The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of soil redox resistance on denitrification rate in soil material of 9 profiles from Poland and Germany. The soil samples from particular horizons were incubated under water saturation, in closed bottles, in an atmosphere of gaseous nitrogen containing 3 % acetylene at a temperature of 20°C for 5 days. The values of redox potential, pH, and the evolution of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide were measured after 12, 24, 48, and 120 hours. The rate of nitrous oxide evolution in relation to native carbon mineralization, redox potential and soil reaction is discussed. Denitrification rate showed maximum at pH 6.3-7.3 and Eh 150-300 mV. It was positively correlated with redox resistance (t400).