Microbial populations immobilizing NH"4^+-N and NO"3^--N differ in their sensitivity to sodium chloride salinity in soil [An article from: Soil Biology and Biochemistry]

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Description:
An incubation experiment was conducted to study the response to sodium chloride (NaCl) salinity of microbial population immobilizing NH"4^+- and NO"3^--N using glucose as an easily oxidizable C source. Immobilization of NH"4^+-N was faster than that of NO"3^--N and was complete within 12h of -incubation. Presence of NaCl retarded the process of N immobilization; that of NO"3^--N being more affected. Remineralization of immobilized N started within 48h in case of both NH"4^+- and NO"3^--N and was faster for the latter. Both remineralization and nitrification were significantly delayed in the presence of NaCl; inhibition being more at 4000mg NaClkg^-^1 soil. The inhibitory effect of NaCl on remineralization of N was relatively more for NH"4^+-treated soil. The results of the study suggested a higher sensitivity to NaCl of microorganisms assimilating NO"3^-. However, remineralization of N from NO"3^--assimilating microbial population was less affected by NaCl salinity compared to NH"4^+-assimilating population.