Direct field measurements of denitrification in Australia and Asia show that nitrogen loss by this process varies from 2% to 27% of the nitrogen applied in rainfed wheat, from 3% to 56% in flooded rice, from 39 to 62% in trash covered sugar cane, and from 43% to 92% in irrigated cotton. The amounts of nitrogen lost are influenced by soil characteristics, cropping patterns, fertilizer techniques and prevailing weather conditions. Arvin Mosier worked in Australia and Asia to advance knowledge on many aspects of denitrification. He developed techniques to measure the nitrogen gases lost during denitrification, determined the factors controlling loss, and developed techniques to reduce nitrogen loss by denitrification and increase the efficiency of fertilizer nitrogen.