True or False: Nitrification inhibitors should be applied after the soil gets cold.

Nitrification inhibitors are substances that slow down the conversion of ammonium to nitrate in the soil, a process known as nitrification. When soils are cold, microbial activity generally decreases, which naturally slows down nitrification. Applying these inhibitors when the soil is cold can be less effective, as the microbial processes they target are already happening at a reduced rate.

In warmer temperatures, particularly in spring or summer, soil microbes are more active, and that is when nitrification inhibitors can effectively reduce the rate of nitrification. Therefore, the application of nitrification inhibitors is not recommended when the soil is cold since they are designed to enhance nutrient availability during the peak uptake period for plants, which aligns better with warmer soil temperatures.

The other options suggest specific conditions or seasons for application, but the best practice is to apply nitrification inhibitors when microbial activity is at its peak to maximize their effectiveness. Thus, the statement that nitrification inhibitors should be applied after the soil gets cold is not accurate.