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A conceptual assessment of the importance of denitrification as a source of soil nitrogen loss in tropical agro-ecosystems

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Abstract

This paper attempts to answer the question: is denitrification a major route of N loss from tropical agro-ecosystems? This question turns out to be very difficult to answer due to a severe shortage of data on this process for tropical agro-ecosystems other than rice. Given this lack of data, I approach this question by analyzing data on denitrification and nitrous oxide flux in tropical native forest and pasture soils and attempt to make some conclusions and pose some hypotheses about the significance of denitrification in tropical agricultural soils. I also briefly review methods for measuring denitrification. The data analysis suggests that denitrification in tropical forest soils is strongly influenced by the nature and amount of soil C and N turnover. Studies to examine differences in denitrification in different tropical agricultural systems should focus on the effects of system management on C and N turnover. The data analysis also suggests that, just as in temperate regions, denitrification may not be a significant route of N loss from most tropical agricultural systems. However, field studies are necessary to determine if this is actually the case.

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  1. Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Box AB, 12545, Millbrook, NY, USA

    Peter M Groffman

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Groffman, P.M. A conceptual assessment of the importance of denitrification as a source of soil nitrogen loss in tropical agro-ecosystems. Fertilizer Research 42, 139–148 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00750508

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