Litterfall,decomposition and nutrient release of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Shorea robusta</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tectona grandis</Emphasis> in a sub-tropical forest of West Bengal,Eastern India

We studied leaf litter fall, decomposition and nutrient release patterns of Shorea robusta and Tectona grandis by using a litter bag technique to better understand the release pattern of nutrients to soil from leaf litter. Annual litterfall varied from 13.40 ± 2.56 t ha^?1 a^?1 for S. robusta to 11.03 ± 3.72 t ha^?1 a^?1 for T. grandis and the decay constant (k) of decomposed leaf litter was distinctly higher for T. grandis (2.70 ± 0.50 a^?1) compared to S. robusta (2.41 ± 0.30 a^?1). Biomass loss was positively correlated with the initial litter C, WSC, C/N and ash content in S. robusta and N, P and K concentration for T. grandis. Biomass was negatively correlated with lignin and L/N ratio for S. robusta and L, WSC, L/N and C/N ratio for T. grandis (P < 0.01). Nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and nutrient accumulation index (NAI) of S. robusta was higher than for T. grandis. The retranslocation of bioelements from senescent leaves ranked as P > N > K. Annual N, P and K input to soil through litterfall differed significantly between the two species in the following order: N>K>P. S. robusta was superior in terms of K and P return and T. grandis was superior in terms of N return. The two tree species showed a similar patterns of nutrient release (K > P > N) during decomposition of their leaf litter. Nutrients of N, K and P were the primary limiting nutrients returned to soil through litterfall with important roles in soil fertility and forest productivity.     

Impacts of mixed litter decomposition from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Robinia pseudoacacia</Emphasis> and other tree species on C loss and nutrient release in the Loess Plateau of China

The productivity of Robinia pseudoacacia (R.p.) pure forest usually declines at the late growth stage, and reforming it into mixed forests could be a promising way to resolve this problem. When choosing a suitable tree species that can be mixed with R.p., the interspecific relationship is an important issue. Therefore, we gathered the autumn litter fall from R.p. and 10 other species from the Loess Plateau of China were mixed in dual species litterbags (R.p. + each other species) and buried them in soil for a 345 days lab decay incubation. We measured the litter mass loss and nutrient contents to determine whether the nutrient release was affected by mixed species litter decomposition. The impacts of mixed litter decomposition on macro-elements release were more obvious than on micro-elements. The litters with similar substrate quality might show variable impacts on nutrients release in mixed decomposition. The C loss and release of nutrient was improved by descending order when R.p. litter was mixed with Hippophae rhamnoides, Ulmus pumila, Populus simonii, Larix principis-rupprechtii and Quercus liaotungensis (Q.l.). But, except for Q.l., only the other species were recommended as suitable mix-plants for R.p. since promoting a high turnover of the nutrient in the litter compartment and a rapid availability for tree.     

Response of nitrogen mineralization dynamics and biochemical properties to litter amendments to soils of a poplar plantation

Understanding the impact of plant litters on soil nitrogen(N) dynamics could facilitate development of management strategies that promote plantation ecosystem function.Our objective was to evaluate the effects of different litter types on N mineralization and availability,microbial biomass, and activities of L-asparaginase and odiphenol oxidase(o-DPO) in soils of a poplar(Populus deltoides) plantation through 24 weeks of incubation experiments.The tested litters included foliage(F), branch(B), or root(R) of poplar trees, and understory vegetation(U) or a mixture of F, B, and U(M).Litter amendments led to rapid N immobilization during the first 4 weeks of incubation, while net N mineralization was detected in all tested soils from 6 to 24 weeks of incubation, with zeroorder reaction rate constants(k) ranging from 7.7 to9.6 mg N released kg~(-1) soil wk~(-1).Moreover, litter addition led to increased microbial biomass carbon(C) 49–128% and increased MBC:MBN ratio by 5–92%,strengthened activities of L-asparaginase and o-DPO by14–74%; Up to about 37 kg N ha~(-1) net increase in mineralized N in litter added soils during 24 weeks of incubation suggests that adequate poplar and understory litter management could lead to reduced inputs while facilitate sustainable and economic viable plantation production.     

A comparison of decomposition dynamics among green tree leaves,partially decomposed tree leaf litter and their mixture in a warm temperate forest ecosystem

Decomposition dynamics were compared among green tree leaves, partially decomposed tree leaf litter (i.e., decayed tree leaf litter on forest floor) and a mixture of the two in a warm temperate forest ecosystem in central China to test the influence of litter chemical quality on the degree of decomposition. The study was conducted in situ at two contrasting forest sites, an oak forest dominated by Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata Maxim., and a mixed pine and oak forest dominated by Pinus armandii Franch. and Q. aliena var. acuteserrata. We found marked differences in the rate of decomposition among litter types at both forest sites; the litter decomposition constant, k, was about 39 % greater at the oak forest site and more than 70 % greater at the pine-oak forest site, for green leaves than for partially decomposed leaf litter. The decomposition dynamics and temporal changes in litter chemistry of the three litter types also greatly differed between the two forest sites. At both forest sites, the higher rate of decomposition for the green leaves was associated with a higher nitrogen (N) content and lower carbon to N ratio (C/N) and acid-unhydrolyzable residue to N ratio (AUR/N). We did not find any non-additive effects when mixing green leaves and partially decomposed leaf litter. Our findings support the contention that litter chemical quality is one of the most important determinants of litter decomposition in forest ecosystems at the local or regional scale, but the effect of litter chemical quality on decomposition differs between the contrasting forest types and may vary with the stage of decomposition.     

Effects of litter quality and climate change along an elevational gradient on litter decomposition of subalpine forests,Eastern Tibetan Plateau,China

Temperature and freeze-thaw events are two key factors controlling litter decomposition in cold biomes.Predicted global warming and changes in freeze-thaw cycles therefore may directly or indirectly impact litter decomposition in those ecosystems. Here, we conducted a2-year-long litter decomposition experiment along an elevational gradient from 3000 to 3600 m to determine the potential effects of litter quality, climate warming and freeze-thaw on the mass losses of three litter types [dragon spruce(Picea asperata Mast.), red birch(Betula albosinensis Burk.), and minjiang fir(Abies faxoniana Rehd. et Wild)]. Marked differences in mass loss were observed among the litter types and sampling dates. Decay constant(k) values of red birch were significantly higher than those of the needle litters. However, mass losses between elevations did not differ significantly for any litter type.During the winter, lost mass contributed 18.3–28.8 % of the net loss rates of the first year. Statistical analysis showed that the relationships between mass loss and litter chemistry or their ratios varied with decomposition periods. Our results indicated that short-term field incubations could overestimate the k value of litter decomposition.Considerable mass was lost from subalpine forest litters during the wintertime. Potential future warming may not affect the litter decomposition in the subalpine forest ecosystems of eastern Tibetan Plateau.     

Carbon and nitrogen dynamics in early stages of forest litter decomposition as affected by nitrogen addition

The effects of nitrogen(N) availability and tree species on the dynamics of carbon and nitrogen at early stage of decomposition of forest litter were studied in a 13-week laboratory incubation experiment.Fresh litter samples including needle litter(Pinus koraiensis) and two types of broadleaf litters(Quercus mongolica and Tilia amurensis) were collected from a broadleaf-korean pine mixed forest in the northern slope of Changbai Mountain(China).Different doses of N(equal to 0, 30 and 50 kg·ha-1yr-1, respecti...     

Effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ips typographus</Emphasis> (L.) damage on litter quality and decomposition rates of Oriental Spruce [<Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea Orientalis</Emphasis> (L.) Link.] in Hatila Valley National Park,Turkey

This study investigated the effects of Ips typographus (L.) damage on initial litter quality parameters and subsequent decomposition rates of oriental spruce tree species [Picea orientalis (L.) Link]. The needle litter was collected from highly damaged, moderately damaged and control stands on two aspects (north and south) and two slope position (top and bottom) on each aspect. The litter was analyzed for initial total carbon, lignin and nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and manganese) concentrations. The variability in nitrogen and calcium concentrations and ratios of C:N, lignin:N and lignin:Ca was significantly affected by the insect damaged levels. While nitrogen concentrations in needle litter increased with increasing insect damage (and consequently the ratios of C:N and lignin:N decreased), calcium concentrations decreased (and consequently the ratio of lignin:Ca increased). Aspect and slope positions explained most of the variability in carbon, lignin, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and manganese concentrations and lignin:P ratio between all studied stands. Litter decomposition was studied in the field using the litterbag technique. The litter from highly damaged stands showed highest decomposition rates followed by moderately damaged and control stands. The mass loss rates were significantly positively correlated with initial nitrogen concentration and negatively with C:N and lignin:N ratios. The effects of microclimate resulting from canopy damage on litter decomposition was also examined at the same time using standard litter with the same litter quality parameters, but they showed no significant differences among the insect damage levels indicating that alteration of the litter quality parameters produced by I. typographus damage played a more important role than altered microclimate in controlling needle litter decomposition rates. However, changes in microclimate factors due to topography influenced decomposition rates.     

Decomposition and nutrient release patterns of Phyllostachys bambusoides and Arundinaria racemosa, India

We investigated decomposition and nutrient release patterns of leaf and sheath litter of two important highland bamboo species (viz. Phyllostachys bambusoides Sieb. (Zucc.) and Arundinaria racemosa Munro) by using a litter bag technique. Our objective was to improve understanding of the addition of organic matter and nutrients to soil from the litter of two abundant highland bamboo species, species that support the local population of the region in many ways. N concentration and N/P ratio were significantly higher (p<0.01) in leaf litter of P. bambusoides. Significantly, larger values of lignin concentration, C/N ratio, and lignin/N ratio were found in the sheath litter of A racemosa. Weight loss of both leaf and sheath litter was strongly positively correlated with N and N/P ratio, and significantly negatively correlated (p<0.01) with C/N ratio. Lignin/N had a negative correlation with decay rate. In both species, only lignin concentration of the litter showed strong positive correlation with N release. Litter decomposition and N release patterns were similar for the two bamboo species, whereas, P release rate from leaf litter was higher in P. bambusoides and differed significantly between sheath and leaf litter for both species. The complex pattern of nutrient release through mineralization and immobilization during litter decomposition ensures nutrient availability in both managed and natural bamboo stands subjected to anthropogenic disturbances.     

Regional variation in rate of mass loss of Pinus sylvestris needle litter in Swedish pine forests as influenced by climate and litter quality

The climatic influence on plant litter decomposition has been successfully correlated on a regional level by using estimated actual evapotranspiration (AET) and annual mass loss. This approach was applied to decomposition studies carried out in a transect along Sweden with litter incubated in four different forest types. A unified needle litter was used and among 14 Scots pine sites about 80% of the mass‐loss rate could be explained. A simple model was made on the influence of both climate and nutrient concentrations (nitrogen and phosphorus) on mass‐loss rate. About 90% of the first‐year mass loss could be explained by this approach. As early decomposition stages were studied (<40%) no influence of lignin was observed.     

Responses of decomposition of green leaves and leaf litter to stand density,N and P additions in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia auriculaeformis</Emphasis> stands

The effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and N?+?P additions on the decomposition of green leaves and leaf litter were studied over 2 years using the litterbag technique in Acacia auriculaeformis stands with different densities in southern China. The green leaves and leaf litter were treated with four fertility treatments: control, N addition, P addition and N?+?P addition to test the effect of stand density and fertility on the decomposition of green leaves and leaf litter. The mean percentage of mass remaining (PMR) of green leaves and leaf litter significantly decreased with increasing density. Nitrogen and N?+?P additions had a negative effect on PMR, whereas the addition of P had a positive effect. The rapid decomposition of green leaves was associated with a higher N and P content and a lower N/P ratio, indicating a likely P limitation for A. auriculaeformis stands. Our results imply that stand density associated with canopy openness can impact litter decomposition, and P is an important control factor on litter decomposition in A. auriculaeformis stands.     

Spatial patterns nitrogen transfer models of ectomycorrhizal networks in a Mongolian scotch pine plantation

Ectomycorrhizal(EM)networks provide a variety of services to plants and ecosystems include nutrient uptake and transfer,seedling survival,internal cycling of nutrients,plant competition,and so on.To deeply their structure and function in ecosystems,we investigated the spatial patterns and nitrogen(N)transfer of EM networks using ~(15)N labelling technique in a Mongolian scotch pine(Pinus sylvestris var.mongolica Litv.)plantation in Northeastern China.In August 2011,four plots(20 × 20 m)were set up in the plantation.125 ml 5 at.%0.15 mol/L ~(15)NH_4 ~(15)NO_3solution was injected into soil at the center of each plot.Before and 2,6,30 and 215 days after the ~(15)N application,needles(current year)of each pine were sampled along four 12 m sampling lines.Needle total N and ~(15)N concentrations were analyzed.We observed needle N and~(15)N concentrations increased significantly over time after ~(15)N application,up to 31 and0.42%,respectively.There was no correlation between needle N concentration and ~(15)N/ ~(14)N ratio(R2=0.40,n=5,P=0.156),while excess needle N concentration and excess needle ~(15)N/~(14)N ratio were positively correlated across different time intervals(R~2=0.89,n=4,P\0.05),but deceased with time interval lengthening.Needle ~(15)N/~(14)N ratio increased with time,but it was not correlated with distance.Needle ~(15)N/ ~(14)N ratio was negative with distance before and 6th day and 30th day,positive with distance at 2nd day,but the trend was considerably weaker,their slop were close to zero.These results demonstrated that EM networks were ubiquitous and uniformly distributed in the Mongolian scotch pine plantation and a random network.We found N transfer efficiency was very high,absorbed N by EM network was transferred as wide as possible,we observed N uptake of plant had strong bias for ~(14)N and ~(15)N,namely N fractionation.Understanding the structure and function of EM networks in ecosystems may lead to a deeper understanding of ecological stability and evolution,and thus provide new theoretical approaches to improve conservation practices for the management of the Earth’s ecosystems.     

Carbon storage in biomass,litter, and soil of different native and introduced fast-growing tree plantations in the South Caspian Sea

Replantation of degraded forest using rapidgrowth trees can play a significant role in global carbon budget by storing large quantities of carbon in live biomass,forest floor,and soil organic matter.We assessed the potential of 20-year old stands of three rapid-growth tree species,including Alnus subcordata,Populus deltoides and Taxodium distichum,for carbon(C) storage at ecosystem level.In September 2013,48 replicate plots(16 m × 16 m) in 8 stands of three plantations were established.36 trees were felled down and fresh biomass of different components was weighed in the field.Biomass equations were fitted using data based on the 36 felled trees.The biomass of understory vegetation and litter were measured by harvesting all the components.The C fraction of understory,litter,and soil were measured.The ecosystem C storage was as follows: A.subcordata(626.5 Mg ha~(-1)) [ P.deltoides(542.9Mg ha~(-1)) [ T.distichum(486.8 Mg ha~(-1))(P \ 0.001),of which78.1–87.4% was in the soil.P.deltoides plantation reached the highest tree biomass(206.6 Mg ha~(-1)),followed by A.subcordata(134.5 Mg ha~(-1)) and T.distichum(123.3 Mg ha~(-1)).The highest soil C was stored in theplantation of A.subcordata(555.5 Mg ha~(-1)).The C storage and sequestration of the plantations after 20 years were considerable(25–30 Mg ha~(-1) year~(-1)) and broadleaves species had higher potential.Native species had a higher soil C storage while the potential of introduced species for live biomass production was higher.     

气候和枯落物质量对印度东部亚热带森林凋落叶分解和营养回归的影响(英文)

为了评价印度东部曼尼普尔亚热带橡树混交林中的土壤养分收支平衡情况,研究了全年不同月份的3个主要树种,枹栎(Quercus serrata)、木荷(Schima wallichi)和滇石栎(Lithocarpus dealbata)的枯落物分解和营养回归情况。印度东部橡树林是生产柞蚕丝的重要经济树种。林下2-7月月枯落物为25.6 g·m-2(7月)和198.0 g·m-2(2月),年枯落物为1093 8g·m-2。在初始月(11月3),滇石栎森林壤土的氮和碳浓度最高,其次是在枹栎林。最低的是木荷林。但就木质素和纤维素含而言,木荷林中的最高,其次是袍栎林和滇石栎林。滇石栎林(k=0.54)具有较高的枯落物分解率,这与月初枯落物中含有较高的氮和碳浓度以及低含量的纤维素相符合。然而,在木荷森林中枯落物分解率低,是与月初时森林土中具有低浓度氮和碳及高浓度木质素和纤维素相符合。在不同月份,剩余的生物量与木质素、碳、碳氮比和纤维素含量呈正相关,但与氮含量呈负相关。由于环境条件的影响,在寒冷和冬季枯落物分解率最低,而在雨季枯落物分解率最高。图3表5参52。     

Resistance of mechanically densified and thermally post-treated pine sapwood to wood decay fungi

This paper evaluated the density and biological resistance of pinewood samples modified with thermo-mechanical densification and thermal post-treatment. The samples were densified with 20 and 40% compression ratios at either 110 or 150 °C. The thermal post-treatment was then applied to the pine samples at 185 and 212 °C for 2 h. These samples were exposed to white-rot (Trametes versicolor) and brown-rot (Coniophora puteana) fungi for twelve weeks and the resulting mass loss was determined. In the densified samples, the effects of the compression ratio on T. versicolor-initiated mass loss and of the compression temperature on C. puteana-initiated mass loss were found to be significant. The mass loss was less in the samples compressed at 150 °C with the 40% ratio, while the highest mass loss was observed in the undensified samples. In the thermally post-treated samples, the resistance to both decay fungi was significantly increased with the increase of the treatment temperature. The mass loss in the thermally post-treated samples at 212 °C after T. versicolor and C. puteana fungi testing was reduced by 73 and 67%, respectively. However, the effect of the densification processes on decay resistance in the thermally post-treated samples was insignificant.     

Variation in litter decomposition-temperature relationships between coniferous and broadleaf forests in Huangshan Mountain, China

A study was conducted to identify the differences in the decompositions of leaf litter, lignin and carbohydrate between coniferous forest and broadleaf forest at 20℃ and 30℃ in Huangshan Mountain, Anhui Province, China. Results showed that at 20℃ mass loss of leaf litter driven by microbial decomposers was higher in broadleaf forest than that in coniferous forest, whereas the difference in mass loss of leaf litter was not significant at 30℃. The temperature increase did not affect the mass loss of leaf litter for coniferous forest treatment, but significantly reduced the decomposition rate for broadleaf forest treatment. The functional decomposers of microorganism in broadleaf forest produced a higher lignin decomposition rate at 20℃, compared to that in coniferous forest, but the difference in lignin decomposition was not found between two forest types at 30℃. Improved temperature increased the lignin decomposition for both broadleaf and coniferous forest. Additionally, the functional group of microorganism from broadleaf forest showed marginally higher carbohydrate loss than that from coniferous forest at both temperatures. Temperature increase reduced the carbohydrate decomposition for broadleaf forest, while only a little reduce was found for coniferous forest. Remarkable differences occurred in responses between most enzymes （Phenoloxidase, peroxidase, !5-glucosidase and endocellulase） and decomposition rate of leaf litter to forest type and temperature, although there exist strong relationships between measured enzyme activities and decomposition rate in most cases. The reason is that more than one enzyme contribute to the mass loss of leaf litter and organic chemical components. In conclusion, at a community scale the coniferous and broadleaf forests differed in their temperature-decomposition relationships.     

Antagonistic effects of species on C respiration and net N mineralization in soils from mixed coniferous plantations

Mixtures of litter from different plant species often show non-additive effects on decomposition and net N release (i.e., observed effects in mixtures differ from predictions based on litter of the component species), with positive non-additive (i.e., synergistic effects) being most common. Although large amounts of C and N reside in soil organic matter that contribute significantly to the overall C and N cycle, only a few studies have compared species monoculture vs. mixture effects on soil C and N dynamics. We studied the interactive effects of black spruce (Picea mariana), tamarack (Larix laricina), and white pine (Pinus strobus) on soil C respiration and net N mineralization in a plantation in northern Minnesota, USA. The trees were planted in monoculture and in all three possible two-species combinations (mixtures). After 10 years, we measured aboveground plant biomass and soil C respiration and net N mineralization rates in long-term (266 days) and short-term (13 days) laboratory incubations, respectively. Soil C respiration and net N mineralization were significantly lower in mixtures with tamarack than would be predicted from the monocultures of the two component species. Possibly, mixing of lignin rich litter from black spruce or white pine with N rich litter from tamarack suppressed the formation of lignolytic enzymes or formed complexes highly resistant to microbial degradation. However, these antagonistic effects on soil C respiration and net N mineralization in mixtures with tamarack did not result in reduced aboveground biomass in these plots after 10 years of growth. It remains to be seen if these antagonistic effects will affect long-term forest productivity and dynamics in boreal forests.     

Quantification of organic carbon and primary nutrients in litter and soil in a foothill forest plantation of eastern Himalaya

The present study was an effort to understand the amount of litter fall and its subsequent decomposition and quantify the release of available nutrients and soil physicochemical characteristics in plantations of four forest tree species(Lagerstroemia parviflora, Tectona grandis, Shorea robusta and Michelia champaca) in the Chilapatta Reserve Forest of the Cooch Behar Wildlife Division in the Terai zone of West Bengal, India. The most litter(5.61 Mg ha~(-1))was produced by T. grandis plantation and the least(4.72 Mg ha~(-1)) by L. parviflora. The material turnover rate to the soil through decomposition from total litter was fastest during the first quarter of the year and subsequently decreased during the next two quarters. The material turnover rate was only 1 year, which indicates that more than90% of the total litter produced decomposed within a year.The available primary nutrient content in litter varied across the four plantations over the year. The plantations generally did not significantly influence the soil physical characteristics but did significantly influence the availability of primary nutrients and organic carbon at two depths(1–15 and16–30 cm) over the year. The availability of soil primary nutrients in the four plantations also increased gradually from the first quarter of the year to the third quarter and then decreased during the last quarter to the same level as in the first quarter of the year at both depths. The availability for soil organic carbon in the plantations followed a similar trend. The amount of litter produced and the material turnover in the soil in the different plantations differed, influencing the nutrient availability and organic carbon at the plantations. The amount of soil organic carbon was highest for T. grandis(2.52 Mg ha~(-1)) and lowest for L. parviflora(2.12 Mg ha~(-1)). Litter is the source of soil organic matter,and more the litter that is produced by the plantations, the higher will be the content and amount of soil organic carbon in the plantation.     

Colonization and lignin decomposition of pine needle litter by Lophodermium pinastri

The colonization and lignin decomposition of pine (Pinus thunbergii and Pinus densiflora) needle litter by an endophytic fungus, Lophodermium pinastri, was examined with field observations, a field experiment and laboratory experiments. In pine needles collected from the field, needle mass per length and lignin content were lower in needle portions bearing Lophodermium fruiting bodies than in the remaining needle portions, whereas total carbohydrate content was not different between them. Total and live hyphal lengths were greater in needle portions bearing Lophodermium fruiting bodies than in the remaining needle portions. Lophodermium fruiting bodies were not formed on sterilized needles after a 6‐month incubation on the forest floor, whereas they formed on 20% of non‐sterilized needles, indicating that this fungus can only colonize live needles on the branch. In pure culture decomposition tests, mass loss of lignin was detected for several isolates of L. pinastri, but was variable among isolates and between the needles of two pine species. A comparison of the rDNA‐internal transcribed spacer sequences between L. pinastri isolates of P. thunbergii and P. densiflora indicated that the two groups were phylogenetically separated. This study is the first to show that L. pinastri has the ability to decompose lignin in dead pine needles.     

Influences of nitrogen and phosphorus addition on polyphenol oxidase activity in a forested Andisol

Increased atmospheric N deposition could suppress plant litter decomposition, due to the P limitation for soil microorganisms in Japanese forested Andisols with a high P sorption capacity. To explore this possibility, we used a laboratory incubation experiment to study the influence of N addition on β-d-glucosidase and polyphenol oxidase activities, which are important for cellulose and lignin degradation, respectively, in an Andisol with larch (Larix kaempferi) leaf litter. The addition of N increased the β-d-glucosidase activity, whereas it decreased the polyphenol oxidase activity in the soil. However, the addition of both N and P increased the polyphenol oxidase activity in the soil, suggesting the possibility of; (1) an inferior competitive ability of polyphenol oxidase-producing microorganisms under nutrient-rich conditions and; of (2) their P limitation through competition in the Andisol.     

Effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Faidherbia albida</Emphasis> canopy and leaf litter on soil microbial communities and nitrogen mineralization in selected Zambian soils

The nitrogen status of most Zambian soils is inherently low. Nitrogen-fixing trees such as Faidherbia albida (F. albida) could have the potential to restore soil fertility. We conducted a study to examine the role of mature F. albida trees on the soil microbial communities and overall N fertility status in Zambia. Soil samples were collected under and outside the canopies of F. albida trees in representative fields from two sites namely; Chongwe (loamy sand) and Monze (sandy loam). To assess the long term canopy effects; total N, mineral N and soil organic carbon (C_org) content were directly measured from soils collected under and outside the canopy. Short term litter effects were assessed by subtracting concentrations of biochemical properties of non-amended controls from amended soils with F. albida litter during an 8 week incubation experiment. We also determined N mineralization rates, microbial community structure—Phospholipid fatty acids, microbial biomass carbon, and labile organic carbon (\({\text{C}}_{{{\text{org[K}}_{ 2} {\text{SO}}_{ 4} ]}}\)) during incubation. For the long term canopy effect, average N mineralization rate, C_org, total N and mineral N content of non-amended soils under the canopy were (all significant at p < 0.05) greater than soils outside the canopy on both sites. In the short term, amending soils with litter significantly increased N mineralization rates by an average of 0.52 mg N kg^?1 soil day^?1 on soil from Monze. Microbial biomass carbon measured after 4 weeks of incubation was on average significantly higher on amended soils by 193 and 334 mg C kg^?1 soil compared with non-amended soils in Chongwe and Monze soils, respectively. After 6 weeks of incubation, the concentration of all selected biomarkers for major microbial groups concentrations in non-amended soils were significantly higher (all p < 0.05) under the canopy than outside in Monze soil. Using principal component analysis, we found that the segregation of the samples under and outside the canopy by the first principal component (PC1) could be attributed to a proportional increase in abundances of all microbial groups. Uniform loadings on PC1 indicated that no single microbial group dominated the microbial community. The second principal component separated samples based on incubation time and location. It was mainly loaded with G-positive bacteria, and partly with G-negative bacteria, indicating that microbial composition was dominated by these bacterial groups probably at the beginning of the incubation on Monze soils. Our results show that the improvement of soil fertility status by F. albida could be attributed to a combination of both long term modifications of the soil biological and chemical properties under the canopy as well as short term litter fall addition.