Alkaline hydrolyzable nitrogen and properties that dictate its distribution in paddy soil profiles

Nitrogen (N) is a key nutrient for rice production, and its bioavailability in paddy soils is strongly coupled to soil organic matter (SOM) cycling. A better understanding of potentially available N forms in soil, such as alkaline hydrolyzable N (AH-N), and their depth distribution will support the development of best management practices to improve the N use efficiency of rice while minimizing adverse environmental effects. Fifteen rice (Oryza sativa L.) fields from Southern Brazil were selected, and stratified soil samples were taken to a depth of 60 cm before crop establishment. Selected soil physical and chemical properties were analyzed to evaluate their relationships with AH-N contents in the soil profile. The AH-N contents below 20 cm varied extensively (increased, reduced, or constant) compared with that above 20 cm. Although clay and clay + silt contents were highly correlated to AH-N for some soils, the major property dictating AH-N distribution by depth was total N (TN), as the correlation between TN and AH-N was mainly by direct effect. The proportion of TN recovered as AH-N across sites and depths presented high amplitude, and thus AH-N was not a constant N pool across depths, indicating that AH-N can be affected by soil management practices even when TN showed no major changes. The distinct distribution of AH-N across soil sampling sites and depths indicates that depths greater than 20 cm should be considered when calibrating the AH-N index for N fertilizer recommendations for flooded rice in Southern Brazil.