Biological nitrification inhibition by rice root exudates in two different soils of Uruguay

Rice root exudates can control nitrification by releasing biological nitrification inhibitors (BNIs), reducing nitrogen losses in agricultural soils. However, the inhibitory effect on nitrification and the abundance of ammonia oxidisers in different soil types remain unclear. Two temperate paddy soils with different organic matter contents were collected to investigate the impact on nitrification rates of two rice cultivar root exudates, El Paso 144 (O. sativa ssp. indica) and Tacuari (O. sativa spp. japonica). Root exudates were extracted before the tillering growth stage, and their BNI potential was evaluated in a bioassay with luminescent Nitrosomonas europaea and in a 12-day soil microcosm incubation. While exudates from Tacuari showed stronger BNI activity in the bioassay, its nitrification inhibition in both soils was similar to that of DCD. El Paso did not show BNI activity in Salto whose organic matter content was higher. The abundance of ammonia oxidisers was not affected by root exudates or DCD, but only ammonia-oxidising bacteria had a significant positive relationship with soil nitrate. Our results demonstrated that although the bioassay showed high BNI activity, its expression in soils varied depending on the rice cultivar and the type of soil, particularly with its organic matter content.

Automated summary

The research suggests that rice root exudates containing biological nitrification inhibitors can help control nitrification and reduce nitrogen losses in agricultural soils. However, the inhibitory effects may vary depending on the rice cultivar and the type of soil.