What can be the reasons for higher denitrification rates and potentials in a maize monoculture compared to maize-soybean rotation?
Thanks a lot Dr Suraj for such a superb informative piece plus attachment. Let me go through it. Quite interesting!
Is it also possible to argue that the cereal-legume rotation systems, (due to the influences of the legume associated nitrogenous aspects), lower soil pH as opposed more compared to cereal-based systems, with the low pH providing less suitable habitat for the denitrifier populations?
Cereal crops have high requirement for nitrogen in form of nitrate nitrogen which is mineralised and continuous cropping of soils will deplete nitrogen also ,microorganisms in soils require energy and will convert the nitrate nitogen into elemental nitrogen .however, in cereals/ legume cropping , the legumes produce root nodules and presence soil rhizobium will lead to formation of symbiotic nitogen into soil to meet the nitrogen needs of cereals.The legume/cereals cropping is very profitable because it enhances soil fertility and reduces the cost of purchasing fertilisers
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