![Sample our Environment & Sustainability journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5935/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Environment-Sustainability.jpg"})
Abstract
Ammonium nitrogen applied to soils is converted to nitrate ions by nitrifying bacteria in soil. Nitrate is easily leached by rainfall and irrigation. This study shows that soil sterilization by solar energy could be effectively used to retard and delay nitrate production and thereby prevent loss of N, as nitrate, by leaching. Evidence is also presented to show that soil sterilization maintains good soil structure and reduces soil pH, organic matter, and electrical conductivity.