Note on the Fate of Calcium Cyanamide in the Soil.

Abstract

The experiments described below have been carried out to confirm some results obtained by F. Löhnis, who made it appear highly probable that soil bacteria were concerned in rendering calcium cyanamide assimilable for crops. It had been supposed that the reaction of calcium cyanamide in the soil was a purely chemical one. The material used was taken from a supply of “Kalkstickstoff” received at the Rothamsted Experimental Station from the “Cyanid Gesellschaft” of Berlin early this year. Nitrogen determinations by the Kjeldahl method showed the crude fertiliser to contain 20.3 per cent, nitrogen, equal to 58 per cent, pure calcium cyanamide.