Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen Mineralization and Immobilization

Introduction; Definition: N immobilization is defined as the transformation of inorganic compounds (NH4+, NH3, NO3-, NO2-) into the organic state.

Nitrogen Mineralization and Immobilization

1. Some organisms assimilate inorganic-N compounds and transform them to organic N constituents of cells, tissues , and their soil biomass. 2. NH4+ salts are the most readily assimilated nitrogen sources for most bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes.

Nitrogen Mineralization and Immobilization

3. Mineral N decreases in soil due to synthesis of microbial biomass (protein synthesis). 4. When C:N ratio > 30 N is taken from mineral pool or degradation is slow (immobilization takes place).

Nitrogen Mineralization and Immobilization

Calculation of Mineralization /Immobilization Potential. 1. Consider decay of typical organic material. 2. To estimate N needed for cell synthesis, data on C assimilated and C:N ratio is required II.

Nitrogen Mineralization and Immobilization

3. As a rule for mixed populations, carbon assimilated is Bacteria 5-10% Fungi 30-40% Actinomycetes 15-30%

Nitrogen Mineralization and Immobilization

4. C/N ratio of Microbial Tissues are as follows: Bacteria 5:1 Fungi 10:1 Actinomycetes 5:1 5. Carbon content of microbial biomass is 4550% of dry weight. 6. % N varies with age. Hyphal cells in old cultures have usually less N than young ones

Nitrogen Mineralization and Immobilization

Bacteria Bacteria Assimilates 5-10% of carbon and has C:N ratio of 5:1 100 units of carbon 5-10 units of carbon is assimilated Needs 1-2 units of N regardless of source
- If this is not present it will be taken from soil solution.

Nitrogen Mineralization and Immobilization

Residue is not all carbon, approximately 40-50 % carbon If residue has only 40% carbon Then100 units of residue will give 40 units of carbon Thus carbon which will be assimilated 40 X 0.05 = 2 units of carbon 40 x 0.10 = 4 units of carbon

Nitrogen Mineralization and Immobilization

Since C/N ratio of bacterial tissue is 5:1, N needed is - 2 x 0.2 = 0.4 units of N - 4 x 0.2 = 0.8 units of N If residue has 0.5% of N,100 units contains 0.5 units of N Inefficient bacteria 0.4 units and thus will not have much problem. Efficient bacteria will need 0.8 units of N and thus will have to take extra 0.3 units from soil solution.

Nitrogen Mineralization and Immobilization

Actinomycetes Actinomycetes assimilates 15-30 % of C C:N ratio of actinomycetes tissue is 5:1 100 units of residue containing 40% carbon and 0.5% N Amount of carbon assimilated

0.15 x 40 0.30 x 40

= 6 units of Carbon = 12 units of Carbon

Nitrogen Mineralization and Immobilization

Fungi Fungi assimilates 30-40 % of C C:N ratio of fungal tissue is 10:1 100 units of residue containing 40% carbon and 0.5% N Amount of carbon assimilated 0.3 x 40 = 12 units of Carbon 0.4 x 40 = 16 units of Carbon

Nitrogen Mineralization and Immobilization

Amount of N assimilated 0.1 x 12 = 1.2 units N 0.1 x 16 = 1.6 units N Thus fungi not great in mineralizing N. Amount of N assimilated 6 x 0.2 = 1.2 units N 12 x 0.2 = 2.4 units N

Nitrogen Mineralization and Immobilization

Amount of N in residue is 0.5 units Therefore N will be taken from soil solution i.e. N mineralization will take place. Fungi accumulates a lot of substrate in excess of their needs. When residue contains 40% C the C:N ratio should be around 30:1.

Nitrogen Mineralization and Immobilization

This is the critical C:N ratio (20-30:1). This corresponds to 1.2-1.8% N Material with this amount of N tends to be mineralized. When ratio is narrow N tends to be released.

Nitrogen Mineralization and Immobilization

III. Factors Affecting Immobilization 1. Availability of organic Molecule. a. oxidized CHO is very rapid immobilization. b. Moderate to less suitable materials c. Slow with extensively decayed materials or resistant tissues such as lignin.

Nitrogen Mineralization and Immobilization

2. pH 3. Available P 4. Temperature

Nitrogen Mineralization and Immobilization

IV. Agronomic Significance

1. Plants are poor competitors with soil microflora when inorganic-N is inadequate. 2. Immobilization follow soil amendment of Npoor plant residue not desirable in growing season since the nutrient is rendered unavailable. 3. Reaction may be beneficial by prevention of leaching.