Amide nitrogen transformation in waterlogged soil

Abstract

SUMMARYIn laboratory studies, the amount of N mineralized under waterlogged conditions during 14 days at 30°C was significantly correlated (P< 0·001) with the activities of amidase, glutaminase and asparaginase in soil when these enzymes were assayed by either a nonbuffer or a buffer method using appropriate substrates. N mineralization under waterlogged conditions was also significantly positively correlated with N mineralization under aerobic conditions, especially at 25 and 35 °C (P< 0·001). Generally, the results indicate that the use of amidase, glutaminase and asparaginase activities in predicting plant-available N in soils deserves more attention.