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

Threshold-like effect of soil NO3− concentrations on denitrification product N2O/(N2O+N2) ratio is mediated by soil pH

Bowen Zhang, Minghua Zhou, Bo Zhu, Björn Kemmann, Lisa Pfülb, Stefan Burkart, Hongbin Liu, Klaus Butterbach‐Bahl, Reinhard Well

Soil Biology and Biochemistry · 2023

Read source ↗ All evidence

Summary

This laboratory study investigates the interactive effects of soil nitrate concentration and pH on the partitioning of denitrification end-products, specifically the ratio of nitrous oxide to dinitrogen gas. The authors report (as suggested by the title) a threshold-like response in N2O production relative to total denitrification, mediated by soil pH. The findings may inform understanding of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural soils under varying soil chemical conditions.

Regional applicability

The study is not geographically specific; as a controlled laboratory experiment, the findings are potentially applicable to United Kingdom agricultural soils provided that the pH ranges and soil types tested encompass those found in UK farming systems. Transferability to field conditions would require validation under UK soil and climatic contexts.

Key measures

N2O/(N2O+N2) ratio, soil NO3− concentrations, soil pH, denitrification product composition

Outcomes reported

The study examined how soil nitrate concentrations and pH jointly influence the ratio of nitrous oxide to total denitrification products (N2O/(N2O+N2)) in soil. The research identified threshold-like responses in denitrification product ratios mediated by soil pH conditions.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Soil biology & microbiology
Study type
Research
Study design
Laboratory experiment
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
International
System type
Laboratory / in vitro
DOI
10.1016/j.soilbio.2023.109213
Catalogue ID
SNmomgxqga-9aqz08

Topic tags

Pulse AI · ask about this record

Dig deeper with Pulse AI.

Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.