Assessing nitrification and denitrification in a paddy soil with different water dynamics and applied liquid cattle waste using the 15N isotopic technique

Using livestock wastewater for rice production in paddy fields can remove nitrogen and supplement the use of chemical fertilizers. However, paddy fields have complicated water dynamics owing to varying characteristics and would influence nitrogen removal through nitrification followed by denitrification. Quantification of nitrification and denitrification is of great importance in assessing the influence of water dynamics on nitrogen removal in paddy fields. In this study, nitrification and nitrate reduction rates with different water dynamics after liquid cattle waste application were evaluated, and the in situ denitrification rate was determined directly using the 15N isotopic technique in a laboratory experiment.A significant linear regression correlation between nitrification and the nitrate reduction rate was observed and showed different regression coefficients under different water dynamics. The regression coefficient in the continuously flooded paddy soil was higher than in the drained–reflooded paddy soil, suggesting that nitrate would be consumed faster in the flooded paddy soil. However, nitrification was limited and the maximum rate was only 13.3 μg N g− 1 day− 1 in the flooded paddy soil with rice plants, which limited the supply of nitrate. In contrast, the drained–reflooded paddy soil had an enhanced nitrification rate up to 56.8 μg N g− 1 day− 1, which was four times higher than the flooded paddy soil and further stimulated nitrate reduction rates. Correspondingly, the in situ denitrification rates determined directly in the drained–reflooded paddy soil ranged from 5 to 1035 mg N m− 2 day− 1, which was higher than the continuously flooded paddy soil (from 5 to 318 mg N m− 2 day− 1) during the vegetation period. The nitrogen removal through denitrification accounted for 38.9% and 9.9% of applied nitrogen in the drained–reflooded paddy soil and continuously flooded paddy soil, respectively.

► Nitrification and nitrate reduction rate showed significant regression correlation.
► The flooded paddy soil limited nitrification and influenced denitrification rate.
► The drained and reflooded paddy soil enhanced in situ denitrification rates.