NITRIFICATION IN AN ORCHARD SOIL UNDER THREE CULTURAL PRACTICES

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Abstract
Nitrification studies of a moderately acid orchard soil, made by the percolation method, indicated that the use of mulch around trees increased the nitrifying capacity significantly above that obtained when clean cultivation or sod culture was used. Nitrifying capacity of this soil was related inversely to the acidity developed by a cultural practice. Incorportion of a lime application into the 3 cultural practices increased the nitrifying capacity of all treatments, particularly the sod-where the increase was much greater than would have been expected on the basis of the resultant decrease in acidity. Mulching maintained the nitrifying flora in a more active condition, since nitrification commenced immediately upon perfusing mulched soil samples, while a delay of 7 days occurred with the other 2. A period of logarithmic increase in nitrate production, lasting 6 to 9 days, was observed in all treatments. Avg. numbers of ammonia- and of nitrite-oxidizing organisms during a 15-mo. period were the highest under mulch.

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