Abstract
Effects of the inhibitors dicyandiamide (DCD), nitrapyrin (N-Serve, NS), and thiourea (TU) on growth and metabolism ofNitrosomonas europaea were tested under laboratory conditions. Growth of a pure culture was completely suppressed by 10 ppm NS and 0.5 ppm TU; inhibition by 300 ppm DCD was 83%. Ammonia oxidation and respiration of Nitrosomonas cell suspensions were reduced by 93% (10 ppm NS), 95% (0.5 ppm TU), and 73% (300 ppm DCD).
Hydroxylamine oxidoreductase was not affected by high concentrations of inhibitors (200 ppm DCD, 100 ppm NS, 100 ppm TU). Cytochrome oxidase activity was increased by 10% with 200 ppm DCD, not affected by 100 pm TU, and inhibited by 52% with 100 ppm NS.
The modes of action thus differed among the tested inhibitors. The merely bacteriostatic effect of dicyandiamide was demonstrated by the reversibility of growth inhibition.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Amberger A (1986) Potential of nitrification inhibitors in modern N-fertilizer management. Z. Pflanzenern u Bodenkde 149: 469–484
Beck TH (1979) Die Nitrifikation in Böden. Z. Pflanzenern u Bodenkde 142: 344–364
Bundy LG and Bremner JM (1973) Inhibition of nitrification in soils. Soil Sci Amer Proc 37: 396–398
Campbell NER and Aleem MIH (1965) The effect of 2-chloro-6-(trichloromethyl) pyridine on the chemoautotrophic metabolism of nitrifying bacteria. J. Microbiol Serol 31: 124–144
Gasser JKR (1970) Nitrification inhibitors — Their occurrence, production and effects of their use on crop yields and composition. Soil Fertil 33: 547–554
Goring CAJ (1970) Control of nitrification by 2-chloro-6-(trichloromethyl) pyridine. Soil Sci 93: 211–218
Hauck, RD (1984) Nitrification inhibitors — potential and limitations. VDLUFA-Schriftenreihe 11: 9–21
Jensen HL and Sörensen H (1952) The influence of some organic sulphur compounds and enzyme inhibitors on Nitrosomonas europaea. Acta Agr Scand 2: 295–304
Jung J and Dressel J (1978) Umsetzungsvorgänge und Inhibierungsmöglichkeiten bei Boden- und Düngerstickstoff. Landw Forsch 31: 74–89
Lowry OH, Rosenbrough NJ, Farr AL and Randall RJ (1951) Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent. J. Biol Chem. 193: 265–275
Mahli SS, Cook FD and Nyborg M (1979) Inhibition of nitrite formation by thiourea in pure cultures of Nitrosomonas. Soil Biol Biochem 11: 431–432
Nuti MP, Neglia RG and Verona O (1975) Azione del solfato di diciandiamidina sul metabolismo chemoautotrofo di Nitrosomonas europaea. L'agriccultura (Italiana) 104: 219–225
Prosser JI and Cox DJ (1982) Nitrification. In: Experimental microbial ecology (EDS.: Burns RG and Slater JH) 178–193
Wood LB, Hurley BJE and Matthews PJ (1981) Some observations on the biochemistry and inhibition of nitrification. Water Res 15: 543–553.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zacherl, B., Amberger, A. Effect of the nitrification inhibitors dicyandiamide, nitrapyrin and thiourea onNitrosomonas europaea . Fertilizer Research 22, 37–44 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01054805
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01054805