湖北县域土地整治新增耕地的时空特征及其影响因素分析

为加强对湖北省土地整治新增耕地数量时空格局的认识,以2001-2010年批复实施的土地整治项目为基础,以县域为研究单元,运用区位基尼系数、地理集中度和地理探测器模型等研究方法,分析了全省土地整治新增耕地数量的时空差异及其影响因素。结果表明:随着城镇化的快速发展和土地整治资金、技术的持续投入,2001-2010年湖北省土地整治新增耕地总量呈显著增长趋势,地理分布上表现为高度集聚;2001-2010年县域新增耕地数量具有明显的地域差异性,其地理重心呈现了由西向东、由南向北偏移的运动轨迹;县域新增耕地来源结构以整理来源型、开发-整理来源型和综合来源型为主,区域差异特征明显,鄂西南山地区、鄂中平原区和鄂东丘陵区的新增耕地主要为整理来源型,鄂北岗地区主要为开发-整理来源型,鄂西北山地区以及黄石、随州、孝感等地多为综合来源型;2010年县域新增耕地数量空间格局的主要影响因子及其影响力为耕地面积(24.26%)、地貌类型(23.65%)、项目投资(19.94%)、建设规模(18.16%)和人均GDP(11.05%),自然条件和土地整治政策为主要影响要素,社会经济要素对2010年新增耕地数量空间分异的影响偏小。该研究为湖北省土地整治战略制定和重大工程布局安排提供科学依据。     

基于县域尺度的中国土地整治新增耕地空间差异分析

为探索中国土地整治新增耕地在数量及来源上的空间分布特征,利用2006-2012年土地整治项目信息,基于县域尺度,采用空间自相关方法,对近年来中国土地整治新增耕地数量及来源结构的空间差异进行分析,结合自然资源条件、经济发展水平、土地利用政策等分析了差异产生的原因,得到以下研究结论：在空间分布上,土地整治新增耕地总体呈现东部高于西部、经济发达区高于欠发达区、粮食主产区高于非粮食主产区、平原地区高于山地丘陵区;在空间关联性上,县域尺度下新增耕地在空间分布上存在较为显著的空间正相关性,东部沿海经济发达区、土地开发重点区为新增耕地高-高集聚区,中、西部欠发达、自然资源条件较差及后备资源有限的地区为新增耕地低-低集聚区;在新增耕地来源结构上,具有显著的区域及省际间差异。东部发达地区主要以整理和复垦来源为主,北方地区的新增耕地多由土地开发和整理获得,中部地区来源复杂,四川、重庆以整理来源居多,陕西中部、湖北大部多为整理、复垦类型;南方广东、广西、贵州、湖南、江西多为开发类型。经济水平及资源条件相似的广东与浙江、辽宁与吉林等省份之间具有明显的省际差异。该研究结果为相关宏观决策提供数据参考。     

四川省土地整治项目时空分异格局分析

从不同空间尺度分析特定时期土地整治项目的分布特征,可为制定下一阶段土地整治规划及优化空间布局提供决策参考。基于2011—2015年土地整治项目数据,以县域为评价单元,采用变异系数法、重心模型法和空间自相关模型法,探讨了四川省土地整治项目在不同空间尺度的分布特征,分析了重心转移和空间格局演变特征。研究表明:(1)从时间维度看,四川省土地整治项目总量呈下降趋势,项目绝对规模差异、相对规模差异逐步减小,呈现均衡化趋势。(2)不同空间尺度下土地整治项目具有不同特征。区域层面上,土地整治项目集中分布在盆地丘陵农用地整治区;市域层面上,项目主要集中在成都市和宜宾市,而甘孜藏族自治州、凉山彝族自治州和攀枝花市分布较少。(3)重心移动轨迹中所有重心点均落在盆地丘陵农用地整治区内,空间分布具有一定的地域均衡性。(4)土地整治项目在县域尺度分布存在较为显著的集聚性。高-高集聚区主要集中在盆地丘陵农用地整治区的东北部,低-低集聚区主要分布在川西北高山高原生态整治区。由于受项目区社会经济、人口、地形条件和政策的影响,四川省土地整治项目时空格局均衡性有待进一步提高。该研究明确了四川省土地整治规划重心在盆地丘陵农用地整治区,今后土地整治发展方向在于适时适度地开展川西南山地河谷农用地整治区、川西北高山高原生态整治区土地整治,有利于优化四川省土地空间开发利用格局。     

中国土地整治新增耕地面积的区域差异

科学评价中国土地整治的实施效果及其影响因素,对丰富土地整治的相关评价技术体系,提高土地整治的综合效益,促进土地整治科学决策有重要理论和实践价值。该文从土地整治对实现耕地总量动态平衡重要性的研究视角出发,将土地整治新增耕地率作为重要考核指标,对全国、省(自治区、直辖市)、市(区)不同尺度土地整治项目新增耕地面积的区域差异进行分析。结果表明:中国土地整治在国家层面上以土地整理项目为主,而省级以下层面则以土地开发项目为主;中国土地开发新增耕地率在全国范围均呈现较高水平,且开发补充耕地数量在国家、省、市不同尺度差异不大;中国土地整理、土地复垦新增耕地率在国家、省、市不同尺度上体现出较大差异,市域尺度更能体现土地整理与复垦新增耕地面积的区域差异。该研究可为不同尺度土地整治实施效果评价标准序列建立及宏观政策决策制定提供重要科学依据。     

长江经济带耕地产能变化及土地整治影响分析

耕地产能改善是中国在耕地资源数量约束下确保粮食安全的重要手段。土地整治是提升耕地产能的重要途径，但目前在大尺度区域对不同类型土地整治影响耕地产能的空间分异规律认识仍不充分。因此该研究以长江经济带为例，基于MODIS-EVI遥感数据评估了2001—2017年研究区耕地产能及变化特征，使用地理加权回归模型分析了80 920个土地整治项目对耕地产能影响的空间格局和分区特征，结果表明：1）耕地产能变化趋势有显著空间分异特征，单季作物、双季作物第一和二季产能分别呈减速上升、加速上升和先增后减趋势，长江上游产能增幅最大，下游单季作物和双季作物第二季产能降幅最大；2）土地整治对耕地产能影响机制存在空间分异，长江上游单季作物主要受土地整治建设规模和投资标准的积极影响，长江下游双季作物第二季产能受土地整治消极影响；3）根据耕地产能变化特征及土地整治影响机制差异可以将长江经济带可划分为西南山地整治区、四川盆地整治区、南方丘陵整治区和长江下游平原整治区。该研究可以为各区域土地整治政策优化提供参考。     

耕地空间保护格局影响因素及整治规划对策——以甘肃省平凉市崆峒区为例

[目的] 通过对耕地保护现状空间格局成因及其空间相关性分析,划分科学的耕地整治规划分区,为进一步优化崆峒区耕地布局,提升耕地质量,科学利用、保护耕地提供参考。[方法] 以甘肃省平凉市崆峒区为例,采用景观格局指数法、多目标决策法、Spreaman秩相关法、聚类分析法,选取耕地坡度、耕地保护政策、城镇化影响来分析耕地景观格局现状与其在空间上的存在的协同或权衡关系,构建耕地保护格局相关性分析评价指标体系。[结果] ①研究区整体上耕地景观格局指数2010—2022年上升3.55%,耕地集聚程度大部分区域呈现下降趋势,但在整个过程中呈现波动。区域土地利用程度整体上呈上升趋势,各乡镇耕地布局特征及土地利用程度差异明显。②耕地保护指数2022年较2010年上升315.30%,2°～6°耕地增加120.96%,15°～25°耕地减少32.64%,>25°耕地减少100%,耕地质量提升明显,与耕地景观格局在空间上高度协同;城镇化影响指数呈上升趋势。2010—2022年城镇化影响指数上升25.17%,城镇化对耕地布局影响加大,与耕地景观格局在空间上存在权衡关系。③划分耕地质量提升重点区、耕地质量提升一般区、耕地新增开发潜力区、耕地协调保护区等4个耕地整治规划单元。[结论] 甘肃省平凉市崆峒区耕地布局特征各乡镇差异性明显,耕地整体保护成效明显。影响研究区耕地空间格局的主要因素为政策因素、城镇开发影响以及农民种植意愿和耕地保护意识等。     

2006-2012年中国土地整治项目投资时空分析

开展土地整治投资的时空分异研究,对把握其投资强度、空间格局以及发展态势,提高资金投入产出效益具有重要的理论和现实意义。该文基于2006-2012年农村土地整治监测监管数据,以县域为评价单元,分析了"十一五"以来中国土地整治项目投资强度、区域构成和投资类型,而后结合重心分析和空间自相关模型,研究了投资重心转移和空间格局演变特征,得出以下结论:在空间分布上,土地整治投资呈沿海高于内地、经济发达区高于欠发达区、低纬地区高于高纬地区,中、东部地区是土地整治投资的重点活跃区;在投资类型上,土地整治项目由开发投资主导,开发、整理以及复垦投资型县区空间集聚特征显著,而综合投资型县区空间分布较为零星、分散;在重心转移方面,土地整治投资重心偏向东部沿海,南北向未发生显著变化,东西向呈现从东部沿海往中西部内陆转移的趋势;在空间关联上,土地整治投资在空间分布上存在显著正相关性,长江下游、洞庭湖平原和四川盆地东部是整治投资的高-高集聚区,南疆、青海、西藏、川西、滇南和蒙东为整治资金的低-低集聚区。该研究可为宏观层面制定土地整治规划、引导土地整治资金投向、开展绩效评价等提供决策参考。     

进出平衡视角下耕地恢复潜力重点区域识别

科学识别耕地恢复潜力重点区域，对落实耕地进出平衡、保障国家粮食安全与优化国土空间格局具有重要意义。该研究以山东省济宁市汶上县为研究区，基于“三调”数据，综合农业生产适宜性、新增耕地恢复潜力、地类集聚连片性与经济发展水平4个维度，构建进出平衡视角下栅格尺度的耕地恢复潜力重点区域识别模型，定量识别耕地恢复潜力重点区域并探究其空间分布格局。结果表明：1）汶上县农业生产适宜性较高，适宜性指数为[0.33,0.79]，呈现自东向西逐级递减的地带性分异规律，地域差异较明显；耕地恢复潜力类型以工程恢复为主，可恢复地类中林地分布广泛，占比72.89%；地类集聚连片程度整体较好，高、中连片性区域占比达71.85%，呈“中部低、四周高”的分布态势；经济发展水平存在空间差异性，分布特征与新增耕地恢复潜力和地类连片性互补。2）结合耕地恢复综合评价，共识别23处耕地恢复潜力重点区域，总面积56.31 km²，分布于县域中部、南部与东西边缘地带，重点区域分布广泛。该模型可用于以平原为主的农业主产区重点区域的识别，可为耕地恢复整治项目筛选、耕地进出平衡方案编制与实施提供科学依据，对促进耕地进出平衡制度的落地、耕地可持续利用与国土空间格局优化有重要意义。     

中国土地整治新增耕地时空变化及其分析

土地整治是生态文明建设的重要手段,研究中国土地整治时空变化及未来发展方向,对发挥土地整治在生态建设中的作用具有重要意义。通过对中国土地整理、开发、复垦新增耕地面积的时空变化进行分析,表明,2001-2008年土地整理、开发、复垦新增耕地分别占土地整治新增耕地的21.8%、63.2%和15.0%;土地整理新增耕地主要分布在东部区域,土地开发新增耕地以西部和东部地区为主,土地复垦新增耕地在区域与年际方面变异性较大,没有明显的规律性;2001-2011年土地整理新增耕地面积加权重心逐渐向中国西部移动,2010-2011年与2001-2006和2007-2009年相比,向西移动的距离为769.59和603.44 km;土地开发新增耕地面积加权重心在2001-2006年位于中国地理重心的北部和西部,且有从西部往北部移动的趋势,2007-2011年呈从东部往西部移动的趋势;土地复垦新增耕地面积加权重心移动的方向存在不确定性。基于以上分析,认为:在中国进行生态建设和耕地面积基本稳定的背景下,应通过土地整治规划,减少土地开发项目,并在区域间合理布局土地开发项目,防止土地开发新增耕地面积加权重心向西部移动;土地整治应以土地整理提高耕地质量、建设优质农田为主;充分发挥土地复垦对局地的生态修复及建设作用。     

基于限制因子改良与耕地质量潜力耦合的耕地整治分区

科学划定耕地整治重点区对于实现区域土地资源可持续利用具有重要意义。该研究以内蒙古河套-土默川平原为研究区，从农用地可改良限制因子角度出发，采取自然等提升潜力指数模型和局部空间自相关模型划分耕地质量提升潜力区，在耦合限制因子改良程度分级的基础上，确定耕地整治分区。研究结果：1）研究区耕地质量提升主要受限于土壤有机质含量和盐渍化程度，耕地整治难度整体呈现两边高中间低的趋势。2）研究区自然等提升潜力指数呈现西高东低的分布趋势，且耕地质量提升潜力空间差异明显，潜力提升呈现"低-低"聚集特征的耕地多分布在东部，呈现"高-高"聚集特征以及无聚集特征的耕地多分布在西部。3）研究区耕地共划分为4种整治类型，其中重点整治型耕地为0.84万hm2，是实施耕地整治的重点区域；选择整治型耕地为22.22万hm2，应选择其质量提升潜力相对较高且集中连片的地块进行整治；保护整治型耕地为54.98万hm2，应当被划入到基本农田保护区内；不宜整治型耕地为26.46万hm2，应当进行有选择地退出还林还草。该研究提出的研究方法可为细化限制因子在耕地整治分区中的应用提供参考，同时研究成果对半干旱区耕地整治具有现实指导意义。     

“绿色革命”以来大气CO2浓度升高对C3作物营养品质的影响

自20世纪60年代"绿色革命"以来,育种技术和农耕技术的发展促进了农作物产量的大幅提升,然而作物的营养品质出现下降趋势。在相似的遗传背景下,大气CO_2浓度升高会使单位体积农作物产品的营养元素含量下降,因此"绿色革命"至今,农作物产品的营养元素下降可能受大气CO_2浓度升高影响。通过植物生长箱模拟"绿色革命"初期和目前的大气CO_2浓度水平(310μmol/mol和400μmol/mol),针对主要C_3作物水稻、小麦和大豆,研究"绿色革命"以来大气CO_2浓度升高对其籽粒的C、N、Fe、Zn元素含量的影响,结果表明:CO_2浓度升高对3种作物籽粒的C元素含量几乎没有影响,变化幅度在±1.5%之间;籽粒的N、Fe、Zn元素含量普遍呈现下降趋势,但均未达到显著水平。     

Potential of wild species for genetic enhancement of some semi-arid food crops

Discovery and incorporation of genes from wild species provide means to sustain crop improvement, particularly when levels of resistance in the cultigens are low and virulent strains of pests and pathogens overcome the host plant resistance. The extent of utilization and the potential of the wild genepool for genetic enhancement were reviewed in five important food crops viz. sorghum, pearl millet, chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut grown in the semi-arid tropics. Introgression from compatible wild germplasm in the primary gene pool resulted in transfer of new cytoplasmic male sterility systems in pearl millet and pigeonpea, development of high protein, cleistogamous flower and dwarf pigeonpea lines and foliar disease resistant groundnut cultivars. Utilization of wild species in secondary and tertiary gene pools has been generally limited due to sterility, restricted recombination or cross incompatibility. Nevertheless, these species are extremely important as they contain high levels of resistance to several important biotic and abiotic stresses. Several of them, like those belonging to the Parasorghum section and the rhizomatous Arachis species are sources of multiple resistances and hold great promise to sustain crop productivity.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications     

Collection and preliminary evaluation of native turfgrass accessions in Italy

Despite a raising interest on turfs in Italy, all theavailable varieties of this kind in the Country are of foreign origin, and areoften poorly adapted to the prevailing climatic conditions. This prompted tobegin a collection activity of indigenous turfgrass species, with the ultimategoal of identifying promising materials for future breeding based on localgenetic resources. The collection was carried out in three areas of Italy, viz.the northern Po Plain, the coastal region of Liguria, and the island of Sardiniathat are characterised, respectively, by subcontinental, warm temperate, andtypical Mediterranean climate. Altogether, 141 sites were visited, yielding 226accessions belonging to eight species of potential interest for turfs:Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis,Festuca rubra, Festuca arundinacea,Lolium perenne, Agrostis stolonifera,Agrostis tenuis, and Cynodon dactylon,this last being a warm-season grass. Poa pratensis andCynodon dactylon were mostly collected in northern Italyand Sardinia, respectively, whereas Festuca arundinacea andLolium perenne were rather ubiquitous. The collection sitesranged from 0 to 1040 m asl, but sites over 750 m wereonly visited in the inner part of Sardinia. All the accessions, collected aswhole plants, were transplanted at Lodi, northern Italy, where they are beingevaluated. Their preliminary evaluation for traits of importance for turf use,such as sward colour and overall quality, highlighted the great variation andthe occurrence of interesting accessions in all species. Other characters wererecorded, bearing specific importance in individual species, and in all casespromising accessions were identified. The germplasm of Festucarubra, Festuca arundinacea, and Loliumperenne proved highly infected by endophytic (symbiotic) fungi of thegenus Neotyphodium.     

Leaf position and genotype differences for mineral element concentrations in sorghum grown on tropical acid soil 1

Mineral element deficiencies and toxicities are common problems associated with sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] production on acid soils. To better understand some of the mineral element problems and the analysis of plant tissue of sorghum plants grown on acid soils, four sorghum genotypes were grown on an acid Oxisol at Carimagua, Colombia limed with dolomite at 2 and 6 Mg ha^‐1.

Samples for mineral element analyses were obtained from leaves at different positions on the four genotypes. Concentrations of P and Mg were highest in the flag leaf (Leaf No. 1) and decreased as the position on the plant declined from the top of the plant for plants grown at 2 Mg lime ha^‐1. Similar decreases in P, Mg, K, and Zn concentrations occurred in plants grown with 6 Mg lime ha^‐1. Concentrations of Ca, S, Si, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Al increased as leaf position declined from the flag leaf for plants grown at 2 and 6 Mg lime ha^‐1. The higher lime supply enhanced Ca and reduced Mn and Fe concentrations in leaves. Differences in mineral element concentrations for the four genotypes used were fairly extensive. The elements to show the greatest range among genotypes were Al and Si and the elements to show the least range among genotypes were P, K, and S. Care should be used in collecting leaf samples for plant analysis and genotypic differences for accumulation of mineral elements should be considered in interpretation of results.     

Short-term variation in the concentration of selected ions within individual tropical rainstorms

Rainwater was collected at the campus of the University of Brunei Darussalam in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, using a funnel-in-bottle sampler. Polypropylene bottles were changed at intervals during rainstorm events. The pH and conductivity were determined immediately after collection on aliquots of the sample. Samples were refrigerated at 5°C for subsequent chemical analysis. Analyses for Na, Mg, Ca, Zn and Fe were carried out by means of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES); Cu and Mn were analysed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS); K was analysed using flame atomic emission spectroscopy (FAES); and Cl^–, NO₃ ^– and SO₄ ^2– were analysed by ion chromatography (IC). Concentration versus time profiles are reported for three rainstorm events. All ions exhibited a decrease in concentration during the rainstorm. The first sample contained the highest concentration of ions, consistent with a first-flush effect. The contribution of the initial stages of the shower to the total quantity of ion deposited during the entire rainstorm is quite overwhelming; in many cases 20 to 30% of the mass was deposited in less than 5% of rainstorm duration. On the other hand, the pH and conductivity variation during rainstorms did not exhibit a consistent pattern.     

The 5S rRNA gene diversity in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Secale</Emphasis> and determination of its closest haplomes

We analyzed 127 rDNA sequences (5S DNA units) obtained from 23 seed accession samples from more or less 10 taxa in wild and cultivated rye, genus Secale L. The sequences fell into two known groups, here assigned to two unit classes, viz. long R1 and short R1 (designations to reflect on R haplome of rye). The different taxa could not be fully differentiated based on the 5S DNA units. We searched for 5S DNA sequences from known unit classes most closely similar to the long R1 and the short R1. One set with the long R1 unit class contained sequences of the long P1 unit class from Agropyron (P haplome) and from Kengyilia (StYP haplome), long J1 from Thinopyrum (J haplome), whereas the set with the short R1 included the long S1 from Pseudoroegneria (St haplome) and Kengyilia (StYP haplome), the short J1 from Thinopyrum (J haplome) and the short V1 from Dasypyrum (V haplome). Each of the two sets was analyzed separately by maximum likelihood (ML) phylogenetic analysis from which we were able to infer that the 5S DNA units of Secale differentiated in a non-clock fashion and followed the HKY substitution model in the gene tree with the long R1 unit class and the HKY + G in the gene tree with the short R1 unit class. A complementary Bayesian analysis yielded identical tree topologies to the ML ones for each of the two sequence sets. In the tree with the long R1 units the long P1 and long J1 unit classes were closest to the long R1 unit class, whereas in the tree with the short R1 units the long S1 and short J1 unit classes were closest to the short R1 unit class, indicating possibly a close relationship between the St, J and R haplomes.     

Leaf litter selection by detritivore and geophagous earthworms

Summary Litterbag experiments with 10 different kinds of leaf litter showed that detritivore (Lumbricus species) and geophagous (Aporrectodea species) earthworms prefer certain litter types over others, since different numbers of worms were found below the litter after 50–52 days of exposure in a pasture. The detritivores preferred Fraxinus, Tilia, and predecomposed Ulmus and Fagus litter to Fagus litter and paper, while geophages preferred Tilia litter to Alnus and Ulmus litter, so that the two groups of earthworms showed different preferences. The detritivores seemed to be more selective than the geophages. The palatability of the litter was examined in relation to the C: N ratio, the lignin concentration and the initial and final polyphenol concentration. The numbers of detritivores were significantly correlated with the C: N ratio and the final polyphenol concentration, so that selection of litter seems to be related to palatability. The numbers of geophages were not significantly correlated with any of the parameters for palatability. The disappearance of litter after 50–52 days appeared to be due to detritivore activity, since the numbers found below the litter were positively and significantly correlated with the litter disappearance. There was no significant correlation with geophage activity. This indicates that detritivores use litter as food, and therefore influence the composition of the litter layer.     

Nematode succession and microfauna-microorganism interactions during root residue decomposition

The quality of plant material affects the vigor of the decomposition process and composition of the decomposer biota. Root residues from hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), rye (Secale cereale L.) and vetch+rye, packed in litterbags were placed in pots of soil at 15 C and the content of the bags was analyzed after 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Bacterial biomass did not differ between residues with contrasting composition. Among bacterivores groups of nematodes that require high bacterial production dominated in fast decomposing resources whereas flagellates with smaller requirements prevail in slower decomposing resources. Biomass of bacterial feeding nematodes correlated positively with early phase (0-2 wk) decomposition that increased in the order: rye< vetch+rye<vetch. Bacterial biomass therefore seems to be under top-down (predation) control during early decomposition. In contrast, the fungal biomass differed between resources with highest values for rye. Moreover, this increase in fungal biomass occurred later during succession and was correlated with decomposition activity for rye in that period. Fungal biomass therefore seems to be under bottom-up (resource) control. The composition of the nematode assemblages (composed of 25 taxa) showed a clear relationship to initial plant resource quality as well as decomposition phase. Early successional microbivorous nematodes vary according to resource quality with demanding bacterivores+predators (Neodiplogasteridae) dominating in vetch and less demanding bacterivores (Rhabditidae) and fungivores (Aphelenchus) being equally common in vetch and rye. Later in the succession (2-4 wk) bacterivorous Cephalobidae and fungivorous Aphelenchoides prevailed similarly on the different root materials whereas bacterivorous protozoa and the amoebal fraction thereof dominated in rye. At week 12 no species dominated the nematode assemblages that were similar between the resources. The differences between nematode assemblages among plant resources at 2 week were similar to the results of a field study sampled after 6 weeks with the same soil and plant resources. This lends support to the relevance of the successional patterns observed in this incubation study.     

Cycling of extracellular DNA in the soil environment

Upon entering the soil environment, extracellular DNA is subjected to dynamic biological, physical, and chemical factors that determine its fate. This review concerns the fate of both recombinant and non-recombinant sources of DNA. A schematic of DNA cycling coupled with genetic transformation is presented to understand its behavior in soil. Extracellular DNA may persist through cation bridging onto soil minerals and humic substances, be enzymatically degraded and restricted by DNases of microbial origin, and/or enter the microbial DNA cycle through natural transformation of competent bacteria. Lateral gene transfer may disseminate DNA through the microbial community. An understanding of DNA cycling is fundamental to elucidating the fate of extracellular DNA in the soil environment.