Summary
This incubation study investigated how co-application of rice straw biochar and nitrification inhibitors (dicyandiamide and 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate) alters microbial nitrogen limitation and nitrogen availability in tropical rice-vegetable rotation soils under contrasting moisture regimes. The findings reveal moisture-dependent responses: biochar-nitrification inhibitor combinations stimulated net nitrogen mineralisation and alleviated microbial nitrogen limitation under unsaturated conditions, whilst aggravating microbial nitrogen limitation under saturated conditions. Both treatments consistently reduced nitrate production across moisture conditions.
UK applicability
The findings may have limited direct applicability to UK farming systems, which typically operate under higher rainfall and different soil moisture dynamics than tropical regions. However, the mechanistic insights into how soil amendments modulate microbial nitrogen cycling under varying moisture could inform UK research on biochar and nitrification inhibitor use, particularly in high-rainfall or poorly drained soils.
Key measures
Microbial nitrogen limitation (vector-threshold element ratio model), δ¹⁵N, net nitrogen transformation rates, net nitrogen mineralisation rate, net nitrate production rate, soil moisture at 60% and 100% water holding capacity
Outcomes reported
The study measured microbial nitrogen limitation, net nitrogen mineralisation rates, nitrate production, and nitrogen availability under different soil moisture conditions in response to biochar and nitrification inhibitor co-application. Results demonstrated moisture-dependent effects on microbial nitrogen limitation and nitrogen cycling processes.
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