Theory 62/Nitrogen cycle/Progression phase
Nitrification Is a Rate Bottleneck
The claim
Nitrogen loss rate is set by the ratio of nitrification to plant uptake, so a fast nitrifier community leaks nitrogen even in a fertile soil.
01Mechanism
Nitrate is mobile and easily denitrified; the ratio determines how much escapes.
02Prediction
Loss should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Loss tracking total nitrogen would remove the rate balance.