Straw incorporation and soil organic matter in macro-aggregates and particle size separates

Two field experiments in which straw has been removed or incorporated for 17 yr (loamy sand) and 10 yr (sandy clay loam) were sampled to examine the effect of straw on the C and N contents in whole soil samples, macro-aggregate fractions and primary particle-size separates. The particle size composition of the aggregate fractions was determined. Aggregates were isolated by dry sieving. Straw incorporation increased the number of 1–20 mm aggregates in the loamy sand but no effect was noted in the sandy clay loam. Straw had no effect on the particle size composition of the various aggregate fractions. After correction for loose sand that accumulated in the aggregate fractions during dry sieving, macro-aggregates appeared to be enriched in clay and silt compared with whole soil samples. Because of the possible detachment of sand particles from the exterior surface of aggregates during sieving operations, it was inferred that the particle size composition of macro-aggregates is similar to that of the bulk soil. The organic matter contents of the aggregate fractions were closely correlated with their clay + silt contents. Differences in the organic matter content of clay isolated from whole soil samples and aggregate fractions were generally small. This was also true for the silt-size separates. In both soils, straw incorporation increased the organic matter content of nearly all clay and silt separates; for silt this was generally twice that observed for clay. The amounts of soil C, derived from straw, left in the loamy sand and sandy clay loam at the time of sampling were 4.4 and 4.5 t ha^?1, corresponding to 12 and 21% of the straw C added. The C/N ratios of the straw-derived soil organic matter were 11 and 12 for the loamy sand and sandy clay loam, respectively.     

Organic matter and water-stable aggregates in soils

The water-stability of aggregates in many soils is shown to depend on organic materials. The organic binding agents have been classified into (a) transient, mainly polysaccharides, (b), temporary, roots and fungal hyphae, and (c) persistent, resistant aromatic components associated with polyvalent metal cations, and strongly sorbed polymers. The effectiveness of various binding agents at different stages in the structural organization of aggregates is described and forms the basis of a model which illustrates the architecture of an aggregate. Roots and hyphae stabilize macro-aggregates, defined as > 250 μm diameter; consequently, macroaggregation is controlled by soil management (i.e. crop rotations), as management influences the growth of plant roots, and the oxidation of organic carbon. The water-stability of micro-aggregates depends on the persistent organic binding agents and appears to be a characteristic of the soil, independent of management.     

Soil Na+ concentration controls salt-affected soil organic matter components in Hetao region China

Purpose

There is little knowledge on the organic matter fractions of salt-affected soil aggregates. This study aimed at investigating characteristics of salt-affected soil organic carbon components and the relationships between soil salt concentration and soil organic carbon component content.

Materials and methods

Five typical salt-affected soils in Hetao region China were collected and analyzed for light (LF) and heavy fraction (HF) in different water-stable aggregates. And the soil organic carbon components were measured by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (Py–GC/MS).

Results and discussion

The results showed that the salt-affected soils were dominant in 53–10-μm water-stable aggregates, 61–80% in the bulk soil, and very low in >?250-μm macro-aggregates, less than 7.06% in the bulk soil. The proportions of >?250-μm macro-aggregates and the mean weight diameter (MWD) were negatively correlated to Na⁺ concentration (p?<?0.05). Furthermore, the macro-aggregates were generally higher in total organic carbon (TOC) and accordingly higher C/N ratio than those in micro-aggregates. Heavy fractions (HF) from both >?53 μm and <?53-μm soil aggregates accounted for 99.30–99.83% of the bulk soil and contained 89.6–98.5% lower TOC and accordingly 49.2–84.8% lower C/N ratio than those in light fractions (LF). The LFs were high in lignin (7.27–34.02% in total pyrolysis products, 19.89% on average) and alkane/alkene-derived compounds (9.51–37.21%, 23.18% on average), but low in N-containing compounds (0–3.64%, 1.71% on average), while HFs were high in both alkane/alkene (4.38–27.46%, 15.06% on average) and N-containing compounds (7.45–26.45%, 13.98% on average), but low in lignin-derived compounds (1.13–8.75%, 3.86% on average).

Conclusions

The tested salt-affected soils were predominant in 53–10-μm micro-aggregates, which was caused by the Na⁺ dispersion effect on soil aggregates. Most SOM was stored in HF that contained high N-containing compounds and low C/N ratios. Our results suggested that the components of SOM were mainly controlled by the soil Na⁺ concentration.

     

Soil organic carbon distribution drives microbial activity and functional diversity in particle and aggregate-size fractions

Chemical and functional characterizations of particle-size and aggregate fractions of soils were performed to investigate whether accessibility and decomposability of organic matter regulate functions and diversity of the soil microbial community at the micro-habitat scale. Soils were physically fractionated into particle size fractions, free-particulate organic matter (F-POM), macro-aggregates (250–2000 μm) and micro-aggregates (53–250 μm). Organic C was enriched in silt and clay, micro-aggregates and F-POM fractions. Enzymes showed the greatest activity in the fine fractions (silt and clay) and F-POM, and were largely influenced by organic C content. MicroResp-CLPP (Community Level Physiological Profile) showed the lowest catabolic responses in the sand and the highest in the fine fraction and micro-aggregates. In general, organic C availability drove soil activity and functional diversity: soils with the higher amount of organic C showed the higher catabolic activity. However, this response was variable within soil fractions, where organic C accessibility, as well as microbial selection and distribution, affected functional diversity.     

Mycorrhizal function on soil aggregate stability in root zone and root-free hyphae zone of trifoliate orange

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) influence soil aggregate stability through their hyphae, roots, and glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP); however, the individual effect of these factors is difficult to distinguish. Pots separated by a 37-μm mesh bag buried in the middle of each pot was used to establish root zone (root + hyphae) and hyphae zone (roots free), where the Poncirus trifoliata seedlings were colonized by Funneliformis mosseae or Paraglomus occultum in root zone. AMF inoculation significantly increased shoot, root, and plant’s total biomass, soil organic carbon, GRSP fractions, 2–4 and 1–2 mm size water-stable aggregates, and mean weight diameter (MWD) in root or hyphae zone. Within root zone, root colonization and biomass presented stronger relationship with MWD than GRSP fractions. While, within hyphae zone, total of GRSP fraction was significantly correlated with MWD. The study, suggested further that root biomass and colonization were the main mechanisms in root zone for improving aggregate stability, whereas total of GRSP fractions was of paramount importance in hyphae zone. Mycorrhizal effect on aggregate stability was observed to be contrastingly different between root zone and hyphae zone.     

Clay mineralogy differs qualitatively in aggregate‐size classes: clay‐mineral‐based evidence for aggregate hierarchy in temperate soils

Clay minerals have a major role in soil aggregation because of their large specific surface area and surface charges, which stimulate interactions with other mineral particles and organic matter. Soils usually contain a mixture of clay minerals with contrasting surface properties. Although these differences should result in different abilities of clay minerals regarding aggregate formation and stabilization, the role of different clay minerals in aggregation has been seldom evaluated. In this study, we took advantage of the intrinsic mineral heterogeneity of a temperate Luvisol to compare the role of clay minerals in aggregation. First, grassland and tilled soil samples were separated in water into aggregate‐size classes based on the aggregate hierarchy model. Then, clay mineralogy and organic C in the aggregate‐size classes were analysed. Interstratified minerals containing swelling phases accumulated in aggregated fractions compared with free clay fractions under the two land‐uses. The accumulation increased with decreasing aggregate size from large macroaggregates (> 500 µm) to microaggregates (50–250 µm). Carbon content and carbon‐to‐nitrogen ratio followed the opposite trend. This fully supports the aggregate hierarchy model, which postulates an increasing importance of mineral reactivity in smaller aggregates than in larger aggregates in which the cohesion relies mostly on physical enmeshment by fungal hyphae or small roots. Consequently, differences in the proportion of the different 2:1 clay minerals in soils can influence their structure development. Further research on the links between clay mineralogy and aggregation can improve our understanding of mechanisms of soil resistance to erosion and organic matter stabilization.     

耕作方式对土壤不同粒径团聚体氮素矿化的影响

研究了常规耕作和垄作免耕两种耕作方式下紫色水稻土不同粒径团聚体中氮的矿化过程。结果表明,不同粒径团聚体氮素矿化强度具有显著差异:潜在矿化势(Np)的最高值均出现在2.0～0.25 mm大团聚体中,最低值在>2.0 mm的宏团聚体中;2.0～0.25 mm团聚体的潜在矿化速率(Vp)和实际矿化速率(Va)比其他团聚体高1.2～1.6倍。常规耕作和垄作免耕两种耕作方式下不同团聚体的净矿化率随时间的变化趋势相同;垄作免耕显著增加了氮素的净矿化量,以原土为例:垄作免耕处理Np比常规耕作处理高33.9%,Vp和Va分别比常规耕作处理高85.2%和52.0%。虽然垄作免耕可以显著促进土壤中氮素的矿化作用,但是耕作方式对不同粒径团聚体内的氮矿化动力学过程并无显著影响,表明耕作方式对不同大小团聚体中可矿化氮和微生物的分布影响较小。     

秸秆全量还田下沼液替代化肥对潮土团聚体及结合有机碳的影响

  目的  通过探究黄淮海平原秸秆全量还田条件下长期沼液替代化肥对潮土水稳性团聚体及结合有机碳影响,以期为改善土壤结构,增加土壤有机碳积累及推动种养结合循环农业发展提供科技支撑。  方法  采集长期持续进行不同沼液替代化肥处理（不施肥对照,CK;单一施用沼液,BS;单一施用化肥,CF;以及沼液半量替代化肥,BSCF）的表层（0 ~ 20 cm）土壤,利用湿筛法分离水稳性团聚体并测定不同粒径团聚结合有机碳分布变化情况。  结果  相较于对照,各施肥处理均能显著增加了外源有机碳投入,增加水稳性大团聚体质量组成比例,提高团聚体稳定性,其中沼液半量替代化肥处理 > 0.25 mm粒径水稳性团聚体质量组成比例提升效果最为明显,平均重量直径和几何平均直径最高,而团聚体破碎率和分形维数最低。不同处理团聚体结合有机碳含量随粒径增加表现出先升高后降低的趋势,其中以0.25 ~ 2 mm粒径最高。同时各施肥处理均增加各粒径团聚体结合有机碳含量,显著提高 > 0.25 mm粒径大团聚体结合有机碳贡献率,降低 < 0.053 mm粒径粘粉粒结合有机碳的贡献率。  结论  在黄淮海平原秸秆全量还田条件下通过沼液半量替代化肥不仅有利于水稳性大团聚体的形成和团聚体稳定性的提高,达到改善土壤结构的目的,而且能够调控各粒径团聚体结合有机碳贡献率,达到平衡土壤有机碳的维持和养分的释放目的。     

Soil organic matter distribution and microaggregate characteristics as affected by agricultural management and earthworm activity

Stable microaggregates can physically protect occluded soil organic matter (SOM) against decomposition. We studied the effects of agricultural management on the amount and characteristics of microaggregates and on SOM distribution in a marine loam soil in the Netherlands. Three long‐term farming systems were compared: a permanent pasture, a conventional‐arable system and an organic‐arable system. Whole soil samples were separated into microaggregates (53–250 µm), 20–53 µm and < 20 µm organo‐mineral fractions, sand and particulate organic matter, after complete disruption of macroaggregates. Equal amounts of microaggregates were isolated, irrespective of management. However, microaggregates from the pasture contained a larger fraction of total soil organic C and were more stable than microaggregates from the two arable fields, suggesting greater SOM stabilization in microaggregates under pasture. Moreover, differences in the relative contribution of coarse silt (> 20 µm) versus fine mineral particles in the microaggregates of the different management systems demonstrate that different types of microaggregates were isolated. These results, in combination with micromorphological study of thin sections, indicate that the great earthworm activity under permanent pasture is an important factor explaining the presence of very stable microaggregates that are relatively enriched in organic C and fine mineral particles. Despite a distinctly greater total SOM content and earthworm activity in the organic‐ versus the conventional‐arable system, differences in microaggregate characteristics between both arable systems were small. The formation of stable and strongly organic C‐enriched microaggregates seems much less effective under arable conditions than under pasture. This might be related to differences in earthworm species' composition, SOM characteristics and/or mechanical disturbance between pasture and arable land.     

Glomalin-related soil protein and water relations in mycorrhizal citrus (Citrus tangerina) during soil water deficit

Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), a glycoprotein of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) secreted into soil, governs the aggregate stability, but the role of GRSP in soil and plant water is sparsely studied. The 24-week-old red tangerine (Citrus tangerina) inoculated with Glomus etunicatum and G. mosseae were subjected to a soil drying for 12 days as soil water deficit (SWD). Length of SWD significantly reduced mycorrhizal colonization, soil hyphal length, and leaf and soil water potential (Ψ), but increased total GRSP (T-GRSP), easily extractable GRSP (EE-GRSP), and proportion of water-stable aggregates (WSAs) in >0.25 mm size, irrespective of AMF source. The AMF-inoculated seedlings showed significantly higher T-GRSP, EE-GRSP, and leaf/soil Ψ than non-AMF seedlings during SWD. A significantly positive correlation was observed for mycorrhizal colonization versus leaf or soil Ψ, and hyphal length versus leaf Ψ, suggesting that root intra- and extra-radical hyphae participated in water transport. Interestingly, in GRSP fractions, only T-GRSP was significantly positively correlated with 0.25–1 and >0.25 mm WSA and negatively with leaf and soil Ψ. These results revealed a strong glue function of T-GRSP (not EE-GRSP and hyphae) to alter the proportional distribution of WSA size, thereby aiding toward prevention of soil water loss for improving soil–plant water relations.     

Long-term effects of biochar amount on the content and composition of organic matter in soil aggregates under field conditions

Purpose

Soil aggregates play an important role in promoting soil fertility, as well as increasing the sink capacity and stability of soil carbon. In this study, we consider the following research questions:1. Under field conditions, do different dosages of biochar increase the soil aggregation after 3 years of application?2. How does the application of biochar affect the concentration and distribution of soil total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) in different sizes of aggregates?3. Can the application of biochar alter the composition of organic carbon in soil aggregates?

Materials and methods

Different amounts of biochar (up to 90 t ha^?1) were applied to a calcareous soil in a field experiment in 2009 along with the application of chemical fertilizer annually and the returning of winter wheat and summer maize straws. After 3 years, 0–20-cm soil samples were taken to measure the size distribution of soil water-stable aggregates by wet sieving, the concentrations of TOC and TN in whole aggregates and light or heavy fractions by elemental analysis equipment, and composition of TOC by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (Py–GC/MS).

Results and discussion

(1) The 3 years of biochar application had no significant effects on degree of soil aggregation but reduced the breakage of large soil aggregates (>1000 μm); (2) biochar significantly increased the contents of TOC and TN in soil macro-aggregates (>250 μm), as well as their ratios to total soil amount. Biochar also significantly increased the contents of TOC and TN in light fractions as well as the C/N ratio, which made the soil organic matter more active. The biochar dosage showed a significant positive correlation with organic carbon, total nitrogen, and C/N ratio in light fraction components of aggregates (>250 μm). Biochar mainly affected the organic matter in the heavy fraction components of macro-aggregates; (3) from the Py–GC/MS results, biochar increased the CO₂ content originated from active organic carbon.

Conclusions

Long-term application of biochar improved the stability of soil aggregates, increased the contents of TOC and TN as well as organic carbon and total nitrogen in macro-aggregates, and usually increased the contents of CO₂ originated from active organic carbon in light fractions. The findings were helpful in evaluating the effects of biochar on soil aggregation and organic matter stability.

     

Fate of carbon and nitrogen in water-stable aggregates during decomposition of 13C15N-labelled wheat straw in situ

When incorporated in soil, plant residues and their decomposition products are in close contact with mineral particles with which they can be bound to form aggregates. We measured the incorporation of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) derived from crop residues in water-stable aggregate fractions of a silty soil in a field experiment in Northern France using ¹³C¹⁵N-labelled wheat straw (Triticum aestivum L.). Soil samples were taken seven times for 18 months and separated into slaking-resistant aggregate size fractions which were analysed for total C and N contents, and ¹³C and ¹⁵N enrichments. During the early stages of decomposition (approximately 200 days), the enrichment of ¹³C increased rapidly in the macro aggregates (> 250 pm) but decreased thereafter. The macro aggregates represented only < 20% of the soil mass and at any one time, they accounted for <25% of the residual ¹³C in the soil. The proportion of ¹³C recovered in the <50-μm and 50–250-μm fractions increased during decomposition of the residues; at day 574, the 50–250-μm fraction accounted for close to 50% of the residual ¹³C. A greater proportion of ¹⁵N than ¹³C was recovered in the <50-μm fraction. The results indicate that during decomposition in soil, C and N from crop residues become rapidly associated with stable aggregates. In this silty soil the 50–250-μm stable aggregates appear to be involved in the storage and stabilization of C from residues.     

长期施肥对红壤性水稻土团聚体稳定性及固碳特征的影响

施用有机肥是提高土壤有机碳(SOC)含量、促进土壤团聚体形成和改善土壤结构的重要措施。本研究旨在探讨长期作物残留和投入有机物料对水稻土团聚体分布及稳定性的影响,分析不同粒级团聚体的固碳特征及其与团聚体形成的相关性,以及土壤和不同粒级团聚体对累积碳投入的响应。长期定位施肥试验始于1986年,设不施肥(CK)、单施化肥(CF)、秸秆化肥混施(RS)、低量粪肥配施化肥(M1)和高量粪肥配施化肥(M2)5个处理。2009年采集0~10 cm土壤样品,测定总土以及大团聚体(LM,2 mm)、较大团聚体(SM,0.25~2 mm)、微团聚体(MA,0.25~0.053 mm)和黏粉粒(SC,0.053 mm)的质量比例及其SOC浓度,并分析闭蓄于SM内部的颗粒有机物(POM)、微团聚体(MA-SM)和黏粉粒(SC-SM)的质量含量和SOC浓度。结果表明,与CK和CF比较,有机肥混施化肥处理(RS、M1和M2)均显著提高了LM和SM的质量比例和平均当量直径(MWD),降低了SC质量含量;两个粪肥配施化肥处理(M1和M2)的效果优于秸秆化肥混施(RS),但是M1和M2间差异不显著;单施化肥则降低了稳定性团聚体的比例。团聚体的SOC浓度没有随粒级增大而增加,各处理均为LM和SM结合的SOC浓度最高,其次为SC,最小为MA。与CK比较,有机肥混施化肥处理均显著提高了各粒级团聚体的SOC浓度。总土SOC的增加主要取决于SM的SOC含量,而MA-SM组分决定了SM固持SOC的能力。总土、LM和SM的SOC含量以及从SM分离出的POM、MA-SM和SC-SM的SOC含量均与累积碳投入量呈显著正相关,但总土分离出的MA和SC的SOC含量对累积碳投入量反应不敏感,表现出碳饱和迹象。因此,尽管长期大量施用有机物料促进了红壤性水稻土大团聚体的形成和团聚体稳定性,增加了其SOC的固持,但有机质可能不是该土壤水稳性团聚体形成的最主要黏结剂。     

Soil aggregation and the stabilization of organic carbon as affected by erosion and deposition

The importance of soil aggregation in determining the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) during erosion, transportation and deposition is poorly understood. Particularly, we do not know how aggregation contributes to the often-observed accumulation of SOC at depositional sites. Our objective was to assess how aggregation affects SOC stabilization in comparison to interactions of SOC with minerals. We determined and compared aggregate size distributions, SOC distribution in density fractions, and lignin-derived phenols from aggregated soil samples at both eroding and depositional sites. The stabilization effect of aggregation was quantified by comparing mineralization from intact and crushed macro-aggregates. Deposition of eroded soil material resulted in carbon (C) enrichment throughout the soil profile. Both macro-aggregate associated SOC and C associated with minerals (heavy fraction) increased in their importance from the eroding to the depositional site. In the uppermost topsoil (0–5 cm), SOC mineralization from intact aggregates was larger at the depositional site than at the eroding site, reflecting the large input of labile organic matter (plant residues) promoting aggregation. Contrastingly, in the subsoil, mineralization rates were lower at the depositional site because of effective stabilization by interactions with soil minerals. Aggregate crushing increased SOC mineralization by 10–80% at the eroding site, but not at the depositional site. The content of lignin-derived phenols did not differ between eroding and depositional sites in the topsoil (24.6–30.9 mg per g C) but was larger in the subsoil of the eroding site, which was accompanied by higher lignin oxidation. Lignin data indicated minor effects of soil erosion and deposition on the composition of SOC. We conclude that SOC is better protected in aggregates at the eroding than at the depositional site. During transport disaggregation and consequently SOC mineralization took place, while at the depositional site re-aggregation occurred mainly in the form of macro-aggregates. However, this macro-aggregation did not result in a direct stabilization of SOC. We propose that the occlusion of C inside aggregates serves as a pathway for the eroded C to be later stabilized by organo-mineral interaction.     

Carbon sequestration in secondary pasture soils: a chronosequence study in the South African Highveld

Soil restoration is a means of combating desertification in semi‐arid and arid parts of the world. There, vast areas of the cropped soil degrade, particularly because of the loss of organic matter. One approach to reverse this loss is the conversion of cropland into permanent grassland for use as pasture. This study was designed to evaluate how fast and to what degree degraded cropland may re‐sequester soil organic carbon (SOC) when converted into permanent secondary pasture. Topsoil samples (0–5, 5–10 and 10–20 cm) were taken from chronosequences of secondary pastures (1 to 31 years old) at three agro‐ecosystems in the semi‐arid Highveld of South Africa. Long‐term croplands and primary grassland used as pastures served as the controls. In bulk soil samples (<2 mm) and their clay (<2 µm), silt (2–20 µm), fine sand (20–250 µm) and coarse sand (250–2000 µm) fractions, the contents of carbon (C) and nitrogen were determined. In all three agro‐ecosystems, using a mono‐exponential model, the SOC stocks increased exponentially until a maximum was reached 10–95 years after land conversion. This gain in SOC was clearly pronounced for the top 0–5 cm of soil, but hardly detectable at 10–20‐cm depth. The sand fractions recovered organic C more rapidly but less completely than did the finer size separates. Overall, between 9.0 and 15.3 t of SOC were sequestered in the 0–20 cm of surface soil by this land conversion. Thus, the SOC recovery in the secondary pastures resulted in SOC stocks that were 29.6–93.9% greater than those in the arable land. Yet, in no agro‐ecosystem, at any soil depth, nor in any soil fraction, did the measured SOC content reach that of the primary grassland. In part this can be attributed to a slightly finer texture of the primary grassland that had not lost silt through wind erosion or had never been used as arable land because of slightly elevated clay contents. Overall it appears, however, that previous losses of SOM cannot easily be rectified, suggesting that the native primary grassland soils are only partially resilient to land‐use change.     

A comparison of two methods for the isolation of free and occluded particulate organic matter

Various methods exist for the isolation of particulate organic matter (POM), one of the soil‐organic‐matter (SOM) fractions reacting most sensitive on land‐use or soil‐management changes. A combination of density separation and ultrasonic treatment allows to isolate two types of POM: (1) free POM and (2) POM occluded in soil aggregates. POM fractions are closely linked to their biochemical function for the formation and stabilization of aggregates, therefore methods using different aggregate sizes may result in different POM fractions isolated. We evaluated two physical fractionation procedures to reveal whether they yield different POM fractions with respect to amount and composition, using grassland and arable soils with sandy‐loam to sandy–clay‐loam texture and thus low macroaggregate stability. Method I used air‐dried aggregates of <2.0 mm size and a low‐energy sonication for aggregate disruption, method II used field‐moist aggregates <6.3 mm and a high‐energy–sonication procedure for aggregate disruption. POM fractions were analyzed by elemental analysis (C, N) and CPMAS ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy. With both methods, about similar proportions of the SOM are isolated as free or occluded POM, respectively. The free‐ and occluded‐POM fractions obtained with method I are also rather similar in C and N concentration and composition as shown by ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy. Method II isolates a free‐ and occluded‐POM fraction with significantly different C and N concentrations. NMR spectra revealed significant differences in the chemical composition of both fractions from method II, with the occluded POM having lower amounts of O‐alkyl C and higher amounts of aryl C and alkyl C than the free POM. Due to the use of larger, field‐moist aggregates with minimized sample pretreatment, two distinctly different POM fractions are isolated with method II, likely to be more closely linked to their biochemical function for the formation and stabilization of aggregates. High‐energy sonication as in method II also disrupts small microaggregates <63 µm and releases fine intraaggregate POM. This fraction seems to be a significant component of occluded POM, that allows a differentiation between free and occluded POM in sandy soils with significant microaggregation. It can be concluded, that microaggregation in arable soils with sandy texture is responsible for the storage of a more degraded occluded POM, that conversely supports the stabilization of fine microaggregates.     

Microsite differences in fungal hyphal length, glomalin, and soil aggregate stability in semiarid Mediterranean steppes

Glomalin is a recently discovered glypoproteinaceous substance produced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) that plays an important role in structuring soil. We quantified soil fungal hyphal length and glomalin content at vegetated and open microsites in Stipa tenacissima steppes of SE Spain. Soils underneath the canopy of S. tenacissima had higher glomalin pools compared to open microsites. We also found significant differences between sites, suggesting the presence of landscape level heterogeneity in glomalin concentration. Soil fungal hyphal length also differed significantly among the sites, but there was no significant effect of microsite. Water-stable aggregates (1-2 mm diameter; WSA_1-2 mm), however, while differing among sites, did not vary as a function of microsite. Furthermore, WSA_1-2 mm was negatively correlated with glomalin fractions, as well as soil organic C. Carbonates were likely the major binding agents in these carbonate-rich (average carbonate content: 71%) soils, and not organic C (including glomalin). AMF-mediated stabilization of soil aggregates did not contribute to the formation and maintenance of fertile islands underneath the canopy of S. tenacissima.     

不同施肥模式下设施菜田土壤团聚体养分和微生物量特征

【目的】针对设施蔬菜生产中普遍存在的化肥施用严重超量、化肥与有机肥配施模式不合理等现象,利用日光温室蔬菜有机肥/秸秆替代化肥模式定位试验,研究了不同施肥模式对设施菜地土壤团聚体养分、微生物量碳氮含量的影响,为设施蔬菜优质高效生产和减量施用化肥提供科学依据。【方法】将25%或50%的无机氮肥用玉米秸秆或猪粪中氮替代,进行温室蔬菜田间定位试验。试验共设5个处理(各处理等氮、等磷、等钾):1)全部施用化肥氮(4/4CN);2) 3/4化肥氮+1/4猪粪氮(3/4CN+1/4MN);3) 2/4化肥氮+2/4猪粪氮(2/4CN+2/4MN);4) 2/4化肥氮+1/4猪粪氮+1/4秸秆氮(2/4CN+1/4MN+1/4SN);5) 2/4化肥氮+2/4秸秆氮(2/4CN+2/4SN)。在定位试验第6年冬春茬黄瓜季拉秧期采取耕层土壤样品,分析土壤团聚体分布规律和稳定性,并测定各粒级团聚体中土壤养分和微生物量碳、氮含量。【结果】设施菜地土壤团聚体以250~1000μm团聚体和> 2000μm团聚体为主,其含量分别平均为32.0%和38.4%。较4/4CN模式,有机肥/秸秆替代化肥模式提高了土壤大团聚体(> 250μm)比例。配施秸秆模式对土壤团聚体分布影响相对较大,并显著提高土壤团聚体机械稳定性,平均重量直径(MWD)和平均几何直径(GMD)分别提高6.1%和11.2%。在<250μm团聚体、250~1000μm团聚体、1000~2000μm团聚体和> 2000μm团聚体中,不同有机肥化肥配施模式(3/4CN+1/4MN、2/4CN+2/4MN、2/4CN+1/4MN+1/4SN、2/4CN+2/4SN)土壤有机碳含量较4/4CN模式分别增加36.8%~89.6%、34.9%~100.3%、29.5%~69.2%和21.7%~72.1%,分别平均增加69.8%、76.6%、56.9%和49.2%。不同施肥模式对有机碳、全氮、硝态氮、速效磷的影响规律基本一致。土壤有机碳、全氮主要分布在250~1000μm团聚体和> 2000μm团聚体中,平均分别占土壤有机碳储量的34.1%、35.2%和土壤全氮储量的34.0%、36.4%。土壤硝态氮在250~1000μm团聚体与1000~2000μm团聚体中含量较高,土壤速效钾、微生物量碳氮含量表现为随土壤团聚体直径的增大而提高,而速效磷则随土壤团聚体直径的增大而降低。【结论】设施菜田土壤团聚体优势粒级为> 2000μm团聚体和250~1000μm团聚体,配施秸秆模式显著提高土壤团聚体的机械稳定性。有机肥/秸秆替代化肥模式提高土壤各级团聚体有机碳、全氮、硝态氮和速效磷含量。设施菜地土壤有机碳氮主要分布在250~1000μm团聚体和> 2000μm团聚体中,而微生物量碳、氮含量随土壤团聚体直径的减小而呈增加的趋势。     

The effect of ground cover or initial organic carbon on soil fungi, aggregation, moisture and organic carbon in one season with oat (Avena sativa) plots

The unique capacity of fungi to efficiently sequester carbon in aerobic conditions, presents a way to maximize OC gain in agricultural systems. Oat (Avena sativa) was planted in the temperate climate of southern Ontario, Canada to study factors affecting soil organic carbon (OC). The plots varied with initial OC from 25 to 68 g kg⁻¹ or with ground cover of differing decomposability (alfalfa (Medicago sativa) growing from seed, dried oat straw, dried hay and compost) on high OC soil (60–70 g kg⁻¹). The soil was analysed for correlation of changes in soil aggregation, moisture, OC, fungal hyphal number and length and distribution of organic matter by mass and OC in density fractions within the growing season. At harvest, soil OC and moisture were increased only in plots with ground cover. Total hyphal length was not significantly different with ground cover treatment at harvest, and did not correlate with soil aggregation and soil OC. However, the number of hyphae with >5 μm diameter (primarily mycorrhizal fungi) correlated with % OC in ground cover plots while the number of hyphae <5 μm (primarily saprophytic fungi) correlated with % OC without ground cover in the gradient of initial soil OC. Mycorrhizal hyphae may be important to the increases in soil OC from surface treatment, although there was no treatment effect of mycorrhizal occurrence on the oat roots. This microcosm study, with growing and dried ground cover, suggests surface management may a simple and inexpensive means in agriculture to increase soil moisture and OC that benefits farmers as well as reducing atmospheric CO₂.     

稻草易地还土对丘陵红壤团聚体碳氮分布的影响

利用新垦坡地、熟化旱地两个定位试验的典型处理(不施肥、化肥、稻草 NP),研究稻草易地还土对丘陵红壤水稳定性大团聚体(>0.25 mm)内碳、氮分布的影响。结果表明,稻草易地还土提高了土壤大团聚体含量;团聚体粒径越大,有机碳和全氮的含量越高;与对照相比,稻草易地还土提高大团聚体内的有机碳含量10.1%~78.5%、全氮含量9.4%~63.6%(p<0.05),同时也显著提高二者在较大粒径(1~2 mm,2~5 mm)团聚体内的分配比例;与化肥处理相比,稻草易地还土提高>0.5 mm各粒级大团聚体内的有机碳含量6.5%~46.1%,也提高了0.5~1 mm,1~2 mm,2~5 mm团聚体内的全氮含量8.7%~16.1%(p<0.05)。水稳定性大团聚体对土壤碳、氮具有强富集和物理保护作用;稻草易地还土提高水稳定性大团聚体内碳、氮的含量和分配比例,是改良丘陵红壤结构、提高并协调土壤肥力的有效保育措施。