鸡粪与化肥不同配比对杨树苗根际土壤酶和微生物量碳、氮变化的影响

为比较鸡粪有机肥与化肥以不同比例配施对杨树苗根际土壤环境的作用效果,通过盆栽试验,研究了N100（尿素提供100%的氮）、 M10N90（鸡粪和尿素分别提供10%和90%的氮)、 M30N70（鸡粪和尿素分别提供30%和70%的氮）和M50N50（鸡粪和尿素各提供50%的氮）等处理对一年生杨树苗根际土壤酶活性、 微生物量碳（SMBC）和微生物量氮（SMBN）的影响。结果表明, 同N100处理相比,M30N70处理的杨树苗根际土壤脲酶、 碱性磷酸酶、 过氧化氢酶和蔗糖酶活性分别提高14.41%~26.49%、 13.87%~27.93%、 12.07%~27.08%和29.17%~46.43%; 根际SMBC、 SMBN含量分别提高63.00%~76.62%、 40.01%~90.38%。在杨树苗的年生长过程中,根际土壤脲酶、 碱性磷酸酶、 过氧化氢酶和蔗糖酶活性均在施肥后120 d 最高; 而根际SMBC和SMBN含量分别在施肥后90 d和30 d达到最大值。随着杨树苗的生长发育,SMBN含量逐渐降低,而在落叶期有一定的回升。与M30N70处理相比,M10N90和M50N50处理对杨树苗根际土壤酶和微生物量碳、 氮的影响较小。综合分析认为,鸡粪有机肥与化肥以3∶7比例配施对杨树苗根际区域生态环境的改善效果最佳。     

鸡肥与化肥配施对杨树苗根系形态和根际土壤微环境特征的影响

通过盆栽试验,研究了N100(尿素提供100%的氮),M10N90(鸡粪和尿素分别提供10%和90%的氮),M30N70(鸡粪和尿素分别提供30%和70%的氮)和M50N50(鸡粪和尿素各提供50%的氮)等处理对1年生鲁林1号杨树苗根系形态及根际微环境特征的影响。结果表明,与N100处理相比,M30N70处理显著增加了杨树苗的根表面积、比根表面积、总根长和根体积;明显提高了根系分泌物中氨基酸总量、有机酸总量和总糖含量;同时,还显著提高了根际土壤中氮、磷、钾及部分微量元素的有效性,但降低了pH值。此外,不同施肥处理对腐殖质组成亦产生了较大影响,M30N70处理降低了胡敏素/腐殖酸的比率,而明显提高了胡敏酸含量和胡敏酸/富里酸的比率。同M30N70处理相比,M10N90和M50N50处理对杨树苗的影响较小。因此,鸡粪与化肥以3∶7比例搭配对杨树苗根系形态特征和根际生态环境的作用效果最佳,从而更有利于提高杨树苗的移栽成活率。     

鸡粪与化肥不同配施方式对土壤有机碳及杨树幼苗生长的影响

通过盆栽试验,研究了N100(尿素提供100%的氮),M10N90(鸡粪和尿素分别提供10%和90%的氮),M30N70(鸡粪和尿素分别提供30%和70%的氮)和M50N50(鸡粪和尿素各提供50%的氮)等不同施肥处理下,土壤有机碳含量、活性有机碳含量和碳库管理指数(CPMI)的变化规律。结果表明,M30N70和M50N50处理的有机碳含量分别比N100处理提高了8.11%和14.64%;M30N70处理的活性有机碳含量和CPMI均为最高,其中活性有机碳含量分别比N100,M10N90和M50N50处理提高了47.36%,14.93%和7.14%,CPMI分别提高了65.49,26.74和20.22,其差异均达到显著水平;同时,M30N70处理对杨树幼苗地径和苗高生长的提高幅度最大。土壤活性有机碳与总有机碳、杨树苗的地径和苗高呈显著相关,与CPMI呈极显著相关;CPMI与地径、苗高呈显著相关,能够指示土壤生产力的变化。由此可见,鸡粪与化肥的不同配比对土壤有机碳、活性有机碳、CPMI及杨树幼苗的生长均有显著影响,其中鸡粪与化肥以3∶7比例配施的作用效果最佳。     

牛粪对西瓜根际土壤微生物多样性及氮素利用率的影响

通过大田试验,研究了N100(尿素提供100%的氮)、M10N90(牛粪和尿素分别提供10%和90%的氮)、M30N70(牛粪和尿素分别提供30%和70%的氮)和M50N50(牛粪和尿素各提供50%的氮)等处理对西瓜根际土壤微生物数量、微生物多样性指数、根系吸收面积及氮素利用率的影响。结果表明:同N100处理相比,M30N70处理可显著增加西瓜根际土壤的微生物数量及微生物量碳、氮含量,其中细菌数分别比CK(对照,不施肥)、N100、M10N90和M50N50处理增加89.75%、51.83%、29.26%和15.67%。M30N70处理的微生物多样性指数最高,并与微生物总量的变化趋势一致,而CK与N100及M10N90与M50N50处理的微生物多样性指数与微生物总量的变化趋势不一致。此外,M30N70处理还明显提高了根系的总吸收面积、活跃吸收面积和氮素利用率,其中氮素利用率分别比N100、M10N90和M50N50处理高出55.67%、11.68%和14.03%。与M30N70处理相比,M10N90和M50N50处理对西瓜的影响较小。由此可知,牛粪与化肥以3:7比例配施对西瓜根际的微环境改善及养分吸收作用效果最佳。     

鸡粪与化肥配施对杨树根际土壤生物学特征及养分吸收的影响

通过盆栽试验研究鸡粪有机肥(M)与化肥(N)配施对杨树根际土壤的微生物数量、酶活性及养分吸收的影响。结果表明:与单施化肥相比,鸡粪有机肥与化肥配施可不同程度提高根际土壤中的微生物数量,以30%M+70%N处理效果最显著,其中细菌数量比CK,100%N,10%M+90%N和50%M+50%N处理分别提高了108.21%,32.36%,22.09%和10.44%;配施鸡粪有机肥可不同程度增强土壤脲酶、过氧化氢酶、多酚氧化酶和蔗糖酶活性。30%M+70%N处理的酶活性显著高于其他4个处理;此外,鸡粪有机肥与化肥配施可显著提高根系的总吸收面积、活跃吸收面积和氮素利用率。其中30%M+70%N处理的氮素利用率为61.38%,分别比100%N,10%M+90%N和50%M+50%N处理提高了53.52%,26.53%和23.33%。与30%M+70%N处理相比,10%M+90%N和50%M+50%N处理对杨树根际土壤特征改善和养分吸收促进作用有所降低。综合分析认为,鸡粪有机肥与化肥以3∶7比例配施对杨树的根际区域生态环境改善和养分吸收作用效果最佳。     

味精废浆有机肥对西瓜根系特性与根际土壤腐殖质组成的影响

[目的]探讨味精废浆有机肥(以下简称有机肥)与化肥配施对西瓜根系吸收特性及根际腐殖质组成的影响效果。[方法]以黑彤K-8西瓜为试材,通过大田试验,研究CK(对照,不施肥);N100(纯尿素,以下简称无机肥);M10N90(有机和无机比例为10%和90%);M30N70(有机和无机比例为30%和70%)和M50N50(有机和无机比例各为50%)等处理对西瓜根系活力、建造水平、形态特征以及根际中根系分泌物含量与腐殖质组成的影响。[结果]同N100处理相比,M30N70处理明显提高了西瓜的根系活力,并促进了根系的生长;同时还显著增加了西瓜的总根长、根表面积、比根表面积、根体积和根尖数,而根系直径却明显降低,其中总根长较CK,N100,M10N90和M50N50处理分别增加74.63%,40.84%,28.41%和19.37%,比根表面积分别增加了14.39%,11.64%,6.04%和7.56%。此外,M30N70处理亦提高了根际中根系分泌物和胡敏酸的含量,并提升了胡/富比,其中胡敏酸含量分别较CK,N100和M10N90处理提高了39.42%,30.82%和20.89%。相对于M30N70处理,M10N90和M50N50处理对西瓜的影响作用较小。[结论]味精废浆有机肥与化肥以3∶7比例配施对西瓜根系吸收特性与根际腐殖质组成的作用效果最佳,建议作为生产实践中的施用比例。     

樱桃栽培中施用蚯蚓粪对土壤有机碳氧化稳定性及碳库管理指数的影响

[目的]探讨樱桃栽培中蚯蚓粪与化肥以不同比例配施对土壤有机碳、易氧化碳、氧化稳定性及碳库管理指数的影响,为提高土壤质量管理和增强农业固碳减排潜力提供依据。[方法]通过5a的大田试验,研究N100(尿素提供100%的氮),M10N90(蚯蚓粪和尿素分别提供10%和90%的氮),M30N70(蚯蚓粪和尿素分别提供30%和70%的氮)和M50N50(蚯蚓粪和尿素各提供50%的氮)等不同施肥处理对土壤有机碳(SOC)、微生物量碳(MBC)、易氧化碳(ROC)含量、有机碳氧化稳定性及碳库管理指数(CPMI)的影响。[结果]M30N70和M50N50处理的SOC含量分别比N100处理高出12.07%和18.75%;M30N70处理的MBC,ROC含量和CPMI均最高,并显著高于其它处理,其中ROC含量分别比N100,M10N90和M50N50处理提高51.34%,15.16%和6.47%,CPMI分别高出73.07,30.06和20.71;但M30N70处理的有机碳氧化稳定系数明显低于其他处理,比N100处理降低36.22%。[结论]在樱桃栽培中配施蚯蚓粪措施有利于改善土壤质量,提高土壤肥力,其中蚯蚓粪与化肥以3∶7比例搭配的影响作用最显著。     

不同比例有机肥替代化肥对水稻产量和氮素利用率的影响

在江西双季稻区进行30 a的田间定位试验,比较不施氮肥(CK)、施用化肥(NPK)、等养分条件下70%化肥配合施用30%有机肥(70F+30M)、50%化肥配合施用50%有机肥(50F+50M)、30%化肥配合施用70%有机肥(30F+70M)施肥条件下水稻产量、氮素吸收、氮素利用率的变化。结果表明:与等养分量NPK处理相比,有机无机肥配施处理能显著提高30 a双季稻平均产量(P0.05),增产幅度在2.47%～5.73%,其中30F+70M处理产量最高,且不同比例有机无机肥配施处理之间有显著差异,30F+70M处理显著高于50F+50M处理(P0.05)。在不同时间段,不同有机无机肥配施处理产量表现不同,低量有机肥配施处理在试验前期具有明显的增产优势,高量有机肥配施处理在试验中后期增产效果明显。与等养分量NPK处理相比,有机无机肥配施处理30 a平均吸氮量无显著差异,不同施肥处理每生产1 t籽粒对氮素的需求不同,有机无机肥配施处理(20.57～20.94 kg)低于NPK处理(21.77 kg),其中30F+70M、70F+30M处理具有较高的氮素生产效率。有机无机肥配施处理30 a平均氮肥吸收利用率与等养分条件下NPK处理无显著差异,但氮肥生理利用率显著提高。有机无机肥配施能提高双季稻产量、氮素利用效率,不同肥力水平稻田应选择适合的比例,中低肥力水平稻田以30%有机肥配施较为合适,而高肥力水平稻田宜选择50%、70%有机肥配施较为合适。     

蚯蚓粪与化肥配施对西瓜地土壤活性有机碳及酶活性的影响

[目的]探讨蚯蚓粪与化肥配施对西瓜种植的作用,为土壤培肥制度的建立及西瓜生产提供参考。[方法]以"黑彤K-8"为试材,通过大田试验研究了N100(尿素提供100%的氮)、M10N90(蚯蚓粪和尿素分别提供10%和90%的氮)、M30N70(蚯蚓粪和尿素分别提供30%和70%的氮)和M50N50(蚯蚓粪和尿素各提供50%的氮)等不同处理对土壤活性有机碳、碳库管理指数(CPMI)、酶活性和西瓜产量的影响。[结果]同N100处理相比,配施蚯蚓粪处理的高活性、中活性和活性有机碳含量均明显升高;M30N70处理的活性有机碳含量和CPMI显著高于其他处理,比N100处理分别高出30.10%和37.28%;同时,脲酶和蔗糖酶活性亦明显高于其它处理,其中蔗糖酶活性分别较CK,N100,M10N90和M50N50处理提高84.66%,62.33%,47.26%和22.46%。此外,M30N70处理的西瓜产量和肥料生产率最高,它可使西瓜产量分别比N100,M10N90和M50N50处理高出26.49%,13.34%,6.27%;M30N70处理的肥料生产率分别比N100,M10N90和M50N50处理高出166.50%,54.11%,21.37%。相关分析结果表明,运用土壤活性有机碳和碳库管理指数表征土壤酶活性、西瓜产量及肥料生产率的变化,比土壤总有机碳更具灵敏性。[结论]蚯蚓粪与化肥配施对西瓜生长具有显著的促进生长效果,其中3∶7比例配施的效果优于1∶9和5∶5比例。     

味精废浆与化肥配施对杨树幼苗土壤活性有机碳与微生物活性的影响

为探讨味精废浆有机肥对林木土壤的生物学效应及确定味精废浆与化肥适宜的搭配比例,通过盆栽试验,研究了CK(对照,不施肥)、N100(尿素提供100%的氮)、M10N90(味精废浆和尿素分别提供10%与90%的氮)、M30N70(味精废浆和尿素分别提供30%与70%的氮)与M50N50(味精废浆和尿素各提供50%的氮)等处理对杨树幼苗土壤活性有机碳、碳库管理指数(CPMI)与微生物呼吸、代谢熵及生长的影响。结果表明:与N100处理相比,配施味精废浆处理的土壤活性、中活性和高活性有机碳含量均明显升高。M30N70处理的活性有机碳含量与CPMI显著高于其他处理,分别较N100处理高出34.78%和42.96;其微生物量碳、氮含量也明显高于其他处理。同时,M30N70处理还能显著增强土壤微生物呼吸作用,但降低了代谢熵,其中土壤微生物呼吸分别较CK、N100、M10N90和M50N50处理提高81.13%,35.21%,17.07%和5.49%,而代谢熵分别下降9.16%,10.37%,6.98%和5.80%。此外,M30N70处理的地径、苗高亦达最高值,并与其他处理差异达显著水平。同M30N70处理相比,M10N90与M50N50处理对杨树幼苗土壤及生长的影响效果较小。相关性分析表明,地径、苗高生长与土壤不同程度的活性有机碳、碳库管理指数及微生物活性有显著或极显著的相关性,各指标之间具有紧密的内在关联。综合分析认为,味精废浆与化肥以3∶7比例配施能显著提高杨树幼苗土壤的活性有机碳含量,明显增强土壤微生物活性,并促进其生长。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Properties of anaerobically digested and composted municipal solid waste assessed by linking soil mesofauna dynamics and nitrogen modelling

We have studied the effect of anaerobically digested (ADMSW) and composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) on mineralization and foodweb dynamics to verify the hypothesis that ADMSW would immobilize N right after addition to soil in contrast to addition with CMSW. Another hypothesis was that the mesofauna (enchytraeids and microarthropods) would stimulate N release from the decomposer community. We measured excretion of -N and urea-N from the mesofauna and hypothesized that enchytraeids would release urea. ADMSW and CMSW were amended to pots with sandy loam and barley. The pots were divided into treatments with or without mesofauna. Mesofauna, plant N and biomass, soil N and ergosterol (fungal biomass) were measured over a 113-day period of four equidistant samplings. Soil respiration, N mineralization and N release by the mesofauna were modelled from concurrent studies. ADMSW- and CMSW-treated soils initially (<20 days) immobilized N. The amendments did not increase plant growth substantially, and this was probably due to N-limitation in the early stages of plant growth. Enchytraeid abundance was about three times higher in ADMSW- than CMSW-treated soils, indicating that ADMSW contained more labile compounds, bacteria, and microfauna. The mesofauna did not affect N-content, but the cumulated -N excreted by the mesofauna was estimated to be substantial and about one-fifth of total plant N in ADMSW. An explanation for this discrepancy might be that in the absence of the mesofauna, other members of the detrivore and microbivore community performed the mesofauna’s function. Neither enchytraeids nor microarthropods excreted urea.     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.