Summary
This comparative field study investigates how soil pH and long-term fertilisation regimes alter the microbial pathways driving nitrogen transformation and nitrous oxide emissions in arable soils across geographically and pedologically distinct regions. By examining both Chinese and United Kingdom croplands, the work suggests that soil acidity and fertiliser management jointly regulate the balance between nitrification and denitrification as N₂O sources, with implications for both nitrogen use efficiency and greenhouse gas mitigation. The findings indicate that understanding these pathway-level responses is essential for designing fertilisation strategies that balance crop productivity with reduced environmental losses.
UK applicability
The inclusion of United Kingdom cropland sites means findings are directly applicable to UK arable practice, particularly regarding how pH management and fertiliser choice interact to influence N₂O emissions under temperate conditions. The comparative international design provides context for evaluating whether UK-specific soil and climate factors amplify or moderate the pH and fertilisation effects observed in contrasting Chinese systems.
Key measures
Gross nitrogen transformations (mineralisation, nitrification, denitrification); N₂O production rates and sources (nitrifier vs. denitrifier-derived); soil pH; fertilisation history and rates
Outcomes reported
The study examined how soil pH and long-term fertilisation management practices influence gross nitrogen transformation rates and nitrous oxide (N₂O) production pathways in crop soils. It compared microbial N-cycling mechanisms across Chinese and United Kingdom field sites under contrasting soil and management conditions.
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