开垦年限对黑土氮初级转化速率和净转化速率的影响

以东北黑土区开垦2 a和开垦30 a的典型旱作土壤为研究对象,采用15N同位素成对标记技术开展室内培养试验,利用数值计算模型(FLUAZ)计算不同开垦年限土壤的氮初级转化速率,以比较不同开垦年限黑土氮初级转化速率和净转化速率的差异,明确开垦年限对黑土氮转化过程的影响。结果表明,与开垦2a土壤相比,开垦30a土壤的有机碳和水溶性有机碳含量显著降低,导致土壤氮初级矿化速率和初级固定速率也显著降低。但开垦30a土壤的初级硝化速率、净硝化速率和净氮矿化速率却显著高于开垦2a土壤。两个开垦年限土壤的初级硝化速率分别为净硝化速率的1.15倍和1.02倍,说明土壤微生物对硝态氮的固定很少。开垦30a土壤的m/i值(氮初级矿化速率与初级固定速率之比)和n/ia值(初级硝化速率与初级铵态氮固定速率之比)均显著大于1,而开垦2 a土壤的m/i值和n/ia值均接近1。表明开垦2 a土壤的氮矿化与固定过程紧密偶联,氮素损失的风险较小,而开垦30 a土壤中氮矿化量超过了固定量,这为硝化作用的进行提供了底物,增加了硝酸盐反硝化和淋溶风险。     

土壤C/N对苹果植株生长及氮素利用的影响

土壤C/N是土壤氮素循环的重要影响因素。本研究以2年生"富士"/平邑甜茶为试验材料, 应用¹⁵N示踪技术研究了不同土壤C/N[6.21(CK)、10、15、20、25、30、35和40]对苹果植株生长及氮素利用和损失的影响。结果表明: 随着土壤C/N比值的逐渐增大, 苹果新梢长度和植株鲜重均呈先升高后降低的变化趋势, C/N=15、20和25的3个处理苹果新梢长度和植株鲜重最大, 三者间无显著差异, 但均显著高于其他处理。不同C/N处理间植株15N利用率存在差异, 土壤C/N=25时, 植株¹⁵N利用率最大, 为22.87%, 与C/N=20的处理间无显著差异, 但两者均显著高于其他处理; 土壤C/N=40时, 植株¹⁵N利用率最低, 仅为15.43%, 低于CK处理的16.65%。土壤C/N处于15~25时, 植株吸收的氮素来自于肥料氮的比例较高; 而土壤C/N较低(<15)或太高(>25)时, 植株吸收的氮素来自于土壤氮的比例较高。土壤氮素残留量随土壤C/N的增大逐渐增加, C/N=40处理的土壤氮素残留量是CK的1.32倍。随着土壤C/N比值的逐渐增大, 肥料氮损失量呈先减少后增加的变化趋势, 以C/N=25时最少, 仅为施氮量的49.87%, 而对照最大, 为61.54%。因此, 综合土壤C/N对苹果植株生长及氮素平衡状况来看, 土壤C/N为15~25时, 能促进植株的生长发育, 降低氮肥损失, 提高肥料利用率。     

黑土春玉米田氮素的淋溶风险与阻控机制研究

为阐明黑土春玉米田氮素的淋溶风险与阻控机制,运用田间原位15N示踪技术,设常规垄作、免耕无秸秆覆盖和免耕100%秸秆覆盖(秸秆量为7500 kg·hm~(-2))3个处理,量化了长期免耕秸秆覆盖措施下氮素在不同形态氮库中的转化特征、淋溶运移规律和去向。结果表明:农民常规施肥量条件下,常规垄作、免耕无秸秆覆盖和免耕全量秸秆覆盖均已导致东北黑土春玉米田0～300cm土壤剖面中分别累积461.6kg(N)·hm~(-2)、450.7kg(N)·hm~(-2)和439.7kg(N)·hm~(-2)的矿质氮,且主要是硝态氮(占比分别为84.2%、79.5%和81.7%),存在着氮素的淋溶损失风险。当季施入肥料氮对玉米苗期和抽雄期0～40cm土层总硝态氮库累积的贡献率平均为60.9%和58.0%,其淋溶损失风险较高。与常规垄作处理相比,免耕全量秸秆覆盖降低了0～40 cm土层肥料氮向矿质氮库的转化,降低比例达20.8%;增加了其向黏土矿物固定态铵和有机氮库的转化,提高比例分别为39.4%和30.5%。0～20cm土层,黏土矿物对肥料来源铵的固定能力和微生物对肥料来源矿质氮的固持能力基本相当;20～40cm土层,固持能力前者高于后者,说明外源碳输入的数量及其与土壤微生物的接触程度共同决定着对矿质氮的固持潜能。通过免耕和秸秆覆盖调控机制,可阻控黑土春玉米田矿质氮在土壤剖面的大量积累,使氮肥利用效率和玉米产量均提高9.7%,氮肥的气态损失降低27.7%,延缓肥料氮向深层土壤剖面淋溶运移的速率。     

有机无机配施体系中有机肥腐熟程度对化肥氮利用率的影响机制

为探究有机肥腐熟度对配施化肥氮利用率的作用机制,利用~(15)N标记技术进行意大利生菜盆栽试验,从堆肥过程中选取不同腐熟度的有机肥[按照种子发芽指数(GI值)为50%、80%和100%进行堆肥的腐熟度区分],研究施~(15)NPK化肥(对照, CK)、~(15)NPK+GI 50%有机肥(GI50)、~(15)NPK+GI 80%有机肥(GI80)、~(15)NPK+GI 100%有机肥(GI100) 4个处理对意大利生菜化肥氮的转化、吸收和利用的影响。结果表明,与CK处理相比,添加有机肥处理意大利生菜生物量、~(15)N吸收量与~(15)N利用率分别显著提高30.5%～56.1%、 40.0%～91.0%和15.5%～41.8%(P0.05), GI80处理较GI50处理生物量、~(15)N吸收量与利用率分别显著提高17.1%、31.8%和35.4%(P0.05), GI100处理较GI50处理生物量、~(15)N吸收量与利用率分别显著提高19.6%、15.8%和22.8%(P0.05)。试验期间,添加有机肥处理较CK处理土壤~(15)NH_4~+-N显著提高44.9%～74.2%(P0.05), ~(15)NO_3~--N显著降低8.4%～38.1%(P0.05),净硝化率显著降低10.8%～24.6%(P0.05);GI80处理较GI50处理土壤~(15)NH_4~+-N提高7.9%～11.5%, ~(15)NO_3~--N显著降低18.5%～50.4%(P0.05),净硝化率显著降低15.0%～28.2%(P0.05);GI100处理较GI50处理土壤~(15)NH_4~+-N显著提高11.5%～26.9%(P0.05), ~(15)NO_3~--N显著降低15.8%～22.7%(P0.05),净硝化率显著降低12.5%～23.9%(P0.05)。土壤微生物量氮(MB~(15)N)缓慢上升,添加有机肥处理较CK处理显著提高67.3%～94.1%(P0.05),GI80处理较GI50处理提高6.0%～23.8%,GI100处理较GI50处理显著提高6.9%～25.5%(P0.05)。各处理MB~(15)N占MBN的54.9%～71.6%(P0.05)。相关分析结果表明, MB~(15)N、~(15)NH_4~+-N与~(15)N吸收量、~(15)N利用率呈现极显著正相关关系,且RDA分析结果说明MB~(15)N是影响化肥~(15)N吸收利用的关键驱动因子。因此,有机无机配施体系中适当增加有机肥的腐熟度(GI≥80%)能够明显增强土壤微生物的固氮能力,提高土壤氮素水平,减缓土壤铵态氮向硝态氮的转化速度,降低土壤净硝化速率,从而提高化肥氮的利用效率。     

纳米碳对草莓氮素吸收利用及植株生长的影响

以盆栽妙香7号草莓为试材,利用15 N同位素示踪技术探究尿素配施0,2,4,6,8mL纳米碳溶胶(CK、T1、T2、T3)对土壤理化性状、植株氮素吸收利用及生长发育的影响。结果表明:施用纳米碳显著提高了土壤氧化还原电位和土壤脲酶活性;随纳米碳用量的增加处理前期土壤的电导率呈现降低趋势后期呈现增大的趋势。纳米碳的施用促进了草莓植株对氮素的吸收利用,提高了草莓各器官的Ndff值;与对照相比,T1、T2、T3处理草莓植株的氮素利用率分别提高了71.2%,126.8%,98.9%,土壤氮素残留率分别提高了8.2%,16.7%,16.1%,显著减少了氮素的损失。纳米碳的施用不同程度提高了植株叶片的净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度和叶绿素SPAD值,干物质比对照增加了17.5%,45.8%,32.3%。研究表明,尿素配施纳米碳可改善土壤理化性状,有效吸附土壤中的氮素,提高植株氮素利用率和土壤氮素残留率,减少氮素损失,促进了草莓植株的生长。     

双氰胺在不同温度下对碱性土尿素氮转化的影响

[目的]为了提高氮素的利用效率,减少NO_3~-—N淋溶污染,本试验研究了硝化抑制剂双氰胺(DCD)对碱性土壤中氮素转化的影响,为氮素的合理高效利用,增加作物产量提供参考。[方法]采用实验室人工气候箱培养法,研究双氰胺在15,25和35℃不同温度下对山西省晋城市菜园土(碱性)的pH值、氨挥发量及NH_4~+—N和NO_3~-—N转化的影响。[结果]在碱性土壤中施加双氰胺后,其pH值高于对照,且pH值随土壤温度的升高而升高;同时碱性土壤中氨挥发量也随温度升高而增大,每升高10℃,氮素以氨气形式损失的增加率约为6.90%;而土壤NO_3~-—N量却随温度的升高有所下降,其变化趋势与土壤NH_4~+—N量变化相反,此外温度的升高可导致NH_4~+—N含量峰值的出现时间提前,每增加10℃提前约为1周左右。双氰胺的施加可减少了NH_4~+—N转化为NO_3~-—N的量。[结论]双氰胺的施加可减少碱性土壤中氮素转化为NO_3~-—N所带来的淋溶污染问题,且随温度的升高pH值、氨挥发量和NH_4~+—N量增加。     

种植大豆对土壤氮素盈亏影响的估算

应用15N示踪方法,研究了种植大豆对土壤氮素盈亏的影响,并对土壤氮素盈亏进行了估算。结果表明:大豆成熟期70.4%~88.6%的氮素转移到籽粒中,大豆氮素收获率很高,导致土壤氮素亏损;秸秆还田时土壤氮素亏损量平均为39.2kg/hm2,秸秆不还田时土壤氮素亏损量平均为49.2kg/hm2;大豆根瘤固氮率与土壤氮素盈亏量呈直线相关,根瘤固氮率越高,土壤氮素亏损量越少;秸秆还田条件下,根瘤固氮率71.5%是土壤氮素盈亏平衡点,秸秆不还田时根瘤固氮率要达到80.9%才能保障土壤氮素盈亏平衡。     

不同施氮方式对嘎啦苹果碳氮利用和产量品质的影响

以15年生嘎啦苹果/平邑甜茶为试材,采用C、N双标记技术,研究果实发育期不同施氮方式(传统一次性施氮、分次施氮和渗灌施氮,分别用ON、TN和IN表示)对苹果植株碳氮营养吸收、利用、分配、损失及果实产量和品质的影响。结果表明:至果实成熟期,苹果各器官Ndff值均为INTNON,新生器官间(果实、叶片和1年生枝)差异显著。植株全氮量和~(15)N吸收量均以IN处理最大,ON处理最低。与ON处理相比,TN和IN处理~(15)N利用率分别提高了41.63%和68.60%,而~(15)N损失率分别降低了10.60%和18.63%。各处理不同土层~(15)N残留量差异显著,0—40 cm土层~(15)N残留量为INTNON,60—120 cm土层趋势相反。TN和IN处理果实和贮藏器官(多年生枝、中心干和粗根)的~(13)C分配率均显著高于ON处理,而营养器官(叶片和1年生枝)的~(13)C分配率则以ON处理最高,IN处理最低。同时,在IN处理下,苹果产量、硬度、可溶性糖和糖酸比等品质指标均达到最高水平。综上,渗灌施氮通过降低氮素损失,显著促进植株对氮素的吸收利用,并优化光合产物在各器官间分配,从而最有利于苹果产量和品质的提高。     

三氯生和三氯卡班对水稻土好氧氮转化及N_2O排放的影响

三氯生(Triclosan, TCS)和三氯卡班(Triclocarban, TCC)是典型的药品与个人护理用品,在土壤生态系统中被广泛检出,且存在增加土壤微生物抗药性及抑制土壤呼吸的潜在风险,但目前有关TCS和TCC对土壤氮转化过程及氧化亚氮(N_2O)排放的影响尚不清楚。基于此,采用室内培养实验和15N稀释-富集法,结合氮转化数值模型,研究了不同浓度梯度下TCS(2和5mg·kg~(-1))和TCC(1和2 mg·kg~(-1))的单独及联合存在对水稻土氮初级转化速率以及N_2O排放的影响。结果表明,1mg·kg~(-1)TCC及5mg·kg~(-1)TCS+2mg·kg~(-1)TCC处理对水稻土氮素的矿化-同化无显著影响,其余TCS和TCC处理均显著促进了氮的矿化-同化循环。此外,TCS和TCC处理显著降低了自养硝化速率、硝态氮的微生物固定速率以及硝酸盐异化还原成铵(Dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium, DNRA)速率(2 mg·kg~(-1)TCS处理及5mg·kg~(-1)TCS+2mg·kg~(-1)TCC对DNRA速率无显著影响)。值得关注的是,TCS和TCC单一和联合处理均显著增加了N_2O的累积排放量,其累积排放量为对照的1.13倍～1.44倍。本研究表明,TCS和TCC改变了水稻土好氧氮转化过程,可能对稻田生态系统氮循环产生不利影响;TCC和TCS对水稻土N_2O排放的促进作用也增加了稻田生态系统对温室效应和臭氧层破坏的潜在贡献,因此,未来评价TCS和TCC土壤生态风险时,应考虑其对氮转化过程和N_2O排放的潜在影响。     

根系互作对苹果生长及15N-尿素吸收、利用和土壤残留的影响

在苹果/白三叶(M1)和苹果/黑麦草(M2)复合系统中,设置根系分隔(完全分隔N1、尼龙网分隔N2、不分隔N3),采用~(15) N同位素示踪技术,研究了根系互作对苹果生长及~(15) N吸收、利用,损失和土壤残留的影响。结果表明:苹果新梢旺长期,在M1中苹果各生长指标均为N3N2N1,在M2中趋势相反。与N1处理相比,M1中N2和N3处理苹果~(15) N利用率分别增加了11.91%和18.96%,M2中分别降低了5.76%和8.99%,苹果全氮量和~(15) N吸收量趋势相同。苹果根区土壤~(15) N丰度、总氮含量和~(15) N残留率均以N1处理最高,N3处理最低;苹果落叶期,两种复合体系中均以N3处理的苹果各生长指标最大,N1处理最低。在M1中N2和N3处理苹果根区土壤~(15) N丰度分别比N1处理增加了22.33%和34.15%,在M2中增幅分别为13.73%和21.44%,土壤总氮含量呈相同趋势。M1和M2中苹果全氮量、~(15) N吸收量和各器官Ndff值差异显著,均为N3N2N1。与N1处理相比,M1中N2和N3处理下苹果~(15) N利用率分别增加了19.11%和42.66%,而~(15) N损失率分别降低了13.55%和27.12%,在M2中趋势相同。苹果生长前期,黑麦草和苹果以负相竞争为主,白三叶对其促进效果亦不显著。而至苹果生长后期,两种牧草和苹果根系互作降低了苹果根区氮素损失,促进了苹果的氮素吸收利用和营养生长,且以间作白三叶效果最好。     

Comparison of NH4 pool dilution techniques to measure gross N fluxes in a coarse textured soil

We compared gross N fluxes by ¹⁵N pool dilution in a coarse-textured agricultural soil when ¹⁵N was applied to the soil NH₄⁺ pool by either: (i) mixing a ¹⁵NH₄NO₃ solution into disturbed soil or (ii) injection of ¹⁵NH₃ gas into intact soil cores. The two techniques produced similar results for gross N mineralization rates indicating that NH₄⁺ production in soil was not altered by soil disturbance, method of application (gas vs. solution), or amount of N applied. This was not the case for immobilization rates, which were twofold higher when ¹⁵N label was applied to the soil NH₄⁺ pool with the mixing technique compared to the injection technique. This was attributed to the fact that more NH₄⁺ was applied with the mixing technique. Estimates of gross nitrification were accompanied by large error terms meaning differences between ¹⁵N labeling methods could not be accurately assessed for this process rate.     

Estimates of Gross Transformation Rates of Dairy Manure N Using 15N Pool Dilution

Abstract

Most measurements of dairy manure nitrogen (N) availability depend on net changes in soil inorganic N concentration over time, which overlooks the cycling of manure N in the soil. Gross transformations of manure N, including mineralization (m), immobilization (i), and nitrification (n), can be quantified using ¹⁵N pool dilution methods. This research measures gross m, n, and i resulting from application of four freeze‐dried dairy manures that had distinctly different patterns of N availability. A sandy loam soil (coarse‐loamy, mixed, frigid Typic Haplorthod) was amended with four different freeze‐dried dairy manures and incubated at 25°C with optimal soil water content. The dilution of ¹⁵ammonium (NH4⁺) during a 48‐h interval (7–9 d and 56–58 d after manure application) was used to estimate m, whereas the dilution of ¹⁵nitrate (NO₃ ^?) was used to estimate n. Gross immobilization was calculated as gross minus net mineralization. Gross mineralization in the unamended soil was similar at 7‐ to 9‐d and 56‐ to 58‐d intervals and was significantly increased by the application of manures. For both amended and unamended soil, m was much greater (i.e., three‐ to nine‐fold) than estimated net mineralization, illustrating the degree to which manure N can be cycled in soil. At the early interval, both m and i were directly related to the manure C input, demonstrating the linkage between substrate C availability and N utilization by soil microbes. This research clearly shows that the application of dairy manures stimulates gross N transformation rates in the soil, improving our understanding of the impact of manure application on soil N cycling.     

Gross N transfer rates in field soils measured by 15N-pool dilution

Abstract

A micro-plot ¹⁵N-tracer experiment was established in three different soils of a long-term soil fertility field experiment. The nutrient-poor loam sand has been subjected to various treatments over the years and this has resulted in different organic C (0.35% – 0.86%), microbial biomass (38.3 – 100.0 µg C _mic g^?1 soil), clay and fine silt contents. Using the ¹⁵N-pool dilution technique, we assessed gross N-transfer rates in the field. Gross N mineralization rates varied strongly among the three plots and ranged between 0.4 and 4.2 µg N g^?1 soil d^?1. Gross nitrification rates were estimated to be between 0 and 2.1 µg N g^?1 soil d^?1. No correlation between gross N mineralization rates and the organic matter content of the soils was established. However, gross nitrate consumption rates increased with increasing soil C content. The ¹⁵N-pool dilution technique was successfully used to measure gross N transfer rates directly in the field.     

Microbial immobilization of ammonium and nitrate in relation to ammonification and nitrification rates in organic and conventional cropping systems

Agricultural systems that receive high or low organic matter (OM) inputs would be expected to differ in soil nitrogen (N) transformation rates and fates of ammonium (NH₄⁺) and nitrate (NO₃⁻). To compare NH₄⁺ availability, competition between nitrifiers and heterotrophic microorganisms for NH₄⁺, and microbial NO₃⁻ assimilation in an organic vs. a conventional irrigated cropping system in the California Central Valley, chemical and biological soil assays, ¹⁵N isotope pool dilution and ¹⁵N tracer techniques were used. Potentially mineralizable N (PMN) and hot minus cold KCl-extracted NH₄⁺ as indicators of soil N supplying capacity were measured five times during the tomato growing season. At mid-season, rates of gross ammonification and gross nitrification after rewetting dry soil were measured in microcosms. Microbial immobilization of NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺ was estimated based on the uptake of ¹⁵N and gross consumption rates. Gross ammonification, PMN, and hot minus cold KCl-extracted NH₄⁺ were approximately twice as high in the organically than the conventionally managed soil. Net estimated microbial NO₃⁻ assimilation rates were between 32 and 35% of gross nitrification rates in the conventional and between 37 and 46% in the organic system. In both soils, microbes assimilated more NO₃⁻ than NH₄⁺. Heterotrophic microbes assimilated less NH₄⁺ than NO₃⁻ probably because NH₄⁺ concentrations were low and competition by nitrifiers was apparently strong. The high OM input organic system released NH₄⁺ in a gradual manner and, compared to the low OM input conventional system, supported a more active microbial biomass with greater N demand that was met mainly by NO₃⁻ immobilization.     

Immobilization and remineralization of N following addition of wheat straw into soil: determination of gross N transformation rates by N-ammonium isotope dilution technique

N dynamics in soil where wheat straw was incorporated were investigated by a soil incubation experiment using ¹⁵N-labelled nitrate or ¹⁵N-labelled wheat straw. The incubated soils were sampled after 7, 28, 54 days from the incorporation of wheat straw, respectively, and gross rates of N transformations including N remineralization and temporal changes in the amount of microbial biomass were determined.Following the addition of wheat straw into soils, rapid decrease of nitrate content in soil and increase of microbial biomass C and N occurred within the first week from onset of the experiment. Both the gross rates of mineralization and immobilization determined by ¹⁵N-ammonium isotope dilution technique were remarkably enhanced by the addition of wheat straw, and gradually decreased with time. Remineralization rate of N derived from ¹⁵N-labelled nitrate, and mineralization rate of N derived from ¹⁵N-labelled wheat straw was estimated by ¹⁵N isotope dilution technique using non-labelled ammonium. Remineralization rates of N derived from ¹⁵N-labelled nitrate were calculated to be 0.71 mg N kg⁻¹ d⁻¹ after 7 days, 0.55 mg N kg⁻¹ d⁻¹ after 28 days, and 0.29 mg N kg⁻¹ d⁻¹ after 54 days.Nearly 10% of the ¹⁵N-labelled N originally contained in the wheat straw was held in the microbial biomass irrespective of the sampling time. The amount of inorganic N in soil which was derived from ¹⁵N-labelled wheat straw ranged between 1.93 and 2.37 mg N kg⁻¹.Rates of N transformations in soil with ¹⁵N-labelled wheat straw were obtained by assuming that the k value was equal to the ¹⁵N abundance of biomass N, and the obtained values were considered to be valid.     

N tracing models with a Monte Carlo optimization procedure provide new insights on gross N transformations in soils

¹⁵N tracing studies in combination with analyses via process-based models are the current “state-of-the-art” technique to quantify gross nitrogen (N) transformation rates in soils. A crucial component of this technique is the optimization algorithm which primarily decides how many model parameters can simultaneously be estimated. Recently, we published a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method which has the potential to simultaneously estimate large number of parameters in ¹⁵N tracing models [Müller et al., 2007. Estimation of parameters in complex ¹⁵N tracing models by Monte Carlo sampling. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 39, 715-726].Here, we present the results of a reanalysis of datasets by Kirkham and Bartholomew [1954. Equations for following nutrient transformations in soil, utilizing tracer data. Soil Science Society of America Proceedings 18, 33-34], Myrold and Tiedje [1986. Simultaneous estimation of several nitrogen cycle rates using ¹⁵N: theory and application. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 18, 559-568] and Watson et al. [2000. Overestimation of gross N transformation rates in grassland soils due to non-uniform exploitation of applied and native pools. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 32, 2019-2030] using the MCMC technique. Analytical solutions such as the ones derived by Kirkham and Bartholomew [1954. Equations for following nutrient transformations in soil, utilizing tracer data. Soil Science Society of America Proceedings 18, 33-34] result in gross rates without uncertainties. We show that the analysis of the same data sets with the MCMC method provides standard deviations for gross N transformations. The standard deviations are further reduced if realistic data uncertainties are considered. Reanalyzing data by Myrold and Tiedje [1986. Simultaneous estimation of several nitrogen cycle rates using ¹⁵N: theory and application. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 18, 559-568] (Capac soil) resulted in a model fit similar to the one of the original analysis but with more precise estimates of gross N transformations. In addition, our analysis showed that small N transformations such as heterotrophic nitrification, which was neglected in the original analysis, could be quantified for this soil. Watson et al. [2000. Overestimation of gross N transformation rates in grassland soils due to non-uniform exploitation of applied and native pools. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 32, 2019-2030] provided evidence of a non-uniform exploitation of applied and native N that led to an overestimation of gross N transformations. Reanalyzing the data (CENIT soil, low N application) with the Müller et al. [2007. Estimation of parameters in complex ¹⁵N tracing models by Monte Carlo sampling. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 39, 715-726] model where oxidation was set to Michaelis-Menten kinetics resulted in a satisfactory fit between modeled and observed data, indicating that the observed artifact by Watson et al. [2000. Overestimation of gross N transformation rates in grassland soils due to non-uniform exploitation of applied and native pools. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 32, 2019-2030] was mainly due to inappropriate kinetic settings. Our study shows that the combination of a MCMC method with ¹⁵N tracing models is able to consider more complex and possibly more realistic models and kinetic settings to estimate gross N transformation rates and thus overcomes restriction of previous ¹⁵N tracing techniques.     

Microbially-mediated gross N transfer rates in field soils in relation to physico-chemical transfer processes

Abstract

Measurements of gross N transfer in soils have as yet not distinguished between biological or physico-chemical processes. Here, we present a new approach that allows microbially-mediated gross N transfer rates to be estimated in undisturbed soils without adding ¹⁵N. It is based on the assumption that in undisturbed soil, the soil microbial growth rate is equal to its death rate. To assess the contribution of biological versus physico-chemical N transfer processes, we combined the new approach with the ¹⁵N-pool dilution technique. The relationship between both processes varied with soil C and fine particle contents. Nearly equal rates were observed within the carbon-poor soil (0.35% C_org, low fine particle content), whereas up to 2.5 times higher physico-chemical than biological N transfer rates were measured within the carbon-enriched soil (0.86% C_org, higher fine particle content). Furthermore, microbially-mediated gross N transfer rates increased three-fold after N fertilization compared to the unfertilized control.     

好氧条件下两种水稻土的氮素总转化速率比较

Although to date individual gross N transformations could be quantified by ~(15)N tracing method and models,studies are still limited in paddy soil.An incubation experiment was conducted using topsoil(0-20 cm) and subsoil(20-60 cm) of two paddy soils,alkaline and clay(AC) soil and neutral and silt loam(NSL) soil,to investigate gross N transformation rates.Soil samples were labeled with either ~(15)NH4_NO_3 or NH_4~(15)NO_3,and then incubated at 25 °C for 168 h at 60%water-holding capacity.The gross N mineralization(recalcitrant and labile organic N mineralization) rates in AC soil were 1.6 to 3.3 times higher than that in NSL soil,and the gross N nitrification(autotrophic and heterotrophic nitrification) rates in AC soil were 2.4 to 4.4 times higher than those in NSL soil.Although gross NO_3~- consumption(i.e.,NO_3~- immobilization and dissimilatory NO_3~- reduction to NH_4~+ rates increased with increasing gross nitrification rates,the measured net nitrification rate in AC soil was approximately 2.0 to 5.1 times higher than that in NSL soil.These showed that high NO_3~- production capacity of alkaline paddy soil should be a cause for concern because an accumulation of NO_3~- can increase the risk of NO_3~- loss through leaching and denitrification.     

Cold storage and laboratory incubation of intact soil cores do not reflect in-situ nitrogen cycling rates of tropical forest soils

Measurements of N transformation rates in tropical forest soils are commonly conducted in the laboratory from disturbed or intact soil cores. On four sites with Andisol soils under old-growth forests of Panama and Ecuador, we compared N transformation rates measured from laboratory incubation (at soil temperatures of the sites) of intact soil cores after a period of cold storage (at 5 °C) with measurements conducted in situ. Laboratory measurements from stored soil cores showed lower gross N mineralization and NH₄⁺ consumption rates and higher gross nitrification and NO₃⁻ immobilization rates than the in-situ measurements. We conclude that cold storage and laboratory incubation change the soils to such an extent that N cycling rates do not reflect field conditions. The only reliable way to measure N transformation rates of tropical forest soils is in-situ incubation and mineral N extraction in the field.