Recognition of the presence of numerous anaerobic microsites, especially in the rhizosphere, is the key to understanding ethylene formation in field soils. These microsites may also affect directly the availability of plant nutrients in soil, and this is discussed.
Nitrate nitrogen stops ethylene production in soil by poising the redox potential.
Similarly, it may interfere with uptake of plant nutrients. This calls for a reappraisal of the supposed benefits of nitrification in agriculture.