Denitrification
A microbial process in the soil that reduces nitrates or nitrites into gaseous nitrogen, resulting in a loss of available plant nutrients.
Также говорят: nitrogen loss, nitrate reduction
Denitrification typically occurs in waterlogged or compacted soils where oxygen availability is limited. Under these anaerobic conditions, bacteria strip oxygen from nitrate molecules, releasing nitrogen gas or nitrous oxide into the atmosphere, which directly impacts fertilizer efficiency.
Agronomic management focuses on improving soil drainage and structure to maintain aerobic conditions. A common mistake is applying nitrate-based fertilizers immediately before heavy precipitation or on fields with poor aeration, leading to significant nitrogen loss and increased environmental footprint.