Response of the soil macrofauna abundance and community structure to drought stress under agroforestry system in southeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

ABSTRACT

Soil macrofauna is vital for soil functions and soil-mediated processes in all ecosystems. However, environmental perturbations, such as drought, that threaten both the abundance and function of soil macrofauna remain mostly unexplored, particularly in an agroforestry system. We investigated the effects of drought on soil macrofauna abundance and vertical distribution under three different planting systems including two intercropping systems, comprising Chinese prickly ash (Zanthoxylum bungeanum) intercropped with soybean (Glycine max) (Z-G) or bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) (Z-C), and one monoculture system, comprising only Z. bungeanum (Z). Soil samples were collected at depths of 0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm, and soil macrofauna and chemical properties were analyzed. Soil dryness negatively affected soil macrofauna in all planting systems. Drought reduced the total macrofauna density, biomass, genera richness, and Pielou’s evenness. Additionally, drought significantly decreased density and biomass of Drawida and Eisenia but had no effect on Carabid beetles. Soil macrofauna density was highest in the Z-G intercropping system and higher at 0–10 cm than at other soil depths. These results indicate that intercropping soybean rather than bell pepper increases the abundance and biomass of soil macrofauna, and drought remarkably impacts the response of soil macrofauna to planting systems.     

林木氮素吸收偏好性及其形成机制研究进展

森林土壤中可被林木吸收利用的氮（N）素主要以铵态氮（NH₄+-N）和硝态氮（NO₃--N）的形态存在。受全球气候变暖、氮沉降和人类活动等因素的影响，NH₄+和NO₃-的分布存在很大的时间波动性和空间异质性，且NH₄+-N和NO₃--N亏缺已成为限制林地生产力的主要因素。在森林土壤N亏缺和N异质分布的逆境中，在林木长期进化过程中形成了对不同形态N素的吸收偏好，且这种吸收偏好会随生长环境条件而发生改变。特别是对于NH₄+和NO₃-这2种主要形态的偏好选择性已被证明是决定林木生产力、竞争、共存和生态演替的重要因素之一。对不同树种在N异质分布环境下的N吸收偏好和形成机制的研究，是揭示林木N素营养遗传特性和提高林地N素利用效率的关键。文中从森林土壤中N的主要形态及其分布特征、林木对不同形态N素的吸收偏好和形成机制、林木N吸收偏好的影响因素3个方面进行总结阐述，并对未来研究方向进行展望，以期为我国人工林培育中不同树种的造林配置和合理N素施肥技术提供理论依据和参考。     

氮磷钾配比对长优2号产量和经济性状的影响

采用“3414”方案设计试验,研究氮磷钾不同配比施肥对长优2号产量及经济性状的影响,结果表明,氮、磷、钾对长优2号都有一定的增产效应,其中以氮的增产效应最为显著,磷与钾次之。初步得出本次试验最佳施肥量为“N”16.23㎏/667㎡、“P2O5”8.46㎏/667㎡、“K2O”16.06㎏/667㎡,NPK比接近“1：0.5：1”水平。     

Biochar addition mitigates nitrogen loss induced by straw incorporation and nitrogen fertilizer application

Biochar has been shown to be potentially beneficial for enhancing yields and soil properties, and diminishing nitrogen (N) losses. However, it remains unclear how biochar regulates soil carbon (C) and N to mitigate N losses induced by straw mixing with N fertilizer in dryland soils. Therefore, we investigated the effects of straw mixing (S₁), S₁ with biochar (SB) and no straw inputs (S₀), and routine urea application rates (N₁) and 70% of routine rates (N_0.7) on yields and N losses, and identify the relationship between N losses and soil C and N compounds. Results showed that N_0.7 and N₁ were suitable for the maize and wheat seasons, respectively, contributing to mitigating N losses without reducing crop yields. Moreover, in the maize season, N_0.7-SB significantly mitigated the straw-induced NH₃-N and N₂O-N emissions by 106% and 81%, respectively. In the wheat season, N₁-SB reduced the straw-induced NH₃-N and N₂O-N emissions by 35% and 66%, respectively. In addition, N_0.7-SB sharply reduced soil inorganic N (SIN) storage in the maize season. Furthermore, the NH₃-N and N₂O-N emission rates were negatively correlated with dissolved organic carbon/SIN content (0–20 cm) (DOC/SIN_0-20). N losses (N₂O-N and NH₃-N emissions and SIN storage) were positively correlated with SIN_0-20, but negatively correlated with soil organic carbon / SIN_0-20 (SOC/ SIN_0-20). This study provides further evidence that biochar with an appropriate N application rate decreased SIN_0-20 and increased DOC/SIN_0-20, thus reducing SIN storage and the straw-induced gaseous N emissions without decreasing crop yields.     

Management strategies for forage rape (Brassica napus L. cv Goliath): Impact on dry-matter yield,plant reserves,morphology and nutritive value

Limited information is available on the grazing management principles of forage rape (Brassica napus L.), particularly in relation to grazing height and intensity and the impact of these on dry-matter (DM) yield and nutritive value. A glasshouse study was undertaken to investigate the effect of three defoliation heights (plant height at harvest; DH: 40, 70 and 90 cm; L, M and H DH respectively) and three defoliation intensities (height at which plants were cut; DI: 5, 20 and 35 cm of residual height; H, M and L DI respectively) on forage rape (cv Goliath) yield and nutritive value at two harvests (harvest 1, H1 and harvest 2, H2), and the impact of nitrogen (N) and water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) reserves on regrowth. Increasing DH from L to H increased estimated total DM yield (H1 plus H2) from 0.5 to 4.6 t DM/ha but DI did not affect yield. Dry-matter yield was optimized at 90 cm DH, but greater nutritive value was achieved by harvesting at lower levels of DH. Despite high in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD; 852–889 g/kg), harvesting at 90 cm DH could not meet the protein requirement of lactating dairy cows and harvesting at lower levels risks nitrate poisoning. Our results indicate the optimum DH may be between 70 and 90 cm DH, and 20 and 35 cm DI, which requires further studies.     

Establishment techniques affect productivity,nutritive value and atmospheric N2 fixation of two sunn hemp cultivars

Nitrogen fertilization is a common practice for sustaining forage production in forage systems in southeastern United States. Warm-season annual legumes may be an alternative forage to warm-season perennial grasses that do not require N fertilization. Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) is a fast-growing, warm-season annual legume native to India and Pakistan. The objective of this 2-year study was to assess the herbage accumulation (HA), atmospheric N₂ fixation (ANF) and nutritive value of sunn hemp. Treatments were the factorial arrangement of two sunn hemp cultivars (“Crescent Sun” and “Blue Leaf”), three seeding rates (17, 28 and 39 kg seed/ha) and seed inoculation (inoculated or non-inoculated seeds), distributed in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Crescent sun had greater HA (3,218 vs. 1764 kg DM/ha) and ANF (41 vs. 25 kg N/ha). Blue leaf had greater crude protein (CP) (188 vs. 176 g/kg) and in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) concentrations (564 vs. 531 g/kg) than crescent sun. Non-inoculated seed had greater CP than inoculated seed, 188 and 177 g/kg, respectively, and inoculation did not affect HA. Intermediate seeding rate (28 kg/ha) decreased HA (2002 kg DM/ha), while HA from high and low seeding rates (17 and 39 kg/ha, respectively) did not differ (2,863 and 2,615 kg DM/ha respectively). Planting non-inoculated crescent sun at 17 kg/ha seeding rate is a feasible management practice to produce sunn hemp in subtropical regions; however, inoculation should always be recommended for proper establishment.     

Primary productivity in patches of heterogeneous swards after 12 years of low-intensity cattle grazing

In low-intensity grazing systems, patch grazing leads to a mosaic structure of short (frequently defoliated) and tall (rarely defoliated) patches, with the stocking rate determining the proportion of these patch types on the pasture. Little is known about the long-term effects of patch grazing on the productivity of contrasting sward height patches developed under varying stocking rates. On a 12-year low-intensity cattle pasture we investigated aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) and its seasonal variation in different patch types (‘short’, ‘medium’ and ‘tall’) under three stocking rates (‘moderate’, ‘lenient’ and ‘very lenient’) over two years. Additionally, we determined stocks of soil phosphorus, potassium and magnesium as well as soil pH. ANPP was affected by an interaction of patch type and stocking rate and ranged from less than 300 g/m² in short patches under very lenient stocking to more than 1,000 g/m² in medium patches under moderate stocking. In contrast with observations at the start of the experiment, ANPP in short patches was similar to or less than that in medium and tall patches. As topsoil phosphorus and potassium stocks were lowest in short patches, this indicates a long-term redistribution of nutrients by grazing animals, which limits short-patch productivity. Productivity of medium patches increased with stocking rate, and soil potassium concentration showed a similar trend, pointing towards enhanced nutrient cycling under more intensive stocking. We conclude that nutrient redistribution may lead to increasing trade-offs between ecological and agronomic aims in long-term low-intensity grazing systems.     

苗期甘蔗氮高效基因型评价指标的筛选

本研究通过低氮压力选择,筛选出甘蔗氮高效种质,分析影响甘蔗氮高效的重要指标,为甘蔗氮高效育种及栽培提供理论依据。以58份甘蔗种质资源为材料,在苗期采用正常供氮（2 mmol/L N）和低氮（0.2 mmol/L N）处理,分析甘蔗植株形态、干重及氮素在各器官中累积分配的特征。通过主成分分析方法筛选影响甘蔗氮高效利用的重要指标,通过聚类分析对58份种质进行聚类。结果表明,低氮（0.2 mmol/L N）处理可以明显从植物形态区分不同种质的氮利用差异,58份种质低氮条件下的干重范围为0.64~14.75 g/株,氮累积量为5.53~63.00 mg/株,氮利用率范围为115.40~279.30 g/g。对低氮压力下甘蔗干重及氮累积等25个指标进行主成分分析后,提取出4个主要成分,总贡献率为92.35%。通过高、低氮条件下与氮利用效率有关的氮转移系数及基因潜力等19个指标分析后提取出5个主成分,总贡献率为82.21%。影响甘蔗氮高效的重要指标有甘蔗的干重（全株、叶、根）、氮累积量（全株、叶、茎）、氮利用率（全株、叶）、叶的相对氮利用率、茎的基因潜力、茎的相对干物质量和茎的相对氮累积量。经聚类分析后初步将58份甘蔗种质分为氮高效基因型、偏氮高效基因型、偏氮低效基因型和氮低效基因型。     

秸秆还田与优化施氮改善烤烟根际土壤碳氮转化及氮素吸收

针对华南沙泥田烟区氮肥过量施用导致烟叶品质下降的问题,拟通过秸秆还田与氮肥优化配施调节烤烟各生育期氮吸收、根际土壤碳氮转化及相关酶的活性。试验采用随机区组设计,设水稻秸秆还田与氮肥两因素,其中3个碳（秸秆还田）水平：C0,无秸秆还田,0 kg/hm ²;C1,中量秸秆还田,4500 kg/hm ²;C2,全部秸秆还田,9000 kg/hm ²;2个氮水平：N1,传统施氮,169.50 kg/hm ²;N2,优化施氮,105.00 kg/hm ²。结果表明,与N1相比,N2处理秸秆还田下烤烟前期烟叶和根系氮吸收和累积正常,而后期有所下降;C1、C2处理时,与现蕾期相比,成熟期时根系氮含量均降低4.2 g/kg,叶片氮含量降低3.8、3.0 g/kg;成熟期时,与N1处理相比,N2处理时C1、C2处理的土壤无机氮含量降低30.4%、20.0%,前期2个氮处理间土壤无机氮含量无差异,优化施氮下中量秸秆还田（C1N2）处理烤烟土壤NH₄ ⁺-N含量在整个生育期内较高且呈降低趋势,而硝态氮和土壤无机氮含量在成熟期最低,表明中量秸秆还田下优化施氮能够维持生育前期土壤无机氮含量,且降低成熟期土壤无机氮含量。2个秸秆还田量处理时,团棵期N2处理的土壤转化酶活性是N1处理的1.30、1.13倍;旺长期土壤转化酶活性是N1处理的1.27、1.10倍;与传统施氮相比,秸秆还田下优化施氮处理增加了整个生育期土壤脲酶、磷酸酶、过氧化氢酶活性。在中量秸秆还田（C1）处理下,与N1水平相比,现蕾期和成熟期的N2处理土壤水溶性碳含量提高11.2%和14.1%;与N1相比,N2处理的土壤微生物量氮含量呈降低趋势。综上所述,优化施氮耦合中量秸秆还田（C1N2）能够提高土壤水溶性碳含量,维持土壤氮素合理供应,稳定烤烟生育前期对氮素吸收与累积,减少生育后期烟叶氮素奢侈吸收,与烤烟吸氮规律比较吻合。     

新型尿素对冬小麦产量及氮素吸收利用的影响

为明确新型尿素在冬小麦的应用效果，采用田间试验，研究了普通尿素（Urea）、控失尿素（LC Urea）、海藻酸尿素（H Urea）、聚能网尿素（N Urea）、含锰尿素（Mn Urea）、控失尿素一次施肥（LC Urea 1）、普通尿素+等量锰（Urea+Mn）和不施肥（CK）对冬小麦产量、叶片SPAD、叶片光合生理特性和氮素吸收利用的影响。结果表明，LC Urea和H Urea处理较Urea处理的小麦拔节期叶片SPAD分别显著提高1500%和1300%，灌浆期净光合速率分别显著增加3304%和2076%，气孔导度分别显著提高2609%和2174%，氮素积累量分别显著增加1439%和1236%，氮肥利用率分别提高4575%和3902%。N Urea和Mn Urea处理与Urea处理的产量无显著差异，LC Urea和H Urea处理较Urea处理显著增产1449%和1333%。控失尿素和海藻酸尿素能够有效提高穗数，改善冬小麦光合生理特性，促进氮素吸收利用，提高冬小麦产量和氮肥利用率，可在豫北潮土区推广应用。