Nitrogen studies in a coffee soil II. The influence of mulch on natural and fertilizer levels of nitrate and ammonia in the top-soil

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Abstract
1. Evidence is presented to show that compared with an unmulched soil, a surface mulch reduces the nitrate-N levels significantly following an application of a nitrogen fertilizer during the rains.2. Natural nitrate-X values in the top-soil were lower under a gravel mulch than a Napier grass mulch. It is concluded that the effect of a Napier grass-mulch cover in lowering natural soil nitrogen-N is offset in part by nitrates formed from the nitrogen it contains.
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