Nitrification pattern in a laterite soil

Abstract

An investigation was conducted at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Trichur during 1984-85 with typical laterite soil collected from Vellanikkara to study the nitrification pattern in the soil and to examine the effect of various factors on nitrification. The rate of nitrification in the soil was found to be naturally low. Attempts were made to locate the factors responsible for the low rate of nitrification. Factors like build up of ammoniacal nitrogen to values around 100 ppm, pH, organic matter content, cropping history, moisture level of incubation, source of fertiliser nitrogen and lack of microbial population were not indicated as responsible for the naturally low rate of nitrification.