Nitrification Potential of Secondary-Succession Upland Oak Forests: II. Regulation of Ammonium-Oxidizing Bacteria Populations
1990
Donaldson, Jennifer M. | Henderson, Gray S.
Field plots were treated with NH₄-N and Ca(OH)₂ to test the hypothesis that NH₄ and pH control nitrification in these soils. The most probable number (mpn) of autotrophic NH₄-oxidizing bacteria were estimated in treated and control soils at five dates within a 1-yr period. Sampling dates coincided with periods of significant phenological development of the vegetation. The effect of the treatments on the population of NH₄-oxidizers was used to assess the treatment effect on soil nitrification potential. The results suggested that soil NH₄ is a major factor regulating populations of these microorganisms; however, numbers of NH₄-oxidizers in both treated and untreated soils vary significantly with date of sample collection. The seasonal responses of these microorganisms indicate that vegetation affects NH₄-oxidizer populations, perhaps through the production and release of inhibitory compounds. Contribution from the Missouri Agric. Exp. Stn. Journal Series no. 10990.
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