Abstract
Different methods for estimating the non-fertilizer N supply (NFNS) of mineral grassland soils were compared. NFNS was defined as the N uptake on unfertilized plots. The potential mineralization rate (0–12 weeks), macroorganic matter and active microbial biomass (determined by the substrate-induced respiration method; SIR) were correlated positively with NFNS. The difference between the actual soil organic N or microbial N content (determined by the fumigation incubation method) and their contents under equilibrium conditions (Δ org. N and Δ MB-N), however, gave the best estimations of NFNS. For field conditions the best estimation for NFNS was: NFNS (kg N ha−1 yr−1)=132.3+42.1×Δ org. N (g kg−1 soil; r=0.80). This method is based on the observation that, under old grassland swards, close relationships exist between soil texture and the amounts of soil organic N and microbial N. These relationships are assumed to represent equilibrium conditions as under old swards under constant management, the gain in soil organic N and microbial N equals the losses. Soils under young grassland and recently reclaimed soils contained less soil organic N and microbial N. In such soils the amounts of organic N and microbial N increase with time, which is reflected in a lower NFNS. The annual accumulation of organic and microbial N gradually becomes smaller until organic N, microbial N and NFNS reach equilibrium. The main advantage of the “difference method” in comparison with the other methods is its speed and simplicity.
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Hassink, J. Prediction of the non-fertilizer N supply of mineral grassland soils. Plant Soil 176, 71–79 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00017677
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00017677