Investigating the Effects of Periphyton Biofilm on the Denitrification Process in Paddy Soil

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran

2 Department of Soil Science - University of Tehran

10.30466/asr.2026.55745.1862

Abstract

Nitrogen is one of the most important nutritional elements required by rice plants, and its adequate supply will increase the final yield of the product. In recent years, the loss of chemical fertilizers in agriculture, including nitrogen fertilizers in rice fields, has reached its maximum. The periphyton biofilm formed on the surface of waterlogged paddy fields is known as the third phase between water and soil, primarily responsible for the cycle of nutrients in paddy fields. A research study was designed and conducted with 18 treatments in a completely randomized design to investigate the effects of natural and enriched periphyton with low-power and high-power denitrifiers as biological inhibitors, with or without rice husk biochar and grape seed powder as organic inhibitors, in controlling the process of nitrate regeneration in paddy fields. The research was carried out in the form of greenhouse cultivation of rice plants for 30 days. The results showed that the application of grape seed powder increased the total nitrogen and ammonium in the soil, as well as the total nitrogen, height and dry weight in the plant. The results related to the application of biochar indicated that this material was more successful than grape seed powder in increasing phosphorus and potassium in the soil and the accumulation of these two elements in plant tissue. On the other hand, the use of rice husk biochar decreased the ammonium amount and increased the nitrate amount in the soil, having a greater effect than grape seed powder in reducing nitrate reduction. According to the obtained results, the use of periphyton along with organic inhibitors in paddy fields can be used as a new solution to inhibit the nitrate reduction process and provide nutrients.

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References

References
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Applied Soil Research

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 14 June 2026

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  • Receive Date: 23 November 2024
  • Revise Date: 15 September 2025
  • Accept Date: 22 September 2025

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