Effectiveness of Chloride Compared to 3,4-Dimethylpyrazole Phosphate on Nitrification Inhibition in Soil

Abstract Microbial oxidation of ammonium to nitrate may impose dangers to ecosystem functioning through soil and atmosphere contamination with end products or intermediate gases. A wide range of chemicals can inhibit nitrification under soil and laboratory conditions. In the present study, the effectiveness of chloride compared to 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) as a standard nitrification inhibitor was evaluated. The results showed that DMPP (especially with double concentrations) inhibited nitrification for a longer time, until the end of incubation period. Chloride in the form of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) or potassium chloride (KCl) also significantly inhibited nitrification compared to the control during the 7-week incubation period. This inhibition was positively correlated with applied chloride concentrations in soil. During a 5-week incubation period, the strongest concentration (500 mg/kg soil) showed more inhibition than concentrations of 250 or 100 mg/kg soil, particularly when compared to control. The results suggest that beside commercial nitrification inhibitors, chloride can significantly inhibit microbial nitrification in soil. Therefore, when chloride is not a soil problem, the chloride form of nitrogen fertilizers (e.g., ammonium chloride) could be a proper nitrogen fertilizer. Keywords: ChlorideDMPPnitrificationnitrifierssoil incubation