Nitrogen and Organic Matter in Saline Soils of Northeast Thailand

Abstract

Decomposition of soil organic matter by biological processes in five saline paddy soils of Northeastern Thailand was investigated in submerged conditions by measuring the evolution of CO2 and N2O, and production of NH2 - N and NO3 - N.
CO2 evolution, ammonification, nitrification and denitrification processes in the soils tested showed little difference to normal non-saline paddy soils. The effect of salinity on microbial activity related to these processes was less than that of soil acidity and the level of soil organic matter.