Bioavailability of dissolved organic carbon across a hillslope chronosequence in the Kuparuk River region,Alaska

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) represents an important component of carbon and nutrient cycling in arctic ecosystems. In northern Alaska, DOM production and microbial activity differ among landscapes with varied glaciation histories with lower rates on younger landscapes. In addition, within the region, soil DOM concentrations vary at the scale of hillslope toposequences, with higher concentrations in upslope than streamside positions. However, it is unknown whether variation in DOM production quality among and within landscapes linked to patterns in DOM quality. To answer this question, we conducted a study of DOM biodegradability within and among hillslopes of different landscape age. We examined rates of DOM decomposition and several indices of the quality of water-extracted DOM collected from soils in the summer. A variety of methods indicated that DOM quality generally was consistent across hillslope positions and among landscape ages. For example, DOM fluorescence index, an index of quality for chromophoric DOM, did not vary significantly across all hillslope positions or landscape ages. There were no significant differences among landscape ages or hillslope positions in DOM specific UV absorbance, in rates of DOM mineralization, or in DOM decomposition, indicating that DOM quality was consistent regardless of its source or position along hillslope flow paths. This suggests that despite many potential sources of variation within and among arctic hillslopes linked to differences in vegetation, hydrology, microclimate, and microbial activity, there is little variation in growing-season soil DOM quality. Microbial processing of DOM within arctic hillslopes may lead to a convergence in growing season DOM quality resulting in little spatial variation. Approximately 10–20% of the growing season DOM is labile in tundra soils, slightly higher that the proportion that is labile in arctic rivers during the summer.     

环保视阈下恩施州肥料利用问题及对策

指出了提高肥料利用率,减少肥料损失和对农业环境的污染是目前农业生产中急需解决的重要问题,针对恩施州有机肥用量不足、肥料投入结构不合理、肥料流失量较大、农业环境污染加重和边际效益下降等问题,提出了有机肥资源高效利用、采用新型科学施肥技术和减少环境污染的施肥技术等提高肥料利用率的建议。     

Rate-specific responses of prokaryotic diversity and structure to nitrogen deposition in the Leymus chinensis steppe

Serious nitrogen (N) deposition in terrestrial ecosystems causes soil acidification and changes the structure and function of the microbial community. However, it is unclear how these changes are dependent on N deposition rates, other factors induced by N (e.g., pH), and their interactions. In this study, we investigated the responses of soil prokaryotic community structure and stability after a 13-year N addition in the semi-arid Leymus chinensis steppe in Inner Mongolia, China. Our results demonstrated that the prokaryotic community structure changed at the low N addition rate of 1.75 g N m⁻² yr⁻¹; however, dramatic changes in microbial abundance, respiratory quotient, and prokaryotic diversity occurred at N addition rates of more than 5.25 g N m⁻² yr⁻¹ when the soil pH dropped below 6.0. The two patterns indicated the difference in driving forces for different microbial properties. The N-driven and pH-driven processes are likely the most important mechanisms determining the responses of bacterial community to N. Some copiotrophic/oligotrophic bacteria, e.g., Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria, changed their relative abundances with the N addition continuously even at a low rate, indicating that they were more sensitive to N directly. Some bacterial groups significantly changed their relative abundance at a high N addition rate when pH dropped below 6.0, e.g., Verrucomicrobia and Armatimonadetes, indicating that they were more sensitive to pH below 6.0. N addition altered the prokaryotic community structure through enrichment of copiotrophic bacteria (species adjustment) at low N addition rates and through enrichment of nitrophilous taxa and significant loss of diversity at high N rates. The results also demonstrated that a high N addition diminished the stability of the prokaryotic community structure and activity through reduction in species diversity and bacterial interaction. Overall, this study supported the hypothesis that the responses of prokaryota to N were dependent on deposition rates, and N-driven and pH-driven processes were the important mechanisms to control the shift of the prokaryotic community.     

The positive relationship between soil quality and crop production: A case study on the effect of farm compost application

In order to ensure sustainable agriculture, and for evaluating the effects of management practices on soil processes, tools for assessing soil quality are required. The development and use of a multiparameter index, which includes a wide range of soil properties, have been tested and found useful by several studies. However, soil quality measurements are ‘stand-alone’ tools unless they are either linked to important soil functions, used to characterize (agro)ecosystems or used to predict sustainability or productivity. In our study, the relationship between crop production and soil quality was assessed in a six year old field experiment studying the effect of farm compost (FC) amendment in a crop rotation of potato, fodder beet, forage maize and Brussels sprouts. To justify the hypothesis that repeated FC amendment results in both improved soil quality and consequently higher crop yields, a wide range of chemical, biological and physical soil properties were measured and integrated into a soil quality index (SQI). Next, crop yields were used as a functional goal to verify the causal relationship between SQI and crop production. Our results showed that there were significant changes in chemical, physical and biological soil quality as a result of repeated FC amendment. This was evidenced for example by a remarkable increase in both soil organic carbon (SOC) and total N content. Microbial biomass, the relative amount of bacterivorous nematodes and earthworm number were significantly increased as well and, together with SOC and total N, indicated as the dominant factors in assessing soil quality. The integration of these key indicators into the SQI revealed higher SQI values when FC was applied. In addition, crop yields were increased in all FC treated plots by which SOC was pointed out as the most important indicator influencing crop production. Finally, a causal relationship was observed between soil quality and the yield of potato and fodder beet. We conclude that our SQI may be a promising and useful tool to compare different (soil) management practices in relation to a strategic, regional goal, e.g., sustainable high yields. Before generalizing, we recommend a thorough validation of our SQI in other long-term field experiments.     

Synbiotic effect of Bacillus mycoides and organic selenium on immunity and growth of marron,Cherax cainii (Austin, 2002)

The present feeding trial examined the effect of synbiotic use of Bacillus mycoides and organic selenium (OS) as Sel‐Plex on marron immunity, growth and survival. The marron were cultured in recirculated tanks and fed test diets consisting of a basal diet; basal diet supplemented with B. mycoides (10⁸ CFU g^?1 of feed); basal diet supplemented with OS (Sel‐Plex) (0.2 g kg ^{? 1} of feed) and basal diet supplemented with synbiotic (B. mycoides at 10⁸ CFU g^?1 and OS 0.2 g kg ^{? 1} feed) diet, in triplicate. The effect of the prebiotic OS (Sel‐Plex) on the growth rate of B. mycoides was also studied in vitro. The results suggested that synbiotic use of B. mycoides and OS significantly improved some immune parameters of marron, particularly the glutathione peroxidase, and to some extent total haemocyte counts. However, the synbiotic feed did not synergistically improve marron growth, in fact the use of B. mycoides‐supplemented diet alone demonstrated significantly higher growth in marron compared with the growth of marron fed on other test diets. Supplementation of the basal diet with host origin B. mycoides significantly increased the intestinal bacterial population (3.399 ± 825 CFU g ^{? 1} of gut) in marron compared with other diets. Organic selenium as Sel‐Plex in Trypticase Soya Broth also confirmed that OS did not increase the amount of growth of B. mycoides and resulted in a lower intestinal bacterial population in the synbiotic diet‐fed marron. In conclusion, synbiotic of OS and B. mycoides may improve a particular immune parameters of marron and to a lesser extent their growth.     

Effects of conventional and organic feed on the mineral composition of cultured European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is a widely consumed marine fish in Mediterranean areas, and different farming techniques are applied for fish culturing to satisfy the growing demand for seafood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of conventional and organic feed on the quality of cultured European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) collected during the growth period. The concentrations of ash, moisture, essential macro‐elements (Ca, K, Mg, Na and P), micro‐elements (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn) and toxic elements (As, Cd, and Pb) were determined in feeds and in fillets of cultured fish. The results were compared to those obtained from wild sea bass. Results showed that the differences between organic diet‐fed and conventional diet‐fed sea basses varied in relation to the specific element measured and the growth period. The former showed higher concentration of Fe, Mg and Cr, and lower Na content. The amount of P, Na, Fe, Cu and Cr in wild sea bass was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher than that found in farmed fish. The levels of toxic elements in cultured sea bass were always within the allowed limit for fishery products. Wild samples had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher content of arsenic and lead than farmed sea bass. Cultured fish represent a valuable dietary source of essential macro‐ and micro‐elements. Controlled rearing systems and feedings were related to a decrease in the presence of some toxic metals in cultured fish compared with wild fish.     

水稻氮钾吸收的交互作用研究

氮和钾都是水稻生长的大量必须营养元素,在水稻的生长发育过程中起着不可替代的作用。水稻对氮、钾的吸收存在着一定的交互作用。本文在综述水稻氮、钾吸收的机理上,探讨了氮素对水稻钾素吸收的影响,以及钾素对水稻氮素吸收的影响。     

秸秆复合有机酿热物对大棚土壤环境的影响

为解决黑龙江省早春大棚土壤温度低及设施土壤环境恶化问题,以‘千禧’番茄为材料,研究秸秆+牛粪(NGH)、秸秆+马粪(MGH)、秸秆+羊粪(YGH)、单一秸秆(JG),以未进行反应堆技术为对照(CK),对早春大棚‘千禧’番茄土壤温度、土壤理化性状、酶活性及微生物群落结构的影响。结果表明,与对照相比,各处理降低了土壤pH,提高了土壤温度、土壤EC、碱解氮、速效钾、有机质含量及土壤蔗糖酶、脲酶、磷酸酶、过氧化氢酶活性。经过秸秆生物反应堆处理的20 cm土层温度有明显的提升,其中秸秆+羊粪处理在反应启动后提升土壤温度效果最好;秸秆+羊粪(YGH)处理提高了土壤速效磷含量,是对照的2倍;秸秆+羊粪(YGH)处理土壤中4种酶活性均处于最高水平,分别比对照提高了91.9%、220%、18.5%、7.3%。各处理微生物多样性指数均显著高于对照,变化规律一致为秸秆+羊粪(YGH)>秸秆+牛粪(NGH)>秸秆+马粪(MGH)>秸秆(JG)>对照(CK);秸秆+羊粪(YGH)及秸秆+牛粪(NGH)处理对糖类、氨基酸类、酯类、醇类、胺类、酸类6类碳源的利用能力最强,显著高于其他处理和对照。应用主成分分析和聚类分析方法将大棚番茄土壤分为4个等级,秸秆+羊粪(YGH)处理为第一级,秸秆+牛粪(NGH)处理为第二级,秸秆+马粪(MGH)及单一秸秆(JG)处理为第三级,对照(CK)为第四级。应用秸秆复合有机酿热物生物反应堆促进了土壤环境的改善,以秸秆+羊粪(YGH)作为复合有机酿热物效果最佳。     

Variation in glomalin in soil profiles and its association with climatic conditions,shelterbelt characteristics,and soil properties in poplar shelterbelts of Northeast China

Glomalin-related soil protein(GRSP)sequesters large amounts of carbon and plays important roles in maintaining terrestrial soil ecosystem functions and ecological restoration;however,little is known about GRSP variation in 1-m soil profiles and its association with stand characteristics,soil properties,and climatic conditions,hindering GRSP-related degraded soil improvement and GRSP evaluation.In this study,we sampled soils from 1-m profiles from poplar(Populus spp.)shelterbelts in Northeast China.GRSP contents were 1.8–2.0 times higher in the upper 40 cm soil layers than at 40–100 cm.GRSP-related soil organic carbon(SOC)sequestration in deeper soil layers was*1.2 times higher than in surface layers.The amounts of GRSP-related nutrients were similar throughout the soil profile.A redundancy analysis showed that in both surface and deeper layers,soil properties(pH,electrical conductivity,water,SOC,and soil nutrients)explained the majority of the GRSP variation(59.5–84.2%);the second-most-important factor in GRSP regulation was climatic conditions(temperature,precipitation,and altitude),while specific shelterbelt characteristics had negligible effects(<5%).Soil depth and climate indirectly affected GRSP features via soil properties,as manifested by structural equation model analysis.Our findings demonstrate that GRSP is important for carbon storage in deep soils,regardless of shelterbelt characteristics.Future glomalin assessments should consider these vertical patterns and possible regulating mechanisms that are related to soil properties and climatic changes.     

Leaf carbohydrates assimilation and metabolism affect seed yield of rapeseed with different waterlogging tolerance under the interactive effects of nitrogen and waterlogging

Waterlogging is a main factor causing rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) yield loss, and reasonable nitrogen (N) applications can compensate for this loss. To investigate the effects of N rates on seed yield of waterlogged rapeseed, the waterlogging-tolerant rapeseed variety ZS 9 and sensitive variety GH01 were waterlogged for 0 and 10 days with five leaves at the seedling stage under four N rates (0, 90, 180 and 270 kg/ha). Waterlogging significantly decreased seed yield, while N application can alleviate the yield loss. The yield decrease rate of waterlogged GH01 was greater than that of ZS 9 under the same N rate. During the seedling and bolting stage, the leaf photosynthetic rate (Pn) and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activity increased, while activities of adenosine diphosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase), sucrose synthase (SuSy) and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) decreased with more N under the same watering conditions. Compared to the plants without waterlogging, the leaf Pn and Rubisco activity, starch and sucrose contents of waterlogged rapeseed decreased at the two stages; activities of AGPase, SuSy and SPS of waterlogged rapeseed decreased at the seedling while increased at the bolting stage for both the two varieties. At the flowering stage, the Pn, the activities of Rubisco, AGPase, SuSy, SPS and contents of sucrose, starch increased with more N application for both ZS 9 and GH01. Compared to the plants without waterlogging, the Pn and Rubisco activity for waterlogged plants of the two varieties increased; the waterlogged plants of tolerant variety had higher activities of AGPase, SuSy and SPS, while those of sensitive variety was significantly lower. However, the decreased starch and sucrose content were found in both tolerant and sensitive varieties. The activities of AGPase, SuSy and SPS at flowering were highly positively correlated with yield under the interactive effects of N and waterlogging. These results suggested that the flowering stage is the most important stage that N had the positive regulation on waterlogged rapeseed growth. The carbohydrates translocation from leaves to seeds of the tolerant variety were enhanced after waterlogging, while that of the sensitive variety was still inhibited. This was the main reason for the difference in yield between the two waterlogged varieties.