Molecular nitrogen content in a submerged rice field

Summary The amount of nitrogen gas, oxygen, hydrogen, and methane in soil samples from a submerged rice field was determined using the modified Koyama's apparatus and gas chromatography. Soils planted to rice had significantly larger amounts of nitrogen gas than unplanted soils. The amount of N₂ in a field soil increased after transplanting and reached a maximum at tillering. The amount of N₂ in unplanted submerged soils did not increase significantly during the same period. Visiting Scientist at the Institute, Professor of Soil Science, Tokyo University. Visiting Scientist at the Institute, Professor of Soil Science, Tokyo University.