A microdialysis perspective of soil nitrogen availability

Abstract

Soil nitrogen (N) availability is a critical component of ecosystem function and a main driver of below and above ground productivity. As such, the topic is of interest to ecologists exploring the constraints on soil processes as they relate to plant and microbial productivity, as well as agriculturalists seeking to maximise crop N uptake whilst minimising N losses from soil. Soil N encompasses a diversity of compounds spanning from organic to inorganic. Quantifying the bioavailability of different N forms is difficult and likely affected by factors that include climate and water, and the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of soils, all of which can vary significantly at the microsite level.