不同施氮量下潮土中小麦秸秆腐解特性及其养分释放和结构变化特征

  【目的】  秸秆腐解与元素转化涉及复杂的生物化学过程，提高土壤氮素水平是加速秸秆腐解和养分释放的关键措施。研究不同施氮水平下潮土中小麦秸秆腐解特性、养分释放特征及其结构组分变化规律，深入了解秸秆腐解过程与机制，为完善作物秸秆还田技术、实现秸秆资源的高效利用及农田可持续发展提供科学依据和技术支撑。  【方法】  本试验点位于河南省原阳县，土壤类型为潮土，种植制度为小麦–玉米轮作，以小麦秸秆为研究对象，设置0 (SN0)、180 (SN1) 和240 (SN2) kg/hm2 3个氮肥用量，进行187天的秸秆包填埋试验，利用超高分辨场发射扫描电镜 (SEM)、固态核磁共振 (13C-NMR) 等方法研究小麦秸秆腐解过程中的养分释放和结构组分动态变化规律。  【结果】  1) 小麦秸秆腐解呈现前期快后期慢的特征，前两周为快速腐解期，该阶段秸秆平均腐解率为46%，整个玉米季 (100天) 秸秆平均腐解率为71%；高氮营养环境对前两周的秸秆腐解率无显著影响；从第二周开始，施用氮肥处理加速了秸秆腐解，SN1和SN2处理秸秆腐解率平均高于SN0处理6个百分点，但SN1和SN2处理间无显著差异；秸秆碳释放率与秸秆腐解率变化趋势基本一致。2) 腐解187天后，秸秆氮磷钾养分最终释放率大小顺序为钾 (96%～97%) > 氮 (52%～86%) > 磷 (29%～45%)，其中钾在前两周基本完全释放，而氮、磷释放率在后期有负增长现象。3) 纤维素、半纤维素腐解率与秸秆腐解规律基本一致，均表现出前期快后期慢的特点，而木质素则在中后期腐解较快；纤维素、半纤维素和木质素最终腐解率分别为78%～87%、86%～91%和66%～73%（187天后）。4) 扫描电镜结果显示，小麦秸秆结构逐渐遭到破坏，表面变得粗糙，断层增多，空洞增大，纤维束变得松散，形成近似网状结构；高氮处理下小麦秸秆表观结构受破坏程度大于不施氮处理。5) 核磁共振结果显示，不同有机碳官能团信号强度分布表现为:烷氧碳 (47.02%～60.13%) > 烷基碳 (11.41%～17.38%) > 双烷氧碳 (10.79%～13.31%) > 甲氧基碳/烷氮碳 (7.53%～12.02%) > 芳基碳 (2.70%～7.18%) > 羧基碳 (1.07%～2.60%) > 酚基碳 (0.75%～2.02%)；腐解过程中烷基碳、甲氧基碳/烷氮碳、酚基碳和羧基碳相对含量显著增加，而烷氧碳相对含量显著降低。6) 相关分析表明，秸秆残余物所有有机碳官能团均与腐解率、碳释放率有显著或极显著相关性；有机碳官能团中只有烷氧碳、甲氧基碳/烷氮碳与氮释放率有显著相关性；烷氧碳、双烷氧碳与纤维素、半纤维素和木质素腐解率均呈极显著负相关，羧基碳和甲氧基碳/烷氮碳均与木质素腐解率呈现极高的正相关性。  【结论】  施用氮肥能够促进小麦秸秆腐解和碳释放，其效果在秸秆还田两周后才能显现出来；在腐解过程中，秸秆残余物中代表易分解碳水化合物的烷氧碳相对含量随腐解时间延长而不断降低，且占比均高于其它碳官能团，对指示秸秆腐解进程具有重要意义；固态核磁共振技术更有利于监测秸秆腐解过程中不同有机碳官能团结构变化，从而更深刻地认识秸秆腐解机制。     

Decomposition and substrate quality of leaf litters and fine roots from three exotic plantations and a native forest in the southwestern highlands of Ethiopia

Substrate quality and decomposition (measured as CO₂ release in laboratory microcosms) of fresh leaf litter and fine roots of Cupressus lusitanica, Pinus patula, Eucalyptus grandis and native forest trees were studied. Changes in litter chemistry in each forest stand were analysed by comparing fresh leaf litter (collected from trees) and decomposed litter from the forest floor. Elemental concentrations, proximate fractions including monomeric sugars, and cross polarisation magic-angle spinning (CPMAS) ¹³C NMR spectra were analysed in leaf litters, decomposed litter and fine roots. Leaf litters and fine roots varied in their initial substrate chemistry with Ca concentration in leaf litters being higher than that in fine roots. In each stand, fine roots had a higher acid unhydrolysable residue (AUR) (except for the Pinus stand), higher holocellulose concentration and lower concentration of water-soluble extractives (WSE) and dichloromethane extractives (NPE) than fresh leaf litter. Likewise, ¹³C NMR spectra of fine roots showed lower alkyl and carboxyl C, and higher phenolic (except P. patula), aromatic and O-alkyl C proportions than leaf litters. Compared with fresh leaf litter, decomposed litter had lower concentrations of potassium, holocellulose, WSE, NPE, arabinose and galactose, similar or higher concentrations of Mg, Ca, S and P, and higher concentrations of N and AUR. CPMAS ¹³C NMR spectra of decomposed litter showed a higher relative increase in signal intensity due to methoxyl C, aromatic C, phenolic C and carboxylic C compared with alkyl C. In a microcosm decomposition study, the proportion of initial C remaining in leaf litter and fine roots significantly fitted an exponential regression model. The decomposition constants (k) ranged between 0.0013 and 0.0030 d⁻¹ for leaf litters and 0.0010-0.0017 d⁻¹ for fine roots. In leaf litters there was a positive correlation between the k value and the initial Ca concentration, and in fine roots there was an analogous positive correlation with initial WSE. Leaf litters decomposed in the order Cupressus>native forest>Eucalyptus∼Pinus, and fine roots in the order Pinus>native forest>Cupressus∼Eucalyptus. In each stand the fine root decomposition was significantly lower than the leaf litter decomposition, except for the P. patula stand where the order was reversed.     

杨树刺槐混交林枯落物分解速率的研究

试验研究杨树纯林、刺槐纯林以及杨树刺槐混交林枯落物分解速率结果表明 ,枯落物分解速率随土壤水分的增大而增加 ,土壤含水量达最大持水量时其分解速率达最大值。起始分解速率以 70 %田间持水量为最大 ,其达最大分解速率的时间为 4d ,其他土壤含水量起始分解存在滞后现象 ,达最大分解速率的时间为 7d左右。不同枯落物分解速率为刺槐纯林 >杨树刺槐混交林 >杨树纯林 ,其原因是由刺槐纯林枯落物C N值较高 ,而杨树纯林枯落物C N值较小缘故所致。刺槐与杨树混交可降低枯落物C N值 ,加快枯落物分解速率     

Effects of tree species and topography on soil chemistry, litter quality, and decomposition in Northeast Turkey

Leaf litters from beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky.) and oak (Quercus robur L.), and needle litters from fir (Abies nordmanniana Spach.) and pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees were collected from north-facing site and south-facing site and at three slope positions (top, middle and bottom) on each aspect that varied in soil chemical characteristics (soil pH, cation exchange capacity and base saturation). The litters were analysed for initial total carbon, nitrogen, acid detergent fibre, lignin and cellulose concentrations. Nitrogen, acid detergent fibre and lignin concentrations and carbon:nitrogen and lignin:nitrogen ratios varied significantly within and between species according to soil chemical characteristics on aspects and slope positions. Litter decomposition was studied in the field using the litterbag technique. The litters were placed on two aspects and at three slopes on each aspect in October 2001, and were sampled every 6-month for 2 years. The main effects of aspect, species and slope position on decomposition rates were all statistically significant. Oak leaf litter showed highest decomposition rates, followed by pine, fir and beech litter, and the litters placed on north-facing site decomposed faster than those on the south-facing site. The litters placed at the top slope position decomposed slower than at those at either the bottom or middle positions. Initial lignin concentrations explained most of the variation in decomposition rates between species, and within species for the aspects and the slope positions, but the explained variance showed differences between aspects and slope positions. This result illustrates the important point that litter quality may define the potential rates of microbial decomposition but these are significantly influenced by the biotic and abiotic environment in which decomposition takes place.     

Characterisation of a humus profile under beech forest by using wet-chemistry and CPMAS 13C NMR-spectroscopy in consideration of spatial heterogeneity

Three of ten macromorphologically similar humus profiles of a Dystric Cambisol under a beech forest were randomly chosen and the litter and humus layers were characterized by wet-chemistry and CPMAS ¹³C NMR-spectroscopy. The spatial heterogeneity of the litter and humus layers was high for the bulk density and for the sugar and starch fraction; lowest coefficients of variation were obtained for the chemical shift range of O-Alkyl-C. The spatial heterogeneity of the layers did not differ by means of all chemical methods. Changes in the chemical composition at the beginning of humification were high from the fresh fallen litter (Ln-layer) to the morphologically only slightly altered litter in the L-layer, whereas the changes in the litter and humus layers from the L to the Ohf-layer were minor. However, the organic matter of the first mineral horizon was characterized by a decrease in lignin and cellulose. With wet-chemistry and ¹³C NMR-spectroscopy similar results were obtained for polysaccharides whereas results which can be attributed to changes in lignin deduced by the methoxyl content differed from each other.     

CPMAS 13C NMR and IR spectra of spruce and pine litter and of the Klason lignin fraction at different stages of decomposition

Fresh and decomposed spruce and pine litter and the Klason lignin fraction of spruce needles at different stages of decomposition were studied by CPMAS ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy as well as by chemical methods. It was shown that decomposition of needles is accompanied by an increase in aliphatic substances and carboxyl group content; the amount of polysaccharides is reduced. It is assumed that stable aliphatic compounds like cutin and lipids of microbial origin will accumulate during litter decomposition and humification. Aromaticity is low and does not alter drastically. The NMR spectra of the Klason lignin fraction show pronounced peaks at 30, 55, 115, 130, 150 and 175 ppm. Obviously, this fraction contains appreciable amounts of aliphatic and carboxyl carbon besides the typical aromatic units of lignin. During decomposition aromaticity decreases whereas the relative amounts of aliphatic substances and carboxyl groups increase. This is probably due to splitting of aromatic ring structures and side chains. The findings agree with the results from chemical analyses.     

Adsorption of cellulase components by leaf litter

The competitive adsorption of Trichoderma viride cellulase components to leaf litter was investigated to further elucidate the role of extracellular enzymes as mediators of decomposition processes. Litter analogs were prepared by acid-detergent digestion of senescent Pinus strobus (white pine), Quercus prinus (chestnut oak) and Cornus florida (flowering dogwood) leaves. Enzymatic cellulose digestion was used to produce litter analogs of higher lignin content. The white pine litter analogs had a high affinity for exocellulase and β-glucosidase. Chestnut oak litter preferentially bound endocellulase components and flowering dogwood litter displayed intermediate trends. Natural mixed-deciduous and white pine litters and humus had less capacity for immobilizing cellulase components. The adsorption data are consistent with available information on the binding of cellulase components to purified cellulose and with information on the cellulase activity patterns of decomposing leaf litter.     

Carbon and nitrogen transfer in leaf litter mixtures

The decomposition rate of litter mixtures can differ from that expected on the basis of the decomposition rate of the individual components. This difference may be linked to nitrogen (N) transfer from high-N to low-N components. Transfer of N is probably also associated with transfer of C, but the extent and direction of this C transfer are unknown. This study examined transfer and loss in laboratory microcosms of C and N from two mixed litter species (Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris L. and maize, Zea mays L.), which have natural isotopic differences in ¹³C. Half the material was ¹⁵N-labelled and the plants were fertilised or unfertilised. Substantial bidirectional transfer of C and N occurred between the litters, with net transfer of C from pine to maize litter and net transfer of N from high-N to low-N litter. Mixtures of fertilised and unfertilised plant litter showed higher than expected C losses and net transfer of N. Mixtures with litters from the same fertilisation treatment had small or insignificant net transfer of N and their C losses did not differ from values estimated using the decomposition rates of the pure litters.     

FT-IR study of the changes in carbohydrate chemistry of three New Jersey pine barrens leaf litters during simulated control burning

Low intensity control burns are a standard fuel reduction management tool used in pine barrens ecosystems. Periodic disturbances through fire can be an important influence on the cycling of nutrients within the ecosystem. Previous studies have shown that the inorganic chemistry of leaf litter residues differs with increasing temperature. Our study compared chemical changes in white oak (Quercus alba), pitch pine (Pinus rigida) and black huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata), characteristic of the New Jersey pine barrens, during thermal decomposition using FT-IR spectroscopy. Three replicates of senescent leaf material were ground and separately heated for 2 h at: 100, 200, 300, 400 and 550 °C. These temperatures are representative of the range seen in fuel reducing prescribed burns in the pine barrens. Unburned litter of each species was used as a control. An optimization process using varying amounts of KBr and oak litter was performed to develop favorable FT-IR spectral conditions for a sample to KBr ratio of 0.75%. Chemometric analysis of the FT-IR spectra using principal component analysis (PCA) was used to analyze the changes in carbohydrate chemistry of each litter plant species (leaf litter species) at each temperature. In general, it appears that there is clear separation of leaf litter species at the different combustion temperatures. Infrared spectroscopy illustrated that all three species shared wavenumbers characteristic of the primary components of leaves such as cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose. Results from the PCA indicated separation of litter species and species by combustion temperature. PC axis 1 corresponds to the effects of temperature on leaf litter species and PC axis 2 separates the leaf litter species. At the low temperatures (control-200 °C), oak, pine and huckleberry litter species separated from each other. Wavenumbers that contributed to the separation of species at low temperatures belonged to functional group stretching frequencies of outer surface waxes, basic sugars, fatty acids and aldehydes. It appears that oak had more IR bands specific to suberin content. Convergence of these species occurs at 300 °C. Complexity of chemical composition decreases at this particular temperature as is shown by the decrease in wavenumber richness when compared to litters at low and high temperatures. Oak, pine and huckleberry had similar IR spectra showing bands belonging to outer surface wax content, pectin, lignin and hemicellulose. With increasing temperatures (400-550 °C), differences between litter species increased slightly. Plant material was reduced to similar composition due to thermal decomposition, which consisted of inorganic materials such as carbonate, phosphate and sulfate ions and possible fused aromatics.     

Influence of litter chemistry and stoichiometry on glucan depolymerization during decomposition of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) litter

Glucans like cellulose and starch are a major source of carbon for decomposer food webs, especially during early- and intermediate-stages of decomposition. Litter quality has previously been suggested to notably influence decomposition processes as it determines the decomposability of organic material and the nutrient availability to the decomposer community. To study the impact of chemical and elemental composition of resources on glucan decomposition, a laboratory experiment was carried out using beech (Fagus sylvatica, L.) litter from four different locations in Austria, differing in composition (concentration of starch, cellulose and acid unhydrolyzable residue or AUR fraction) and elemental stoichiometry (C:N:P ratio). Leaf litter was incubated in mesocosms for six months in the laboratory under controlled conditions. To investigate the process of glucan decomposition and its controls, we developed an isotope pool dilution (IPD) assay using (13)C-glucose to label the pool of free glucose in the litter, and subsequently measured the dilution of label over time. This enabled us to calculate gross rates of glucose production through glucan depolymerization, and glucose consumption by the microbial community. In addition, potential activities of extracellular cellulases and ligninases (peroxidases and phenoloxidases) were measured to identify effects of resource chemistry and stoichiometry on microbial enzyme production. Gross rates of glucan depolymerization and glucose consumption were highly correlated, indicating that both processes are co-regulated and intrinsically linked by the microbial demand for C and energy and thereby to resource allocation to enzymes that depolymerize glucans. At early stages of decomposition, glucan depolymerization rates were correlated with starch content, indicating that starch was the primary source for glucose. With progressing litter decomposition, the correlation with starch diminished and glucan depolymerization rates were highly correlated to cellulase activities, suggesting that cellulose was the primary substrate for glucan depolymerization at this stage of decomposition. Litter stoichiometry did not affect glucan depolymerization or glucose consumption rates early in decomposition. At later stages, however, we found significant negative relationships between glucan depolymerization and litter C:N and AUR:N ratio and a positive relationship between glucan depolymerization and litter N concentration. Litter C:N and C:P ratios were negatively related to cellulase, peroxidase and phenoloxidase activities three and six months after incubation, further corroborating the importance of resource stoichiometry for glucan depolymerization after the initial pulse of starch degradation.     

A litter-slurry technique elucidates the key role of enzyme production and microbial dynamics in temperature sensitivity of organic matter decomposition

The rate at which organic matter decomposes generally increases with temperature, unless it is physico-chemically protected from enzymatic depolymerization. The temperature sensitivity of decomposition should increase with decreasing reaction rates, corresponding to increasing activation energy of the decomposing compounds. One approach to testing this carbon-quality temperature hypothesis is to study the effect of temperature on leaf litter decomposition, because fresh surface litter is unprotected. However, other factors such as humidity co-vary with temperature, and biological processes such as enzyme production and microbial population growth may also be thermally sensitive. We developed a litter slurry approach to isolate the effect of temperature and litter quality on decomposition. We found that pine litter decomposed faster than oak litter, consistent with a lower C:N and lignin:N ratio. During the first 14 days of decomposition, there was no difference in decomposition rate for litter incubated at 25 °C compared to 35 °C. Lower potential enzyme activity at 35 °C suggested that enzyme production was suppressed at 35 °C compared to 25 °C, resulting in similar in situ enzyme activities at the two temperatures. After 14 days, enzyme pools were similar between the two incubation temperatures, which resulted in faster decomposition at the warmer temperature, consistent with enzyme kinetic theory. At Day 14, the decomposition rate of the high quality pine litter was more temperature sensitive than the decomposition rate of the lower quality oak litter, suggesting that the quality of soluble pool rather than bulk chemistry determined the temperature sensitivity during this stage. After 28 days of incubation, oak litter decomposition was more temperature sensitive than pine litter, consistent with the carbon temperature-quality hypothesis. The litter slurry approach revealed that biological responses to temperature can affect the apparent temperature sensitivity of decomposition, and highlight a need for further research into microbial responses to temperature.     

A simple wet chemical extraction procedure to characterize soil organic matter (Som): 3. Results of vegetation,crop litter,and forest litter in comparison to data as revealed with CPMAS 13NMR spectroscopy and pyrolysis‐field ionization mass spectroscopy

Abstract

Data on the organic matter composition of vegetation, crop litter, and forest litter of Oi (=L) horizons from several European locations available with the litter compound analysis (LCA) discussed in previous communications are presented. The wet chemical results are discussed in comparison to data as revealed by cross polarization magic angle spinning carbon‐13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (CPMAS ¹³C‐NMR) and pyrolysis‐field ionization mass spectrometry (Py‐FIMS). The LCA of vegetation, crop litter, and forest litter provides much detailed information about the chemical composition of extractable organic matter. Normally, both CPMAS ¹³C‐NMR and Py‐FIMS confirm the wet chemical results. Our data suggest a moderate chemical variation between the fresh organic residue and the litter. NMR revealed structural information about the non‐extractable organic matter using a combination of wet chemical extraction and CPMAS ¹³C‐NMR of whole soil. In addition, Py‐FIMS identified specific SOM segments at a qualitative level.     

Medium‐ and short‐term available organic matter,microbial biomass,and enzyme activities in soils under Pinus sylvestris L. and Robinia pseudoacacia L. in a sandy soil in NE Saxony,Germany

Total, mobile, and easily available C and N fractions, microbial biomass, and enzyme activities in a sandy soil under pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) stands were investigated in a field study near Riesa, NE Germany. Samples of the organic layers (Oi and Oe‐Oa) and the mineral soil (0–5, 5–10, 10–20, and 10–30 cm) were taken in fall 1999 and analyzed for their contents of organic C and total N, hot‐water‐extractable organic C and N (HWC and HWN), KCl‐extractable organic C and N (C_org(KCl) and N_org(KCl)), NH ‐N and NO ‐N, microbial‐biomass C and N, and activities of β‐glucosidase and L‐asparaginase. With exception of the HWC, all investigated C and N pools showed a clear response to tilling, which was most pronounced in the Oi horizon. Compared to soils under pine, those under black locust had higher contents of medium‐ and short‐term available C (HWC, C_org(KCl)) and N (HWN, N_org(KCl)), mineral N (NH ‐N, NO ‐N), microbial‐biomass C and N, and enzyme activities in the uppermost horizons of the soil. The strong depth gradient found for all studied parameters was most pronounced in soils under black locust. Microbial‐biomass C and N and enzyme activities were closely related to the amounts of readily mineralizable organic C (HWC and C_org(KCl)). However, the presented results implicate a faster C and N turnover in the top‐soil layers under black locust caused by higher N‐input rates by symbiotic N₂ fixation.     

黄土高原不同退耕年限刺槐林地土壤侵蚀阻力

为了明确黄土高原植被恢复后不断蓄积的枯落物对土壤分离过程的影响,论文选取10、15、20、30、40a退耕年限刺槐林样地及对照样地,采集180个土壤样品用于土壤分离试验,在6组侵蚀动力条件下进行变坡水槽冲刷试验,结果表明:随着退耕年限的增大,刺槐林土壤结构趋于稳定且疏松多孔,40年刺槐林地与对照样地相比:容重降低12.9%、总孔隙度增加10.1%、毛管孔隙度增加62.4%,土壤有机质含量增加97.9%、水稳性团聚体增加112.3%.土壤分离能力均值随着林龄呈指数函数递减(R2=0.82、P<0.05).在退耕0~40年范围内,在0~15 a内土壤分离能力下降迅速,对照、10 a刺槐林地、15年刺槐林地之间的土壤分离能力差异显著(P<0.05),退耕15 a以后土壤分离能力趋于稳定.40 a林龄刺槐林细沟可蚀性比对照的细沟可蚀性降低86.3%,临界剪切力提高10.1%.土壤临界剪切力变化范围在4.15~4.78 Pa之间.细沟可蚀性的变化趋势与土壤分离能力变化趋势相似,相比临界剪切力的变化,细沟可蚀性的变化更能反映土壤分离能力的变化情况.     

Carbon and nitrogen turnover in response to warming and nitrogen addition during early stages of forest litter decomposition—an incubation experiment

Purpose

Little is known about the interactive effects of temperature, nitrogen (N) supply, litter quality, and decomposition time on the turnover of carbon (C) and N of forest litter. The objective of this study was to investigate the interactive effects of warming, N addition and tree species on the turnover of C and N during the early decomposition stage of litters in a temperate forest.

Materials and methods

A 12-week laboratory incubation experiment was carried out. The leaf litters including two types of broadleaf litters (Quercus mongolica and Tilia amurensis), a needle litter (Pinus koraiensis), and a mixed litter of them were collected from a broad-leaved Korean pine mixed forest ecosystem in northeastern China in September 2009. Nine treatments were conducted using three temperatures (15, 25, and 35 °C) combined with three doses of N addition (equal to 0, 75, and 150 kg?·?ha^?1?a^?1, respectively, as NH₄NO₃).

Results and discussion

After 12 weeks of incubation, the mass loss ranged between 12 and 35 %. The broadleaf litters had greater mass loss and cumulative CO₂–C emission than the needle litter. Temperature and N availability interacted to affect litter mass loss and decomposition rate. The dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON) concentrations in litter leachate varied widely with litter types. DOC increased significantly with increased temperature but decreased significantly with increased N availability. DON increased significantly with increased N availability but showed a higher level at the moderate decomposition temperature. The amounts of CO₂ and N₂O emission were significantly higher at 25 °C than those at 15 and 35 °C, and were significantly increased by the N addition.

Conclusions

The present study indicated relatively intricate temperature and N addition effects on C and N cycling during early stages of litter decomposition, implying that future increases in temperature and N deposition will directly affect C and N cycling in broad-leaved Korean pine mixed forest ecosystem, and may indirectly influence the ecosystem composition, productivity, and functioning in NE China. It is, therefore, important to understand the interactive effects of biotic and abiotic factors on litter decomposition in field conditions in order to assess and predict future ecosystem responses to environmental changes in NE China.     

Temporal dynamics of microbial communities on decomposing leaf litter of 10 plant species in relation to decomposition rate

Few empirical studies have examined how microbial communities on decomposing litters change in relation to litter chemistry or how microbial community composition is related to the rate of decomposition. We examined the relationships among microbial community composition, litter chemistry, and decomposition rates in a common garden experiment of the decomposition of leaf litters of 10 plant species. Microbial community composition, as measured by phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA), and 7 litter chemistry variables (%N, C:N, four carbon fractions, and lignin:N) were examined at 1, 2, and 8 months into decomposition. Both microbial and litter chemistry variables were reduced to a single axis each through nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMS) to examine the relationship between microbes, litter chemistry, and decomposition rates. Although microbial communities were separated according initial litter chemistry and lability, individual measures of litter chemistry had limited ability to predict microbial community composition during decomposition. Decomposition rate constants were explained by litter chemistry of initial, 1-, 2- and, 8-month old litters (60–72% of the variance), and by microbial community composition at the 8-month collection date (67%). The results suggest that initial litter chemistry determines the rate of decomposition and microbial community composition early in decomposition while the composition of the microbial community plays a more important role in determining decomposition rate later in decomposition.     

土壤微生物群落结构对凋落物组成变化的响应

凋落物分解是陆地生态系统养分循环的关键过程,明确凋落物多样性如何影响土壤微生物群落构成和多度,继而潜在地改变凋落物分解的微生物学机制有助于认识生物多样性和森林生态系统功能的关系。通过小盆模拟试验,应用磷脂脂肪酸谱图的方法研究了我国南方红壤丘陵区典型物种马尾松和湿地松的凋落物分别与白栎和青冈的凋落物混合,与单一针叶凋落物分解时相比,针阔混合凋落物分解过程中土壤微生物群落结构的变化,结果显示:(1)针阔混合凋落物分解时土壤微生物群落磷脂脂肪酸(Phospholipidfatty acids,PLFA)总量低于单一针叶处理,细菌和放线菌的相对多度高于单一针叶处理,真菌则相反,群落真菌/细菌低于单一针叶处理,土壤微生物生物量的差异主要来自于真菌;(2)主成分分析表明:针阔混合凋落物分解与单一针叶凋落物分解的土壤微生物群落结构差异显著,两个时期(分解9个月和18个月)主成分一分别可以解释65.74%和89.63%的变异,第一主成分主要包括18∶2ω6,9、18∶1ω9c、17∶0和10Me18∶0等磷脂脂肪酸;(3)土壤微生物群落结构受凋落物初始C/N和木质素/N调控,土壤微生物群落细菌的相对多度与凋落物初始C/N和木质素/N显著负相关,真菌则与凋落物初始C/N和木质素/N显著正相关,群落真菌/细菌与凋落物初始C/N和木质素/N显著正相关。针阔凋落物混合分解通过改变凋落物C/N和木质素/N,提供了对分解者更为有利的微环境。     

Response of soil C and N transformations to tannin fractions originating from Scots pine and Norway spruce needles

Tannins are polyphenolic compounds that may influence litter decomposition, humus formation, nutrient (especially N) cycling and ultimately, plant nutrition and growth. The aim of this study was to determine the response of C and N transformations in soil to tannins of different molecular weight from Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needles, tannic acid and cellulose. Arginine was added to test whether the soil microbial community was limited by the amount of N, and arginine+tannin treatments were used to test whether the effects of tannins could be counteracted by adding N. Soil and needle samples were taken from adjacent 70-year-old Scots pine and Norway spruce stands located in Kivalo, northern Finland. Tannins were extracted from needles and fractioned based on molecular weight; the fractions were then characterized by LC-MS and GC-MS. Light fractions contained tannin monomers and dimers as well as many other compounds, whereas heavy fractions consisted predominantly of polymerized condensed tannins. Spruce needles contained more procyanidin than prodelphinidin units, while in pine needles prodelphinidin units seemed to be dominant. The fractions were added to soil samples, pine fractions to pine soil and spruce fractions to spruce soil, and incubated at 14 °C for 6 weeks. CO₂ evolution was followed throughout the experiment, and the rates of net mineralization of N and net nitrification, concentration of dissolved organic N (DON) and amounts of microbial biomass C and N were measured at the end of the experiment. The main effects of the fractions were similar in both soils. Light fractions strongly enhanced respiration and decreased net N mineralization, indicating higher immobilization of N in the microbial biomass. On the contrary, heavy fractions reduced respiration and slightly increased net N mineralization, suggesting toxic or protein-precipitating effects. The effects of tannic acid and cellulose resembled those of light fractions. DON concentrations generally decreased during incubation and were lower with heavy fractions than with light fractions. No clear differences were detected between the effects of light and heavy fractions on microbial biomass C and N. Treatments that included addition of arginine generally showed trends similar to treatments without it, although some differences between light and heavy fractions became more obvious with arginine than without it. Overall, light fractions seemed to act as a labile source of C for microbes, while heavy fractions were inhibitors.     

Changes in the chemical composition of the organic carbon in Spartina alterniflora litter during decomposition in saltmarsh sediments

Purpose

In this study, 1-year decomposition experiments were conducted to measure the litter carbon decomposition dynamics in saltmarsh and to determine the changes in the chemical structure of litter carbon during the litter decomposition process.

Methods

Litterbags containing a mixture of Spartina alterniflora litter and burned sediment were buried at four S. alterniflora saltmarshes and one S. alterniflora–Suaeda salsa co-existing saltmarsh. The contents of total organic carbon (TOC) and recalcitrant carbon (RC) were determined by a Sercon Integra CN isotope ratio mass spectrometer, while the content of labile carbon (LC) was estimated by calculation. ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was conducted to characterise the chemical structures of the organic carbon compounds in the S. alterniflora litter during decomposition. Solid-state ¹³C–CPMAS-NMR spectra were obtained using an AVANCE III 400 MHz (Bruker) spectrometer.

Results

The results indicated that more RC than LC remained in the litterbag during decomposition. The organic carbon content of the S. alterniflora litter was largely composed of alcoxyl-C compounds (78.9%), the decomposition products of which dominated the litter organic carbon fractions, including the TOC, RC, and LC. In contrast, alkyl-C, aromatic-C, and carboxyl-C products contributed mostly to RC. Differences in the negative correlations between the litter carbon fractions and alkyl-C, aromatic-C, and carboxyl-C were found among the developing saltmarshes. Humus generated by the S. alterniflora litter was mainly composed of macromolecular organic compounds containing functional groups such as methyl, methylene, methine, methoxyl, aromatic rings, phenolic hydroxyl, and carboxyl.

Conclusions

During decomposition, the organic carbon in the S. alterniflora litter was found to be dominated by O-alkyl-C, followed by aromatic-C, alkyl-C, and carboxyl-C. O-alkyl-C plays a major role in the LC proportion of organic carbon, while aromatic-C, alkyl-C, and carboxyl-C contribute more to the RC proportion. Alkyl-C was found to be more easily decomposed than aromatic-C in the S. alterniflora litter. During litter decomposition, the molecular structure complexity, humification degree, and decomposition degree of organic carbon exhibited seasonal variations. In the 3-year saltmarsh, more decomposition of the organic carbon in the S. alterniflora litter was observed as compared to other sites.

     

Leaf litter decomposition in a chaparral ecosystem, Southern California

Decomposition losses from leaves of three evergreen chaparral species, scrub oak (Quercus dumosa), ceanothus (Ceanothus crassifolius), and manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca), were quantified over a 2-y field exposure using litterbags. Changes in ash-free dry mass, C, and N were monitored at 2- to 6-month intervals at four replicate sites composed of patches of these three chaparral species. Three proximate C fractions were extracted from fresh and decomposing litter samples: polar and non-polar extractives (EXT), acid-solubles (ACID), and acid-insolubles (KLIG). The chemical structure of fresh and decomposed litter was additionally characterized using high-resolution solid-state ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, while morphological properties were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After 2 y, the litters had lost between 20.7%±1.2 (Ceanothus) and 35.2%±6.8 (Quercus) of their original ash-free dry mass. The manzanita decomposed at a significantly faster rate than the other two litter types during the first few months of field exposure. Yet, after 2 y, mass loss was greater for the oak. Differences in decomposition rates could not be accounted for based on a single litter quality index. Fresh manzanita exhibited a significantly higher N content, which could explain its initially faster decay rate. Fresh oak litter, on the other hand, had a relatively high ACID and O-alkyl C (O-ALK) content, which may have been responsible for its decay pattern. Fresh ceanothus contained a relatively low KLIG content, yet it decomposed more slowly than the two other species. The solid-state ¹³C NMR spectra of the ceanothus litter had two peaks characteristic of proanthocyanidins, which likely contributed to the recalcitrance of this litter type. SEM revealed that ceanothus leaf surfaces were left nearly unchanged after field exposure. In comparison, the oak and manzanita leaf surfaces were pitted and covered by microbial growth to the point of being unrecognizable. Taken together, our results indicate that a combination of biological, physical and chemical factors need to be examined to clarify the different decomposition rates and patterns of these three chaparral species.