Impact of Sample Preservation Methods on the Extraction of Inorganic Nitrogen by Potassium Chloride

ABSTRACT

Accurate measurement of soil mineral nitrogen (N) is essential for making precise N recommendations for grain maize (Zea mays L.) production. Analysis of soil inorganic N is complicated by the fact that these forms of N change rapidly during the sample-processing period. Studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of soil-preservation methods on the changes in inorganic N concentration of soil samples. In 1999 and 2000, soil samples at 0 to 20 cm depth were collected from eight locations representing different soil types. Six preservation methods were evaluated, including an immediate extraction in the laboratory for NH₄-N and NO₃-N determination, and extraction of samples stored under different preservation methods: frozen at −15°C for 2 months, air dried in a greenhouse for 24 h, oven dried at 20°C for 24 h, oven dried at 40°C for 24 h, and air dried at room temperature at 22°C for 24 h. All preservation methods caused a significant increase in NH₄-N and, to a smaller degree, NO₃-N concentrations, except freezing, which did not increase NH₄-N in 1999. Compared with analysis of fresh samples, soil total inorganic N (NH₄-N + NO₃-N) was increased, on average, by 10.0 μ g g^{− 1} in 1999 and 1.4 μ g g^{− 1} in 2000 for the frozen treatment. Air-drying at room temperature produced the smallest increase, 4.0 μ g g^{− 1} in 1999 and 2.4 μ g g^{− 1} in 2000, followed by oven drying at 20°C (4.6 μ g g^{− 1}in 1999 and 3.9 μ g g^{− 1} in 2000) and oven drying at 40°C (4.3 μg g^{− 1} in 1999 and 7.1 μ g g^{− 1} in 2000). Air-drying in the greenhouse produced the greatest increase, 6.0 μ g g^{− 1} in 1999 and 6.5 μ g g^{− 1} in 2000. Results of this study indicate that air-drying at room temperature (22°C) for 24 h with subsequent storage in sealed polyethylene containers is a reasonable and relatively reliable method in preserving soil samples for inorganic N, especially for NO₃-N in low-mineral N-content soils.

Keywords:

• drying methods
• nitrate-N
• soil sample preservation
• air-drying
• freeze-drying

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This project was funded in part by the Ontario Corn Producers Association (OCPA) through a Matching Investment Initiative program agreement of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. We thank V. Deslauriers for her excellent technical assistance. ECORC contribution No. 02-11.

Notes

†Cropping history: S-M, maize following soybean, A-M, maize following alfalfa, M-M, continuous maize monoculture.