HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by McGarity, J. W. Articles by Myers, R. J. K. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by McGarity, J. W. Articles by Myers, R. J. K. Agricola Articles by McGarity, J. W. Articles by Myers, R. J. K.

Denitrifying Activity in Solodized Solonetz Soils of Eastern Australia¹

ABSTRACT

Denitrifying activity was studied in 17 solodized solonetz profiles from eastern Australia using a Warburg manometric technique. Three distinct depth-distribution patterns of activity were observed. In the first pattern, denitrifying activity declined with depth from a maximum in the Al horizon; this decline was positively correlated with decreasing organic C and total N contents. In the second pattern, denitrifying activity increased in the upper Bt horizons to levels slightly in excess of the A2 horizon above. The significant relationship between denitrification rate and organic matter was less consistent in these profiles. In the third type, denitrifying activity increased in one or more Bt horizons to levels greatly in excess of the A2 horizon above. No significant correlations were obtained between denitrifying activity and organic matter parameters for profiles of this group. It is suggested that high denitrifying activities in subsoil Bt horizons may be a transient property affected by environmental influences, and consequent on accumulation of small quantities of energy rich available organic matter.

¹ This work was supported by the Australian Wheat Industry Research Council as part of a program of investigation of Nitrogen Conservation in Australian Wheat Soils.

² Associate Professor and formerly holder of an Australian Wheat Industry Research Studentship, respectively, Dep. of Agronomy, University of New England, Armidale, N.S.W., Australia. The junior author is now Post-doctoral Fellow, Dep. of Soil Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.

Received for publication January 12, 1968. Accepted for publication June 24, 1968.