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Effect of Partial Removal of Soil Organic Nitrogen with Sodium Pyrophosphate or Sulfuric Acid Solutions on Subsequent Mineralization of Nitrogen¹

ABSTRACT

Studies were conducted with Chester loam and Elliott clay loam soils to determine the relationship between amounts of N extracted by Na-pyrophosphate solutions and reduction in capacities of the soils to mineralize N under anaerobic conditions. By employing wide variations in concentration and pH of the extractant, number of extractions, temperature, and extraction time, a broad range was achieved in total amounts of N extracted (40-1,200 ppm). Accompanying reductions in soil N mineralization during 10–11 weeks ranged up to 125–170 ppm, respectively, with the Elliott and Chester soils. A close similarity in susceptibility to mineralization of N extracted from the two soils is indicated, although relative amounts of extractable N differed appreciably.

Acid hydrolysis of Elliott soil with 6N H₂SO₄ for 12–16 hours reduced N mineralization capacity of the soil to zero. These findings may have important implications in defining criteria for selecting the concentration of an extractant suitable for use in assessing the N status of soils.

¹ Contribution from the U.S. Soils Laboratory, Soil & Water Conservation Research Division, ARS, USDA, Beltsville, Md.

² Research Soil Scientist.

Received for publication February 22, 1968. Accepted for publication May 20, 1968.