冬小麦-夏玉米轮作体系中不同施氮水平对玉米生长及其根际土壤氮的影响

在河北衡水潮土上进行田间试验,以当地习惯高氮用量(小麦季施N 300 kg/hm2,玉米季施N 240 kg/hm2)为对照,研究冬小麦-夏玉米轮作体系中减少氮肥用量对玉米季植株生长、氮素吸收及根际土壤中无机氮与微生物量氮的影响。结果表明,两季作物氮肥施用量减少25%和40%,对玉米产量、生物量及植株体内氮累积量未产生明显影响,氮肥利用率提高。不同氮肥施用量对根际和非根际土壤铵态氮含量的影响不显著;减少氮肥施用量,对玉米根际土壤硝态氮含量也没有明显影响。在玉米苗期、抽雄期和成熟期,习惯高施氮量处理的非根际土壤硝态氮含量较高,其中抽雄期,非根际土壤硝态氮含量较氮肥减施40%用量处理高出近一倍,但非根际土壤微生物量氮水平含量明显降低。氮肥减施未影响根际土壤微生物量碳、氮含量,反而增加了非根际土壤微生物量碳、氮水平。在高肥力的潮土上,冬小麦/夏玉米轮作体系中适当减施氮肥并未影响玉米根际土壤氮素水平,可保证玉米稳产,实现减氮增效。     

乙草胺对玉米根际和非根际可培养微生物的影响

为探明土壤-植物系统中,田间施用量的乙草胺对玉米根际和非根际微生物数量的影响,采用田间试验及室内测试方法,在玉米苗期不同阶段测定了土壤中微生物量碳的变化,并进一步用平板稀释培养法研究了玉米根际和非根际土壤中细菌和真菌数量的变化。结果表明,乙草胺施用对玉米根际和非根际的土壤微生物群落均具有一定影响。可培养的根际细菌和真菌均呈现先抑制后刺激的变化,但与真菌不同,细菌受到的抑制作用时间较短,刺激作用时间较长;而本体土壤中可培养细菌和真菌则主要受到抑制作用,但是抑制作用的强度和持续时间差别很大。乙草胺对根际土壤微生物量碳可产生一定刺激作用,但影响并不显著;由于乙草胺施用对非根际土壤细菌和真菌的影响不同步并存在群落结构的补偿作用,从而维持了非根际土壤总体微生物生物量碳的基本稳定。     

喀斯特生态系统中乔木和灌木林根际土壤微生物生物量及其多样性的比较

我国喀斯特区域面积分布较广,而喀斯特生态系统的退化已成为当前西南地区面临的严重的生态问题。本研究选取贵州中部两种不同植被类型的生态系统—乔木林和灌木林,以乔木林中的白栎、园果化香和灌木林中的火棘、竹叶椒等主要优势树种为对象,研究不同的植物树种对根际土壤微生物生物量及其细菌群落结构的影响。结果显示:乔木林系统中根际土壤微生物生物量碳、氮显著性高于灌木林,植物的根际效应在乔木林中表现更为显著;同时乔木林中的优势树种通过根系分泌物的作用显著提高根际土壤细菌多样性指数,而灌木林中优势树种的根际土壤微生物量及多样性均未表现出明显的根际效应。因此,植被的演替通过改变土壤微生物的特性影响植物-微生物-土壤之间的物质和能量循环,进一步影响喀斯特生态系统的稳定和健康功能。     

高寒草地2种固沙灌木根际土壤碳氮特征

为研究不同固沙植物对高寒草地土壤碳氮的影响,通过野外调查选取川西北高寒沙化草地人工种植的2种固沙灌木(红柳,沙棘)根际与非根际土壤为研究对象,研究根际与非根际土壤总有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)、碱解氮(AN)、微生物量碳(MBC)、微生物量氮(MBN)及纤维素酶、蔗糖酶、脲酶的差异特征。结果表明,2种固沙植物根际土壤SOC、MBC、TN、AN、MBN含量及酶活性均显著高于非根际土壤(P0.05)。其中红柳根际土壤SOC、MBC、TN、AN、MBN含量分别增加了124.24%,6.20%,116.67%,111.60%,264.21%;沙棘根际土壤SOC、MBC、TN、AN、MBN含量比非根际土壤分别增加71.23%,33.01%,152.63%,172.79%,83.42%。红柳根际土壤脲酶、蔗糖酶、纤维素含量比非根际土壤分别增加61.62%,97.73%,56.52%;沙棘根际土壤脲酶、蔗糖酶、纤维素酶含量比非根际土壤分别增加150.23%,177.17%,80.00%。土壤碳氮养分和酶活性间关系紧密,其中土壤SOC,TN与土壤脲酶、蔗糖酶、纤维素酶活性均呈极显著正相关(P0.01);AN与纤维素酶呈显著正相关(P0.05),与蔗糖酶、脲酶呈极显著正相关(P0.01);MBC、MBN与纤维素酶、脲酶呈显著正相关(P0.05),与蔗糖酶呈极显著正相关(P0.01)。研究发现,川西北常见的2种固沙灌木中沙棘对土壤养分、微生物生物量及酶活性具有较大的积累和转化作用,但沙棘对沙化土壤养分积累效果更显著。因此,在沙化草地修复过程中应以种植沙棘为主。     

不同林龄油松土壤微生物、酶活性和养分特征

对不同林龄油松林根际和非根际土壤养分、酶活性和微生物数量进行了研究。结果表明:(1)油松林的土壤pH处于偏弱酸性,根际和非根际土壤pH随着油松林龄的增长表现出先降低后增加趋势,在成熟林阶段达到最低,不同生长阶段油松根际土壤pH显著低于非根际土壤pH(p0.05)。(2)土壤中根际和非根际有机碳、全氮、有效磷和有效钾含量呈一致的变化趋势,随着油松林龄的增长表现出先增加后降低趋势,在成熟林阶段达到最大值,其中幼林、中林和成熟林根际有机碳、全氮、有效磷和有效钾含量显著高于非根际(p0.05),过熟林根际有机碳、全氮、有效钾和有效磷含量与非根际差异并不显著(p0.05)。(3)土壤中根际和非根际土壤酶活性(蔗糖酶活性、碱性磷酸酶活性、脲酶活性、过氧化氢酶活性)和微生物群落多样性(物种丰富度指数、均匀度指数、优势度指数、碳源利用指数)呈一致的变化趋势,随着油松林龄的增长表现出先增加后降低趋势,在成熟林阶段达到最大值,其中幼林、中林和成熟林根际土壤酶活性和微生物群落多样性显著高于非根际(p0.05),过熟林根际土壤酶活性和微生物群落多样性与非根际差异并不显著(p0.05)。(4)油松根际土壤微生物总数高于非根际,其中细菌数目所占比例最高,放线菌数目所占比例最低。(5)相关性分析表明,土壤pH与土壤微生物群落功能多样性各指标呈负相关,土壤有机碳和全氮、蔗糖酶活性、碱性磷酸酶活性、细菌数目、微生物总数与土壤微生物群落功能多样性各指标呈显著的相关性。由此可知,土壤pH对土壤微生物群落功能多样性贡献为负,土壤养分、土壤酶活性和微生物数量对土壤微生物群落功能多样性起到正调节作用,其中土壤有机碳和全氮、蔗糖酶活性、碱性磷酸酶活性、细菌数目和微生物总数是土壤微生物群落多样性的主要影响因子。     

苗期干旱胁迫下施氮对玉米氮素吸收和土壤生物化学性质的影响

研究苗期干旱胁迫下施氮对东北春玉米氮素吸收利用和土壤生物化学性质的影响,为区域玉米养分管理与逆境调控提供依据。研究设置水、氮二因素盆栽试验,土壤水分包括3个水平:田间持水量的30%(W0),50%(W1)和70%(W2);施氮量包括2个水平:不施氮(N0)和施氮0.24 g/kg(N1),测定不同水氮条件下玉米苗期的植株干重和氮素吸收、根际和非根际土壤的化学性质、微生物量碳、氮(MBC、MBN)及土壤酶活性。结果表明:干旱胁迫显著降低玉米苗期植株干重和氮素吸收量,其中W0条件降幅最大(分别为51.1%,43.8%)。施氮促进各水分条件下植株生长,且与水分存在显著交互作用,W2条件下施氮后植株干重和氮素吸收量的增幅最高(分别为53.7%,83.2%)。干旱胁迫提高植株的水分利用效率,但降低氮肥利用效率。施氮显著提高W2条件植株的水分利用效率,但干旱条件下则无显著影响。水、氮及其交互作用对土壤性质的影响较为复杂。总体上,苗期干旱胁迫暂时提高了根际和非根际土壤pH,显著增加根际土壤的铵态氮和硝态氮含量。MBC、MBN对干旱胁迫的响应在根际与非根际土壤之间存在相反趋势,根际土壤随干旱程度增加而提高,非根际土壤则随之下降。土壤酶活性方面,干旱胁迫显著影响根际土壤的硝酸还原酶和亚硝酸还原酶活性。施氮增加所有水分条件下根际和非根际土壤的pH和铵态氮、硝态氮含量,其中根际土壤的增幅高于非根际土壤。施氮显著增加各水分条件下根际和非根际土壤的MBC、MBN、脲酶和硝酸还原酶活性,但显著降低根际和非根际土壤亚硝酸还原酶活性。水氮交互作用显著影响根际土壤的亚硝酸还原酶、非根际土壤的脲酶、亚硝酸还原酶和FDA水解酶活性。根际、非根际土壤各生物化学性质之间均存在显著的相关关系,而且根际土壤除土壤亚硝酸还原酶外的各指标均与植株氮素吸收和氮肥利用效率呈正相关。苗期干旱显著抑制玉米植株生长和氮素吸收,并对土壤生物、化学性质造成显著影响。施氮对植株和土壤性质的影响在不同水分条件下存在差异,而且植株表现与土壤生物、化学性质之间存在显著相关关系。     

分次施氮对水稻根际土壤微生物生态效应的影响

研究了分次施氮条件，施氮对水稻根际土壤微生物生态效应的影响，结果表明：水稻根际土壤微生物生态效应不仅仅受到根际土壤微生物的影响，同时也受到水稻生长状态的影响。一般来说，水稻生长旺盛的时候，水稻根系与根际土壤微生物竞争营养元素，导致水稻根际微生物活性的下降。在水稻生长周期内，水稻根际土壤微生物生物量C与根际土壤酶等变化不一致。分次施氮条件下，施氮对根际微生物生物量C、磷酸酶、脲酶、总蛋白和总酚有一定的影响，尤其是在水稻生长的后期，4次施氮全部完成后，施氮与不施氮表现出明显的差异。     

模拟氮沉降下施石灰对休耕红壤优势植物根际土壤微生物群落的影响

氮沉降引起红壤酸化加剧和土壤生态系统功能退化。采用休耕植物自然演替恢复土壤生物多样性和生态系统功能;同时,针对氮沉降造成的土壤酸化,通过施石灰来调控土壤pH,以期加速土壤生态恢复进程。土壤微生物群落结构的改变能够指示土壤恢复措施的影响。为探究氮沉降背景下,石灰施用措施对休耕红壤生态功能的恢复效果,以高强度农作休耕地上最初出现的优势植物狗尾草(Setaria viridis(L.)Beauv)根际为研究对象,研究模拟氮沉降(0kg·hm~(–2)、45kg·hm~(–2)和90kg·hm~(–2))下施石灰(0 kg·hm~(–2)和110 kg·hm~(–2))对根际土壤微生物群落的影响。结果表明,模拟氮沉降降低了各类群微生物磷脂脂肪酸(PLFA)量、革兰氏阴/阳性细菌比及香农多样性指数。在没有额外施氮的处理中,施石灰降低了各类群微生物PLFA量。而氮和石灰交互作用下,各类群微生物PLFA量均随氮沉降量增加而增加。结构方程模型显示,石灰对微生物群落的影响最为强烈;模拟氮沉降和施石灰通过综合影响土壤pH、养分有效性及植物—微生物养分竞争而改变微生物群落结构和多样性。总之,模拟氮沉降下施用石灰措施能够改善休耕红壤生境,降低因氮沉降造成的酸化对根际微生物群落的危害,加速土壤生态系统恢复。     

南方稀土矿区水土保持植物根际土壤碳氮及pH特征

选取南方稀土矿区芒萁、宽叶雀稗、枫香和木荷四种典型水土保持植物,研究其根际与非根际土壤各种形态氮素和有机碳含量特征以及pH的变化。研究表明,根际较非根际土壤全氮、铵态氮和硝态氮平均分别高出79.7%、34.2%和30.7%,土壤有机碳平均高出164.9%,pH平均高出0.13个单位。除pH外,根际土壤与非根际土壤全氮、铵态氮、硝态氮和有机碳之间均差异显著(p0.05)。四种植物根际土壤全氮、硝态氮、铵态氮和有机碳的含量均较非根际土壤含量高。宽叶雀稗的根际土壤pH大于非根际土壤,而木荷、芒萁和枫香的根际土壤p H与非根际土壤无显著差异。在根际与非根际土壤中,土壤全氮与土壤有机碳之间呈显著正相关,而土壤全氮与土壤铵态氮、土壤全氮与土壤硝态氮之间均无相关性。即稀土矿区四种植物对碳氮主要养分均具有较强的截存效应,可作为稀土矿区生态恢复的主要植物。     

南京市不同园林植物根际土壤养分和重金属富集特征

通过对南京市6种园林植物(金银木、紫荆、腊梅、丁香、木槿和海棠)根际与非根际土壤养分和重金属分布特征进行研究,探讨不同植物根际养分和重金属的富集的相关性和差异性。(1)不同园林植物根际和非根际土壤养分和重金属呈一致的变化规律,它们的主导控制因子也基本相同,其中不同园林植物根际土壤养分和重金属均高于非根际养分含量,而不同园林植物根际土壤pH均低于非根际。(2)不同园林植物根际土壤养分、重金属含量和有效态重金属含量均显著高于非根际,表现出显著的富集作用,而根际土壤pH则显著低于非根际,表现出显著的亏损作用,全磷在根际与非根际土壤中差异不显著(p0.05)。(3)不同园林植物根际和非根际土壤重金属含量与有效态含量均存在极显著的正线性相关关系,二者能够用线性方程式体现,表明了不同园林植物根际和非根际土壤有效态重金属含量主要来自土壤重金属总含量。(4)相关性分析表明:对于根际土壤,土壤有机碳和全氮对土壤重金属全量影响较大;而对于非根际土壤,土壤有机碳和全氮土壤有效态重金属影响较大;而pH与土壤重金属含量基本呈显著或极显著的负相关关系;全磷对于土壤重金属含量基本没有影响。通过以上研究说明不同园林植物土壤养分和重金属含量在根际存在一定的富集,它们通过降低根际pH值可以提高根际养分,而有效态重金属较全量对植物根际微小的变化响应更为灵敏。     

Continuous defoliation of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens) and associated changes in the composition and activity of the microbial population of an upland grassland soil

A microcosm study was conducted to investigate the effect of continuons plant defoliation on the composition and activity of microbial populations in the rhizosphere of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens). Continuons defoliation of ryegrass and clover resulted in sigmficant (P <0.01) increases in soil microbial biomass, although whilst increases were measured from day 2 in soil sown with clover significant increases were only seen from day 21 in soil sown with ryegrass. These increases were paralleled, from day 10 onwards, by increases in the numbers of culturable bacteria. Numbers ofPsendomonas spp. also increased in the later stages of the study. No influence on culturable fungal populations was detected. Whilst shifts in the composition of the microbial populations were measured in response to defoliation there was little effect on microbial activity. No changes in either dehydrogenase activity or microbial respiration in the rhizosphere of ryegrass or clover were measured in response to defoliation, but both dehydrogenase activity and microbial respiration were greater in ryegrass than clover when values over the whole study were combined. Continuous defoliation resulted in significant (P <0.001) reductions in the root dry weight of ryegrass and clover, of the order 19% and 16%, respectively.     

Continuous defoliation of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens) and associated changes in the composition and activity of the microbial population of an upland grassland soil

A microcosm study was conducted to investigate the effect of continuons plant defoliation on the composition and activity of microbial populations in the rhizosphere of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens). Continuons defoliation of ryegrass and clover resulted in sigmficant (P <0.01) increases in soil microbial biomass, although whilst increases were measured from day 2 in soil sown with clover significant increases were only seen from day 21 in soil sown with ryegrass. These increases were paralleled, from day 10 onwards, by increases in the numbers of culturable bacteria. Numbers ofPsendomonas spp. also increased in the later stages of the study. No influence on culturable fungal populations was detected. Whilst shifts in the composition of the microbial populations were measured in response to defoliation there was little effect on microbial activity. No changes in either dehydrogenase activity or microbial respiration in the rhizosphere of ryegrass or clover were measured in response to defoliation, but both dehydrogenase activity and microbial respiration were greater in ryegrass than clover when values over the whole study were combined. Continuous defoliation resulted in significant (P <0.001) reductions in the root dry weight of ryegrass and clover, of the order 19% and 16%, respectively.     

Green Manuring with Clover and Ryegrass Catch Crops Undersown in Small Grains: Effects on Soil Mineral Nitrogen in Field and Laboratory Experiments

Abstract

In three field trials in southern Norway, Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), white clover (Trifolium repens L.) or subterranean clover (T. subterraneuni L.) was undersown in spring grain at three N fertilizer rates and ploughed under in late October as a green manure for a succeeding spring grain crop. The content of topsoil (0-20 cm) mineral nitrogen was determined during the growth of the grain crop, after grain harvest and after ploughing. In addition, mineralization of nitrogen and carbon was measured in green-manured soil incubated at 15°C and controlled moisture conditions. During grain crop growth, ryegrass tended to reduce soil mineral N compared with the other treatments. After grain harvest, in a small-plot experiment where extra nitrate was added, ryegrass reduced soil nitrate N (0-18 cm) from 4.2 to 0.4 g m^?2 within 13 days, while the clovers had negligible effect compared with bare soil. Up to 9.4 g N m^?2 was present in above-plus below-ground ryegrass biomass at ploughing. In incubated ryegrass soil, there was a temporary net N immobilization of up to 0.9 g N m^?2 as compared with unamended soil. In clover-amended soil, mineral N exceeded that in unamended soil by up to 5 g N m^?2.     

Changes in microbial biomass C, soil carbohydrate composition and aggregate stability induced by growth of selected crop and forage species under field conditions

The effects of growth of various crop and forage species on microbial biomass C, soil carbohydrate content and monosaccharide composition, and mean weight diameter (MWD) were investigated in two field experiments. One experiment was conducted over one growing season (4 months) whereas the other had been conducted for three consecutive growing seasons (32 months). In the four-month experiment, aggregate stability (estimated as MWD) of soil from experimental plots followed the order Italian ryegrass > prairie grass > phacelia = pea = maize. At the 32-month site the order was perennial ryegrass > annual ryegrass > perennial white clover = barley. At both sites crops with the greatest root mass and root length density had the greatest effect on increasing MWD. In all cases, rhizosphere soil had a significantly higher microbial biomass and MWD than non-rhizosphere soil. However, organic C, total content of acid-hydrolysable carbohydrate and content of individual monosaccharides in acid hydrolysates were similar in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil. The fraction of soil carbohydrate extractable with hot water (representing about 6-8% of the total carbohydrate content) was significantly higher in the rhizosphere soil. This fraction has a galactose plus mannose over arabinose plus xylose ratio of 2.1–2.3 indicating that it was predominantly of microbial origin. It is suggested that the carbohydrate fraction extractable with hot water is made up of exocellular microbial polysaccharides that are involved in stabilizing soil aggregates in the rhizosphere. By comparison with arable crop species, grass species have a larger root mass and root length density, and therefore a higher microbial biomass and larger production of carbohydrate extractable with hot water. As a result they have a more marked effect on improving soil aggregate stability.     

Relationship between root length density and soil microorganisms in the rhizospheres of white clover and perennial ryegrass

Abstract

Microbial parameters of rhizosphere soil, such as bacterial numbers or microbial activities, depend on the distance that microbes have to the root surface. In this study we show that the number of bacteria found in rhizosphere soil from white clover is highly correlated with root length density of the rhizosphere soil. In contrast, bacterial numbers, microbial activity (measured as fluorescein diacetate hydrolytic activity), and the amount of extractable carbon (C) in the rhizosphere of perennial ryegrass were independent of the amount of soil recovered from the roots. The missing rhizosphere effect in perennial ryegrass soils can be explained by the high rooting density of ryegrass, whereas the low rooting density of white clover results in gradients of microbial numbers and activities in soils. Results of these studies indicate that it is important to express microbial parameters on root length and soil weight bases, especially for less densely rooted soils.     

Effects of soil moisture and plant interactions on the soil microbial community structure

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of soil moisture content and plant species on soil microbial community structure using cultivation-independent methods. White clover and ryegrass were grown individually or in a mixture. Plants were subjected to soil moisture content corresponding to 60% field capacity (FC) and 80% FC. Total plant biomass of white clover and ryegrass increased with increasing soil moisture contents. At a given soil moisture content, total biomass of white clover was lower in the ryegrass–clover (RC) mixture compared with those grown individually, while total biomass of ryegrass was higher. Microbial community structure assessed by phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA) was more affected by plant species than soil moisture. Community level physiological profiles (CLPP), in terms of diversity of substrate utilization and average well colour development (AWCD) were affected by plant species and soil moisture. Soil moisture effects were more pronounced in clover than in ryegrass. AWCD and diversity of substrate utilization in the ryegrass–clover mix were similar to those of sole clover while they differed from that of ryegrass suggesting a dominant effect of clover in the mix.     

施氮量对玉米/大豆套作系统土壤微生物数量及土壤酶活性的影响

为揭示玉米/大豆套作体系下土壤氮素转换的调控机理和根际微生态效应,以种植模式为主因素[设玉米单作(MM)、大豆单作(SS)和玉米/大豆套作(IMS)3种处理],以玉米、大豆施氮总量(玉米、大豆施氮比例为3∶1)为副因素[设不施氮(NN,0 kg?hm~(-2))、减量施氮(RN,180 kg?hm~(-2))和常量施氮(CN,240 kg?hm~(-2))3个处理],研究了玉米/大豆套作系统下不同施氮量对作物根际土壤微生物数量及土壤酶活性的影响。结果表明:与相应单作相比,套作下玉米根际土壤真菌、放线菌数量分别提高25.37%和8.79%;套作大豆根际土壤真菌、放线菌、固氮菌数量高于单作大豆;套作玉米根际土壤蛋白酶、脲酶活性和套作大豆根际土壤蛋白酶活性均显著升高。各施氮水平间,减量施氮下玉米、大豆根际土壤真菌数量较常量施氮和不施氮均有所提高;施氮提高了玉米、大豆根际土壤放线菌数量;大豆根际土壤固氮菌数量以减量施氮最高,比不施氮和常量施氮高17.78%和5.67%;玉米根际土壤蛋白酶活性、脲酶活性和大豆根际土壤脲酶活性均以减量施氮为最高。适宜的施氮量不仅能增加玉米/大豆套作土壤中真菌、放线菌、固氮菌的数量,还能提高土壤蛋白酶、脲酶活性,调节土壤氮素的转化,促进玉米/大豆对土壤中氮素的吸收,实现节能增效。     

Rhizodeposition: Its contribution to microbial growth and carbon and nitrogen turnover within the rhizosphere

A greenhouse rhizobox experiment was carried out to investigate the fate and turnover of ¹³C‐ and ¹⁵N‐labeled rhizodeposits within a rhizosphere gradient from 0–8 mm distance to the roots of wheat. Rhizosphere soil layers from 0–1, 1–2, 2–3, 3–4, 4–6, and 6–8 mm distance to separated roots were investigated in an incubation experiment (42 d, 15°C) for changes in total C and N and that derived from rhizodeposition in total soil, in soil microbial biomass, and in the 0.05 M K₂SO₄–extractable soil fraction. CO₂‐C respiration in total and that derived from rhizodeposition were measured from the incubated rhizosphere soil samples. Rhizodeposition C was detected in rhizosphere soil up to 4–6 mm distance from the separated roots. Rhizodeposition N was only detected in the rhizosphere soils up to 3–4 mm distance from the roots. Microbial biomass C and N was increased with increasing proximity to the separated roots. Beside ¹³C and ¹⁵N derived from rhizodeposits, unlabeled soil C and N (native SOM) were incorporated into the growing microbial biomass towards the roots, indicating a distinct acceleration of soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition and N immobilization into the growing microbial biomass, even under the competition of plant growth. During the soil incubation, microbial biomass C and N decreased in all samples. Any decrease in microbial biomass C and N in the incubated rhizosphere soil layers is attributed mainly to a decrease of unlabeled (native) C and N, whereas the main portion of previously incorporated rhizodeposition C and N during the plant growth period remained immobilized in the microbial biomass during the incubation. Mineralization of native SOM C and N was enhanced within the entire investigated rhizosphere gradient. The results indicate complex interactions between substrate input derived from rhizodeposition, microbial growth, and accelerated C and N turnover, including the decomposition of native SOM (i.e., rhizosphere priming effects) at a high spatial resolution from the roots.     

Carbon and nitrogen mineralisation from green manures as alternative nitrogen sources in Mediterranean farming

The soil incorporation of green manures is a practice that can be used in sustainable agriculture and in organic farming, where nitrogen (N) sources are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate balansa clover (Trifolium michelianum Savi), yellow lupine (Lupinus luteus L.) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) as potential alternative N sources. A total of nine treatments were considered in this study: control, aerial of balansa clover, roots of balansa clover, aerial of yellow lupine, roots of yellow lupine, aerial of ryegrass, roots of ryegrass, mixture aerial + roots of yellow lupine and mixture aerial + roots of ryegrass. A laboratory incubation experiment was conducted under controlled conditions during 196 days and carbon and N mineralisation were followed. Results showed that green manures are appropriate N sources for Mediterranean farming. No significant differences in terms of N mineralisation were observed between aerial or roots biomass of the green manures. Besides, 37–55% of total N applied was mineralised in treatments amended with balansa clover or yellow lupine, whereas 13–21% of total N applied was mineralised in ryegrass. It can be concluded that the most efficient green manure for supplying mineral N to the succeeding crop was yellow lupine.     

Isolation of culturable phosphobacteria with both phytate-mineralization and phosphate-solubilization activity from the rhizosphere of plants grown in a volcanic soil

Chilean volcanic soils contain large amounts of total and organic phosphorus, but P availability is low. Phosphobacteria [phytate-mineralizing bacteria (PMB) and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB)] were isolated from the rhizosphere of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), white clover (Trifolium repens), wheat (Triticum aestivum), oat (Avena sativa), and yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus) growing in volcanic soil. Six phosphobacteria were selected, based on their capacity to utilize both Na-phytate and Ca-phosphate on agar media (denoted as PMPSB), and characterized. The capacity of selected PMPSB to release inorganic P (Pi) from Na-phytate in broth was also assayed. The results showed that from 300 colonies randomly chosen on Luria–Bertani agar, phosphobacteria represented from 44% to 54% in perennial ryegrass, white clover, oat, and wheat rhizospheres. In contrast, phosphobacteria represented only 17% of colonies chosen from yellow lupin rhizosphere. This study also revealed that pasture plants (perennial ryegrass and white clover) have predominantly PMB in their rhizosphere, whereas PSB dominated in the rhizosphere of crops (oat and wheat). Selected PMPSB were genetically characterized as Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, and Pantoea; all showed the production of phosphoric hydrolases (alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, and naphthol phosphohydrolase). Assays with PMPSB resulted in a higher Pi liberation compared with uninoculated controls and revealed also that the addition of glucose influenced the Pi-liberation capacity of some of the PMPSB assayed.