We used acetylene (C2H2) reduction assays (ARA) to determine soil nitrogenase activity.
Breifly, soil was enclosed in serum bottles filled with 10% acetylene (substrate) and incubated at 25 °C. At east time interval (such as 0h, 12h and 24h), the amount of ethylene (end-product) in the gas phase was quantified using GC-FID.
However, we found that, in some samples, the amount of accumulated ethylene at 0 h was higher than that at 12 hours post incubation.
We are very confused about the results. Could you please help us to explain this phenomenon?
Thank you very much.
Dear Wang,
These kind of fluctuation occurs in submerged soil conditions. Kindly see the attached link for further clarification.
Regards.
I agree with Rajendran.
I suggest you check the concentration of c2h4 in your original gas. I found that in one of my experiments the c2h4 is so high in the original gas that the produced ethylene can not be calculated.
If the original C2H4 is very low, I suggest you increase sample size and decrease incubation duration.
Yes I agree if the original C2H4 is very low, you need to increase sample size and reduce incubation period.
I bet on the incubation period. In the vast majority of works that I have read in my reviews almost no one spends more than one hour, after that you may not escape from the nitrogenase depression.
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