Effect of 7-year application of a nitrification inhibitor, dicyandiamide (DCD), on soil microbial biomass, protease and deaminase activities, and the abundance of bacteria and archaea in pasture soils

Abstract

Purpose: The nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) has been shown to be highly effective in reducing nitrate (NO3-) leaching and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions when used to treat grazed pasture soils. However, there have been few studies on the possible effects of long-term DCD use on other soil enzyme activities or the abundance of the general soil microbial communities. The objective of this study was to determine possible effects of long-term DCD use on key soil enzyme activities involved in the nitrogen (N) cycle and the abundance of bacteria and archaea in grazed pasture soils. Materials and methods: Three field sites used for this study had been treated with DCD for 7 years in fie..