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Soluble Organic Nitrogen Losses Associated with Recovery of Mineralized Nitrogen¹

ABSTRACT

The extent and subsequent availability of soluble organic N in soil mineralization extracts were determined using initially air-dry soil samples. Involved were eight Southern Plains agricultural soils comprising five soil orders. The major losses of soluble organic N occurred during the initial leaching prior to incubation, and are attributed to factors not directly associated with the mineralization procedure (e.g., freshly decomposed plant residues, pretreatments, etc.). Often, these losses were as high or higher than initial values for inorganic N. Thereafter, the organic N losses represented, on average, only about 5% or less of the inorganic N produced in surface soil samples during 84 d of aerobic mineralization. This was the case for both indigenous and fertilizer-incorporated N. Subjecting the soluble organic N in the mineralization extracts to subsequent aerobic, anaerobic, or autoclave procedures indicated no excessive N availability. Distribution of the soluble organic N components in the extracts did not differ greatly from that of soil. In general, soluble organic N losses were not a major factor associated with recovery of mineralized N.

¹ Contribution from the Water Quality and Watershed Res. Lab., Southern Plains Area, USDA-ARS, P. O. Box 1430, Durant, OK 74702.

² Soil Scientist.

Received for publication January 12, 1987.