Stable Isotope (δ13C and δ15N) Signatures and Their Relationship among Soil Enzyme Activities in Indian Semi-arid Agricultural Soils

ABSTRACT

A field evaluation of the stable isotopes (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) and their relationship among physicochemical and enzyme activities was conducted in Indian semi-arid agricultural soils. Composite soil samples were collected based on organic management (ORG), inorganic management (IM), integrated crop management (ICM) and precision farming (PF) experimental plots from the fall of September 2017 to October 2018. δ¹⁵N was significantly higher (13.85 %) in ORG soils compared with ICM (13.28 %), IM (12.84 %) and PF (12.75 %). In contrast δ¹³C was higher (?13.25%) in PF soils than IM (?13.6 %), ICM (?15.07 %) and ORG (?15.23 %). Soils from ORG had significantly higher levels of total N, total C, total S, organic carbon, available N, extractable P, Soil organic carbon stock, exchangeable K and enzyme activities compared to IM, ICM and PF. Urease, β – glucosidase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, invertase, cellulase and dehydrogenase activities significantly increased the δ¹⁵N and reduced δ¹³C in agricultural soils. Our results suggested that organic management had improved the δ¹⁵N, plant available nutrients and soil enzyme activities. Stable δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N isotopes are good indicators of monitor the soil health, carbon, and nitrogen biogeochemical cycles in Indian semi-arid agricultural soils.     

福州不同农田土地利用类型土壤碳氮磷生态化学计量学特征

为阐明不同土地利用类型土壤碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)生态化学计量学特征,对福州农田不同土地利用类型(水稻田、菜地和茉莉园)下的土壤全碳(TC)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)含量及其生态化学计量学特征进行测定和分析。结果表明:土壤TC含量均值基本表现为水稻田菜地茉莉园(P0.05);在春、秋季节土壤TN含量均值表现为水稻田菜地茉莉园(P0.05),在夏、冬节季表现为菜地水稻田茉莉园(P0.05);在各个季节菜地土壤TP含量均值均为最大(P0.05),在冬季土壤TP含量均值达到最大(P0.05)。土壤C/N、C/P和N/P在各个土地类型下均值分别为10.17～12.89,0.46～0.86,4.76～9.61,C/N季节差异不显著,唯有夏季略高于其他季节,菜地土壤C/N在各个季节均低于水稻田和茉莉园(P0.05);C/P和N/P在全年内季节差异不显著,均表现为水稻田菜地茉莉园(P0.05)。菜地土壤C和N储量在各个季节均高于水稻田与茉莉园土壤(P0.05),各个季节里水稻田和茉莉园土壤C和N储量无明显差异,秋季各个土壤类型C和N储量基本低于其他季节(P0.05)。在各个季节P储量均值表现为菜地茉莉园水稻田(P0.05)。总体来看,与其他土壤相比,茉莉园土壤C、N、P含量最低,菜地土壤N和P含量以及储量较高,且土壤碳氮磷生态化学计量学特征在不同土地利用类型下差异显著,其生态化学计量学特征对土壤碳氮磷固持及限制性养分具有一定的指示作用。     

Soil Total Nitrogen and Natural 15Nitrogen in Response to Long-Term Fertilizer Management of a Maize–Wheat Cropping System in Northern China

The Fengqiu long-term field experiment was established to examine effects of organic manure and mineral fertilizers on soil total nitrogen (N) and natural ¹⁵N abundance. Fertilizer regimes include organic manure (OM), one-half N from organic manure plus one-half N from mineral N fertilizer (1/2OMN), mineral fertilizers [N–phosphorus (P)–potassium (K), NP, NK, PK], and a control. Organic manure (OM and 1/2OMN) significantly increased soil total N and δ¹⁵N, which was expected as a great amount of the N applied remained in soils. Mineral NPK fertilizer and mineral NP fertilizer significantly increased total N and slightly increaed δ¹⁵N. Phosphorus-deficient fertilization (NK) and N-deficient fertilization (PK) had no effect on soil total N. Significantly greater δ¹⁵N was observed in the NK treatment as compared to the control, suggesting that considerable N was lost by ammonia (NH₃) voltalization and denitrification in this P-deficiency fertilization regime.     

闽西南崩岗侵蚀区芒萁叶片生态化学计量特征

为了阐明极度退化的崩岗生态系统内芒萁的生长状态和养分储存特征,对闽西南3处不同侵蚀强度的典型崩岗内芒萁叶片C、N、P含量及C/N、C/P、N/P特征进行研究,对比分析不同侵蚀强度下崩壁部位和崩岗不同侵蚀部位中芒萁叶片的生态化学计量特征。结果表明:崩岗内芒萁叶片的C、N、P平均含量分别为477.10 g·kg~(-1)、6.45 g·kg~(-1)、0.25 g·kg~(-1),芒萁叶片的N、P养分含量极低;而C/N、C/P、N/P平均值分别为96.82、2 097.20、27.67,芒萁生长受P限制。不同侵蚀强度下的崩壁内芒萁叶片的C、N、P含量及C/P、N/P均存在显著差异(P0.05),C含量、C/P和N/P均随着侵蚀强度的增强而减小,N含量在中度侵蚀的崩壁内较高,而P含量则随着侵蚀强度的增强而增加,表明芒萁对土壤侵蚀严重的崩岗生态系统具有很强的适应能力。在崩岗的不同侵蚀部位中芒萁叶片的P含量、C/P和N/P均存在显著差异(P0.05),P含量在集水坡面最高,在崩壁最低;而C/P、N/P均表现为崩壁显著大于其他各侵蚀部位。可见,在崩岗的不同侵蚀部位,崩壁中芒萁对C的同化能力强于其他侵蚀部位,且对P利用效率也显著高于其他侵蚀部位。综上,在侵蚀严重的崩岗生态系统中,芒萁有较强的同化C能力和较高的对P利用效率,能通过调节自身C、N、P元素含量很好地适应土壤侵蚀严重、养分极度贫瘠的生境。     

Stoichiometric relations of C,N, and P in urban top soils in Nanjing,China, and their biogeochemical implications

Purpose

With increasing urban area and population, global cities are playing a more important role in the alteration of the global biogeochemical cycles. The aims of this study are to understand the concentrations and stoichiometric relations of biogenic elements (C, N, and P) in urban soils, further to reveal the effects of C, N, and P accumulation on the urban environment.

Materials and methods

We collected 317 surface (0–10 cm) soil samples taken from Nanjing, China, a typical city with more than 2000 years of history. These soil samples were located in different urban zones of Nanjing with different land use histories. The soil C, N, and P concentrations were determined. The stoichiometric relations of soil C, N, and P were investigated in urban soils. Meanwhile, some studies on sources of C, N, and P in diverse urban settings from literature were combined to explore the universal rule of C, N, and P cycling and their ecological and environmental effects in urban area.

Results and discussion

Compared to rural soils, more C, N, and P are accumulated in the urban soils, which also change their stoichiometric relations. The concentrations of OC, TN, and TP in urban top soils are 17.0 ± 9.69 g kg^?1, 1.53 ± 0.92 g kg^?1, and 1.31 ± 0.67 g kg^?1, respectively. The mean atomic ratio of C:N:P is 37:3:1 in the surface of urban soils that strictly differs from natural soils in China and the whole world. The mean of C:N ratio in urban soils is similar to that of agriculture, grassland, and forest soils. However, the ratios of C:P and N:P in urban soils are much lower than that in agricultural, forest, and grassland soils. This implies that P is extremely enriched in the urban soils. The high C in urban soils are considered coming from natural and anthropogenic sources. The high N and P mainly come from anthropogenic sources.

Conclusions

The well-constrained C:N:P ratio in rural soils does not apply for urban soils. The abnormal C:N:P ratio of urban soils is the result of unbalanced accumulation of C, N, and P from human activities. Urban soils are already an important storage of carbon. High N and P in urban soils may bring threat of surface water eutrophication and ground water contamination. These effects are expected to increase with the city development time.

     

Nutrient Uptake of Maize Affected by Nitrogen and Potassium Fertility in a Humid Subtropical Environment

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) fertility management of maize (Zea mays L.) in the humid subtropical Mississippi Delta may differ from a temperate climate because of its use in rotation with cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), soil temperatures rarely falling to 0°C, and heavy winter rains that facilitate nutrient losses. An experiment to determine the [N] (concentration=[ ]), phosphorus [P], [K], calcium [Ca], magnesium [Mg], iron [Fe], manganese [Mn], zinc [Zn], and copper [Cu] and their total contents plant^?1 of maize grown in rotation with cotton, using N fertility levels of (134, 179, 224, 269, and 314 kg N ha^?1) in combination with K fertility levels of (0, 45, 90, and 134 kg K ha^?1) was conducted in 2000 and 2001 at Tribbett, MS. Ear leaves, immature ears, and husks collected at growth stage R2 and grain and stover collected 21 days after R6 were dried, weighed, and analyzed for nutrient concentration. Plots were also harvested for yield, kernel weight, grain bulk density, and harvest index (HI). Increased [N] values of about 1.3 mg g^?1 occurred in all organs except the stover between 134 and 314 kg N ha^?1 N fertility. Stover [N] increased approximately 3.0 mg g^?1 within the same N fertility range. Total N content of ear leaves, grain, and stover increased by about 11.0, 550.0, and 730.0 mg plant^?1, respectively, with N fertility increased from 134 to 314 kg N ha^?1. Yields, kernel weights, grain bulk densities, and harvest indices also increased with added N fertility. Several micronutrient concentrations and contents increased as N fertility increased. Increased K fertility had only limited influence on concentrations of most nutrient elements. The nutrient contents of most elements in the stover increased with added K fertility compared with plots that received no supplemental K fertilizer. These data showed between 139 and 265 kg N ha^?1 was permanently removed by grain harvest and suggest that N fertility recommendations for the Mississippi Delta may be low for maize yield goals above 10 Mg ha^?1. Added K fertilizer has minimal benefit to maize when soil test levels are adequate but are important to succeeding cotton crops where K uptake during fruiting can exceed the soil's ability to release K for uptake.     

Do organic inputs alter resistance and resilience of soil microbial community to drying?

Grassland ecosystems in south-eastern Australia are important for dairy and livestock farming. Their productivity relies heavily on water availability, as well as the ecosystem services provided by soil microbial communities including carbon and nutrient cycling. Management practices such as compost application are being encouraged as a means to improve both soil water holding capacity and fertility, thereby buffering against the impacts of increasing climate variability. Such buffering consists of two complementary processes: resistance, which measures the ability of an ecosystem to maintain community structure and function during a period of stress (such as drying); and resilience, which measures the ability of an ecosystem to recover community structure and function post-stress. We investigated the effects of compost on the resistance and resilience of the grassland soil ecosystem under drying and drying with rewetting events, in a terrestrial model ecosystem. Overall, compost addition led to an increase in soil moisture, greater plant available P and higher plant δ¹⁵N. Soil C:nutrient ratios, mineral N content (NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻) and soil microbial PLFA composition were similar between amended and unamended soils. Rainfall treatment led to differences in soil moisture, plant above-ground and below-ground biomass, plant δ¹⁵N, soil mineral N content (NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻) and microbial biomass C, N and P composition but had no effects on soil C:nutrient ratios, plant available P and soil microbial PLFA composition. There was little interaction between rainfall and compost. Generally, the soil microbial community was resistant and resilient to fluctuations in rainfall regardless of compost amendment. However, these properties of the soil microbial community were translated to resilience and not resistance in soil functions. Overall, the results below-ground showed much greater response to rainfall than compost amendment. Water was the key factor shaping the soil microbial community, and nutrients were not strong co-limiting factors. Future projections of increasing rainfall variability will have important below-ground functional consequences in the grassland, including altered nutrient cycling.     

Seasonal Changes of Shoot Nitrogen Concentrations and 15N/14N Ratios in Common Reed in a Constructed Wetland

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) concentrations and stable N isotope abundances (δ¹⁵N) of common reed (Phragmites australis) planted in a constructed wetland were measured periodically between July 2001 and May 2002 to examine their seasonal variations in relation to N uptake and N translocation within common reed. Nitrogen concentrations in P. australis shoots were higher in the growing stage (7.5 to 24.8 g N kg^?1) than in the senescence stage (4.2 to 6.8 g N kg^?1), indicating N translocation from shoots to rhizomes. Meanwhile, the corresponding δ¹⁵N values were higher in the senescence stage (+12.2 to +22.4‰) than in the growing stage (+5.1 to +11.3‰). Coupled with the negative correlation (R²=0.24, P<0.05, n=18) between N concentrations and δ¹⁵N values of shoots in the senescence stage, our results suggested that shoot N became enriched in ¹⁵N due to N isotopic fractionation (with an isotopic fractionation factor, α_s/p, of 1.012) during N translocation to rhizomes. However, the positive correlation between N concentrations and δ¹⁵N values in the growing stage (R²=0.19, P<0.001, n=54) suggested that P. australis relies on N re‐translocated from rhizome in the early growing stage and on mineral N in the sediment during the active growing stage. Therefore, seasonal δ¹⁵N variations provide N‐isotopic evidence of N translocation within and N uptake from external N sources by common reed.     

Organic matter turnover in soil physical fractions following woody plant invasion of grassland: Evidence from natural C and N

Soil physical structure causes differential accessibility of soil organic carbon (SOC) to decomposer organisms and is an important determinant of SOC storage and turnover. Techniques for physical fractionation of soil organic matter in conjunction with isotopic analyses (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N) of those soil fractions have been used previously to (a) determine where organic C is stored relative to aggregate structure, (b) identify sources of SOC, (c) quantify turnover rates of SOC in specific soil fractions, and (d) evaluate organic matter quality. We used these two complementary approaches to characterize soil C storage and dynamics in the Rio Grande Plains of southern Texas where C₃ trees/shrubs (δ¹³C=−27‰) have largely replaced C₄ grasslands (δ¹³C=−14‰) over the past 100-200 years. Using a chronosequence approach, soils were collected from remnant grasslands (Time 0) and from woody plant stands ranging in age from 10 to 130 years. We separated soil organic matter into specific size/density fractions and determined their C and N concentrations and natural δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values. Mean residence times (MRTs) of soil fractions were calculated based on changes in their δ¹³C with time after woody encroachment. The shortest MRTs (average=30 years) were associated with all particulate organic matter (POM) fractions not protected within aggregates. Fine POM (53-250 μm) within macro- and microaggregates was relatively more protected from decay, with an average MRT of 60 years. All silt+clay fractions had the longest MRTs (average=360 years) regardless of whether they were found inside or outside of aggregate structure. δ¹⁵N values of soil physical fractions were positively correlated with MRTs of the same fractions, suggesting that higher δ¹⁵N values reflect an increased degree of humification. Increased soil C and N pools in wooded areas were due to both the retention of older C₄-derived organic matter by protection within microaggregates and association with silt+clay, and the accumulation of new C₃-derived organic matter in macroaggregates and POM fractions.     

Short-term carbon and nitrogen dynamics in soil,litterfall and canopy of a suburban native forest subjected to prescribed burning in subtropical Australia

Purpose

This study aimed to understand the mechanisms of the variations in carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools and examine the possibility of differentiating the burning effects from seasonal and pre-existed N limitations in a native suburban forest ecosystem influenced by prescribed burning in subtropical Australia.

Materials and methods

Soil and litterfall samples were collected from two study sites from 1 to 23 months since last burnt. Soil labile C and N pools, soil C and N isotopic compositions (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N), litterfall mass production (LM), and litterfall total C, total N, δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N were analysed. In-situ gas exchange measurements were also conducted during dry and wet seasons for Eucalyptus baileyana and E. planchoniana.

Results and discussion

The results indicated that labile C and N pools increased within the first few months after burning, with no correlations with climatic factors. Therefore, it was possible that the increase was due to the burning-induced factors such as the incorporation of ashes into the soil. The highest values of soil and litterfall δ¹⁵N, observed when the study was commenced at the experimental sites, and their high correlations with climatic factors were indicative of long-term N and water limitation. The ¹³C signals showed that soil N concentrations and climatic factors were also two of the main factors controlling litterfall and foliage properties mainly through the changes in photosynthetic capacity and stomatal conductance.

Conclusions

Long-term soil N availabilities and climatic factors were the two of the main driving factors of C and N cycling in the studied forest sites. Further studies are needed to compare soil and litterfall properties before and after burning to profoundly understand the effects of prescribed burning on soil labile C and N variations.

     

Relating Tree Ring Chemistry of Pinus densiflora to Precipitation Acidity in an Industrial Area of South Korea

To test the possible use of tree ring chemical properties as proxies for precipitation acidity ([H⁺]), we investigated the relationships between tree ring chemistry (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, Ca-to-Al ratio, and N concentration) of Pinus densiflora and precipitation [H⁺] between 1992 and 2005 in an industrial area in the southwest region of South Korea. Statistical analyses showed that all tree ring chemistry parameters were significantly correlated with precipitation [H⁺]. Tree ring δ¹³C was negatively correlated with precipitation acidity (r?=??0.67, P?<?0.01), reflecting the photosynthetic fixation of ¹³C-depleted CO₂ from fossil fuel combustion that would be the primary source of precipitation acidity. A positive correlation of N concentration (r?=?0.89, P?<?0.001) and a negative correlation of δ¹⁵N (r?=??0.63, P?<?0.05) in tree rings with precipitation acidity most likely reflected the influence of ¹⁵N-depleted N compounds deposited via precipitation. The Ca-to-Al ratio was negatively (r?=??0.58, P?<?0.05) correlated with precipitation acidity, indicating that soil acidification caused the loss of Ca from the soil and solubilization of Al resulting from acid precipitation. Such relationships suggest that δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, N concentration, and Ca-to-Al ratio in tree rings can be reliably used to evaluate the impact of acid precipitation on the studied P. densiflora stands.     

Responses of carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus to two consecutive drying–rewetting cycles in soils

Drying and rewetting cycles are known to be important for the dynamics of carbon (C), phosphorus (P), and nitrogen (N) in soils. This study reports the short‐term responses of these nutrients to consecutive drying and rewetting cycles and how varying soil moisture content affects microbial biomass C and P (MBC and MBP), as well as associated carbon dioxide (CO₂) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. The soil was incubated for 14 d during which two successive drying–rewetting episodes were imposed on the soils. Soils subjected to drying (DRW) were rewetted on the seventh day of each drying period to return them to 60% water holding capacity, whilst continually moist samples (M), with soil maintained at 60% water holding capacity, were used as control samples. During the first seven days, the DRW samples showed significant increases in extractable ammonium, total oxidized nitrogen, and bicarbonate extractable P concentrations. Rewetting after the first drying event produced significant increases only in CO₂ flux (55.4 µg C g^?1 d^?1). The MBC and MBP concentrations fluctuated throughout the incubation in both treatments and only the second drying–rewetting event resulted in a significantly MBC decrease (416.2 and 366.8 mg kg^?1 in M and DRW soils, respectively). The two drying–rewetting events impacted the microbial biomass, but distinguishing the different impacts of microbial versus physical impacts of the perturbation is difficult. However, this study, having a combined approach (C, N, and P), indicates the importance of understanding how soils will react to changing patterns of drying–rewetting under future climate change.     

Stable C and N isotope values of selected components of a tropical australian sugarcane ecosystem

The δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values of sugarcane plant tissues, decomposing harvest residues, soil and the casts and body tissues of the earthwormPontoscolex corethrurus were determined. Little variation in δ¹³C values was found between plant parts. The δ¹³C values of the decomposing harvest residues declined and became more variable after 148 days of exposure in the field. In the decomposing residues, δ¹³C values of the neutral detergent fibre fraction were similar to those of the whole tissues while those of the proximate lignin were more negative. The δ¹⁵N values of the residues also declined over time after a short initial delay.P. corethrurus populations are more intimately associated with the roots of sugarcane than with the bulk soil. Tissue δ¹³C values suggest that the earthworm diet is similar to or more enriched in¹³C than sugarcane tissues and is substantially more enriched than the soil C. Earthworm tissues have similar levels of¹⁵N enrichment to both the soil and plant tissues. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that this earthworm derives much of its assimilated C relatively directly from organic matter associated with the roots and decomposing harvest residues.     

青藏高原土壤中15N和全氮形态及其与土壤环境因子间的关系

The patterns of soil nitrogen(N) isotope composition at large spatial and temporal scales and their relationships to environmental factors illustrate N cycle and sources of N,and are integrative indicators of the terrestrial N cycle and its response to global change. The objectives of this study were:i) to investigate the patterns of soil N content and natural abundance of 15N(δ15N) values in different ecosystem types and soil profiles on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau; ii) to examine the effects of climatic factors and soil characteristics on the patterns of soil N content and soil δ15N values; and iii) to test the relationship between soil δ15N values and soil C/N ratios across ecosystems and soil profiles. Soil profiles were sampled at 51 sites along two transects 1 875 km in length and 200 km apart and distributed in forest,meadow and steppe on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Each site was sampled every 10 cm from a soil depth of 0 to 40 cm and each sample was analyzed for soil N content and δ15N values. Our results indicated that soil N and δ15N values(0–40 cm) in meadows were much higher than in desert steppe. Soil N decreased with soil depth for each ecosystem,while variations of soil δ15N values along soil profiles were not statistically significant among most ecosystems but for mountain meadow,lowland meadow,and temperate steppe where soil δ15N values tended to increase with soil depth. The parabolic relationship between soil δ15N values and mean annual precipitation indicated that soil δ15N values increased with increasing precipitation in desert steppe up to 500 mm,and then decreased with increasing precipitation across all other ecosystems. Moreover,the parabolic relationship between δ15N values and mean annual temperature existed in all individual ecosystem types. Soil N and δ15N values(0–40 cm) increased with an increase in soil silt and clay contents. Furthermore,a threshold of C/N ratio of about 11 divided the parabolic relationship between soil δ15N values and soil C/N ratios into positive(C/N 11) and negative(C/N 11) parts,which was valid across all ecosystems and soil profiles. The large explanatory power of soil C/N ratios for soil δ15N values suggested that C and N concentrations,being strongly controlled by precipitation and temperature,were the primary factors determining patterns of soil δ15N on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.     

Use of 13C and 15N natural abundance techniques to characterize carbon and nitrogen dynamics in composting and in compost-amended soils

Isotope fractionation during composting may produce organic materials with a more homogenous δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N signature allowing study of their fate in soil. To verify this, C, N, δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N content were monitored during nine months covered (thermophilic; >40 °C) composting of corn silage (CSC). The C concentration reduced from 10.34 to 1.73 g C (g ash)⁻¹, or 83.3%, during composting. Nitrogen losses comprised 28.4% of initial N content. Compost δ¹³C values became slightly depleted and increasingly uniform (from −12.8±0.6‰ to −14.1±0.0‰) with composting. Compost δ¹⁵N values (0.3±1.3 to 8.2±0.4‰) increased with a similar reduced isotope variability.The fate of C and N of diverse composts in soil was subsequently examined. C, N, δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N content of whole soil (0-5 cm), light (<1.7 g cm⁻³) and heavy (>1.7 g cm⁻³) fraction, and (250-2000 μm; 53-250 μm and <53 μm) size separates, were characterized. Measurements took place one and two years following surface application of CSC, dairy manure compost (DMC), sewage sludge compost (SSLC), and liquid dairy manure (DM) to a temperate (C₃) grassland soil. The δ¹³C values and total C applied (Mg C ha⁻¹) were DM (−27.3‰; 2.9); DMC (−26.6‰; 10.0); SSLC (−25.9‰; 10.9) and CSC (−14.0‰; 4.6 and 9.2). The δ¹³C of un-amended soil exhibited low spatial (−28.0‰±0.2; n=96) and temporal (±0.1‰) variability. All C₄ (CSC) and C₃ (DMC; SSLC) composts, except C₃ manure (DM), significantly modified bulk soil δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N. Estimates of retention of compost C in soil by carbon balance were less sensitive than those calculated by C isotope techniques. One and two years after application, 95 and 89% (CSC), 75 and 63% (SSLC) and 88 and 42% (DMC) of applied compost C remained in the soil, with the majority (80-90%) found in particulate (>53 μm) and light fractions. However, C₄ compost (CSC) was readily detectable (12% of compost C remaining) in mineral (<53 μm) fractions. The δ¹⁵N-enriched N of compost supported interpretation of δ¹³C data. We can conclude that composts are highly recalcitrant with prolonged C storage in non-mineral soil fractions. The sensitivity of the natural abundance tracer technique to characterize their fate in soil improves during composting, as a more homogeneous C isotope signature develops, in addition to the relatively large amounts of stable C applied in composts.     

城市水源地5种森林枯落物水文效应特征

[目的]探讨云南省蒙自市菲白城市水源地5种主要森林类型林下枯落物的持水效应特征,为菲白水源地营造水土保持林、水源涵养林提供理论依据。[方法]利用样方调查法、烘干法、浸泡法对其枯落物蓄积量、持水量、吸水速率、最大持水能力和拦蓄量等进行了研究。[结果]各林分总蓄积量相差较大,依次为:杉木林华山松+杉木人工柏树林青冈栎+云南松人工桉树林;不同森林类型枯落物最大持水量变化范围7.85~13.91t/hm2,最大持水率为165.85%~242.45%,最大拦蓄量为7.48~12.62t/hm2,有效拦蓄量为6.53~11.03t/hm2;5种森林枯落物持水量与时间呈较显著的对数函数关系,各层与浸水时间之间存在着显著的幂函数关系。[结论]综合比较5种森林类型的持水性能,杉树的持水能力较好,能够很好地涵养水源。     

Comparison of the difference and delta 15Nitrogen approaches for evaluating liquid urea ammonium nitrate utilization by maize

Abstract

Isotopic nitrogen (N) research techniques may be required in watershed studies to determine the impact of landscape position on fertilizer efficiency and the soil supplying power. However, traditional approaches using ^I5N labeled fertilizer may not be suitable when farmer equipment is used. The δ¹⁵N natural abundance isotopic approach has been used to evaluate N cycling in watersheds. The objectives of this study were to measure the precision of the δ¹⁵N measurement by the Europa 20–20 ratio mass spectrometer (Europa Scientific Ltd, UK), and to compare the difference and δ¹⁵N approaches for measuring fertilizer use by maize (Zea mays). A replicated field study containing two different N rates (0 and 15.7 g N m^‐2) were used for the study. Maize samples were collected at the 8th‐leaf, silking, and plant maturity in 1992 and 1993. Samples were dried (80°C), ground (<1‐mm), weighed (stover 12 mg and grain 3 mg), and analyzed fortotal N and δ¹⁵N. Fertilizer utilization at the three growth stages was determined using the natural abundance δ¹⁵N and nonisotopic difference (fertilizer‐control) techniques. During the study, the Europa 20–20 ratio mass spectrometer (Europa Scientific Ltd, UK) analyzed over a 100 samples a day and had consumable costs of less than $2.00 per sample. The standard deviations of the mean were less than 0.11 and 0.21 %o in 51 and 77% of the stover samples, respectively. In 1992, grain yields were not influenced by N fertilizer additions, while in 1993 grain yields were increased by N fertilizer. The difference method estimated that in 1992, 16% of the N fertilizer was utilized by the crop, while the natural abundance δ¹⁵N approach estimated that 36% of the fertilizer N was used by the crop. Differences between calculated values by the two techniques resulted from the difference method calculating net fertilizer use, while the δ¹⁵N approach calculated fertilizer contained in the plant. Because the δ¹⁵N approach estimates fertilizer use, this approach can be used to calculate soil N contained in the plant. In watershed studies, this information may provide the tools needed to evaluate N use in responsive and nonresponsive sites within a field. This research shows that the δ¹⁵N method compliments the difference method, can be used to measure actual fertilizer use when farmer equipment is used, and that the Europa 20–20 ratio mass spectro‐meter (Europa Scientific Ltd, UK) has acceptable precision for the δ¹⁵N natural abundance approach.     

贵州高原山地马尾松人工林土壤碳、氮、磷生态化学计量特性

采用空间代替时间的方法,选取贵州中部高原山地8,18,26,36年生4个林龄的马尾松人工林为研究对象,通过测定林下土壤有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)和全磷(TP)含量,分析不同发育阶段林分土壤养分变化规律及化学计量比特征。结果表明:马尾松人工林土壤SOC、TN、TP平均值分别为12.24,1.94,0.35g/kg,C∶N、C∶P和N∶P平均值分别为6.58,38.70和13.65,C∶N∶P的平均值为39∶6∶1,其养分含量总体不高。随土层深度增加,4个林龄土壤SOC、TN含量降低,但C∶N增加,TP、C∶P和N∶P无明显变化规律。随林龄增加,土壤SOC、TN、N∶P先降低后升高,而TP则持续降低;C∶N除在36年生林分中显著降低外,其余各林分均无显著差异;C∶P无明显变化规律。相关分析表明,SOC、TN是调控马尾松人工林土壤生态化学计量比的主要因素。研究结果可为进一步明确贵州高原山地马尾松人工林土壤养分循环特征提供重要参考。     

Soil organic matter stabilization in turfgrass ecosystems: Importance of microbial processing

Biochemical modification of plant materials may contribute considerably to the formation and stabilization of soil organic matter, but its significance remains elusive in turfgrass systems. This study aimed to close this knowledge gap by examining the dynamics of soil organic matter in turfgrass systems as well as its stability using δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N records. Two geographic locations, each containing 3 or 4 turfgrass systems of different ages were used as the study sites because site-associated differences, in particular soil pH (alkaline versus acidic) might cause divergence in microbial processing during organic matter decomposition and resynthesis. We observed that soil C storage was ∼12% greater in the alkaline site than the acidic one. In addition, accumulation rates of soil organic C and N were about 3-fold higher in the alkaline site. Soil organic matter was physically fractionated into light and heavy fractions. Heavy fraction from the alkaline site mineralized more slowly than the acidic one, indicating that soil organic matter was more stable in the alkaline site. Furthermore, the stability of soil organic matter based upon δ¹⁵N records and C-to-N ratio of organic matter was again found to be more stable in the alkaline site than the acidic one. While both soil δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N increased as turfgrass systems aged, rates were greater in the alkaline site than the acidic one. Temporal shifts in soil δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N were attributed mainly to isotope fractionation associated with microbial processes rather than selective preservation of ¹³C- or ¹⁵N-enriched chemical compounds of plant materials. Our results suggested that microbial decomposition and resynthesis played an important role in organic matter stabilization in turfgrass systems and this microbial processing could be managed via microbial activity-regulating factors, such as soil pH.     

Effects of Stoichiometric Traits of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Soil on Photosynthetic Characteristics of Wheat

ABSTRACT

To improve the use efficiency of fertilizer in agricultural production, effects of stoichiometric traits of soil available nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) on photosynthetic gas exchange parameters and fluorescence parameters of wheat were revealed in a full factorial pot experiment with our N and P fertilizer rates each. Results showed that at the same level of soil available N, the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Cond), photochemical quenching (qP), the quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (ΦPSII), and apparent electron transport rate (ETR) of wheat generally increased with a decline of soil N/P ecological stoichiometric ratio (by increasing soil available P), whereas the intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci) and nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) of wheat decreased with a decline of soil N/P. At the same level of soil available P, Pn, Cond, qP, ΦPSII, and ETR of wheat initially increased and then decreased with an increase of soil N/P ecological stoichiometric ratio (by increasing soil available N), whereas the dynamics of Ci and NPQ of wheat were exactly opposite to those of the above parameters. A limiting effect of soil available P on the photosynthesis of wheat occurred during the entire experiment. It was deduced that the cultivated soil, with the available N of 258.4 mg·kg^?1, available P of 89.6 mg·kg^?1, and stoichiometric N/P of 2.88, was suitable for weak gluten wheat cultivar Yangmai15. Therefore, another approach to improves nutrient use efficiency was provided on the basis of ecological stoichiometry theory.