Racemization of amino acids in agricultural soils - an age effect

Preliminary results of an investigation into the extent of racemization of amino acids in agricultural Ap horizons reveals significant differences between soils from a wheat-fallow rotation and from permanent pasture and between the readily and less readily hydrolysable fractions of these soils. Some possible interpretations of the data, including evidence of heterogeneity in the residence time of soil amino acid nitrogen, indicate that amino acid racemization reactions may have significant application for long-term nitrogen turnover and fertility studies.