United States Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, Nebraska
United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications
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Document Type
Article
Date of this Version
9-7-2007
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) mineralization makes a considerable contribution to crop-available N and is difficult to estimate. Reliable methods for measuring N mineralization are needed to produce data sets for developing N-mineralization models, as a component in fertilizer recommendation algorithms, and to assess the effect of management practices on N mineralization. Numerous methods are available for estimating N mineralization. Laboratory methods are relatively easy but may not reflect conditions in the field, and field methods are usually labor-intensive. A study was conducted to compare N-mineralization estimates using anaerobic and aerobic laboratory methods and an in situ field method for the 0- to 15-cm depth of a silt loam soil under irrigated corn (Zea mays L.). Mineralization estimates were also compared to N mineralization based on crop N content. Estimates of N mineralization were 101 kg ha-1 for the anaerobic laboratory method, 284 kg ha-1 for the aerobic laboratory method, and 134 kg ha-1 for the in situ field method. The in situ field method provided a reasonable estimate of N mineralization (0 to 15 cm) when compared to the estimate of mineralized N (root zone) based on crop N content (215 kg ha-1). The in situ field method can be used to measure N mineralization during the growing season and for comparing N mineralization among management practices.
Comments
Published in Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 38: 1721–1732, 2007.