不同水分模式对山东茶园土壤氮素动态的影响

以山东茶园土壤为研究对象,采用室内好气培养法,分析了恒定湿润和干湿交替模式下土壤氮素转化特征。结果表明:(1)至培养结束时,恒湿模式下60%WHC处理土壤净矿化量和净硝化量较高;脲酶和亚硝酸还原酶活性较强。20%WHC处理下土壤净矿化速率、净硝化速率严重受到抑制。(2)干湿交替模式下复水后土壤净矿化量、净硝化量以及酶活性得到增强,并出现"脉冲"式变化。(3)2种模式下氮素损失均为N_2O排放量大于NH_3挥发量。N_2O排放量与土壤含水量呈正比,NH_3挥发量与土壤含水量呈反比。干湿交替均增强土壤N_2O和NH_3排放量。(4)结构方程模型(SEM)揭示土壤含水量通过直接或间接作用影响土壤氮素转化(p0.001),脲酶显著影响恒湿模式下土壤氮素转化(p0.001),而亚硝酸还原酶在2种模式下均显著负影响氮素转化(p0.001)。研究结果有助于更好地调节茶园生态系统中土壤管理及氮肥的使用。     

Temperature functions of the rate coefficients of net N mineralization in sandy arable soils. Part II. Evaluation via field mineralization measurements

The aim of this study was to evaluate experimentally derived temperature functions for the rate coefficients of net N mineralization in sandy arable soils from NW Germany via field measurements. In part I of this paper (Heumann and Böttcher, 2004), different temperature functions for the rate coefficients of a two‐pool first‐order kinetic equation were derived by long‐term laboratory incubations at 3°C to 35°C. In this paper, field net N mineralization during winter of 25 plots was measured in undisturbed soil columns with a diameter of 20 cm to the depth of the A_p horizon. Mean simulated net N mineralization with the most adequate multiple functions corresponded also best with the mean of the measured values despite of an overestimation of about 10%. Distinctly larger deviations under use of other temperature functions (Arrhenius, Q₁₀) were directly related to their deviations from mean, experimentally derived rate coefficients. Simulated net N mineralization in the soil columns was significantly correlated with measured values, regardless of the temperature functions. Yet the goodness of fit was generally relatively low due to the spatial variability of measured net N mineralization within replicate soil columns, although the mean CV (38%) was by far not extraordinary. The pool of slowly mineralizable N contributed considerably to net N mineralization during four to five winter months, on an average 10.0 kg N ha^–1, about one third of total simulated N mineralization. Sometimes, it contributed even 21.3 kg N ha^–1, which is almost sufficient to reach the EU drinking‐water limit for nitrate in these soils. Simulations with widely used functions that were once derived from loess soils overestimated mineralization from pool N_slow in the studied sandy arable soils by a factor of two.     

Substantial net N mineralization during the dormant season in temperate forest soils

In temperate forest soils, N net mineralization has been extensively investigated during the growing season, whereas N cycling during winter was barely addressed. Here, we quantified net ammonification and nitrification during the dormant season by in situ and laboratory incubations in soils of a temperate European beech and a Norway spruce forest. Further, we compared temperature dependency of N net mineralization in in situ field incubations with those from laboratory incubations at controlled temperatures. From November to April, in situ N net mineralization of the organic and upper mineral horizons amounted to 10.9 kg N (ha · 6 months)^–1 in the spruce soil and to 44.3 kg N (ha · 6 months)^–1 in the beech soil, representing 65% (beech) and 26% (spruce) of the annual above ground litterfall. N net mineralization was largest in the Oi/Oe horizon and lowest in the A and EA horizons. Net nitrification in the beech soil [1.5 kg N (ha · 6 months)^–1] was less than in the spruce soil [5.9 kg N (ha · 6 months)^–1]. In the range of soil temperatures observed in the field (0–8°C), the temperature dependency of N net mineralization was generally high for both soils and more pronounced in the laboratory incubations than in the in situ incubations. We suggest that homogenization of laboratory samples increased substrate availability and, thus, enhanced the temperature response of N net mineralization. In temperate forest soils, N net mineralization during the dormant season contributes substantially to the annual N cycling, especially in deciduous sites with large amounts of litterfall immediately before the dormant season. High Q₁₀ values of N net mineralization at low temperatures suggest a huge effect of future increasing winter temperature on the N cycle in temperate forests.     

Nitrogen mineralization in a pecan (Carya illinoensis K. Koch)–cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) alley cropping system in the southern United States

Information on temporal and spatial patterns of N mineralization is critical in designing tree-crop mixed systems that could maximize N uptake while minimizing N loss. We quantified N mineralization rates in a pecan (Carya illinoensis K. Koch)–cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) alley cropping system in northwestern Florida with (non-barrier) and without tree-crop belowground interactions (barrier separating the root systems of pecan and cotton). Monthly rates of mineralization were estimated using buried bag incubations over a 15-month period. In addition, seasonal mineralization rates and cotton lint yield on soils supplied with two sources of N—inorganic fertilizer and organic poultry litter—were assessed. Results indicated that temporal variations in net NH₄ and NO₃ accumulation and mineralization rates were driven primarily by environmental factors and to a lesser degree by initial soil NH₄ and NO₃ levels. Mineralization varied by belowground interaction treatment during the initial growing season, when the non-barrier treatment exhibited a higher mineralization rate than the barrier treatment, likely due to reduced nutrient uptake by cotton in the non-barrier or a higher degree of immobilization in the barrier treatment. Mineralization during the second growing season was similar for both treatments. Source of N had no effects on N transformation in the soil. Lint yield reductions were observed in the non-barrier treatment during both years compared to the barrier treatment, likely due to interspecific competition for water. Yield differences between treatments in the second growing season were likely compounded by a diminishing pre-study fallow effect. Source of N was found to have a significant effect on cotton yield, with inorganic fertilizer resulting in 39% higher lint compared to poultry litter in the barrier treatment.     

Soil Moisture and Temperature Effects on Nitrogen Mineralization in a High Tunnel Farming System

ABSTRACT

Effects of temperature and moisture on nitrogen (N) mineralization from organic amendments in high tunnel farming systems are rarely studied to assist N fertilizer management for high N-demand crops with short cycles. In this study, soils from a new high tunnel site were incubated at four temperatures (2, 10, 20, & 30°C) and five gravimetric water contents (15, 20, 25, 30, & 35%) with and without a dried and ground alfalfa amendment. Net N mineralization was determined by measuring NH₄⁺-N and NO₃^–-N contents periodically over 84 days. Significant main effects of temperature and moisture were found (p < .0001) and tendencies of a significance of alfalfa amendment (p = .0855) and interaction between amendment and temperature (p = .0842) were observed. Only a significant increase of the net mineralized N at 30ºC in amended soil was observed compared to unamended soil (p = .0043). Estimated from the first-order exponential model, maximum potential mineralized N was 1.2 times greater while mineralization rate was up to 2.1 times greater in amended soil compare to un-amended soil. Q₁₀ estimated from the Arrhenius model ranged from 1.62 to 2.04 in the amended soil and 1.66 to1.85 in the un-amended soil. The average optimal soil water content for maximum N mineralization estimated from the Gaussian function model was 33.8% in amended soil and 35.9% in un-amended soil. The results from this study can be used to suggest soil moisture and temperature management strategies to control N availability in high tunnel systems.     

Seasonality of factors controlling N mineralization rates among slope positions and aspects in cool-temperate deciduous natural forests and larch plantations

This study aimed to evaluate the spatial patterns of soil nitrogen (N) transformations in relation to slope aspect and position, and to investigate the main factors controlling N transformation patterns during both the growing and dormant seasons in cool-temperate deciduous natural forests and larch plantations in eastern Hokkaido, northern Japan. Net rates of N mineralization (NR_minN) and of nitrification (NR_nit) in surface soils on north-facing and lower slopes were higher than those on south-facing and upper slopes, whereas the net rate of ammonium-N production (NR_amm) on south-facing and upper slopes was higher than that on north-facing slopes in both the natural forests and larch plantations. Both NR_minN and NR_nit were higher in the growing than in the dormant season, whereas NR_amm was higher in the dormant season. The soil C/N ratio, water content, soil pH and frequency of freeze–thaw cycles were important variables affecting N transformation patterns in any season. In relation to seasonality, the solar radiation index, daily temperature range and earthworm biomass were important controlling factors only during the growing season, and watershed area and soil N concentration only during the dormant season, suggesting that biological control accompanied with wet–dry events were important factors affecting N transformations during the growing season, but that run-off water and chemical controls were important determinants of spatial variation in N transformations during the dormant season.     

Estimates of Gross Transformation Rates of Dairy Manure N Using 15N Pool Dilution

Abstract

Most measurements of dairy manure nitrogen (N) availability depend on net changes in soil inorganic N concentration over time, which overlooks the cycling of manure N in the soil. Gross transformations of manure N, including mineralization (m), immobilization (i), and nitrification (n), can be quantified using ¹⁵N pool dilution methods. This research measures gross m, n, and i resulting from application of four freeze‐dried dairy manures that had distinctly different patterns of N availability. A sandy loam soil (coarse‐loamy, mixed, frigid Typic Haplorthod) was amended with four different freeze‐dried dairy manures and incubated at 25°C with optimal soil water content. The dilution of ¹⁵ammonium (NH4⁺) during a 48‐h interval (7–9 d and 56–58 d after manure application) was used to estimate m, whereas the dilution of ¹⁵nitrate (NO₃ ^?) was used to estimate n. Gross immobilization was calculated as gross minus net mineralization. Gross mineralization in the unamended soil was similar at 7‐ to 9‐d and 56‐ to 58‐d intervals and was significantly increased by the application of manures. For both amended and unamended soil, m was much greater (i.e., three‐ to nine‐fold) than estimated net mineralization, illustrating the degree to which manure N can be cycled in soil. At the early interval, both m and i were directly related to the manure C input, demonstrating the linkage between substrate C availability and N utilization by soil microbes. This research clearly shows that the application of dairy manures stimulates gross N transformation rates in the soil, improving our understanding of the impact of manure application on soil N cycling.     

Newsprint pulp and paper sludge as a soil additive/ amendment for alfalfa and bluegrass: Greenhouse study

Abstract

A newsprint, pulp and paper sludge was evaluated as a soil additive/amendment at 0, 8, 15, 31, 62, 123, and 246 Mgfta for growth of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and bluegrass (Poa pratensis) under greenhouse conditions. Bluegrass biomass increased by 300%, and protein content increased by 27% at 246 Mg/ha compared to the unamended soil. Alfalfa biomass was unaffected by sludge application rate, but protein content increased by 12%. No net nitrogen (N) immobilization was observed. A comparison of single and double exponential N mineralization models showed that the two pool model more closely fit the N mineralization data obtained from a laboratory incubation study. The two pool model was then used to develop linear regression equations to estimate appropriate sludge application rates based on the rate of N mineralization.     

Nitrogen compounds extracted by electroultrafiltration (EUF) or CaCl2 solution and their relationships to nitrogen mineralization in soils

The objective of the investigation was to identify the most important organic N-containing fractions extracted from soils by electroultrafiltration (EUF) or a CaCl₂ solution, respectively, and their importance for nitrogen mineralization. The investigation comprised 19 agricultural and one forest top soil. Net N mineralization was tested in Mitscherlich pot experiments with three treatments: (1) fallow soil without N fertilizer, (2) soil cultivated with rye grass without N fertilizer, (3) soil cultivated with rye grass with N fertilizer. The highest proportion of N in the extracts was the amino N fraction (amino acids + peptides) amounting to approximately 60% of the total N extracted by CaCl₂ and to about 40% of the total N extracted by EUF. The proportion of amino sugars from total N extracted was in average 10% for the CaCl₂ and 5.2% for the EUF extracts. The proportion of heterocyclic N bases derived from nucleic acids amounted in average to 4.8% and 3.6% for the CaCl₂ and EUF extract, respectively. Amino N (amino acids + peptides) were correlated best with net N mineralization (EUF, r = 0.81***, CaCl₂, r = 0.86***). The correlation between amino sugars and net N mineralization was r = 0.55* for the EUF extract and r = 0.49* for the CaCl₂ extract. The heterocyclic N bases did not correlate with net N mineralization. Correlations between Norg extracted by CaCl₂ versus net N mineralization were higher than those obtained by the EUF extract. Net N mineralization was about four times higher in the fallow soils than in the treatment with grass and no N fertilizer. In the treatment with grass + N fertilizer on average no net N mineralization occurred, moreover there was a tendency of N immobilization. It is assumend that in the treatments with grass cultivation, organic C released by roots stimulated the assimilation of mineral N and amino acids by soil microorganisms resulting in a low net N mineralization. Net N mineralization led to a highly significant depletion in the Norg pools and particularly in the amino N and amino sugar pools in the treatment with grass and without N fertilizer. This depletion was particularly evident in the CaCl₂ extracts. The results justify the conclusion that the Norg obtained with both extraction methods originates from a dynamic N pool into which N flows in and out. The amino N extractable with EUF or CaCl₂ is a reliable indicator for the net N mineralization potential of soils.     

Mineralization of carbon and nitrogen,and nitrification in Scots pine forest soil treated with fast- and slow-release nitrogen fertilizers

We studied the effects of fast- and slow-release organic N fertilizers (urea and urea-formaldehyde, Nitroform) on mineralization, nitrification, and N leaching in an acid, poor forest soil. We also studied the effects of a nitrification inhibitor (dicyandiamide) applied together with urea. Net nitrification, mineralization of N and C were determined by aerobic laboratory incubation of soil samples taken one and three growing seasons after N application. Numbers of autotrophic nitrifiers were estimated by a most probable number method three growing seasons after the treatment. Urea increased the CO₂ production immediately after application, but after three growing seasons, CO₂ production was the lowest in the urea-treated soils. In the nitroform-treated soils, the concentration of exchangeable NH _inf4 ^sup+ after the first and third growing seasons was of the same magnitude, in contrast to the urea-treated soils, where hydrolysis took place immediately. Three growing seasons after application, the highest amount of NH _inf4 ^sup+ accumulated during the laboratory incubation was in the nitro-form-treated soils. Unlike urea, nitroform did not increase the production of NO _inf3 ^sup- or the number of NH _inf4 ^sup+ oxidizers. In the urea+dicyandiamide-treated soils there was less NO _inf3 ^sup- and a lower number of nitrifiers than in the urea-treated soils. The results showed that a slow-release N fertilizer, such as nitroform, increases the availability of mineral N in acid forest soils without increasing nitrification and hence the risk of NO _inf3 ^sup- leaching.     

Effects of prescribed burning and seasonal and interannual climate variation on nitrogen mineralization in a typical steppe in Inner Mongolia

Fires in grasslands significantly alter nutrient cycling processes. Seasonal climatic changes can interact with fire to further modify nutrient cycling processes. To investigate the effects of fire on soil nitrogen transformation processes and their seasonal change and interannual variability in a typical steppe in Inner Mongolia, we determined the rates of net nitrogen mineralization and nitrification over two growing seasons and a winter following a prescribed spring fire in May 2006. Fire significantly decreased rates of both net nitrogen mineralization and net nitrification during the first growing season and winter following burning. Cumulative net nitrogen mineralization in unburned and burned plots in the 2006 growing season was 133% and 183% higher, respectively, than in the drier 2007 growing season. Nitrogen mineralization apparently occurred in winter and the cumulative net nitrogen mineralization from October 2, 2006, to April 27, 2007 in unburned and burned plots amounted to 1.18 ± 0.25 g N m⁻² and 0.51 ± 0.08 g N m⁻², respectively. Cumulative net nitrogen mineralization was higher in a wet 2006 than in a dry 2007 growing season, indicating that the net N mineralization rate was sensitive to soil moisture in a dry season. Our study demonstrated that a one-time prescribed fire decreased net N mineralization rates only for a short period of time after burning while interannual variation in climate had more significant effects on the process of nitrogen mineralization.     

Effect of soil characteristics on N mineralization capacity in 112 native and agricultural soils from the northwest of Spain

N mineralization capacity and its main controlling factors were studied in a large variety (n=112) of native (forest, bush) and agricultural (pasture, cultivated) soils from several climatic zones in Spain. The available inorganic N content, net N mineralization, and net N mineralization rate were determined after 6 weeks of aerobic incubation. NH _inf4 ^sup+ –N largely predominated over NO _inf3 ^sup- -N (ratio near 10:1) except in some agricultural soils. Net N mineralization predominated (83% of soils) over net N immobilization, which was more frequent in agricultural soils (25%) than in native soils (9%). In forest soils, both net N mineralization and the net N mineralization rate were significantly higher than in the other soil groups. The net N mineralization rate of pasture and cultivated soils was similar to that of bush soils, but available inorganic N was lower. The net N mineralization rate decreased in the order: soils over acid rocks>soils over sediments>soils over basic rocks or limestone; moreover, the highest net N mineralization and available inorganic N were found in soils over acid rocks. The highest N mineralization was found in soils with low C and N contents, particularly in the native soils, in which N mineralization increased as the C:N ratio increased. N mineralization was higher in soils with a low pH and base saturation than in soils with high pH and base saturation values, which sometimes favoured N immobilization. Soils with an Al gel content of >1% showed lower net N mineralization rates than soils with Al gel contents of <1%, although net N mineralization and available inorganic N did not differ between these groups. The net N mineralization rate in silty soils was significantly lower than in sandy and clayey soils, although soil texture only explained a low proportion of the differences in N mineralization between soils.     

Compost Maturity Effects on Nitrogen and Carbon Mineralization and Plant Growth

Improved predictive relationships between compost maturity and nitrogen (N) availability are needed. A total of 13 compost samples were collected from a single windrow over a 91 d period. Compost stability and maturity were assessed using both standard chemical analyses (total C and N, mineral N, total volatile solids) and other methods (CO₂ evolution, commercial maturity kits, and neutral detergent fiber, and lignin). Compost N and carbon (C) were evaluated during a 130 d aerobic incubation in a sandy loam soil after each compost was applied at 200 mg total kg^?1 soil. The effect of compost maturity on plant growth was evaluated by growing two ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) crops and one barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) crop in succession in compost-amended soil under greenhouse conditions. Potential phytotoxicity from compost was assessed by growing tomato (Lypersicum esculentum L.) seedlings in compost-amended soil. Regression and correlation analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between compost maturity parameters, the rate and extent of net N and C mineralization, plant yield and N uptake, and phytotoxicity. Commonly used maturity parameters like total C, total N, and C:N ratio were poorly correlated with the rate and extent of mineralization, and with plant growth parameters. The N mineralization rate during the first 48 d of aerobic incubation was strongly correlated (r= ?0.82 to ?0.86) to compost fiber and lignin concentration, and to the Maturity Index (r=0.85). Trends in C mineralization were similar. There were few differences in C mineralization between composts after 48 d of aerobic incubation in soil. Ryegrass harvested 35 and 70 d after compost application was not strongly affected by compost maturity, and relatively immature composts were phytotoxic to tomato seedlings. Methods of characterizing compost maturity and stability that more realistically reflect the composting process are better predictors of N release and potential plant inhibition after incorporation into soil.     

A high soil potential net nitrification was observed at 4 m depth: What are the driving factors?

Studies about nitrogen (N) mineralization and nitrification in deep soil layers are rare because N processes are considered to occur mainly in topsoil that hosts active and diverse microbial communities. This study aimed to measure the soil potential net N mineralization (PNM) and nitrification (PNN) down to 4 m depth and to discuss factors controlling their variability. Twenty-one soil cores were collected at the Restinclières agroforestry experimental site, where 14-year-old hybrid walnut trees were intercropped with durum wheat. Soil cores were incubated in the dark in the laboratory at both 6 and 25°C. The soil was a deep calcic fluvisol with a fluctuating water table. It featured a black layer that was very rich in organic matter and permanently water saturated at depths between 3.0 and 4.0 m. The mean soil mineral N content was 3 mg N kg⁻¹ soil in the upper 0.0–0.2 m layer, decreasing until a depth of 2 m and increasing to the maximum value of 25.8 mg N kg⁻¹ soil in the black layer. While nitrate (NO₃⁻) was the dominant form of mineral N (89%) in the upper 0.0–0.2 m layer, its proportion progressively decreased with depth until ammonium (NH₄⁺) became almost the only form of mineral N (97%) in the saturated black layer. Laboratory soil incubation revealed that PNM and PNN occurred at all depths, although the latter remained low at 6°C. The soil nitrate content in the black layer was multiplied by 48 times after 51 days of incubation at 25°C, whereas it was almost inexistent at the sampling date. While the soil total N, the pH and the incubation temperature explained 84% of the variation in PNM, only 29% of the percent nitrification variance was explained by the incubation temperature (T_inc) and the soil C-to-N ratio. These results point out the necessity to consider soil potential net N mineralization and nitrification of deep soil layers to improve model predictions.     

Effects of acidification and liming on carbon and nitrogen mineralization and soil organisms in mor humus

The aim was to determine if changes in C and N mineralization after acidification and liming could be explained by changes in the soil organism biomass. Intact soil cores from F/H layers in a Norway spruce (C:N=31) and a Scots pine (C:N=44) stand in central Sweden were treated in the laboratory for 55 days with deionized water (control), weak H₂SO₄ (successively applied as 72 mm of acid rain of pH 3.1), strong H₂SO₄ (applied as a single high dose of pH 1), and lime CaCO₃. Strong acidification reduced C mineralization and increased net N mineralization in both soils. Weak acidification resulted in similar but less pronounced effects. Liming initially stimulated C mineralization rate, but the rates declined, indicating that an easily available C source was successively used up by the microorganisms. Liming also increased net N mineralization in the C:N=31 humus, but not significantly in the C:N--44 humus. Strong acidification generally affected the amounts of FDA-active fungal hyphae, nematodes and enchytraeids more than the other treatments did. The increases in net N mineralization after acidification and liming could only partly be explained by the decreases in biomass N in soil organisms. Mineralization of biomass N from killed soil organisms could at the most explain up to about 30% of the increase in net N mineralization after strong acidification. Most of the effects on N mineralization seemed to depend on the fact that acidification reduced and liming increased the availability of C and N to the microorganisms. Furthermore, acidification seemed to reduce the incorporation of N from dead organisms into the soil organic matter and, thereby, make the N compounds more readily available to microbial decomposition and mineralization.     

Effect of the rate of N fertilizer on apparent net mineralization of N during and after cultivation of cereal and sugar beet crops

Apparent net N mineralization (mineralization minus immobilization) in fertilized and unfertilized treatments was determined in 133 fertilizer trials with cereals and sugar beet over 3 years (1988-90). Apparent net mineralization was defined as follows: Apparent net N mineralization = (crop N at harvest - crop N in spring) - (N_min in spring - N_min at harvest) - N fertilizer applied. Results can be summarised as follows:

• 1 For both crop species, apparent net N mineralization decreased in the following order: unfertilized > optimally fertilized > overfertilized.
• 2 The decrease in apparent net mineralization of N with increasing rate of N fertilizer was attributed to immobilization. This was confirmed by measurements of increased remineralization during the following autumn, winter and during the growing season in the following year.
• 3 Both the soil N_min at harvest and fertilizer N which was immobilized and remineralized during autumn and winter, is at risk of being leached. At optimal fertilizer doses 30 kg N/ha and 74 kg N/ha were leached on average over winter from loamy and sandy soils respectively.
• 4 Apparent net mineralization was not important for optimally fertilized cereals and therefore does not need to be considered for fertilizer recommendations for winter cereals. This does not apply to land receiving slurry applications before or during the growth period.
• 5 In contrast to cereals, apparent net mineralization contributed considerably to the nutrition of sugar beet. Approximately 140 kg N/ha were mineralized at the optimum rate of N fertilizer application. However, the EUF- and CaCl₂-methods were unable to predict N mineralization and were therefore unable to improve the prediction of fertilizer requirement even in combination with the NO₃ soil N fraction.

     

Laboratory vs. in situ resin‐core methods to estimate net nitrogen mineralization for comparison of rotation and tillage practices

Properly estimating soil nitrogen (N) mineralization as a consequence of different agronomic practices would result in better soil N fertility management. In this study, we tested the differences between laboratory and in situ resin‐core incubation methods for estimating soil net N mineralization for long‐term burley tobacco (Nicotiana tobacum L .) tillage and rotation systems. The laboratory incubation method used crushed, homogenized, litter‐free soil samples, and the in situ resin‐core incubation method used an intact soil core with the inclusion of any plant residue below or above ground. Comparisons showed that no‐tillage had significantly increased soil net N mineralization compared to conventional tillage with the laboratory incubation method, while there was no significant difference between tillage methods with the in situ resin‐core method. This indicates that soil pretreatment in the laboratory incubation method can create an “artificial tillage effect” for soil previously managed with no‐tillage, resulting in overestimated soil net N mineralization. The rotation comparison showed that different crop sequences had no impact on measured net N mineralization with the laboratory incubation method. However, a preceding soybean crop did significantly increase net soil N mineralization compared to preceding corn when measured with the in situ resin‐core method. This suggests that discarding plant residue in the laboratory incubation method can neglect the potential effect of plant residue on soil N mineralization. Therefore, it is important to be aware that soil pretreatment may influence soil N mineralization estimates, potentially resulting in flawed decisions for soil N fertility management.     

Nitrogen mineralization and availability of mixed leguminous and non-leguminous cover crop residues in soil

Whereas non-leguminous cover crops such as cereal rye (Secale cereale) or annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorium) are capable of reducing nitrogen (N) leaching during wet seasons, leguminous cover crops such as hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) improve soil N fertility for succeeding crops. With mixtures of grasses and legumes as cover crop, the goal of reducing N leaching while increasing soil N availability for crop production could be attainable. This study examined net N mineralization of soil treated with hairy vetch residues mixed with either cereal rye or annual ryegrass and the effect of these mixtures on growth and N uptake by cereal rye. Both cereal rye and annual ryegrass contained low total N, but high water-soluble carbon and carbohydrate, compared with hairy vetch. Decreasing the proportion of hairy vetch in the mixed residues decreased net N mineralization, rye plant growth and N uptake, but increased the crossover time (the time when the amount of net N mineralized in the residue-amended soil equalled that of the non-amended control) required for net N mineralization to occur. When the hairy vetch content was decreased to 40% or lower, net N immobilization in the first week of incubation increased markedly. Residue N was significantly correlated with rye biomass (r=0.81, P<0.01) and N uptake (r=0.83, P<0.001), although the correlation was much higher between residue N and the potential initial N mineralization rate for rye biomass (r=0.93, P<0.001) and N uptake (r=0.99, P<0.001). Judging from the effects of the mixed residues on rye N Concentration and N uptake, the proportion of rye or annual ryegrass when mixed with residues of hairy vetch should not exceed 60% if the residues are to increase N availability. Further study is needed to examine the influence of various mixtures of hairy vetch and rye or annual ryegrass on N leaching in soil. Received: 10 March 1997     

Impact of land-use types on soil nitrogen net mineralization in the sandstorm and water source area of Beijing,China

Changes of land-use type (LUT) can affect soil nutrient pools and cycling processes that relate long-term sustainability of ecosystem, and can also affect atmospheric CO₂ concentrations and global warming through soil respiration. We conducted a comparative study to determine NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ concentrations in soil profiles (0–200 cm) and examined the net nitrogen (N) mineralization and net nitrification in soil surface (0–20 cm) of adjacent naturally regenerated secondary forests (NSF), man-made forests (MMF), grasslands and cropland soils from the windy arid and semi-arid Hebei plateau, the sandstorm and water source area of Beijing, China. Cropland and grassland soils showed significantly higher inorganic N concentrations than forest soils. NO₃⁻-N accounted for 50–90% of inorganic N in cropland and grassland soils, while NH₄⁺-N was the main form of inorganic N in NSF and MMF soils. Average net N-mineralization rates (mg kg⁻¹ d⁻¹) were much higher in native ecosystems (1.51 for NSF soils and 1.24 for grassland soils) than in human disturbed LUT (0.15 for cropland soils and 0.85 for MMF soils). Net ammonification was low in all the LUT while net nitrification was the major process of net N mineralization. For more insight in urea transformation, the increase in NH₄⁺ and, NO₃⁻ concentrations as well as C mineralization after urea addition was analyzed on whole soils. Urea application stimulated the net soil C mineralization and urea transformation pattern was consistent with net soil N mineralization, except that the rate was slightly slower. Land-use conversion from NSF to MMF, or from grassland to cropland decreased soil net N mineralization, but increased net nitrification after 40 years or 70 years, respectively. The observed higher rates of net nitrification suggested that land-use conversions in the Hebei plateau might lead to N losses in the form of nitrate.     

黄土高原北部生长季土壤氮素矿化对植被和地形的响应

氮素矿化是陆地生态系统氮循环的重要过程,对氮素有效性有着重要影响。本文在黄土高原北部六道沟小流域选取退耕年限相近的油松和柠条坡地,用原位培养法测定生长季节(4—10月)不同坡位冠层下和冠层外0~10 cm和10~20 cm土层土壤氮素矿化速率,以确定该区氮素矿化的季节动态特征和主要影响因素。结果表明,研究区生长季土壤矿质氮以铵态氮为主,其含量在0~10 cm和10~20 cm土层分别占矿质氮总量的61%和70%,并随生长季的推移而升高。油松林上坡位和中坡位土壤铵态氮显著高于下坡位土壤,柠条林不同坡位铵态氮差异不显著。土壤硝态氮和矿质氮不受坡位的影响,但与林型和采样位置有关,冠层下硝态氮在油松林与冠层外相近,在柠条林则高于冠层外。生长季土壤氮素矿化在0~10 cm土层由硝化作用引起,在10~20 cm土层则由硝化和铵化作用共同引起。铵化速率在生长季初期较高,中期较低,并受坡位、林型和采样位置的影响。土壤硝化和矿化速率在油松林不受采样位置影响,但是在柠条林则以冠层下较高。硝化和矿化速率在冠层下以下坡位土壤最高,在冠层外则以下坡位土壤最低。柠条林促进了冠层下土壤氮素的硝化和矿化过程,有利于矿质氮的积累;油松林对矿质氮和氮素矿化的影响不受采样位置影响。