De‐eutrophication of a nitrogen‐saturated Scots pine forest by prescribed litter‐raking

Short‐term (<7 years) effects of prescribed litter‐raking on forest‐floor nutrient pools, stand nutrition, and seepage water chemistry were studied in an N‐saturated Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forest in Southern Germany subject to high atmospheric‐nitrogen deposition. The study was based on a comparison of plots with and without annual prescribed litter raking at three sites with different N‐deposition levels. Prescribed litter‐raking resulted in a considerable reduction of forest‐floor thickness and mass, as well as of forest‐floor C, N, P, K, Mg, and Ca pools. Furthermore, it induced a significant decrease of the foliar N content in current‐year needles of the pines and a more balanced nutritional status of the stand. Particularly on the site subject to the highest N deposition, but to a lesser degree also at the other sites, the mean NO concentration in the subsoil seepage water and the N export into the groundwater were substantially reduced on the litter‐raked plots. The results show that in N‐saturated Scots pine ecosystems prescribed litter‐raking on areas of limited size, which are used as sources of groundwater‐derived drinking water and/or serve as habitat for endangered plant species, is a quick and effective method to achieve a more balanced nutritional status of the trees and to reduce seepage‐water NO concentrations and N export into the groundwater. In terms of sustainable ecosystem nutrient management, the conversion of conifer monocultures into broadleaf‐rich mixed stands is the better, yet less immediately effective method to reduce the seepage‐water N export from conifer forests subject to high atmospheric‐N deposition.     

Synergistic effects of the inoculation with nitrogen‐fixing and phosphate‐solubilizing rhizobacteria on the performance of field‐grown chickpea

The synergistic effects of nitrogen‐fixing and phosphate‐solubilizing rhizobacteria on plant growth, yield, grain protein, and nutrient uptake of chickpea plants were determined in a sandy clay‐loam soil. Legume grain yield and concentration and uptake of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) were significantly increased as a result of co‐inoculation with Mesorhizobium and P‐solubilizing Pseudomonas and Bacillus spp. The inoculation with M. ciceri RC4 + A. chroococuum A10 + Bacillus PSB9 tripled the seed yield and resulted in highest grain protein (295 mg g^–1) at 145 d after sowing (DAS). An 8% increase in P concentration above the uninoculated control was observed in case of a single inoculation with Pseudomonas PSB 5, while the P uptake was highest (2.14‐fold above the uninoculated control) with a combined inoculation with [M. ciceri RC4 + A. chroococcum A10 + Bacillus PSB 9] at 145 DAS. The highest N concentration and N uptake at 145 DAS (81% and 16% above the uninoculated control, respectively) were observed with the triple inoculation of [M. ciceri RC4 + A. chroococcum A10 + Pseudomonas PSB 5). These findings show that multiple inoculations with rhizospheric microorganisms can promote plant growth and grain yield and increase concentrations and uptake of N and P by field‐grown chickpea.     

森林土壤全磷测定中酸溶法的优化

在标准LY/T 1232-2015《森林土壤磷的测定》基础上,通过多个实验对比总结,对土壤全磷测定中酸溶法进行了优化。原方法中,以二硝基酚作为指示剂,2 mol/L氢氧化钠溶液和0.5 mol/L硫酸溶液调色,从黄色到刚呈淡黄色,颜色变化不明显,肉眼判断误差极大。优化后采用硫酸-高氯酸酸溶法消解,以酚酞作指示剂,4 mol/L氢氧化钠溶液和0.5 mol/L硫酸溶液调色,从红色到无色,颜色更为清晰,操作更为简便,结果更为可靠。     

Fixation of radiocaesium in an acid brown forest soil

The OAh and Ah horizons of acid brown and podzolic forest soils are reported to fix more radiocaesium than the mineral B horizons beneath them. We determined the respective influence of organic matter and clay minerals on the magnitude of Cs⁺ retention in a strongly acid brown forest soil in Belgium. The soil contained mica throughout the profile. Vermiculite was identified in the OAh and Ah horizons, and hydroxy interlayered vermiculite (HIV) in the Bw horizon. The OAh and Ah clay fraction retained much more Cs⁺ than the Bw horizon. The extraction of Al interlayers by Na-citrate resulted in a marked increase in Cs⁺ fixation in the Bw clays as well as the collapse of the vermiculitic layers after K⁺ saturation. Organic matter had a strong but indirect effect on Cs⁺ fixation. In the Bw horizon, acid weathering of layer silicates releases free Al and produces HIV minerals in which Al polymers block the access of radiocaesium onto Cs⁺-specific sites. In OAh and Ah horizons, free Al is complexed by organic acids. Consequently, the interlayer specific sites remain accessible for Cs⁺ fixation.     

Solvent-extractable lipids in an acid andic forest soil; variations with depth and season

Total lipid extracts from an acid andic soil profile located on Madeira Island (Portugal) were analysed using gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The profile was covered mainly by grass. Bulk soil characteristics determined included soil pH (H₂O) ranging from 4.5 to 4.0 and TOC, ranging from 84 to 30 g kg⁻¹. A decrease of the contribution of lipids per TOC with depth was observed. The absence of typical bacterial markers might be an indication for reduced bacterial activity, most likely related to the low soil pH and the presence of Al and Fe (oxides). The distribution observed in the top layer with a dominant C₂₆n-alkanol, steroids and triterpenoids, reflected mainly an input by grass leaves. A strong decrease in both relative and absolute concentration of these leaf-derived compounds was observed when comparing the litter layer with the mineral soil. The presence of C₂₂-C₃₂n-alkanoic acids, C₂₂-C₂₆ ω-hydroxy acids, C₃₁n-alkane and C₂₂-C₃₂n-alkanols observed in the sub-soil is indicative of an important contribution by (grass) roots. In summer, a signal most likely reflecting the leaching of microbially derived products from the litter and/or aerial vegetation at the surface was observed.     

Microbial response of an acid forest soil to experimental soil warming

 Effects of increased soil temperature on soil microbial biomass and dehydrogenase activity were examined on organic (O) horizon material in a low-elevation spruce-fir ecosystem. Soil temperature was maintained at 5  °C above ambient during the growing season in the experimental plots, and soil temperature, moisture, microbial biomass, and dehydrogenase activity were measured during the experiment. An incubation study was also conducted under three temperature regimes, 5, 15, and 25  °C, and under four moisture regimes of 20, 120, 220, and 320% to further evaluate these environmental factors on dehydrogenase activity and microbial biomass. Soil moisture content and microbial biomass controls were significantly lower (30% and 2 μg g^–1 soil, respectively) in the heated plots during the treatment period, suggesting that moisture content was important in controlling microbial biomass. In the incubation study, temperature appeared more important than moisture in controlling microbial biomass and dehydrogenase activity. Increasing temperature between 5  °C and 25  °C resulted in significant decreases in microbial biomass and dehydrogenase activity. Received: 7 August 1998     

Community composition and activities of denitrifying bacteria from adjacent agricultural soil, riparian soil, and creek sediment in Oregon, USA

We examined denitrifying bacteria from wet soils and creek sediment in an agroecosystem in Oregon, USA that received inputs of nitrogen (N) fertilizer. Our objective was to determine the variation in denitrifying community composition and activities across three adjacent habitats: a fertilized agricultural field planted to perennial ryegrass, a naturally vegetated riparian area, and creek sediment. Using C₂H₂ inhibition, denitrifying enzyme and N₂O-reductase activities were determined in short-term incubations of anaerobic slurries. A key gene in the denitrification pathway, N₂O reductase (nosZ), served as a marker for denitrifiers. Mean denitrifying enzyme activity (DEA) was similar among habitats, ranging from 0.5 to 1.8 μg N g⁻¹ dry soil h⁻¹. However, the ratio of N₂O production, without C₂H₂, to DEA was substantially higher in riparian soil (0.64±0.02; mean±standard error, n=12) than in agricultural soil (0.19±0.02) or creek sediment (0.32±0.03). Mean N₂O-reductase activity ranged from 0.5 to 3.2 μg N g⁻¹ dry soil h⁻¹, with greater activity in agricultural soil than in riparian soil. Denitrifying community composition differed significantly among habitats based on nosZ terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphisms. The creek sediment community was unique. Communities in the agricultural and riparian soil were more closely related but distinct. A number of unique nosZ genotypes were detected in creek sediment. Sequences of nosZ obtained from riparian soil were closely related to nosZ from Bradyrhizobium japonicum. Although nosZ distribution and N₂O-reductase activity differed among habitats, relationships between activity and community composition appeared uncoupled across the agroecosystem.     

Simulation of calcium leaching and desorption in an acid forest soil

The aim of the study was to evaluate effects of mobile and immobile water and diffusion‐limited transport on the binding and release of ions in soils. The desorption and leaching of calcium in a humic layer of a densely rooted acid forest soil under a beech stand was studied in laboratory experiments by leaching soil columns with a desorption solution and recycling the leachate through the columns. Radioactive tracers were added and monitored in the leachate to evaluate desorption and leaching characteristics of the soil. Parallel experiments were conducted with chloride and calcium to determine transport and desorption parameters independently. The experimental data were then analysed with a transport model, taking into account effects of mobile and immobile soil water fractions, and in the case of calcium assuming an equilibrium Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The transport was highly dependent on the mobility of the soil water, and in particular the fraction of the soil water to which the chemical was confined as a result of ionic properties. For chloride an excluded soil water phase had to be taken into account to explain the experimental findings. Immobile or mobile water and solute transfer and transport properties were not sufficient to explain non‐equilibrium effects in the adsorption reactions. Desorption curves agreed with results from batch experiments, provided the leaching experiments were done in such a way that equilibration between the soil solution and the solid matrix adsorption sites was reached, otherwise desorption was delayed and the calculated isotherms do not represent actual equilibrium adsorption–desorption conditions.     

Effects of steam disinfestation on community structure,abundance and activity of heterotrophic,denitrifying and nitrifying bacteria in an organic farming soil

Steam disinfestation is an ecologically less harmful alternative to synthetic chemical fumigants such as methyl bromide, which is being phased out of use due to its ozone-depleting properties. Although previous studies have characterized the effects of steaming on targeted pests, soil microorganisms, including beneficial ones, may be strongly influenced by this agricultural practice, since: (1) high temperature disturbs most soil microorganisms; and (2) disinfestation-induced changes in the soil environment can indirectly affect soil microbiota. The impact of soil disinfestation on functional bacterial communities was evaluated particularly in view of their role in nitrogen cycling. The short-term effects of steam disinfestation on heterotrophic bacteria, denitrifying and nitrifying bacteria, and their ability to recover after this disturbance were examined by surveying the enzyme activity, size and genetic structure of each community. Our results show that: (1) steaming immediately induced significant decrease in community activity and size, and changes in community composition, nitrifying bacteria being mostly affected; (2) abundances of each community reached values equal or higher than those observed in control soil within 15–60 days after steaming, but community structures remained very different as compared to those in control soil; and (3) for each activity, no complete recovery was observed after the disturbance: substrate induced respiration and denitrification increased but remained lower in steamed soil, whereas nitrification was not detectable after 62 days. Our results show that these effects of steaming on key soil functional communities can have important, long-lasting implications for nitrogen cycle that should be taken into account when evaluating the influence of such an agricultural practice.     

Presubmergence and green manure affect the transformations of nitrogen‐15‐labeled urea under lowland soil conditions

The effect of presubmergence and green manuring on various processes involved in [¹⁵N]‐urea transformations were studied in a growth chamber after [¹⁵N]‐urea application to floodwater. Presubmergence for 14 days increased urea hydrolysis rates and floodwater pH, resulting in higher NH₃ volatilization as compared to without presubmergence. Presubmergence also increased nitrification and subsequent denitrification but lower N assimilation by floodwater algae caused higher gaseous losses. Addition of green manure maintained higher NH₄⁺‐N concentration in floodwater mainly because of lower nitrification rates but resulted in highest NH₃ volatilization losses. Although green manure did not affect the KCl extractable NH₄⁺‐N from applied fertilizer, it maintained higher NH₄⁺‐N content due to its decomposition and increased mineralization of organic N. After 32 days about 36.9 % (T₁), 23.9 % (T₂), and 36.4 % (T₃) of the applied urea N was incorporated in the pool of soil organic N in treatments. It was evident that the presubmergence has effected the recovery of applied urea N.     

Soil‐ and plant‐based nitrogen‐fertilizer recommendations in arable farming

Under‐ as well as overfertilization with nitrogen (N) will result in economic loss for the farmer due to reduced yields and quality of the products. Also from an ecological perspective, it is important that the grower makes the correct decision on how much and when to apply N for a certain crop to minimize impacts on the environment. To aggravate the situation, N is a substance that is present in many compartments in different forms (nitrate, ammonium, organic N, etc.) in the soil‐plant environment and takes part in various processes (e.g., mineralization, immobilization, leaching, denitrification, etc.). Today, many N‐recommendation systems are mainly based on yield expectation. However, yields are not stable from year to year for a given field. Also the processes that determine the N supply from other sources than fertilizer are not predictable at the start of the growing season. Different methodological approaches are reviewed that have been introduced to improve N‐fertilizer recommendations for arable crops. Many soil‐based methods have been developed to measure soil mineral N (SMN) that is available for plants at a given sampling date. Soil sampling at the start of the growing period and analyzing for the amount of NO ‐N (and NH ‐N) is a widespread approach in Europe and North America. Based on data from field calibrations, the SMN pool is filled up with fertilizer N to a recommended amount. Depending on pre‐crop, use of organic manure, or soil characteristics, the recommendation might be modified (±10–50 kg N ha^–1). Another set of soil methods has been established to estimate the amount of N that is mineralized from soil organic matter, plant residues, and/or organic manure. From the huge range of methods proposed so far, simple mild extraction procedures have gained most interest, but introduction into practical recommendation schemes has been rather limited. Plant‐analytical procedures cover the whole range from quantitative laboratory analysis to semiquantitative “quick” tests carried out in the field. The main idea is that the plant itself is the best indicator for the N supply from any source within the growth period. In‐field methods like the nitrate plant sap/petiole test and chlorophyll measurements with hand‐held devices or via remote sensing are regarded as most promising, because with these methods an adequate adjustment of the N‐fertilizer application strategy within the season is feasible. Prerequisite is a fertilization strategy that is based on several N applications and not on a one‐go approach.     

The influence of tree species on the biomass of denitrifying bacteria in gray forest soils

The biomass of two groups of microorganisms was studied in gray forest soils under six tree species (spruce, Scotch pine, Arolla pine, larch, birch, and aspen) and in the soil of a layland (a clearing in the forest) using kinetic methods. The biomass was the highest in the soil of the layland. The lowest (19.4 μg C/g of soil) biomass of heterotrophic microorganisms was found in the soil under the birch trees, and the highest one (41.7 and 32.0 μg C/g), under the pine and spruce ones. The biomass of denitrifying microorganisms was lower by thirty times than that of the heterotrophic ones. In the soils under the pine and spruce trees (8.4 and 9.2 μg C/g, respectively), the biomass of the denitrifying microorganisms was the lowest; under the birch and larch trees, it was the highest (16.7 and 13.7 μg C/g).     

Root size and nitrogen‐uptake activity in two maize (Zea mays) inbred lines differing in nitrogen‐use efficiency

Considerable differences in response to nitrogen (N) availability among plant species and cultivars have been well documented. Focusing on the uptake of N, it is not clear which factor or factors determine efficient N acquisition. Two maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines (478, N‐efficient; W312, N‐inefficient) were used to compare the relative contribution of root uptake activity and root size to N acquisition. Nitrogen‐efficient inbred 478 had higher yields and accumulated more N under field conditions than W312 under both high‐ (135 kg N ha^–1) and low‐N (no N supplied) conditions. The root system of 478, as indicated by total root length, root biomass, and root‐to‐shoot ratio, was larger and more responsive to low N stress. Especially, 478 developed more and longer axial roots at low N stress. On the contrary, the average N‐accumulation rate in 478 was lower than that of Wu312. In solution culture, ¹³NO₃^– influx in 478 was lower than in W312 after 8 h of nitrate provision. The expression of nitrate‐transporter genes ZmNRT1.1, ZmNRT2.1, ZmNRT2.2, and ZmNAR2.1 was stronger and lasted for a longer time after NO induction in W312. It is concluded that the efficient N acquisition in 478 is due to (1) a larger root system and (2) a stronger response of root growth to low N induction.     

Factors controlling Al-activity in soil solutions in an acid forest soil of the German Solling area

The forests of the German Solling area are heavily impacted by acidic deposition. Analysis of soil solutions derived from suction lysimeters in the field reveal strong vertical gradients of Al-activity in the soil solution and increasing activity with soil depth. Temporal pattern of Al- activity in soil solutions under field conditions cannot easily be predicted by equilibrium models using Al(OH)₃ dissolution. Percolating disturbed soil samples under laboratory conditions with artificial acid soil solutions undersaturated to Al(OH)₃ solids resulted in high rates of Al release in the 30–40 cm layer and revealed Al(OH)₃ as a possible Al-activity controlling solid. The laboratory findings are not in coincidence with field observations. This discrepancy with respect to the regulation of Al activity in the 30–40 cm layer is attributed to the effect of soil structure and the interaction of macropores and micropores under field conditions. Al activity of the soil solution in the 0–10 cm layer seems to be regulated by exchange reactions with organic substances.     

Genetic variation in nitrogen‐use efficiency of tef

Tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) is the ancient and most important cereal food crop of Ethiopia. A set of 20 tef genotypes was investigated in field experiments at three environments in Ethiopia to estimate genetic variation in nitrogen (N)‐use efficiency and in characters related to N accumulation as well as their relationships to grain yield. In each environment, genotypes representing both widely grown landraces and recently released cultivars were grown under three N‐fertilizer rates (0, 4, and 8 g m^–2 N). In grain yield, modern cultivars were superior to landraces, whereas in other characters, differences were less clear. The variation in grain yield was significantly related to the variation in total grain N and total plant N. Grain yield weakly correlated with N‐utilization efficiency and N harvest index. Broad sense heritability was higher for grain yield, total grain N, total plant N, and N harvest index than for N‐use, N‐uptake, and N‐utilization efficiencies. The contribution of uptake efficiency to the variation in N‐use efficiency decreased from 75% to 55% and that of utilization efficiency increased from 22% to 43% at the 4 to 8 g m^–2 N‐supply rate change. This study clearly suggests that tef N‐use efficiency would be increased by selecting genotypes with greater uptake efficiency at low N‐supply levels.     

Alkyl C and hydrophobicity in B and C horizons of an acid forest soil

Aliphatic C most probably derived from ester‐bound moieties was found to be present in sandy subsoil horizons. The hydrophobic nature of such compounds may increase their stabilization potential. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential of aliphatic compounds in mineral soil horizons along a Dystric Cambisol profile under beech forest to increase hydrophobicity. The conceptual approach included the analyses of soil samples before and after solvent extraction and base hydrolysis for elemental and isotopic composition. Additionally, the advancing contact angle was measured to quantify hydrophobicity. Curie‐point pyrolysis GC/MS was carried out to characterize the nature of alkyl C present in subsoil samples. A close correlation between the ¹⁴C activity and the stable‐C‐isotope ratio (δ¹³C) indicates isotopic fractionation upon C stabilization in subsoils. Free lipids contributed less than 10% to the organic C found in subsoil horizons. Base hydrolysis revealed very high amounts of hydroxyalkanoic acids in the B horizons of the acid forest soil. Hydrophobicity of SOM was not found to be correlated to esterified‐ or free‐lipid content. The contact angle was in a similar range for all bulk soil horizons, suggesting greater hydrophobicity of organic matter in subsoil horizons considering their very low concentrations of organic C compared to the A horizon. The quantity and nature of pyrolysis products change with increasing depth in the soil profile. Aliphatic products cannot be detected in B and C horizons by Curie‐point pyrolysis GC/MS.     

Aluminium chemistry of the soil solution in an acid forest soil as influenced by percolation rate and soil structure

The predicted activity of Al in the soil solutions of acid forest soils often differs from that observed in the field. We have investigated the influence of soil structure and flow rate of the soil solution on the aluminum release to explain this divergence. Disturbed and undisturbed samples of soil were collected from the A and B horizons of a dystric cambisol at Waldstein (Fichtelgebirge, Germany). The samples were irrigated with solutions mixed according to field data on throughfall or soil solution composition with pH 3.5 with flow rates of 4 mm d^?1, 12 mm d^?1 and 36 mm d^?1. The percolates were analysed for major ions. Resulting relations between pH and pAl were compared with batch experiments. In neither the A horizon nor in the B horizon did soil structure influence the relation between pH and pAl. The apparent equilibrium between pH and pAl was described as the pK_app value with pK_app= pAl—a pH (where a is an empirical constant). It was found that the pK_app values for the column percolates were in the range of variation of those found in batch experiments. Flow rate had no influence on pK_app at 4 and 12 mm d^?1. At 36 mm d^?1 a significant increase of pK_app was observed. This relative undersaturation of Al was more pronounced in the A horizon than in the B horizon. When flow is fast Al release into the percolating soil solution might be limited by diffusion.