Table 3 Number of copies of 16S marker gene-related enzymatic functions to nitrification and denitrification processes in the soil treatments (gene copies/g soil)

Ammonia monooxygenase

1.14.99.39

274±17 b

243±28 b

219±10 c

327±23 a

337±38 a

Hydroxylamine dehydrogenase

1.7.2.6

258±26 ab

229±17 b

223±30 b

311±39 a

322±54 a

Nitrite reductase (NO-forming)

1.7.2.1

3546±131 b

3242±134 b

3409±244 b

4031±166 a

3318±128 b

Nitrate reductase

1.7.99.4

24968±480 a

25178±505 a

25469±915 a

25044±405 a

26160±886 a

Nitric-oxide reductase (cytochrome c)

1.7.2.5

2095±88 c

2121±98 bc

2322±77 a

2439±108 a

2282±74 ab

Nitrous-oxide reductase

1.7.2.4

1803±85 bc

1739±24 c

1897±82 b

2092±99 a

1899±72 b