Abstract
AbstractSoil samples were incubated in air atmosphere containing 0, 10,000, 50,000, and 500,000 ppm propane gas (Ca3H8) by volume. Carbon dioxide evolution was used as a measure of soil microbial activity. Soil N immobilization was determined by measuring soil inorganic N. Carbon dioxide evolution and N immobilization were directly related to the C3H8 concentration. Carbon dioxide evolution over time was characterized by (1) an initial delay of 2 to 4 weeks, (2) an accelerated period, and (3) a decrease in activity caused by a shortage of N. Increasing the C3H8 concentration shortened the delay period and accelerated CO2 evolution and N immobilization. The C3H8 was used as a source of energy by microorganisms that immobilized the soil inorganic N. The use of C3H8 as an energy source for microorganisms has potential usefulness in studying basic soil microbiological problems relating to soil nutrient transformations because the C3H8 itself can be easily removed and does not interfere with subsequent analyses.
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