不同利用方式对高寒草地土壤团聚体稳定性及其有机碳含量分布的影响

[目的]分析不同利用方式下新疆巴音布鲁克高寒草地土壤团聚体稳定性及其有机碳分布差异,为评价该区域土壤团聚体有机碳等生态功能提供理论基础。[方法]选取巴音布鲁克高寒草地开垦、弃耕还牧、放牧3种处理,以10 cm为一个梯度,采集0—40 cm土层土壤,采用干筛和湿筛两种方法筛分土壤团聚体,测算土壤团聚体的平均重量直径(MWD)、几何平均直径(GMD)、土壤团聚体破坏率(PDA)和土壤有机碳(SOC)含量,明确不同利用方式下高寒草地土壤团聚体稳定性及团聚体有机碳含量的差异。[结果](1)3种利用方式下,高寒草地土壤团聚体均以大团聚体(≥0.25 mm粒径)为主。亚表层(10—20 cm)土壤,弃耕还牧处理的PDA显著低于放牧处理(p<0.05),与开垦处理无显著差异(p>0.05);而除亚表层(10—20 cm)外,弃耕还牧处理其余土层土壤PDA显著高于开垦处理和放牧处理(p<0.05)。表层(0—10 cm)土壤,开垦处理与放牧处理PDA无显著差异(p>0.05);而除表层(0—10 cm)外,开垦处理其余土层土壤PDA显著高于放牧处理。(2)弃耕还牧处理的SOC含...     

不同人工恢复林对退化红壤团聚体组成及其有机碳的影响

研究土壤团聚体的组成及其有机碳的分布,有助于从微观角度理解土壤结构与功能的相互作用.采用于筛法和湿筛法,研究南方红壤退化地实施人工恢复30年后,马尾松与阔叶复层林(PB)、木荷+马尾松混交林(SP)和阔叶林(BF)3种典型林分在0～60 cm土层的团聚体组成及其有机碳分布特征,分析土壤团聚体有机碳与总有机碳相关关系.结果表明:各恢复林分土壤机械稳定性团聚体质量分数,以＞2 mm粒径所占比例最大(均在60％以上),而在水稳性团聚体中,以＜0.05 mm粒径占优势.不同林分土壤团聚体结构破坏率顺序依次为BF(53.38％～84.27％) ＞SP(52.22％ ～70.86％) ＞PB(22.70％ ～47.83％).机械稳定性和水稳性团聚体有机碳质量分数均以PB最高,随着土层深度的增加,各林分土壤团聚体有机碳质量分数呈下降趋势.水稳性大团聚体(＞0.25 mm粒径)有机碳质量分数总体高于相应土层的总有机碳质量分数,而微团聚体的(＜0.25 mm粒径)则低于后者,说明有机碳对于大团聚体的形成和水稳性具有积极作用.土壤团聚体有机碳与总有机碳的相关关系分析表明,土壤团聚体有机碳的增加,对总有机碳的积累具有正面影响.保留密度大、灌木(草)层盖度高的马尾松与阔叶复层林土壤团聚体的数量和质量更高;因此,在红壤侵蚀退化地森林恢复初期,可通过适当密植、增加林下灌草覆盖等措施,增加有机碳的输入,促进团聚体的形成和稳定,从而加速了退化土地的土壤结构改善和功能恢复.该研究可为南方严重红壤退化地生态恢复中的林分类型选择和优化配置提供科学依据.     

草地与耕地土壤团聚体及有机碳含量对比分析——以内蒙古四子王旗为例

[目的]通过探讨草地开垦为耕地后土壤团聚体及有机碳的变化规律,为内蒙古自治区四子王旗土地利用方式优化及草原保护提供理论依据。[方法]以内蒙古四子王旗农牧交错带栗钙土、灰褐土和草甸土3种土壤类型下草地和耕地为研究对象,对0—10cm土层土壤团聚体组成、土壤有机碳、各粒径团聚体有机碳含量和各粒径团聚体对有机碳的贡献率进行了对比分析。[结果]栗钙土和灰褐土耕地与同地点草地相比,粒径3mm和0.25～3mm的团聚体含量减少,而≤0.25mm粒径团聚体含量增加,土壤有机碳和各粒径团聚体有机碳含量均有所降低,有机碳储存的主体由3mm粒径团聚体向0.25～3mm粒径团聚体转化,非团聚体对有机碳的贡献率上升;草甸土草地土壤结构性差,有机碳含量较低,主要是出现盐化现象所致,但是开垦为耕地后,受有机肥长期施入和耕作的影响,其各项指标均有所改善。[结论]栗钙土和灰褐土草地在开垦为耕地后,土壤结构退化,有机碳稳定性下降。但是,根据实际情况开垦研究区内盐化草甸土草地进行农田耕作是可行的。     

不同状态高寒草原主要土壤活性有机碳组分的变化

对藏北高原正常、轻度和严重退化高寒草原表层(0 ～ 10 cm)、亚表层(10～20 cm)活性有机碳(Active soil organic carbon,ASOC)主要组分变化,以及土壤微生物对ASOC的影响进行了研究,结果表明:(1)易氧化有机碳(Readily oxidizable organic carbon,ROC)、微生物生物量碳(Microbial biomass carbon,MBC)、轻组有机碳(Light fraction organic carbon,LFOC)和水溶性有机碳(Water-soluble organic carbon,WSOC)对土壤环境变化的敏感度显著不同,平均分配比率分别为11.10％、0.57％、0.04％和0.03％,高原寒旱环境对WSOC、LFOC的形成与积累极为不利.(2)不同状态高寒草原亚表层ASOC各组分含量均显著高于表层;与正常草原ASOC各组分含量相比,退化草原表层、亚表层分呈小幅增加和大幅下降,但轻度退化草原变化幅度大于严重退化草原;因此,0～20 cm土层ASOC各组分含量均呈正常草原＞严重退化草原＞轻度退化草原.(3)不同状态草原中,纤维素分解酶活性对ASOC组分的形成均具极显著(R2:0.731 ～0.960)的促进作用,土壤放线菌、真菌对纤维素分解酶活性(Cellulolytic enzyme activity,CEA)则具有较大影响.(4)草原严重退化阶段,土壤微生物可能已完成向抗逆能力、纤维素分解酶分泌能力更强生理种群的演替,其相对较高的SOC、ASOC含量表征着土壤有机残体的较大消耗.     

川西北高寒草地退化对土壤团聚体组成及稳定性的影响

应用干筛法与湿筛法分析了川西北高寒草地不同退化阶段土壤团聚体组成特征,选取了土壤大团聚体含量（R_0.25）、平均重量直径（MWD）、几何平均直径（GMD）和团聚体破坏率（PAD）指标,研究了退化过程土壤团聚体稳定性的变化。结果表明:未退化草地土壤机械稳定性团聚体和水稳性团聚体组成都以大团聚体（>0.25 mm）为主,而退化草地均以微团聚体（<0.25 mm）为主;随着草地退化程度加剧,大团聚体含量（R_0.25）显著降低,土壤团聚体MWD和GMD均表现为:未退化 > 轻度退化 > 中度退化 > 重度退化,PAD呈现相反的变化趋势,其中未退化到轻度退化阶段团聚体稳定性变化最为明显;未退化和轻度退化草地土壤团聚体稳定性由表层向下层递减,而中度和重度退化草地表层（0—10 cm）土壤团聚体稳定性弱于下层（10—40 cm）。这些结果表明随着高寒草地退化的加剧,土壤团聚体稳定性显著降低,轻度退化阶段是土壤结构稳定性下降的关键期,在沙化防治中应予以重视。     

亚热带红壤区自然恢复草地转换为人工林后对土壤团聚体有机碳周转的影响

选择江西泰和红壤退化区25年的自然恢复草地和2种恢复林地,测定了土壤团聚体有机碳的δ13 C,探讨了森林恢复过程有机碳在团聚体中的分配和周转特征。结果表明:3种植被恢复模式土壤大团聚比例最高,微团聚体比例最低,木荷林0-20cm土层大团聚体比例平均值高于马尾松林和草地;木荷林表层土各粒径团聚体有机碳含量均显著高于草地,表层土粉黏粒(<53μm)有机碳含量最高,其有机碳δ13 C最低;草地表层土团聚体中有机碳δ13 C值比全土降低幅度最大,阔叶林中居中;3种植被恢复模式下土壤大团聚体总有机碳储量最大,其次是粉黏粒,最小的是微团聚体,来自人工林的新碳主要分布在土壤表层大团聚体中;马尾松林和木荷林表层土团聚体中有机碳的周转时间为41～53年,低于10-20cm土层,2种林分粉黏粒中有机碳的周转时间最短,微团聚体中有机碳周转时间最长。研究表明以常绿阔叶树木荷直接进行植被恢复能够有效提升土壤地力,不仅提高了全土中的有机碳含量,也增加了团聚体中的有机碳含量;而以先锋树种马尾松进行的植被恢复效果弱于木荷林,应当采取一定营林措施促进马尾松林的恢复效果。     

高寒草地灌丛化对土壤团聚体稳定性及有机碳分布特征的影响

灌丛化是草地生态系统面临的重大生态环境问题之一,是影响高寒草地土壤碳库储量的重要因素。采集青藏高原灌丛化和未灌丛化草地土壤样本,用Cambardella和Elliott湿筛法和沉降虹吸法测定土壤团聚体含量及其稳定性、有机碳(SOC)和全氮(TN)含量,分析了草地灌丛化对土壤团聚体数量及其稳定性的影响。结果表明,灌丛化和未灌丛化草地土壤团聚体以2～0.25 mm粒径为主,但灌丛化草地土壤微团聚体(≤0.053 mm)含量显著低于未灌丛化草地,表明草地灌丛化主要影响土壤微团聚体而对大团聚体含量影响不显著。灌丛化草地土壤团聚体稳定性低于未灌丛化草地土壤,表明草地灌丛化后土壤结构稳定性降低。灌丛化草地土壤SOC和TN含量显著低于未灌丛化草地土壤,说明在气候变化影响下高寒草地灌丛化可能会降低土壤碳库储量。     

高寒草原土壤有机碳与腐殖质碳变化及其微生物效应

基于多区域重复采样,研究了藏北高原不同状态(正常、轻度和严重退化)高寒草原表层(0～10 cm)、亚表层(10～20 cm)土壤有机碳(Soil organic carbon,SOC)、腐殖质碳(Humus carbon,HC)、胡敏酸碳(Humic acid carbon,HAC)和富里酸碳(Fulvic acid carbon,FAC)的变化,以及土壤微生物群落、微生物生物量碳(Microbial biomass carbon,MBC)、纤维素分解酶活性(Cellulolytic enzyme activity,CEA)对其产生的影响与作用。结果表明:高原寒旱环境中土壤的HC/SOC比例过低,但PQ值(HAC/HC)很高。随土层加深,不同状态草地SOC、HC、HAC含量、HC/SOC比例在总体上趋于不同程度的下降,PQ值则均呈一定程度的提高。相对于正常草地,随草地退化加剧,表层SOC、HC(HAC、FAC)增幅分别表现出略呈下降、大幅提高,亚表层降幅则均呈大幅下降。反映到0～20 cm土层,SOC、HC、HAC含量均表现出正常草地严重退化草地轻度退化草地,HC/SOC比例、PQ值则分别呈严重退化草地正常草地轻度退化草地、正常草地轻度退化草地严重退化草地,说明草地退化在促进表层SOC、HC(HAC、FAC)形成与积累的同时,更"激发"了亚表层的矿化,尤其是严重退化草地有机残体的分解过程,但腐殖质品质并未随土壤腐殖化程度的提高而得到相应改善。MBC、CEA与SOC、HC及组分高度一致的土体分布格局影响并决定了上述过程,草地退化有利于真菌、放线菌对土壤、尤其是亚表层土壤有机残体的分解与转化。     

江河源区不同退化程度高寒草地土壤物理、化学及生物学特征研究

以不同退化梯度的高寒草地土壤为研究对象,研究草地退化对不同层次(0～10cm、10～20cm和20～30cm)土壤物理、化学和生物学特征的影响。结果表明:江河源区高寒生态条件下草地退化对土壤物理、化学和生物学性质具有相对一致的影响,随草地退化程度的加重,各土层土壤含水量和水稳性团聚体百分数逐渐下降,土壤容重则呈增加趋势。草地退化导致土壤各种营养物质含量(除全钾)、土壤微生物群落和土壤酶活性显著下降,其中土壤有机质、速效氮、过氧化氢酶、脲酶、磷酸酶、土壤细菌、真菌和微生物总量在0～10cm土层表现为未退化轻度退化中度退化重度退化,而土壤全氮、全磷、速效钾和放线菌数量在0～10cm土层表现为轻度退化未退化中度退化重度退化,在10～30cm土层,则表现为严重退化草地的有些指标有一定程度升高。相关性分析结果表明,各种土壤酶和微生物群落之间呈显著或极显著正相关(除土壤脲酶和中性磷酸酶之间无显著相关性外);土壤水分,容重、有机碳、全氮、速效氮、速效钾与各种土壤酶和各种微生物均具有显著相关性;水稳性团聚体与各种微生物和中性磷酸酶具有显著相关性。     

不同土地利用与施肥管理下黑土团聚体颗粒有机碳分配变化

土地利用和土壤管理方式的变化强烈影响土壤结构及土壤有机碳的稳定机制。基于长期定位试验,通过分析土壤团聚体粒级及碳分布,以揭示和探讨不同土地利用和施肥管理下东北黑土团聚体颗粒有机碳分配特征及其稳定性机制。通过分析>0.25mm团聚体的变化,草地植被恢复和农田有机培肥团聚体稳定性显著提高。所有处理团聚体碳的分布趋势均表现为:>0.25mm团聚体>微团聚体>粉粘粒。草地粗颗粒有机碳总量和细颗粒有机碳总量均显著高于裸地和无肥处理(p<0.05),表明自然植被恢复可有效提高物理保护颗粒有机碳含量。农田有机培肥明显增加粗颗粒有机质(p<0.05),但并没有提高细颗粒有机质的量。物理保护颗粒有机碳占土壤总碳的比例为10.1%～18.6%,平均约15%。平均重量直径与粗、细颗粒有机碳的相关性达极显著水平(p<0.001),特别是与>2mm团聚体内各颗粒有机质组分碳的相关性更强(r≥0.9,p<0.001)。长期植被恢复和增施有机肥不仅可提高土壤碳库储量,并增强了土壤结构稳定性及土壤组分有机碳的物理性保护。     

长期围栏封育对天山中部草地土壤有机碳及微生物量碳的影响

以天山中部中科院巴音布鲁克草原生态观测站三种类型草地长期（26 a）围栏封育样地为研究对象,通过野外调查取样结合室内分析的方法,研究了长期（26 a）围栏封育对草地土壤有机碳和微生物量碳含量的影响,结果表明：（1）围栏外（自然放牧条件下）,表层的土壤有机碳含量为高寒草甸（165.29 g·kg-1）〉高寒草甸草原（98.73 g·kg-1）〉高寒草原（83.54 g·kg-1）,微生物量碳含量依次为高寒草甸草原（181.70 mg·kg-1）〉高寒草甸（146.37 mg·kg-1）〉高寒草原（43.06 mg·kg-1）。围栏封育后,高寒草甸、高寒草甸草原、高寒草原表层土壤有机碳含量分别提高了11.37%、3.26%和2.21%;高寒草甸草原和高寒草甸微生物量碳含量分别增长2.89%和12.04%,而高寒草原降低40.36%。（2）从围栏内外土壤剖面来看,土壤有机碳、微生物量碳含量随着土壤深度的增加依次降低,微生物熵也随土壤深度的增加呈现降低的趋势。（3）微生物量碳含量与土壤速效钾、全磷含量达到极显著负相关（P〈0.01）,与速效磷含量达到极显著正相关（P〈0.01）,与土壤有机碳、全氮、全钾含量呈显著正相关（P〈0.05）与土壤速效氮含量正相关,但不显著。     

引黄灌溉耕作对土壤团聚体有机碳的影响

为研究灌溉耕作影响下土壤团聚体及有机碳的特征情况,以宁夏引黄灌区为研究对象,选取对照土壤与耕作土壤,通过干、湿筛结合的方法,得到大团聚体(2mm)、中间团聚体(2~0.25mm)、微团聚体(0.25~0.053mm)和粉+黏团聚体(0.053mm),并测定团聚体有机碳含量,分析团聚体有机碳与总有机碳之间的关系。结果表明,灌溉耕作对团聚体分布具有极显著影响(P0.01),其中大团聚体和中间团聚体质量分数上升,微团聚体和粉+黏团聚体质量分数下降,灌溉土壤团聚体分布趋势为微团聚体粉+黏团聚体中间团聚体大团聚体。经灌溉耕作后土壤团聚体稳定性大于对照土壤,不同类型的灌溉土壤稳定性基本一致,对照土壤间差异明显。除0.053mm外,团聚体有机碳分布在经过灌溉耕作后有显著性差异(P0.05),团聚体有机碳分布随粒级大小基本呈"V"形分布。团聚体有机碳含量均表现出灌溉土壤高于对照土壤,其中灌溉土壤中灌淤土和潮土团聚体有机碳总量较高。未受人为灌溉耕作影响的自然土壤团聚体有机碳与总有机碳间具有显著的正相关性,土壤总有机碳增加主要依赖0.053mm团聚体有机碳增加。引黄灌溉耕作有利于增加大粒级团聚体的比例,提升团聚体稳定,显著增加有机碳含量。     

Changes in soil aggregation and microbial community structure control carbon sequestration after afforestation of semiarid shrublands

Changes in plant cover after afforestation induce variations in litter inputs and soil microbial community structure and activity, which may promote the accrual and physical-chemical protection of soil organic carbon (SOC) within soil aggregates. In a long-term experiment (20 years) we have studied the effects, on soil aggregation and SOC stabilization, of two afforestation techniques: a) amended terraces with organic refuse (AT), and b) terraces without organic amendment (T). We used the adjacent shrubland (S) as control. Twenty years after stand establishment, aggregate distribution (including microaggregates within larger aggregates), sensitive and slow organic carbon (OC) fractions, basal respiration in macroaggregates, and microbial community structure were measured. The main changes occurred in the top layer (0–5 cm), where: i) both the sensitive and slow OC fractions were increased in AT compared to S and T, ii) the percentage and OC content of microaggregates within macroaggregates (Mm) were higher in AT than in S and T, iii) basal respiration in macroaggregates was also higher in AT, and iv) significant changes in the fungal (rather than bacterial) community structure were observed in the afforested soils (AT and T) – compared to the shrubland soil. These results suggest that the increase in OC pools linked to the changes in microbial activity and fungal community structure, after afforestation, promoted the formation of macroaggregates – which acted as the nucleus for the formation and stabilization of OC-enriched microaggregates.     

黄土高原草地土壤有机碳分布及其影响因素

以黄土高原水平方向的4种主要草地类型为研究对象,分析了不同草地类型土壤有机碳(SOC)的分布特征及其影响因素。结果表明:土壤有机碳含量随土壤深度的增加而降低,其中0～20 cm土壤有机碳含量与20～40、40～60、60～80、80～100 cm有机碳含量差异显著。4种草地类型土壤有机碳含量分布规律:0～40 cm为高山草甸草原>典型草原>森林草原>荒漠草原,40～100 cm为高山草甸草原>森林草原>典型草原>荒漠草原;4种草地类型中各土层土壤有机碳含量最高的是高寒草甸,其空间变异最大,最小的是荒漠草原,其变异最小。黄土高原上高寒草甸草原、森林草原、典型草原土壤有机碳均集中分布在浅表层0～40 cm,分别占0～100 cm的71%、50%、46%,而荒漠草原各层分布较均匀;黄土高原土壤有机碳含量与海拔高度呈显著正相关(p<0.01);0～40 cm土壤有机碳含量与土壤含水量呈显著正相关(p<0.01);与全氮有极显著的正相关性,相关系数达0.984 3;与年均温呈极显著负相关(p<0.01),几种草地类型100 cm深土壤有机碳含量与年降水量无明显相关。     

长期保护性耕作提高土壤大团聚体含量及团聚体有机碳的作用

【目的】团聚体形成被认为是土壤固碳的最重要机制。本文以河南豫西地区长期耕作试验为研究对象,研究了长期保护性耕作对土壤团聚体性质及土壤有机碳(SOC)含量的影响,为探讨土壤固碳机理,优化黄土高原坡耕地区农田耕作管理措施,实现土壤固碳减排、培肥土壤提供理论依据。【方法】长期耕作试验开始于1999年,试验处理有免耕覆盖(NT)、深松覆盖(SM)和翻耕(CT)。利用湿筛法筛分第3年(2002年)和第13年(2011年)0—10cm和10—20 cm土层中,2000、250~2000、53~250和53μm级别的水稳性团聚体,计算团聚体平均质量直径(MWD),并测定了各级别团聚体的有机碳(SOC)含量。【结果】1)连续13年免耕覆盖和深松覆盖显著提高了土壤表层0—10 cm的SOC含量,分别比翻耕增加了33.47%和44.48%。2011年免耕覆盖和深松覆盖SOC含量较2002年上升了1.92%和8.59%,翻耕下降了18.97%。2)与翻耕相比,免耕覆盖和深松覆盖2000μm团聚体含量显著提高了40.71%和106.75%;53~250μm团聚体含量显著降低了19.72%和22.53%;团聚体平均质量直径显著提高了20.55%和39.68%,显示了土壤结构的明显改善。3)免耕覆盖和深松覆盖显著提高了表层土壤所有团聚体有机碳的含量,尤其以2000μm团聚体提升最多。与翻耕相比,2000μm团聚体有机碳分别提高了40.0%和27.6%。4)免耕覆盖和深松覆盖下表层土壤大团聚体有机碳含量随耕作年限增加,微团聚体有机碳随耕作年限降低。2000μm的土壤团聚体有机碳含量2011年较2002年分别升高了23.93%和7.12%,53~250μm微团聚体有机碳含量分别下降了19.58%和13.27%。【结论】长期保护性耕作(包括免耕覆盖和深松覆盖)可显著提高表层土壤大团聚体含量,降低微团聚体含量,提高团聚体的水稳性,改善土壤结构。同时可增加土壤团聚体有机碳含量,提高土壤肥力。长期保护性耕作在河南豫西丘陵地区是一种较为合理的耕作方式。     

Rapid incorporation of carbon from fresh residues into newly formed stable microaggregates within earthworm casts

Earthworms play an important role in protecting carbon in the soil, but the exact influence of their activity on the distribution and protection of C is still poorly understood. We investigated the effect of earthworms on the formation of stable microaggregates inside newly formed macroaggregates and the distribution of C in them. We crushed (< 250 µm) soil, and subjected it to three treatments: (i) soil + ¹³C‐labelled residue + earthworms (these added after 8 days' incubation), (ii) soil + ¹³C‐labelled residue, and (iii) control (no additions), and then incubated it for 20 days. At the end, we measured the aggregate size distribution, total C and ¹³C, and we isolated microaggregates (53–250 µm) from macroaggregates (> 250 µm) formed. The ¹³C in fine particulate organic matter between and within the microaggregates was determined. Earthworms helped to form large macroaggregates (> 2000 µm). These large macroaggregates contained four times more stable microaggregates than those from samples without earthworms. There was more particulate organic matter within and between microaggregates in macroaggregates in the presence of earthworms. The larger amounts of organic matter inside stable microaggregates in casts than in bulk soil after 12 days of incubation (140 mg ¹³C kg^?1 soil compared with 20 mg ¹³C kg^?1 soil) indicates that these microaggregates are formed rapidly around freshly incorporated residues within casts. In conclusion, earthworms have a direct impact on the formation of stable microaggregates and the incorporation of organic matter inside these microaggregates, and it seems likely that their activity is of great significance for the long‐term stabilization of organic matter in soils.     

Effects of Organic Amendments on Soil Physical Attributes and Aggregate-Associated Phosphorus Under Long-Term Rice-Wheat Cropping

The quantification of phosphorus(P) in bulk soil and P distribution in different size fractions of water-stable aggregates(WSAs)are important for assessing potential P loss through runoff. We evaluated available and total P distribution within WSAs of a sitty clay to clay soil in a long-term fertility experiment of a rice-wheat cropping system in India. Surface soil samples were collected from seven plots amended with NPK fertilizers in combination with or without organic amendments, farmyard manure(FYM), green manure(GM), and paddy straw(PS). The plot with no NPK fertilizers or organic amendments was set as a control. The soil samples were separated by wet sieving into four soil aggregate size fractions: large macroaggregates( 2.0 mm), small macroaggregates(0.25–2.0 mm), fine microaggregates(0.05–0.25 mm), and a silt + clay-sized fraction( 0.05 mm). Structural indices were higher in the soil receiving organic amendments than in the soil receiving inorganic fertilizer alone. Organically amended soil had a higher proportion of stable macroaggregates than the control and the soil receiving inorganic fertilizer alone, which were rich in microaggregates. Total and available P contents within WSAs were inversely related to the aggregate size, irrespective of treatment. The distribution of available and total P in the soil aggregate size fraction was as follows: silt + clay-size fraction small macroaggregates fine microaggregates large macroaggregates. Within a size class, aggregate-associated available and total P contents in the organically amended soil were in the following order: FYM PS ≥ GM. The available P content of the microaggregates( 0.25 mm) was 8-to 10-times higher than that of the macroaggregates( 0.25 mm), and the total P content of the microaggregates was 4-to 5-times higher than that of the macroaggregates. Cultivation without organic amendments resulted in more microaggregates that could be checked by the application of organic amendments such as FYM and GM, which increased the proportion of water-stable macroaggregates by consolidating microaggregates into macroaggregates.     

Long‐term effect of compost and inorganic fertilizer on activities of carbon‐cycle enzymes in aggregates of an intensively cultivated sandy loam

The activities of carbon‐cycle enzymes were measured in soil and aggregates to understand compost and inorganic fertilizer amendment effects on soil organic carbon accumulation in an intensively cultivated upland field. Soil samples were collected from a long‐term field experiment with seven treatments: compost, half‐compost N plus half‐fertilizer N, fertilizer NPK, fertilizer NP, fertilizer NK, fertilizer PK and no fertilizer control. The 18‐yr continuous application of compost increased organic C content in soil and three aggregate sizes by 72–124 and 78–234%, respectively, compared with the control. Fertilization also significantly increased organic C contents in soil, macroaggregates and the silt + clay fraction, but not in microaggregates. Compost application significantly reduced the specific activities of polyphenol oxidase (activity per unit organic C) in soil and three aggregate sizes compared with control, whereas fertilization had a much weaker effect. Compost amendment also significantly lowered the specific activities of invertase in macroaggregates and the silt + clay fraction, and this effect was more pronounced than the addition of fertilizer NPK. In contrast, inorganic fertilizer and compost application significantly increased the specific activities of cellobiohydrolase in soil, macroaggregates and microaggregates (but not in the silt + clay fraction), and xylosidase in microaggregates. The application of fertilizer NPK had a more pronounced effect than compost. We considered that the increase in organic C in compost‐amended soil was therefore probably associated with the accumulation of lignocellulose and sucrose in macroaggregates, lignocellulose and hemicellulose in microaggregates and lignin (its derivative) and nonstructural carbohydrates in the silt + clay fraction. However, the application of fertilizer NPK enhanced organic C probably due to an increase in the content of lignin (its derivative) and sucrose in macroaggregates and the silt + clay fraction. Therefore, the application of compost with high lignocellulose should be effective to increase soil organic C in the North China Plain.     

Effect of water and nitrogen management on aggregate size and carbon enrichment of soil in rice‐wheat cropping system

A study was carried out on a silty clay loam soil (Typic Haplustept) to evaluate the effect of farmyard manure (FYM) vis‐à‐vis fertilizer and irrigation application on the soil organic C content and soil structure. The fertilizer treatments comprised of eight different combinations of N and FYM and three water regimes. The results indicated that the application of FYM and increasing N rate increased soil organic carbon (SOC) content. Addition of FYM also increased the percentage of large sized water stable aggregates (> 5 mm) and reduced the percentage of smaller size aggregates. This was reflected in an increase in the mean weight diameter (MWD) and improved soil structure. The organic carbon content in macroaggregates (> 1 mm) was greater compared to microaggregates, and it declined with decrease in size of microaggregates. This difference in organic C content between macro‐ and microaggregates was more with higher N dose and FYM treated plots. The effect of residual FYM on MWD and organic C content of the soil after wheat harvest was not significant. The effect was less in deeper layers compared to surface layers of the soil. MWD was significantly correlated with the SOC content for the top two layers.