Electronic Journal of Polish Agricultural Universities (EJPAU) founded by all Polish Agriculture Universities presents original papers and review articles relevant to all aspects of agricultural sciences. It is target for persons working both in science and industry,regulatory agencies or teaching in agricultural sector. Covered by IFIS Publishing (Food Science and Technology Abstracts), ELSEVIER Science - Food Science and Technology Program, CAS USA (Chemical Abstracts), CABI Publishing UK and ALPSP (Association of Learned and Professional Society Publisher - full membership). Presented in the Master List of Thomson ISI.
2007
Volume 10
Issue 4
Topic:
Agronomy
ELECTRONIC
JOURNAL OF
POLISH
AGRICULTURAL
UNIVERSITIES
Zaborowska M. , Wyszkowska J. , Kucharski J. 2007. AMMONIFICATION AND NITRIFICATION IN ZINC-CONTAMINATED SOIL, EJPAU 10(4), #09.
Available Online: http://www.ejpau.media.pl/volume10/issue4/abs-09.html

AMMONIFICATION AND NITRIFICATION IN ZINC-CONTAMINATED SOIL

Magdalena Zaborowska, Jadwiga Wyszkowska, Jan Kucharski
Department of Microbiology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland

 

ABSTRACT



Two laboratory experiments were conducted on samples of leached brown soil developed from light loam (pHKCl 6.8) in order to determine the effect of zinc on the process of ammonification and nitrification. Ammonification was studied in experiment 1, where variable factors were zinc dose (mg Zn·kg-1 soil): 0, 5, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000, source of organic nitrogen: urea, L-aspartic acid, L-arginine and L-alanine, and time of soil incubation (h): 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120. Nitrification was studied in experiment 2, where variable factors were zinc dose (mg Zn ·kg-1 soil): 0, 5, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000, source of nitrogen: urea and ammonium sulfate, and time of soil incubation (days): 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120. The course of ammonification and nitrification was determined based on the concentrations of mineral nitrogen (N-NH4 and N-NO3). Soil pH was measured at the same time. Zinc decreased ammonification of urea, L-aspartic acid, L-arginine and L-alanine as well as of nitrification of ammonia nitrogen. The rate of mineralization was faster in the case of urea, compared with amino acids, while nitrification of the N-NH4+ ion formed during urea hydrolysis was more efficient, compared to the same ion formed as a result of ammonium sulfate dissociation. Soil acidity had a negative effect on nitrification, particularly in soil fertilized with ammonium sulfate and urea.

Key words: zinc, soil contamination, ammonification, nitrification.

Magdalena Zaborowska
Department of Microbiology,
University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland
Pl. Łodzki 3, 10 -727 Olsztyn, Poland
email: m.zaborowska@uwm.edu.pl

Jadwiga Wyszkowska
Department of Microbiology,
University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland
Pl. Łodzki 3, 10 -718 Olsztyn, Poland
email: jadwiga.wyszkowska@uwm.edu.pl

Jan Kucharski
Department of Microbiology,
University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland
Pl. Łodzki 3, 10 -727 Olsztyn, Poland
email: jan.kucharski@uwm.edu.pl

Responses to this article, comments are invited and should be submitted within three months of the publication of the article. If accepted for publication, they will be published in the chapter headed 'Discussions' and hyperlinked to the article.

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