Assessing the impact of Diplocardia ornata on physical and chemical properties of compacted forest soil in microcosms

 The influence of compaction on Diplocardia ornata (Smith) burrowing and casting activities, soil aggregation, and nutrient changes in a forest soil were investigated using pot microcosms. Treatments included two levels each of compaction, organic matter, and earthworms. Both burrowing and casting activities were more abundant in uncompacted soil than in compacted soil. Bulk density decreased in microcosms of compacted soil containing D. ornata from 1.76 g cm^–3 to 1.49 g cm^–3 over the study period. The overall percent of aggregates in the same size classes in compacted soil was less than the percent of aggregates in uncompacted soil. The mean percent of aggregates in earthworm casts for size classes 0.25–1.00 mm was higher for compacted soil than for uncompacted soil. The reverse was true for aggregates in class sizes 2.00–4.00 mm. Soil compaction also affected soil microbial biomass carbon and soil inorganic N concentrations. These results indicate that the burrowing and casting activities of earthworms in compacted forest soils, as in soils of agricultural and pastured lands, can help ameliorate disturbed soils by improving aggregation, reducing bulk density, and increasing nutrient availability. Received: 1 September 1999     

Mineralization of nitrogen compounds in soils of south-taiga ecosystems

The productivity of the nitrogen mineralization in the A0 (0–2 cm), A1 (2–3 cm), and A2 (3–13 cm) horizons of a soddy-podzolic soil was measured in a wood-sorrel-whortleberry birch forest (7Birch3Asp, 80 years, the second stand quality class, tree canopy density 0.7, Yaroslavl oblast) using the sample incubation method; the measurements were performed from May till October in eight replicates for each horizon. In 2007, 5.85 ± 0.73 g N/m² were mineralized in the soil. In the litter, 2.01 ± 0.23 g N/m² were mineralized, whereas 0.35 ± 0.03 and 3.49 ± 0.72 g N/m² were mineralized in the A1 and A2 horizons, respectively. In 2008, 3.34 ± 0.25 g N/m² were mineralized in the A0 and A1 horizons, of which 2.44 ± 0.23 g N/m² were in the former. Ammonification prevailed in all the horizons. The contribution of nitrification was assessed as 1.6 and 0.3% of the process’s productivity in 2007 and 2008, respectively. The C_org and N_org pools decreased in the litter by 407 g C/m² and 13.7g N/m² (or 33%) from May to October. Of this carbon amount, 67% is spent for humification and the organic mass preservation and 33% was transformed to carbonic acid. The nitrogen expenses for the synthesis of humus acids are equal to 70 and 30%; it is spent equally for the mineralization of the element and its immobilization by microorganisms. In the A0 and A1 horizons, the seasonal trends of the ammonification correlated with the carbon dioxide emission from these horizons in the year of 2008 with r = 0.75 atp = 0.09 and r = 0.82 atp = 0.04 for both horizons, respectively.     

黄土高原吕梁山不同撂荒年限土壤团聚体稳定性及有机碳分布特征

为探究不同撂荒年限土壤结构及有机碳分布特征,试验选取黄土高原吕梁山自然撂荒1、2、3、5、10、15、20 a枣园土壤为研究对象,以清耕作业下的枣园土壤为对照(CK),利用干筛和湿筛法测定并分析各样地0～20 cm土层中土壤团聚体稳定性、团聚体有机碳与土壤总有机碳含量及其相关性。结果表明:撂荒初期,土壤团聚体含量呈波动变化趋势,撂荒3 a后土壤水稳性大团聚体含量(0.25 mm团聚体含量,R_(0.25))及团聚体平均重量直径(MWD)、几何平均直径(GMD)随撂荒年限的增加逐步提高。20 a撂荒地土壤水稳性大团聚体含量占团聚体总量的69.6%,较CK提高了55.2个百分点。土壤总有机碳、团聚体有机碳含量随撂荒年限的延长均呈先降低后增加的趋势,撂荒20 a土壤总有机碳含量达最大值7.88 g/kg;团聚体有机碳含量随团聚体粒径的减小呈先增加后降低的特点,主要集中于1～0.25 mm团聚体内。不同撂荒年限土壤中机械稳定性大团聚体有机碳对土壤总有机碳的贡献率为54.3%～82.2%,较CK(29.3%)提高25.0～52.9个百分点;水稳性大团聚体有机碳对土壤总有机碳的贡献率为17.7%～71.8%,除撂荒1 a和3 a土壤外,其他样地均高于CK (21.1%)。水稳性团聚体MWD、R_(0.25)与土壤总有机碳含量极显著相关(P0.01);水稳性团聚体GMD与土壤总有机碳含量显著相关(P0.05);水稳性团聚体R_(0.25)与2～1、1～0.25和0.25 mm水稳性团聚体有机碳含量极显著相关(P0.01),与5～2 mm团聚体有机碳含量显著相关(P0.05)。可见,撂荒恢复促进了土壤有机碳及水稳性团聚体有机碳含量的提高,从而提高了团聚体的稳定性。     

Leucaena hedgerow intercropping and cattle manure application in the Ethiopian highlands III. Nutrient balances

 Balances between nutrients applied or mineralized and nutrients removed in maize grain and stover were calculated in a hedgerow intercropping experiment in which Leucaena leucocephala and L. pallida prunings and cattle manure were applied. Hedgerow intercropping (also called alley cropping) is an agroforestry system in which trees are grown in dense hedges between alleys where short-cycle crops are grown. The hedges are pruned periodically during the cropping period and the prunings are added to the soil as green manure. In control treatments, nutrient depletion per season was in the order of 7–19 kg N ha^–1, 4–12 kg P ha^–1, 10–26 kg K ha^–1, 0–2 kg Ca ha^–1 and 3–6 kg Mg ha^–1. N fertilizer reversed the depletion of N, but it accelerated the depletion of the other nutrients. Manure and at least two applications of leucaena prunings resulted in net positive balances of N, K, and Ca between amounts applied or mineralized and amounts removed by maize. The amounts of P and Mg applied with, or mineralized from, prunings or manure were insufficient to offset the negative balances of these nutrients. Received: 27 January 1998     

Influence of N and non-N salts on atmospheric methane oxidation by upland boreal forest and tundra soils

 The short-term (24 h) and medium-term (30 day) influence of N salts (NH₄Cl, NaNO₃ and NaNO₂) and a non-N salt (NaCl) on first-order rate constants, k (h^–1) and thresholds (C_Th) for atmospheric CH₄ oxidation by homogenized composites of upland boreal forest and tundra soils was assessed at salt additions ranging to 20 μmol g^–1 dry weight (dw) soil. Additions of NH₄Cl, NaNO₃ and NaCl to 0.5 μmol g^–1 dw soil did not significantly decrease k relative to watered controls in the short term. Higher concentrations significantly reduced k, with the degree of inhibition increasing with increasing dose. Similar doses of NH₄Cl and NaCl gave comparable decreases in k relative to controls and both soils showed low native concentrations of NH₄ ⁺-N (≤1 μmol g^–1dw soil), suggesting that the reduction in k was due primarily to a salt influence rather than competitive inhibition of CH₄ oxidation by exogenous NH₄ ⁺-N or NH₄ ⁺-N released through cation exchange. The decrease in k was consistently less for NaNO₃ than for NH₄Cl and NaCl at similar doses, pointing to a strong inhibitory effect of the Cl^– counter-anion. Thresholds for CH₄ oxidation were less sensitive to salt addition than k for these three salts, as significant increases in C_Th relative to controls were only observed at concentrations ≥1.0 μmol g^–1 dw soil. Both soils were more sensitive to NaNO₂ than to other salts in the short term, showing a significant decrease in k at an addition of 0.25 μmol NaNO₂ g^–1 dw soil that was clearly attributable to NO₂ ^–. Soils showed no recovery from NaCl, NH₄ ⁺-N or NaNO₃ addition with respect to atmospheric CH₄ oxidation after 30 days. However, soils amended with NaNO₂ to 1.0 μmol NaNO₂ g^–1 dw showed values of k that were not significantly different from controls. Recovery of CH₄-oxidizing ability was due to complete oxidation of NO₂ ^–-N to NO₃ ^–-N. Analysis of soil concentrations of N salts necessary to inhibit atmospheric CH₄ oxidation and regional rates of N deposition suggest that N deposition will not decrease the future sink strength of upland high-latitude soils in the atmospheric CH₄ budget. Received: 30 April 1999     

Secondary salinity effects on soil microbial biomass

Secondary soil salinilization is a big problem in irrigated agriculture. We have studied the effects of irrigation-induced salinity on microbial biomass of soil under traditional cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) monoculture in Sayhunobod district of the Syr-Darya province of northwest Uzbekistan. Composite samples were randomly collected at 0–30 cm depth from weakly saline (2.3 ± 0.3 dS m⁻¹), moderately saline (5.6 ± 0.6 dS m⁻¹), and strongly saline (7.1 ± 0.6 dS m⁻¹) replicated fields, 2-mm sieved, and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, total C, organic C (C_Org), and extractable C, total N and P, and exchangeable ions (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, Cl⁻, and CO₃²⁻), microbial biomass (C_mic). The Na⁺ and Cl⁻ concentrations were 36-80% higher in strongly saline compared to weakly saline soil. The C_Org concentration was decreased by 10% and C_Ext by 40% by increasing soil salinity, whereas decrease in C_mic ranged from 18-42% and the percentage of C_Org present as C_mic from 8% to 26%. We conclude that irrigation-induced secondary salinity significantly affects soil chemical properties and the size of soil microflora.     

Long‐term fertilization and manuring effects on physically separated soil organic‐matter pools under continuous wheat cropping at a rainfed semiarid site in China

An essential prerequisite for a sustainable soil use is to maintain a satisfactory soil organic‐matter (OM) level. This might be achieved by sound fertilization management, though impacts of fertilization on OM have been rarely investigated with the aid of physical fractionation techniques in semiarid regions. This study aimed at examining changes in organic C (OC) and N concentrations of physically separated soil OM pools after 26 y of fertilization at a site of the semiarid Loess Plateau in China. To separate sensitive OM pools, total macro‐OM (> 0.05 mm) was obtained from bulk soil by wet‐sieving and then separated into light macro‐OM (< 1.8 g cm^–3) and heavy macro‐OM (> 1.8 g cm^–3) subfractions; bulk soil was also differentiated into light OM (< 1.8 g cm^–3) and mineral‐associated OM (> 1.8 g cm^–3). Farmyard manure increased concentrations of total macro‐OC and N by 19% and 25%, and those of light fraction OC and N by 36% and 46%, compared to no manuring; both light OC and N concentrations but only total macro‐OC concentration responded positively to mineral fertilizations compared to no mineral fertilization. This demonstrated that the light‐fraction OM was more sensitive to organic or inorganic fertilization than the total macro‐OM. Mineral‐associated OC and N concentrations also increased by manuring or mineral fertilizations, indicating an increase of stable OM relative to no fertilization treatment, however, their shares on bulk soil OC and N decreased. Mineral fertilizations improved soil OM quality by decreasing C : N ratio in the light OM fraction whereas manuring led to a decline of the C : N ratio in the total macro‐OM fraction, with respect to nil treatment. Further fractionation of the total macro‐OM according to density clarified that across treatments about 3/4 of total macro‐OM was associated with minerals. Thus, by simultaneously applying particle‐size and density separation procedures, we clearly demonstrated that the macro‐OM differed from the light OM fraction not only in its chemical composition but also in associations with minerals. The proportion of the 0.5–0.25 mm water‐stable aggregates of soil was higher under organic or inorganic fertilizations than under no manure or no mineral fertilization, and increases in OC and N concentrations of water‐stable aggregates as affected by fertilization were greater for 1–0.5 and 0.5–0.25 mm classes than for the other classes. Results indicate that OM stocks in different soil pools can be increased and the loose aggregation of these strongly eroded loess soils can be improved by organic or inorganic fertilization.     

Long-term applications of chemical and organic fertilizers on plant-available nitrogen pools and nitrogen management index

The objective of this study was to evaluate plant-available N pools and the role of N management index (NMI) in the surface (0–20 cm) of a fluvo-aquic soil after 18 years of fertilization treatments under a wheat–maize cropping system in the North China Plain. The experiment included seven treatments: (1) NPK, balanced application of chemical fertilizer NPK; (2) OM, application of organic manure; (3) 1/2OMN, application of half organic manure plus chemical fertilizer NPK; (4) NP, application of chemical fertilizer NP; (5) PK, application of chemical fertilizer PK; (6) NK, application of chemical fertilizer NK; and (7) CK, unfertilized control. Total organic N (TON), microbial biomass N (MBN), labile N (LN), inorganic N (ION, including ammonium (NH₄⁺)–N and nitrate (NO₃⁻)–N) contents, net ammonification rate (NAR), net nitrification rate (NNR), net N mineralization rate (NNMR), and NMI in the fertilized treatments were higher than in the unfertilized treatment. Application of chemical fertilizer N (NPK, NP, and NK) increased ION in soils, compared with application of organic N or control. Nitrate N prevailed over exchangeable NH₄⁺–N in all treatments. Nitrogen storage of the OM- and 1/2OMN-treated soils increased by 50.0% and 24.3%, respectively, over the NPK-treated soil, which had 5.4–22.5% more N than NP-, PK-, and NK-treated soils. The MBN, LN, and ION accounted for 1.7–2.4%, 25.7–34.2%, and 1.4–2.9% of TON, respectively, in different fertilization treatments. The surface soils (0–20-cm layer) in all treatments mineralized 43.6–152.9 kg N ha^–1 year^–1 for crop growth. Microbial biomass N was probably the better predictor of N mineralization, as it was correlated significantly (P < 0.01) with NNMR. The OM and 1/2OMN treatments were not an optimal option for farmers when the crop yield and labor cost were taken into consideration but an optimal option for increasing soil N supply capacity and N sequestration in soil. The NPK treatment showed the highest crop yields and increased soil N fractions through crop residues and exudates input, and thus, it may be considered as a sustainable system in the North China Plain.     

Mineralization of organic sulfur and its importance as a reservoir of plant-available sulfur in upland soils of north China

 An open incubation technique was used to measure S mineralization in a range of upland soils of north China. Six mineralization patterns were examined, and a soil S-exhaustion experiment with ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) was conducted to investigate the availability of various organic S pools to plants. For all of the 12 soils tested, the release of S as SO₄ ^2– was curvilinear with time, and during a 28-week incubation at 30  °C the amount of S mineralized ranged from 14.0 mg S kg^–1 soil to 37.4 mg S kg^–1 soil. A first-order model and Gompertz model appeared to best describe S mineralization. Examination of the soils after incubation revealed the bulk of the mineralized S was mainly derived from the C-bonded S pool, while the majority of mineralized S under soil S exhaustion by ryegrass was derived from the HI-reducible S pool. Received: 9 July 1998     

不同施肥措施及施肥年限下土壤团聚体的大小分布及其稳定性

土壤团聚体的数量和质量直接影响着土壤性质和有机碳固存。研究不同施肥措施及施肥年限对采煤塌陷区复垦土壤团聚体的重量分布比例及其稳定性的影响,可为该区农业生产和土壤质量提升提供科学依据。采集复垦6,11年定位试验不同施肥处理耕层(0—20 cm)土样,选取不施肥(CK)、平衡施氮磷钾化肥(NPK)、单施有机肥(M)、有机无机肥配施(MNPK)4个处理,利用干筛法和湿筛法获得4种粒径的团聚体/粉黏粒组分(>2,0.25~2,0.053~0.25,<0.053 mm),用>0.25 mm团聚体的含量(R0.25)、平均重量直径(MWD)、团聚体破坏率(PAD)和土壤不稳定团粒指数(ELT)表示团聚体的稳定性,同时测定土壤有机碳含量。结果表明:施肥年限较施肥措施对土壤团聚体的含量及稳定性产生了更显著的影响。干筛条件下,施肥6,11年均显著降低了各处理0.053~0.25 mm团聚体和<0.053 mm组分的含量,降幅分别为68.39%~87.37%,69.63%~78.32%(6年)和90.01%~93.68%,78.29%~83.93%(11年);湿筛条件下,施肥11年显著提高了各处理>2 mm团聚体的含量,增幅达473.35%~645.16%,但是显著降低了0.053~0.25 mm团聚体的含量,降幅为43.67%~57.54%。土壤团聚体的稳定性也随着施肥年限的增加而逐渐增强,表现为DR0.25、WR0.25和MWD值呈增加趋势,而PAD和ELT值呈降低趋势。土壤有机碳含量与DR0.25、WR0.25、MWD水稳性呈极显著正相关关系,而与PAD和ELT呈极显著负相关关系。本研究表明,该区域连续培肥11年提高了土壤大团聚体的含量而伴随着微团聚体含量的显著减少,导致土壤结构越来越稳定。这对于提高采煤塌陷区复垦土壤肥力、改善土壤结构产生了良好的效果。     

Dynamics of soil organic carbon and nitrogen associated with physically separated fractions in a grassland-cultivation sequence in the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau

This study is aimed at quantifying organic carbon (C) and total nitrogen (N) dynamics associated with physically separated soil fractions in a grassland-cultivation sequence in the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. Concentrations of organic C and N of soil, free and occluded particulate organic matter (OM), and aggregate- and mineral-associated OM in different land uses are increased in the following order: 50 years cultivation < 12 years cultivation ≤ native grassland. The prolonged cropping of up to 50 years markedly affected the concentrations of free and occluded particulate OM and mineral-associated OM. After wet-sieving, 43% of native grassland soil mass was found in >1−10 mm water-stable aggregates that stored 40% of bulk soil organic C and N; only 16% and 7% of soil mass containing 16% and 7% of bulk soil organic C and N was >1−10 mm water-stable aggregates of soils cultivated for 12 years and 50 years, respectively. This indicated that losses of soil organic C and N following cultivation of native grassland would be largely related to disruption of >1–10 mm size aggregates and exposure of intra-aggregate OM to microbial attack. Organic C and N concentrations of soil aggregates were similar among aggregate size fractions (>0.05−10 mm) within each land use, suggesting that soil aggregation process of these soils did not follow the hierarchy model. The increase of the C-to-N ratio of free and occluded particulate fractions in the cultivated soils compared to the grassland soil indicated a greater loss of N than C.     

Impact of agricultural land use on distribution of microbial biomass and activity within soil aggregates

The presence of aggregates of various sizes in the soil is an important condition for soil carbon sequestration. In this system, microbial biomass is a key link. This work was devoted to the study of the influence of land use systems on the distribution of SOС, MB-SIR, microbial activity and eco-physiological indices (qCO₂, QR, MB-SIR/SOС and qCO₂/SOС) in relation to the size of soil aggregates. The distribution of SOС, MB-SIR and mineralization activity among the aggregates was heterogeneous. In the soil of crop rotation, high mineralization activity and MB-SIR were found in the aggregates 0.5–0.1 mm, in the monoculture soil in aggregates <0.1 mm and in the control soil in the aggregates 1–0.25 mm. There was a general trend towards a decrease in microbial activity, MB-SIR and SOС availability with an increase in aggregate size. In agricultural soils, microbial activity was determined by large aggregates (>5 mm), while in the control soil, by the aggregates 5–1 mm. Depending on the type of site and the size of aggregates, the differences in microbial metabolism were revealed. The qCO₂ and QR values decreased, and the MB-SIR/SOС and qCO₂/SOС increased in the series: control soil > crop rotation > monoculture. In the control soil, the values of the eco-physiological indices decreased with decreasing aggregate size. And vice versa, in agricultural soils, these parameters were the highest in the microaggregates (<0.25 mm). The monoculture soil, in contrast to the control soil and crop rotation soil, turned out to be more energy efficient.     

The short-term cover crops increase soil labile organic carbon in southeastern Australia

Little information is available about the effects of cover crops on soil labile organic carbon (C), especially in Australia. In this study, two cover crop species, i.e., wheat and Saia oat, were broadcast-seeded in May 2009 and then crop biomass was crimp-rolled onto the soil surface at anthesis in October 2009 in southeastern Australia. Soil and crop residue samples were taken in December 2009 to investigate the short-term effects of cover crops on soil pH, moisture, NH₄⁺–N, NO₃⁻–N, soluble organic C and nitrogen (N), total organic C and N, and C mineralization in comparison with a nil-crop control (CK). The soil is a Chromic Luvisol according to the FAO classification with 48.4 ± 2.2% sand, 19.5 ± 2.1% silt, and 32.1 ± 2.1% clay. An exponential model fitting was employed to assess soil potentially labile organic C (C ₀) and easily decomposable organic C for all treatments based on 46-day incubations. The results showed that crop residue biomass significantly decreased over the course of 2-month decomposition. The cover crop treatments had significantly higher soil pH, soluble organic C and N, cumulative CO₂–C, C ₀, and easily decomposable organic C, but significantly lower NO₃⁻–N than the CK. However, no significant differences were found in soil moisture, NH₄⁺–N, and total organic C and N contents among the treatments. Our results indicated that the short-term cover crops increased soil labile organic C pools, which might have implications for local agricultural ecosystem managements in this region.     

长期施肥对红壤性水稻土团聚体活性有机碳的影响

在23年的长期田间定位试验区,研究了长期施肥对红壤性水稻土团聚体活性有机碳含量的影响。结果表明,在不施肥(CK)、无机肥(NPK)、有机肥(猪粪+紫云英绿肥)(OM)和无机肥与有机肥配施(NPKM)处理中,土壤团聚体活性有机碳含量均随深度的增加而降低。长期施用肥料,特别是有机肥与无机肥配施会提高土壤团聚体活性有机碳含量,从而保持和提高土壤有机碳库质量。不同粒级土壤团聚体中活性有机碳含量和团聚体活性有机碳占团聚体有机碳比率有差异,潜在可矿化碳含量和潜在可矿化碳占团聚体有机碳比率从高到低的顺序为:0.25~1mm、1~3mm、>3mm、0.05~0.25mm和<0.05mm;而可溶性有机碳含量和可溶性有机碳占团聚体有机碳比率从高到低的顺序为:0.05~0.25mm、0.25~1mm、1~3mm、>3mm和<0.05mm。不同施肥处理A层土壤团聚体潜在可矿化碳、可溶性有机碳含量都与土壤团聚体有机碳含量都呈极显著相关;P层除1~3mm团聚体外都呈显著相关。土壤微团聚体(<0.25mm)中有机碳的稳定性高于大团聚体(>0.25mm)。     

Distribution of nutrient elements within water-stable aggregates of two tropical agro-ecological soils under different land uses

This study evaluated carbon and nutrient distributions within water-stable aggregates (WSA) of soils of two contrasting ecosystems under different land uses. Surface soil samples were collected from uncultivated and cultivated land in rainforest and savannah agro-ecological areas and separated by wet-sieving technique into 4.76–2.0, 2.0–1.0, 1.0–0.50, 0.50–0.25 and <0.25 mm aggregate fractions. The results show that irrespective of the agro-ecological area, cultivation significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the macroaggregate fractions (>0.25 mm) to smaller diameters. Distribution of organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N) and available phosphorus (P) within the WSA showed preferential enrichment of these elements in the large macroaggregate fraction (4.76–2.0 mm) for the uncultivated soils and microaggregate fraction (<0.25 mm) for the cultivated soils. The overall pattern indicates higher accumulation of C, N and P in the WSA of the uncultivated soils over the cultivated soils. Average distribution of total exchangeable bases (TEB), i.e., sum of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺ and Na⁺, within WSA of the uncultivated soils of the rainforest region were 7.35 and 7.39 cmol/kg for 4.76–2.0 and <0.25 mm fractions, respectively. The distributions of TEB for cultivated soils of the rainforest region were 2.76 cmol/kg (4.76–2.0 mm fraction) and 7.73 cmol/kg for <0.25 mm fraction. This showed that cultivation significantly (p < 0.05) led to 62% reduction in these nutrients in the 4.76–2.0 mm fraction and 5% increase in concentrations of these cations in <0.25 mm fraction. For savannah soils, distributions of TEB were 7.44 and 6.77 cmol/kg for 4.76–2.0 and <0.25 mm fractions, respectively, in uncultivated sites, whereas TEB were 2.19 cmol/kg (4.76–2.0 mm) and 6.35 cmol/kg (<0.25 mm) for cultivated savannah. This indicated that cultivation significantly (p < 0.05) led to 71% and 6% reductions in Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺ and Na⁺ concentrations within the 4.76–2.0 and <0.25 mm aggregate fractions, respectively. However, there were 18% and 50% increase in these elements in the 2.0–1.0 and 1.0–0.50 mm fractions of the cultivated soils of the savannah region, respectively. The general trend showed that in uncultivated soils, the 4.76–2.0 and <0.25 mm fractions were preferentially enriched with Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺ and Na ⁺; whereas, cultivation led to redistribution of these elements into the smaller aggregates. Since smaller aggregates are preferentially removed by erosion, this study underscores the need for sustainable soil management practices that would minimize nutrient loss when forest or fallow lands are converted to cropland.     

长期不同施肥方式对华北地区温室和农田土壤团聚体形成特征的影响

土壤的团聚状况是土壤重要的物理性质之一,团聚体数量是衡量和评价土壤肥力的重要指标。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。本文以华北地区曲周长期定位试验站的温室土壤和农田土壤为研究对象,运用湿筛法,对比研究施用化肥(NP)、有机肥加少量化肥(NPM)、单施有机肥(OM)3种施肥方式对温室和农田两种利用方式土壤水稳性团聚体含量、分布和稳定性的影响,以提示施肥措施对不同土地利用方式土壤水稳性团聚体特征的影响。结果表明:在温室土壤和农田土壤中,OM处理较NP和NPM处理显著降低了土壤容重,增加了土壤有机质含量(P0.05),且在0~10 cm土层中效果最为明显。其中在温室土壤0~10 cm土层,单施有机肥处理(OM1)的土壤容重为1.17 g·cm~(-3),分别较施用化肥(NP1)和有机肥加少量化肥(NPM1)处理降低12.0%和8.6%,OM1的土壤有机质含量为54.81 g·kg~(-1),较NP1和NPM1增加104.8%和35.7%;在农田土壤0~10 cm土层,单施有机肥处理(OM2)的土壤容重为1.19 g·cm~(-3),较施用化肥(NP2)、有机肥加少量化肥(NPM2)分别降低8.5%和7.0%,OM2的土壤有机质为22.67 g·kg~(-1),较NP2、NPM2分别增加23.1%和15.0%。温室土壤和农田土壤中,0~10 cm、10~20 cm和20~40 cm层土壤团聚体的平均重量直径(MWD)和几何平均直径(GMD)均为OMNPMNP;OM处理下水稳性团聚体的分形维数(D)值最低,NP处理下最大。OM处理显著降低0~20 cm土层内水稳性团聚体的D值,表层0~10 cm土层效果最为明显,土壤结构明显得到改善;相比农田土壤,温室土壤稳定性指标变化最为明显,团聚体结构改善效果最好。土壤有机质含量与0.25 mm水稳性团聚体含量间呈极显著正相关关系(P0.001),说明土壤有机质含量越高,0.25 mm水稳性团聚体的含量就越高,土壤团聚体水稳性越强,土壤结构越稳定。因此有机施肥方式能在补充土壤有机碳库和有效养分含量的同时,显著增加土壤中大团聚体的含量及其水稳性,是提高华北平原农田土壤、尤其是温室土壤结构稳定性和实现土壤可持续发展的有效措施。     

Concurrent measurements of net mineralization, nitrification, denitrification and leaching from field incubated soil cores

An improved method is described for incubating intact soil cores in the field, which permits concurrent measurement of net mineralization, nitrification, denitrification and leaching. Cores were enclosed in PVC tubes with minimal disturbance to the physical state or to the natural cycles of wetting/drying, soil temperature and aeration during an incubation lasting 4–5 days. An example of the application of the method is given in which soils with contrasting drainage characteristics were compared. Over a 64-day experimental period, 58% of the mineralized nitrogen (N) in a freely drained soil was nitrified and 36% of the nitrate-N (NO₃ ^–-N) was denitrified. In a poorly drained soil, 72% of the mineralized N was nitrified and 63% of the NO₃ ^–-N was denitrified. In both soil types, 18% of the remaining NO₃ ^–-N was leached. Rates of nitrification were significantly correlated with net mineralization (r ²=0.41 and 0.52) and also closely correlated with denitrification (r ²=0.67 and 0.68) in the freely and poorly drained soils, respectively. Independent measurements of these processes, using alternative techniques (for the same period), compared favourably with measurements obtained with the improved incubation method. Adoption of this method has a number of advantages with respect to field net N mineralization, and also allows interpretation of the impact this may have on other N transformation processes. Received: 18 June 1997     

Nitrification and denitrification in the rhizosphere of rice: the detection of processes by a new multi-channel electrode

 N turnover in flooded rice soils is characterized by a tight coupling between nitrification and denitrification. Nitrification is restricted to the millimetre-thin oxic surface layer while denitrification occurs in the adjacent anoxic soil. However, in planted rice soil O₂ released from the rice roots may also support nitrification within the otherwise anoxic bulk soil. To locate root-associated nitrification and denitrification we constructed a new multi-channel microelectrode that measures NH₄ ⁺, NO₂ ^–, and NO₃ ^– at the same point. Unfertilized, unplanted rice microcosms developed an oxic-anoxic interface with nitrification taking place above and denitrification below ca. 1 mm depth. In unfertilized microcosms with rice plants, NH₄ ⁺, NO₂ ^– and NO₃ ^– could not be detected in the rhizosphere. Assimilation by the rice roots reduced the available N to a level where nitrification and denitrification virtually could not occur. However, a few hours after injecting (NH₄)₂HPO₄ or urea, a high nitrification activity could be detected in the surface layer of planted microcosms and in a depth of 20–30 mm in the rooted soil. O₂ concentrations of up to 150 μM were measured at the same depth, indicating O₂ release from the rice roots. Nitrification occurred at a distance of 0–2 mm from the surface around individual roots, and denitrification occurred at a distance of 1.5–5.0 mm. Addition of urea to the floodwater of planted rice microcosms stimulated nitrification. Transpiration of the rice plants caused percolation of water resulting in a mass flow of NH₄ ⁺ towards the roots, thus supporting nitrification. Received: 23 July 1999     

Carbon and nitrogen distribution in water-stable aggregates under two tillage techniques in Fluvisols of Owerri area, southeastern Nigeria

Organic matter influences soil structure and compactibility by binding soil mineral particles, reducing aggregate wettability, and influencing the mechanical strength of soil aggregates, which is the measure of coherence of inter-particle bonds. This work was carried out to examine how differences in water-stable aggregates influence the distribution of soil organic carbon and soil organic nitrogen under two tillage techniques [minimum tillage (only planting holes were opened) and conventional tillage (raised beds, 30 cm high, prepared manually with traditional hoes)] in soils of a Fluvisol in Owerri, southeastern Nigeria. Three pedons were dug and studied for each of the tillage technique along a soil sequence. Soil organic carbon and soil organic nitrogen distribution in whole soil and in water-stable aggregates under minimum tillage and conventional tillage were determined for the soils. Soil organic carbon contents in water-stable aggregates (WSA) of the pedons varied according to method of tillage. The highest mean values of soil organic carbon were obtained from minimum tillage and in water-stable aggregates 4.75–2.00 mm (16.03 Mg C ha⁻¹), 1.00–0.50 mm (14.06 Mg C ha⁻¹) and water-stable aggregates 2.00–1.00 mm (13.99 Mg C ha⁻¹) whereas under conventional tillage, water-stable aggregates 1.00–0.50 mm with soil organic carbon of 24.6 Mg C ha⁻¹ had the highest soil organic carbon content. Soil organic carbon correlated significantly with mean weight diameter (r = 0.48; P = 0.05; n = 15), water-stable aggregates 4.75–2.00 mm (r = 0.73; P = 0.05; n = 15), water-stable aggregates 2.00–1.00 mm (r = 0.55; P = 0.05, n = 15), water-stable aggregates 1.00–0.50 mm (r = 0.44; P = 0.05; n = 15) whereas no relationship was found between soil organic carbon and water-stable aggregates 0.50–0.25 mm (r = 0.15; P = 0.05; n = 15) and water-stable aggregates <0.25 mm (r = 0.17; P = 0.05; n = 15) in soils under minimum tillage. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.45–0.58; P = 0.05; n = 14) between all water-stable aggregates classes studied and soil organic carbon in soils under conventional tillage. Mean values of soil organic nitrogen were higher in soils under minimum tillage with 4.75–2.00 mm and 2.00–1.00 mm aggregate classes having 1.64 Mg N ha⁻¹ and 1.57 Mg N ha⁻¹ soil organic nitrogen when compared to 1.01 Mg N ha⁻¹ and 1.00 Mg N ha⁻¹ in conventionally tilled soils of the same aggregate classes, respectively. Larger water-stable aggregate classes (4.75–2.00; 2.00–1.00) had slightly more soil organic nitrogen (22–26%) than smaller aggregate classes (1.00–0.50; 0.50–0.25; >0.25) with 14–24% soil organic nitrogen in minimum tilled soils. In soils under conventional tillage, 1.00–0.50 mm, 0.50–0.25 mm and <0.25 mm aggregate classes contributed more soil organic nitrogen (19.66–22.40%) to the soil whereas larger water-stable aggregate classes contributed 19.22% soil organic nitrogen. The proportion of soil organic carbon and total nitrogen retained in soils with higher percentage of water-stable aggregates are less likely to be lost through soil and wind erosion. The higher values of SOC in the whole soil and WSA classes less than 2.00 mm are indications of positive influence of SOC on the stability of these peds.     

施用生物质炭对黑土腐殖质组成及水稳性团聚体分布的影响

为探究生物炭对土壤腐殖质组成和团聚体特征的影响，以东北黑土区植烟土壤为研究对象，设置了3个处理，2019-2020年连续施用低量生物炭5t/hm2（C1）；高量生物炭25t/hm2（C2）和不施生物炭（CK），分析了不同用量生物炭对土壤腐殖质组分及水稳性团聚体分布的影响，并利用傅里叶红外光谱(FTIR)和13C核磁共振光谱(13C-NMR)对土壤胡敏酸化学结构进行表征。结果表明：C1和C2处理分别使富里酸减少了16.90%和40.85%，胡敏酸含量显著增加了14.86%和33.78%，胡敏酸在腐殖酸中所占比例（PQ值）也显著增加；FTIR和13C-NMR分析表明，C2处理的土壤胡敏酸的2920/1620值降低了11.82%，脂族C/芳香C比值降低了13.04%，表明高量生物炭使胡敏酸芳构化程度增强，脂肪结构比例降低；生物炭的添加促使土壤大团聚体（>0.25mm）比例增加，C2处理提升大团聚体的作用更显著。结合相关性分析发现，胡敏酸含量与2~0.25mm大团聚体含量显著正相关，胡敏酸分子的脂肪族官能团特征与>2mm粒级团聚体显著正相关。此外，C1和C2处理显著提高了烟叶产量。从而表明，生物炭能提升土壤腐殖质中胡敏酸含量和结构，有利于土壤大团聚体形成，提高土壤固碳潜力，对作物有一定的增产效果。