Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Land-use type affects nitrate production and consumption pathways in subtropical acidic soils

Yushu Zhang, Xiangzhou Zheng, Xiangyun Ren, Jinbo Zhang, T. H. Misselbrook, L. M. Cardenas, Alison Carswell, Christoph Müller, Hong Ding

Geoderma · 2018

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Summary

This field-based study investigates how contrasting land-use types shape nitrogen cycling dynamics in subtropical acidic soils, with particular focus on the microbial and chemical pathways governing nitrate production and consumption. The research suggests that land-use management significantly influences soil nitrogen transformation processes, a finding relevant to understanding nutrient availability and potential nitrogen losses in different farming contexts. The work contributes to mechanistic understanding of nitrogen cycling under diverse management regimes in acidic soil conditions.

UK applicability

The findings relate to subtropical acidic soils, which differ markedly from the neutral to slightly alkaline mineral soils prevalent across much of the United Kingdom. Direct application to UK farm systems would require comparative work on British soil types, though the methodological approach to quantifying nitrate pathways may inform UK soil health research.

Key measures

Nitrate production and consumption rates; soil nitrogen transformation pathways; land-use type classification

Outcomes reported

The study examined how different land-use types (as suggested by the title, likely including agricultural and non-agricultural uses) influence the production and consumption pathways of nitrate in subtropical acidic soils. Nitrate transformation processes and their rates across land-use categories were measured.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Soil biology & microbiology
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
China
System type
Mixed farming
DOI
10.1016/j.geoderma.2018.09.012
Catalogue ID
MGmorzcp65-wp443t

Topic tags

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