The response of denitrifiers in a sandy loam soil affected by a long-term fertilization to organic carbon and nitrate

Abstract

The response of denitrifiers to carbon in the form of glucose (Glc-C) and nitrate (NO 3 − -N) amendments was studied in four differently fertilized plots of sandy-loam soil. Two basically different characteristics of denitrification activity were determined: (1) potential denitrification measured as nitrous oxide production during 1-d incubation in the presence of acetylene, and (2) denitrifying enzyme activity determined in soil slurries as a N2O production in the presence of acetylene and chloramphenicol during 1 h of incubation. Potential denitrification was strongly influenced by both Glc-C and NO 3 − -N amendments in their various combinations, but was also affected by the fertilization practice. The response of denitrifiers to Glc-C and NO 3 − -N was generally lower in unfertilized and surprisingly also in highly fertilized soils than in organically and moderately fertilized soils. Denitrifying enzyme activity was stimulated by the fertilization and was, in contrast to potential denitrification, the highest in highly fertilized soil. The results indicate that although active denitrifiers were present in a highly fertilized soil, their ability to develop under optimal conditions was decreased (being similar to that of denitrifiers in unfertilized soil). This suggests long-term changes in soil microbial community in a highly fertilized soil, presumably connected to changes in soil chemistry caused by fertilization.