The contents, affecting factors, seasonal changes and availability of fixed ammonium in major types of paddy soils derived from different parent materials in Hunan Province, China, were studied using the Silva-Bremner method by laboratory and pot experiments. Results showed that the content of fixed ammonium in the plough horizons ranged from 88.3 mg kg(-1) to 388.1 mg kg(-1), with 273.2 +/- 77.7 mg kg(-1) on average, accounting for 11.2% of total soil N on average. Content of fixed ammonium decreased in the order of newly lacustrine clayey paddy soil > alluvial sandy paddy soil > purple claye...