Biological nitrification inhibitors show low persistence in agricultural soils: the role of pH and soil microbiota

Summary

This study characterised the environmental persistence of five plant-derived biological nitrification inhibitors (BNIs) across a range of agricultural soils, finding that most BNIs dissipate rapidly (DT50 < 8 days) but show markedly prolonged persistence in acidic soils (pH 4, with zeanone persisting up to 88 days). Soil fumigation experiments revealed complex interactions between biotic (microbial) and abiotic (pH, texture) factors controlling BNI dissipation, with pH emerging as the dominant driver of persistence. These findings provide critical benchmarking data on BNI fate in soil, informing the agronomic viability of BNIs as sustainable alternatives to synthetic nitrification inhibitors in nitrogen management strategies.

Regional applicability

The study does not specify a geographic location; transferability to United Kingdom conditions would depend on the soil types and pH ranges tested relative to UK agricultural soils. UK soils range widely in pH and texture; the findings suggest BNI efficacy may vary considerably across UK regions, particularly between acidic upland and neutral/alkaline lowland soils, warranting field validation in representative UK soil conditions.

Key measures

DT50 (days to 50% dissipation) of sakuranetin, MBOA, zeanone, MNQ, and 1,9-decanediol; soil pH, texture, organic carbon content; effect of soil fumigation on dissipation rates

Outcomes reported

The study measured dissipation rates (DT50 values) of five biological nitrification inhibitors across ten soils with varying texture, pH and organic carbon content, and evaluated how soil pH and microbial activity influence BNI persistence.

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