针铁矿吸附态和包裹态有机碳在稻田土壤中的矿化及其激发效应

南方水稻土富含铁氧化物,土壤有机碳通过与铁氧化物结合的形式长期固存于土壤中;由于土壤中氧化铁和有机碳主要通过吸附、键和与包裹等形式存在,所以不同的碳铁复合物的稳定性存在一定的差异。尽管已有较多研究分析了土壤中有机碳与铁矿的结合与赋存形式,但是有机碳与铁矿间的结合方式对有机碳在水稻土中矿化及其激发效应的影响机制尚不明确。以葡萄糖为典型小分子外源有机碳,通过制备针铁矿吸附态葡萄糖和包裹态葡萄糖,采用室内模拟培养实验,研究了两种铁矿结合态葡萄糖在淹水水稻土中的矿化特征及其激发效应。结果表明：与单独添加葡萄糖处理相比,碳铁复合物的添加分别使CO2和13CO2释放量增加了0.39倍~0.53倍和0.87倍~1.07倍,却使CH4和13CH4释放量分别降低了0.44倍~0.59倍和0.25倍~0.44倍。相对于针铁矿吸附态葡萄糖,针铁矿包裹态葡萄糖显著抑制了CH4释放。而且,碳铁复合物的添加均在一定程度上促进了土壤原有有机碳矿化释放CO2,但抑制了来源于土壤原有有机碳的CH4释放。其中,针铁矿包裹态葡萄糖对来源于土壤原有有机碳的CH4释放量是针铁矿吸附态葡萄糖的1.33倍。针铁矿包裹态葡萄糖的快速矿化的碳库比例显著高于针铁矿吸附态葡萄糖,且其半衰期（T1/2）比针铁矿吸附态葡萄糖大10.85倍,其快库转化速率（k1）和慢库转化速率（k2）比铁矿吸附态葡萄糖的小10.74倍和19倍。其次,针铁矿包裹态葡萄糖对土壤有机质CO2累积激发效应表现为较弱的正激发(6.44 mg?kg-1),而对土壤有机质CH4累积激发效应则表现为负激发(-15.49 mg?kg-1),即针铁矿包裹态葡萄糖的添加抑制了土壤原有有机碳的矿化(-9.05 mg?kg-1),从而增强了土壤有机碳的固持潜力。因此,不同结构碳铁复合物的添加抑制了土壤原有有机碳的矿化,且针铁矿包裹态有机碳比针铁矿吸附态有机碳在水稻土中具有更强的稳定性和固碳效应。该研究结果也表明,水稻土中与铁氧化结合的小分子有机碳相对于游离态的有机碳,具有更强的生物稳定性,更低的矿化速率,而且能够抑制土壤有机碳的矿化,产生负激发效应,有利于增加土壤的长期固碳效应。     

红壤旱地和稻田土壤中有机底物的分解与转化研究

^14 C标记葡萄糖和稻草为底物,室内培养法研究在相同水分条件下,红壤旱地和稻田土壤中新鲜有机物的分解与转化的差异,以及对土壤原有有机碳矿化的影响.在100 d内葡萄糖^14C在旱地和稻田土壤中的累积矿化率分别为49.6%和46.7%,稻草^14C为25.2%和21.8%;两种底物对土壤原有有机碳分解产生的＂激发效应＂和对土壤微生物生物量碳（BC）的影响均以旱地土壤大于稻田土壤.在旱地和稻田土壤中葡萄糖^14C转化为土壤BC的最大比率分别为23.5%和21.6%,稻草^14C分别为10.4%和11.3%.根据添加^14C标记葡萄糖处理中^14C标记微生物生物量碳（14C-BC）的变化,得到旱地和稻田土壤BC的周转时间分别为329 d 和127 d.这些结果表明在含水量为45%饱和持水量（WHC）条件下,有机底物在旱地土壤中的分解快于稻田土壤,但稻田土壤BC的周转速率快于旱地土壤.     

外源碳输入对华北平原农田和湿地土壤有机碳矿化及其温度敏感性的影响

研究外源碳输入和气候变暖对土壤有机碳矿化的影响,对于深入理解土壤有机碳的稳定和积累机制以及其对全球变化的响应具有重要意义。通过为期35 d的室内培养试验,利用~(13)C稳定同位素标记技术,研究了华北平原典型农田和湿地土壤在15℃和25℃下的土壤有机碳矿化及激发效应。结果表明,土地利用类型(农田/湿地)、温度(15℃/25℃)和葡萄糖添加[0.4mg(C)·g~(-1)]对土壤有机碳矿化均具有显著影响。在相同培养温度下,未添加葡萄糖的农田和湿地土壤有机碳矿化无显著差异,而添加葡萄糖处理下农田土壤有机碳矿化显著高于湿地土壤。除湿地土壤在15℃下培养外,添加葡萄糖显著促进了农田和湿地土壤有机碳矿化,农田土壤有机碳矿化的激发效应显著高于湿地土壤。温度升高显著促进了农田和湿地土壤有机碳矿化,培养过程中土壤有机碳矿化温度敏感性Q10为1.2～1.6,土地利用类型和葡萄糖添加对土壤有机碳矿化温度敏感性的影响都不显著。在温度升高和外源碳输入的共同作用下,农田土壤有机碳矿化显著高于湿地土壤。     

添加玉米秸秆重金属污染对水稻土有机碳矿化的影响

为研究重金属污染环境胁迫下新碳的添加对水稻土有机碳矿化的影响,以苏南地区不同程度Cd/Pb污染的水稻土为研究对象,通过室内培养法,研究了添加玉米秸秆(新碳)条件下重金属污染对水稻土有机碳(老碳)矿化的影响。试验通过测定土壤CO_2-C排放动态及其δ~(13)C值、总有机碳和活性碳库组分含量,计算了相对激发效应,探讨了不同程度重金属污染对水稻土新老有机碳矿化的影响。结果表明:新鲜有机碳的添加均提高了土壤有机碳的矿化速率和累计矿化量,添加玉米秸秆后不同程度重金属污染的水稻土有机碳累积矿化量分别提高了120%(轻度污染土壤,P0)、540%(较高程度污染土壤,P1)和360%(高度污染土壤,P2)。添加玉米秸秆同时促进了不同程度重金属污染水稻土中原有有机碳的矿化速率,相对于P0与P1土壤,P2土壤更能促进水稻土老碳的矿化,并降低了可溶性有机碳含量,且在培养的不同阶段P2土壤相对激发效应显著高于P0与P1土壤,在培养第30天时相对激发效应值达到最高,分别为47.3%(P0)、148.2%(P1)、189.2%(P2)。     

碳和养分添加对亚热带稻田土壤酶活性化学计量学特征的影响

秸秆还田和化肥施用等管理措施将改变农田土壤碳和养分浓度及其化学计量比,进而影响土壤酶活性乃至土壤肥力。为了明确土壤中可利用态碳与氮、磷、硫等营养元素含量变化及其化学计量关系对土壤酶活性的影响,本研究选取亚热带地区典型稻田土壤,通过外源添加葡萄糖和氮磷硫养分试验,测定培养3 d和60 d时参与土壤碳氮磷循环过程的β-1,4-葡萄糖苷酶(BG)、纤维二糖水解酶(CBH)、β-N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶(NAG)和酸性磷酸酶(AP) 4种土壤胞外酶活性。结果表明,在添加初期(3 d),葡萄糖添加提高了稻田土壤4种酶的活性;然而,不管是否有葡萄糖加入,稻田土壤酶活性均不受养分添加水平的影响。在培养后期(60 d),葡萄糖添加显著降低高养分添加处理中稻田土壤酶活性;而且添加葡萄糖处理中,土壤4种酶活性均与养分元素添加水平呈显著的负相关关系。在培养60 d时,碳水解酶与氮水解酶的比值([BG+CBH)/NAG]与养分添加水平呈显著正相关关系,表明随着养分添加水平的增加,微生物的氮限制程度减弱。然而,碳水解酶与磷水解酶的比值([BG+CBH)/AP]与养分添加水平之间呈显著负相关关系,这意味着养分添加量的增加加剧了微生物的磷限制作用,导致土壤磷酸酶活性升高。研究结果揭示了土壤酶活性与土壤碳和养分有效性之间的化学计量学耦合关系,对于加强农田土壤养分管理和提升土壤肥力具有重要意义。     

长期氮肥施用对玉米根茬矿化分解的影响

通过室内培养和田间分解试验,研究了施氮量为N 0、120和240 kg/hm2处理的玉米根茬(R0、R120、R240)在15和45 cm两个肥力条件不同的土层中有机碳矿化分解特性及其对土壤活性有机碳组分的影响。结果表明,在室内矿化培养条件下,根茬CO2累积释放量和潜在碳矿化量均为R120R240R0;R120和R240根茬碳矿化率在表层土壤(15 cm)和底层土壤(45 cm)中分别较R0提高21.1%、12.7%和45.3%、33.7%。在田间埋藏分解条件下,分解386 d后R0、R120和R240根茬碳残留率在表层土壤中分别为36.3%、25.2%和28.7%,在底层土壤中分别为38.4%、30.6%和31.1%;根茬碳残留率与其C/N、木质素含量以及木质素/N正相关,而与根茬全氮含量呈负相关关系,表明根茬分解率随着其本身全氮含量的增加而提高;添加玉米根茬显著增加土壤微生物量碳含量143%~297%,增加土壤可溶性有机碳含量19.9%~118.2%。综上可见,长期施用氮肥影响作物根系的养分组成,显著提高其全氮含量,在评价土壤碳、氮养分循环时,应注重长期氮肥施用对作物残茬养分累积及其在土壤中分解、转化的影响。     

添加牛粪对长期不同施肥潮土有机碳矿化的影响及激发效应

为了探讨长期不同施肥潮土有机碳矿化对添加牛粪的响应特征及添加牛粪对长期不同施肥潮土有机碳矿化的激发效应,以始建于1986年的长期定位试验为平台,通过室内恒温培养的方法研究添加等氮量牛粪后长期不同施肥(不施肥,CK;常量有机肥,SMA;常量化肥,SMF;常量有机无机配施,1/2(SMA+SMF))潮土有机碳矿化、土壤有机碳及活性碳库组分(微生物量碳、可溶性有机碳、颗粒有机碳和易氧化有机碳)含量的变化特征。结果表明:无论添加牛粪与否,长期不同施肥潮土有机碳矿化过程均符合一级动力学方程,而牛粪的添加显著增加了长期不施肥、长期单施化肥和长期有机无机配施土壤的有机碳矿化速率常数,增长幅度分别为21.74%、35.00%和45.00%;添加牛粪提高了长期不同施肥潮土有机碳、微生物量碳、颗粒有机碳和易氧化有机碳含量,却显著降低了可溶性有机碳含量;牛粪对长期不施肥、长期施用常量有机肥、常量化肥和常量有机无机配施潮土有机碳矿化的正激发效应分别达到了48.56%、3.60%、48.43%和3.92%,且对长期不施肥及长期施用常量化肥潮土的激发效应显著高于对长期施用常量有机肥及长期有机无机配施土壤;冗余分析显示添加牛粪对长期不同施肥土壤有机碳矿化的激发效应与土壤活性组分碳氮比呈正相关,与土壤养分含量呈负相关。该研究不仅为合理施用有机肥和实现农田生态系统的可持续发展提供理论依据,还有利于实现农业资源再利用及其效益最大化。     

氮磷添加对毛竹林土壤有机碳矿化及其激发效应的影响

摘 要：【目的】养分输入会显著影响土壤有机碳矿化,但毛竹林土壤有机碳激发效应对不同类型养分输入的响应及其机制尚不明确。【方法】选用尿素和磷酸二氢钠作为外源养分,通过80 d的培养试验,研究氮素、磷素及两者联合添加对毛竹林土壤有机碳矿化及其激发效应、微生物功能以及土壤理化性质的影响。【结果】氮素、磷素及两者联合添加均显著提高了土壤原有有机碳矿化累积CO2排放量（增幅分别为91.3%、19.2%和94.9%）,产生显著的正激发效应,其中氮素及其与磷素联合添加诱导的正激发效应强度显著大于磷素添加处理。上述三种养分添加处理均显著提高了土壤pH、活性有机碳库（微生物量碳、可溶性有机碳和烷氧碳组分）、碳降解酶（?-葡萄糖苷酶和蔗糖酶）活性以及cbhI和GH48功能基因丰度,但抑制了多酚氧化酶和RubisCO酶活性;另外,土壤无机氮含量（NH4+-N和NO3--N）在氮和氮磷添加下增加却在磷添加下降低。相关性分析表明,累积激发效应与土壤pH、活性有机碳库、无机氮含量、碳降解酶活性以及cbhI和GH48功能基因丰度呈显著正相关,而与多酚氧化酶和RubisCO酶活性显著负相关。【结论】氮磷养分添加可能是通过影响土壤pH、活性碳氮含量,并提升微生物的活性和功能,从而显著提高土壤原有有机碳的矿化速率。     

秸秆及其生物炭对土壤碳库管理指数及有机碳矿化的影响

以河南省粮食主产区壤质潮土和砂土为研究对象,通过盆栽试验和室内恒温培养试验,研究了生物炭与不同腐殖化程度的传统有机物料(秸秆和腐熟鸡粪)单施及配施对壤质潮土和砂土有机碳储量、活性及碳库管理指数的影响,并进一步比较了小麦秸秆直接还田和制炭还田对土壤有机碳矿化的影响,以及生物炭对土壤原有有机碳矿化的调控作用。结果表明:相同添加量下,生物炭对土壤有机碳含量的提升效果优于秸秆和腐熟鸡粪,在壤质潮土和砂土上分别较对照提升了63.15%和115.62%。另外,生物炭显著增加了土壤稳态碳含量和土壤碳库指数(CPI),但降低了土壤碳素有效率(SC)和碳库活度指数(AI),对土壤易氧化有机碳(POXC)和碳库管理指数(CMPI)无显著影响,添加秸秆显著增加了2种土壤POXC含量、基础呼吸和CPMI。进一步通过室内恒温培养试验发现,秸秆可在培养前期(0～37天)大幅度提升2种类型土壤有机碳矿化速率和累积矿化量,秸秆制炭还田对土壤有机碳矿化无显著影响。此外生物炭对土壤原有有机碳矿化的调控作用受其施用量、外源活性有机碳输入和土壤类型的影响,高量生物炭(2%)对非秸秆还田土壤有机碳矿化表现出较强的负激发效应,而低量生物炭(0.55%)对秸秆还田土壤有机碳矿化表现出较明显的负激发效应。因此,从"固碳减排"角度考虑,秸秆制炭还田是更合理的利用方式,且应根据土壤施肥管理措施和土壤类型考虑生物炭的施用量,添加质量比为2%的生物炭可显著抑制土壤原有有机碳矿化,降低CO_2排放,但应避开秸秆快速腐解期施用。     

铁氧化物对厌氧水稻土中乙酸的矿化、转化及其激发效应的影响

乙酸是甲烷产生过程的重要底物,其在水稻土中的矿化和转化过程对水稻土碳循环和固碳减排具有重要意义。在长期淹水的水稻土中,铁作为重要的变价金属元素,对乙酸的矿化和转化可能具有重要影响。因此,本研究向水稻土中添加13C-乙酸、水铁矿和针铁矿,动态监测厌氧培养（100 d）期间CO2和CH4排放规律和土壤环境因子的变化规律,同时分析乙酸的矿化和转化特征以及CO2和CH4的激发效应,并解析不同铁氧化物在其中的作用效应。结果表明,培养结束后,只添加乙酸的处理中33%和36%的乙酸分别矿化为CH4和CO2,另外0.12%、2%和28%的乙酸分别形成了可溶性有机碳（DOC）、微生物量碳（MBC）和土壤有机碳（SOC）。乙酸添加引起了CO2负激发效应和CH4正激发效应。土壤产生CO2和CH4比例因乙酸的添加由3.46:1变为1.83:1。针铁矿的添加显著增加了乙酸来源的CO2累积排放量,但水铁矿对乙酸来源的CO2累积排放量却无显著影响。水铁矿和针铁矿均显著降低了SOC来源的CO2累积排放量,加剧了乙酸引起的CO2负激发效应。水铁矿和针铁矿均显著降低了乙酸来源的CH4累积排放量,对SOC来源的CH4累积排放量无显著影响。水铁矿和针铁矿显著增加了乙酸转化为MBC和SOC的比例。因此,乙酸在土壤中的矿化和转化行为会影响土壤原有有机碳产生CO2和CH4;水铁矿和针铁矿结晶程度不同,对乙酸的矿化、转化及其激发效应的影响也不同。研究结果可为稻田的固碳减排提供一定的理论依据和技术支撑。     

土壤碳库激发效应研究

外源有机质的输入能促进或抑制土壤有机碳的矿化,引起正的或负的激发效应。本文综述了土壤碳库激发效应产生的机制,以及土壤原有有机质的含量和营养水平,外源有机质(包括根系分泌物)的种类和数量对激发效应的影响。外源有机质的可利用率是影响激发效应的最重要因素。     

外加碳、氮对黄绵土有机质矿化与激发效应的影响

应用14C标记的葡萄糖和麦秸,15N标记的(NH4)2SO4和Ca(NO3)2对生黄绵土、菜园黄绵土土壤有机质的矿化与激发效应进行了研究。结果表明,外加有机质,特别是外加易分解的葡萄糖,和外加氮源,特别是外加(NH4)2SO4,对两种黄绵土土壤的有机质矿化与激发效应都有明显的促进作用,土壤有机质的矿化是高肥力菜园黄绵土高于低肥力生黄绵土,而有机质矿化的激发效应却是低肥力生黄绵土高于高肥力菜园黄绵土。外加有机质与外加N同时施入土壤时,外加N对外加有机质的矿化与激发效应同样有明显的促进作用,并发现外加有机质与外加N在促进土壤有机质矿化与激发效应过程中表现出正交互作用。激发效应对土壤肥力的更新和培养有积极作用。     

易利用态有机物质对水稻土甲烷排放的激发作用

为探讨外源有机物质对淹水稻田土壤CH4排放的激发作用,对比不同外源有机物质对土壤CH4排放的贡献差别,本研究选取3种标记的易利用态有机物(葡萄糖、乙酸和草酸)分别加入水稻土,进行了为期1个月的培养。结果表明:培养30 d后不同处理CH4的累计排放量差异显著(P0.05),其中,乙酸葡萄糖草酸对照;双因素方差分析结果显示,外源有机物质的添加加速了土壤易利用态有机质的矿化(即产生正激发效应);不同处理条件下激发作用产生的CH4分别占各处理CH4总累计排放量的73.3%(葡萄糖处理)、71.5%(乙酸处理)和40.9%(草酸处理),且CH4排放量与CH4激发效应之间极显著正相关关系说明土壤CH4排放主要要来自于土壤原有机质的分解,外源有机物质可能主要对土壤微生物活性及代谢途径有影响。     

Microbial response to the addition of glucose in low-fertility soils

Addition of soluble organic substrates to soil has been shown to either increase or restrict the rate of microbial CO₂–C evolution. This has been attributed to a priming effect resulting from accelerated or decreased turnover of the soil organic matter including the soil microflora. We investigated microbial responses to small glucose-C additions (10–50 μg C g¹ soil) in arable soils either amended or not with cellulose. An immediate CO₂–C release between 0 and 69 h (equivalent to 59% of glucose-C applied) was measured. However, only half of the CO₂–C respired could be attributed to the utilisation of glucose-C substrate, based on the percentage of ¹⁴C–CO₂ evolved after the addition of a ¹⁴C-labelled glucose tracer. Thus, although no evidence of an immediate release of ‘extra’ C above the rate applied as glucose-C was observed, the pattern of decomposition for ¹⁴C-glucose suggested utilisation of an alternate C source. Based on this, a positive priming effect (1.5 to 4.3 times the amount CO₂–C evolved that was attributed to glucose-C decomposition) was observed for at least 170 h in non-cellulose-amended soil and 612 h in cellulose-amended soil. Two further phases of microbial activity in cellulose-amended soils were attributed to either activation of different microbial populations or end-product inhibition of cellulase activity after glucose addition. During these subsequent phases, a negative priming effect of between 0.1 and 1.5 times was observed. Findings indicate that the response of the microbial community to small additions of soluble organic C substrate is not consistent and support the premise that microbial response varies in a yet to be predicted manner between soil type and ecosystems. We hypothesise that this is due to differences in the microbial community structure activated by the addition of organic C and the timing of soluble organic substrate addition with respect to the current dissolved organic C status of the soil.     

Glucose additions to aggregates subjected to drying/wetting cycles promote carbon sequestration and aggregate stability

Biogeochemical mechanisms at microscale regions within soil macroaggregates strengthen aggregates during repeated DW cycles. Knowledge of additional biogeochemical processes that promote the movement of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) into and throughout soil aggregates and soil aggregate stabilization are essential before we can more accurately predict maximum carbon (C) sequestration by soils subjected to best management practices. We investigated the spatial distribution of ¹³C-glucose supplied to individual soil macroaggregate surfaces and subjected to multiple drying and wetting (DW) cycles. Subsequent distribution of added glucose-C, CO₂ respiration, increased microbial community activity and concomitant changes in soil aggregate stabilization were monitored. Moist macroaggregates were treated with no DW cycles and zero glucose C (Control), 5 DW cycles and zero glucose (DW0G), and 5 DW cycles with additions of 250 μg glucose-¹³C/g soil during each cycle (DW+G). Repeated additions of glucose-C to aggregate surfaces reduced the mineralization of pre-existing soil C by an average of 45% and established concentric gradients of glucose-derived C. It is concluded these increasing gradients promoted the diffusion of soluble C into interior regions and became less available to microbial respiration. Spatial gradients of glucose-derived C within aggregates influenced a shift in the abundance of unique ribotypes spatially distributed within aggregates. Rapid decreases in the mineralization rates of glucose-C during repeated DW cycles suggested greater C sequestration by either physical restriction of microbes or chemical sorption of new C that diffused into aggregates. Aggregate stability decreased significantly following 2-3 DW cycles, when glucose-C was not added. Additions of glucose-C with each DW cycle maintained soil aggregate stability equal to the moist but not cycled control throughout the 5 DW cycles of this study. These data simulate the strengthening of soil aggregates in no tillage agroecosystems which provides continuous additions of DOC compounds generated by decomposing plant residues on the soil surface, and root exudates and decomposition, as well as the mineralization of POM materials within nondisturbed soil profiles.     

秸秆还田下土壤有机质激发效应研究进展

土壤有机质是农田肥力的基础与核心，对作物产量、农业环境，甚至地球碳循环意义重大。作物秸秆作为农田土壤有机碳库的重要外部补充，其还田过程对土壤有机碳周转和碳库平衡具有显著影响。激发效应是一种因新鲜有机质输入而导致土壤本底有机质矿化速率发生改变的现象。秸秆还田导致的土壤有机质分解激发，不仅涉及到秸秆资源化高效利用，还直接关系到农田土壤碳库的平衡及其功能，因此备受科学界关注。尽管对外源有机质输入引起的土壤有机质激发效应的理论研究已取得了较大进展，但如何结合最新的理论结果到秸秆还田固碳减排的生产实践中仍面临着较大的挑战，这主要归结于对农田土壤有机质分解激发效应的发生特点和规律，及其背后的土壤、气候、管理等相关的驱动因子和过程还未完全明确。据此，本文首先对土壤有机质分解激发效应发生的理论研究进展（包括：共代谢理论、氮矿化理论、化学计量比和微生物残体再利用）进行了系统综述。其次，结合已有的研究证据和理论假设进一步概述了秸秆还田过程中影响激发强度和方向的潜在驱动因素，如：秸秆类型和数量、还田方式、水肥管理、土壤属性、气候因子等。最后，从秸秆还田的高效性、农田碳库的可持续和农业环境的友好性出发，对秸秆还田土壤有机质分解激发的潜在研究方向进行了展望，并就秸秆还田改善土壤碳库的优化措施提出了建议。     

高寒草甸土CO2流通和氮矿化之间的关系以及对外加碳或氮的响应

In nutrient-limited alpine meadows,nitrogen(N) mineralization is prior to soil microbial immobilization;therefore,increased mineral N supply would be most likely immobilized by soil microbes due to nutrient shortage in alpine soils.In addition,low temperature in alpine meadows might be one of the primary factors limiting soil organic matter decomposition and thus N mineralization.A laboratory incubation experiment was performed using an alpine meadow soil from the Tibetan Plateau.Two levels of NH4NO3(N) or glucose(C) were added,with a blank without addition of C or N as the control,before incubation at 5,15,or 25 ℃ for 28 d.CO2 efflux was measured during the 28-d incubation,and the mineral N was measured at the beginning and end of the incubation,in order to test two hypotheses:1) net N mineralization is negatively correlated with CO2 efflux for the control and 2) the external labile N or C supply will shift the negative correlation to positive.The results showed a negative correlation between CO2 efflux and net N immobilization in the control.External inorganic N supply did not change the negative correlation.The external labile C supply shifted the linear correlation from negative to positive under the low C addition level.However,under the high C level,no correlation was found.These suggested that the correlation of CO2 efflux to net N mineralization strongly depend on soil labile C and C:N ratio regardless of temperatures.Further research should focus on the effects of the types and the amount of litter components on interactions of C and N during soil organic matter decomposition.     

The priming effect of organic matter: a question of microbial competition?

It is generally accepted that the low quality of soil carbon limits the amount of energy available for soil microorganisms, and in turn the rate of soil carbon mineralization. The priming effect, i.e. the increase in soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition rate after fresh organic matter input to soil, is often supposed to result from a global increase in microbial activity due to the higher availability of energy released from the decomposition of fresh organic matter. Work to date, however, suggests that supply of available energy induces no effect on SOM mineralization. The mechanisms of the priming effect are much more complex than commonly believed. The objective of this review was to build a conceptual model of the priming effect based on the contradictory results available in the literature adopting the concept of nutritional competition. After fresh organic matter input to soils, many specialized microorganisms grow quickly and only decompose the fresh organic matter. We postulated that the priming effect results from the competition for energy and nutrient acquisition between the microorganisms specialized in the decomposition of fresh organic matter and those feeding on polymerised SOM.     

The response of organic matter mineralisation to nutrient and substrate additions in sub-arctic soils

Global warming in the Arctic may alter decomposition rates in Arctic soils and therefore nutrient availability. In addition, changes in the length of the growing season may increase plant productivity and the rate of labile C input below ground. We carried out an experiment in which inorganic nutrients (NH₄NO₃ and NaPO₄) and organic substrates (glucose and glycine) were added to soils sampled from across the mountain birch forest-tundra heath ecotone in northern Sweden (organic and mineral soils from the forest, and organic soil only from the heath). Carbon dioxide production was then monitored continuously over the following 19 days. Neither inorganic N nor P additions substantially affected soil respiration rates when added separately. However, combined N and P additions stimulated microbial activity, with the response being greatest in the birch forest mineral soil (57% increase in CO₂ production compared with 26% in the heath soil and 8% in the birch forest organic soil). Therefore, mineralisation rates in these soils may be stimulated if the overall nutrient availability to microbes increases in response to global change, but N deposition alone is unlikely to enhance decomposition. Adding either, or both, glucose and glycine increased microbial respiration. Isotopic separation indicated that the mineralisation of native soil organic matter (SOM) was stimulated by glucose addition in the heath soil and the forest mineral soil, but not in the forest organic soil. These positive ‘priming’ effects were lost following N addition in forest mineral soil, and following both N and P additions in the heath soil. In order to meet enhanced microbial nutrient demand, increased inputs of labile C from plants could stimulate the mineralisation of SOM, with the soil C stocks in the tundra-heath potentially most vulnerable.     

Priming effect and C storage in semi-arid no-till spring crop rotations

Adoption of less invasive management practices, such as no-till (NT) and continuous cropping, could reduce CO₂ emissions from agricultural soils by retaining soil organic matter (SOM). We hypothesized that C storage increases as cropping intensity increases and tillage decreases. We also hypothesized that pulsed addition of C increases the mineralization of native SOM. We evaluated C storage at the 0- to 5-cm depth in soils from four crop rotations: winter wheat-fallow, spring wheat-chemical fallow, continuous hard red spring wheat, and spring wheat-spring barley on a Ritzville silt loam (Calcidic Haploxeroll). In two incubation studies using ¹⁴C-labeled wheat straw, we traced the decomposition of added residue as influenced by (1) cropping frequency, (2) tillage, and (3) pulsed additions of C. Differences in ¹⁴C mineralization did not exist among the four rotations at any time throughout the incubations. However, differences in total CO₂ production between the continuous wheat rotations and the fallow rotations point to a priming of native SOM, the degree of which appears to be related to the relative contributions of fungi and bacteria to the decomposition of added residue. Addition of non-labeled wheat straw to select samples in the second incubation resulted in a flush of ¹⁴C-CO₂ not seen in the controls. This priming effect suggests C inputs have a greater effect on mineralization of residual C compared to disturbance and endogenous metabolism appears to be the source of primed C, with priming becoming more pronounced as the fungal:bacterial ratio in the soil increases.