the production and release of inhibitory compounds.