Assessment of changes in soil organic matter after invasion by exotic plant species

Invasive exotic plants can modify soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics and other soil properties. We evaluated changes in particulate organic matter (POM) and carbon (C) mineralisation in adjacent plots invaded by Solidago gigantea, Prunus serotina, Heracleum mantegazzianum and Fallopia japonica, and non-invaded control plots on different soils in Belgium. Litter decomposition of S. gigantea and P. serotina was compared to that of the native species Epilobium hirsutum, Betula pendula and Fagus sylvatica. Disregarding the differences in site characteristics (soil texture, parental material and plant species), we argued that the invasion by S. gigantea and P. serotina enhance SOM dynamics by increasing C mineralisation in 2 out of 3 sites invaded by S. gigantea and in 1 out of 3 sites invaded by P. serotina; C in coarse POM (cPOM, 4,000–250 μm) and fine POM (fPOM, 250–50 μm) in 1 site invaded by S. gigantea and C content in total POM (tPOM, 4,000–50 μm) and the organo-mineral fraction (OMF, 0–50 μm) in 1 site invaded by P. serotina. H. mantegazzianum and F. japonica slowed down SOM dynamics by reducing C mineralisation in three out of four sites; C and nitrogen (N) of fPOM in the invaded compared with the non-invaded plots at one site invaded by H. mantegazzianum. However, N content of cPOM (4,000–250 μm) was higher in the invaded sites by F. japonica compared with the non-invaded plots. Our results indicated that the effects of invasion by exotic plant species were not species-specific but site-specific.     

Seasonal effect of the exotic invasive plant Solidago gigantea on soil pH and P fractions

Invasions by alien plants can alter biogeochemical cycles in recipient ecosystems. We test if Early Goldenrod (Solidago gigantea) alters P fractions. To that end, we compare invaded plots and adjacent, uninvaded resident vegetation for specific fractions of organic and inorganic P, phosphomonoesterase (PME) activity in topsoil, and immobilization of P in above‐ and belowground organs and in soil microbial biomass. Invaded plots had lower soil pH and 20%–30% higher labile P fractions (resin‐P_i, bicarb‐P_i, NaOH‐Pi), and the difference was consistent across seasons. There was no difference in microbial P. Alkaline‐PME activity was 30% lower in topsoil of invaded plots. Annual P uptake in aboveground phytomass was not markedly higher in Solidago. In contrast, P in belowground organs steadily increased in autumn in invaded plots, due to both increased biomass and increased P concentrations. This indicated higher net P immobilization in Solidago, far in excess of both resorption from senescing shoots and P requirements for aboveground biomass in subsequent year. Higher turnover rates of P in belowground organs and mobilization of sparingly soluble P forms through rhizosphere acidification may be involved in the observed differences in soil P status between invaded and uninvaded plots.     

Chemical and microbial properties of semiarid tropical soils of short-term fallows in Burkina Faso,West Africa

In the soudano–sahelian zone of Burkina Faso, the short-term fallow effect on the soil chemical and microbial properties was evaluated. In four farm experiments, two types of fallows were compared with cultivated fields: a natural vegetation fallow and a fallow enriched with Andropogon gayanus. After 5 to 7 years of experiments, soil chemical and microbial characteristics were determined in laboratory for 0–10 cm soil depth. Soil organic carbon (+64%), nitrogen (+35%), microbial biomass (+76%), basal respiration (+141%), and β-glucosidase activity (+86%) were significantly higher in fallows plots than in cultivated fields. The metabolic quotient was not significantly different on fallows compared to the cropped plots. Also, no significant difference was highlighted between natural vegetation fallows and the A. gayanus-enriched one.     

Phosphorus fractions of soils under <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lotus corniculatus</Emphasis> as affected by different phosphorus fertilizers

The objective of this work was to assess the changes of soil P fractions by Lotus corniculatus and to determine contribution of each fraction to plant P nutrition. Phosphorus was added at a rate of 240 mg/pot as triple superphosphate (20% P), phosphate rock (13% P), or poultry litter (2% P) to a Vertisol or an Inceptisol; a control treatment (without P fertilizer) was also included. Then, L. corniculatus was sowed and harvested eight times; both yields and P content of plant were determined at each harvest. Soil P fractions were determined by Hedley’s modified method. The content of labile and moderately labile P [anionic exchange membrane-Pi (AEM-Pi), NaHCO₃-Pi, and NaOH-Pi] fractions were markedly reduced and were probably due to P uptake by plants. The content of the HCl-Pi fraction of the phosphate-rock-treated soil decreased whereas that of the residual P fraction was not modified. The content of organic forms increased in all treatments. The content of both labile organic P and moderately labile organic P were positively and significantly correlated with the P concentration of roots and with roots biomass, suggesting that the increase in these two organic fractions was related to root production. AEM-Pi accounted for 95% and 84% of absorbed P in Vertisol and Inceptisol, respectively.     

Effects of repeated manure and fertilizer phosphorus additions on soil phosphorus dynamics under a soybean-wheat rotation

 Soil P availability and efficiency of applied P may be improved through an understanding of soil P dynamics in relation to management practices in a cropping system. Our objectives in this study were to evaluate changes in plant-available (Olsen) P and in different inorganic P (P_i) and organic P (P₀) fractions in soil as related to repeated additions of manure and fertilizer P under a soybean-wheat rotation. A field experiment on a Typic Haplustert was conducted from 1992 to 1995 wherein the annual treatments included four rates of fertilizer P (0, 11, 22 and 44 kg ha^–1 applied to both soybean and wheat) in the absence and presence of 16 t ha^–1 of manure (applied to soybean only). With regular application of fertilizer P to each crop the level of Olsen P increased significantly and linearly through the years in both manured and unmanured plots. The mean P balance required to raise Olsen P by 1 mg kg^–1 was 17.9 kg ha^–1 of fertilizer P in unmanured plots and 5.6 kg ha^–1 of manure plus fertilizer P in manured plots. The relative sizes of labile [NaHCO₃-extractable P_i (NaHCO₃-P_i) and NaHCO₃-extractable P₀ (NaHCO₃-P₀)], moderately labile [NaOH-extractable P_i (NaOH-P_i) and NaOH-extractable P₀ (NaOH-P₀)] and stable [HCl-extractable P (HCl-P) and H₂SO₄/H₂O₂-extractable P (resisual-P)] P pools were in a 1 : 2.9 : 7.6 ratio. Application of fertilizer P and manure significantly increased NaHCO₃-P_i and -P₀ and NaOH-P_i, and -P₀ fractions and also total P. However, HCl-P and residual-P were not affected. The changes in NaHCO₃-P_i, NaOH-P_i and NaOH-P₀ fractions were significantly correlated with the apparent P balance and were thought to represent biologically dynamic soil P and act as major sources and sinks of plant-available P. Received: 23 October 1997     

农牧交错带土壤磷素动态研究

对海拔2600～3000m农牧交替带不同退化程度的草原、草原开垦后土壤磷素变化进行了系统研究。退化草原包括:轻度(LDP),中度(MDP)和重度(HDP)3种类型,耕种土壤开垦年限从1至50年不等,土壤样品取自甘肃省7县市18个地点,主要土壤类型为黑钙土。通过进行磷的分级发现,草原开垦后土壤有机磷组分明显下降。种植8、16、41年后土壤有机磷分别下降8%、20%和36%;区域性土壤分析结果亦表明,耕种30年以上的土壤有机磷平均下降35%。有机质矿化,土壤侵蚀后由于耕作措施造成的底土与表土混合,以及无机磷肥的施用使得耕种土壤中Ca-P明显增加。NaOH浸提的潜在活性有机磷,随着草原退化程度的增加和耕作年限的延长有递减的趋势。活性有机磷与总有机磷显著相关(R2=0.63),而活性有机磷的多寡与耕种和施肥明显相关。     

Invasion of Praxelis clematidea increases the chemically non-labile rather than labile soil organic carbon in a tropical savanna

Soil organic carbon (SOC) consists of various classes of organic substances that can be pooled as labile and non-labile fractions. Previous studies have suggested that plant invasion increases SOC content, but whether invasion consistently alters SOC fractions remains unclear. Consequently, the present study was conducted to observe the effects of Praxelis clematidea invasion on SOC fractions in a tropical savanna of southern China. Soil samples were collected in two surface soil layers (0–10 and 10–20 cm) from non-, slightly and severely invaded plots to analyse the total SOC, readily oxidizable SOC (ROC), and non-readily oxidizable SOC (NROC) content. The results showed that severe P. clematidea invasion significantly increased the SOC content by 47% in the surface soil (p < 0.001). The increase in SOC content largely originated from the accumulation of NROC (the non-labile fraction), rather than ROC which typically is regarded as the labile OC fraction. This change may be beneficial to long-term soil C stabilization because chemical recalcitrance is an important pathway to prevent SOC from decomposition. Although the mechanisms for NROC accumulation have not been thoroughly elucidated to date, our results suggest that P. clematidea invasion may facilitate soil C sequestration in this tropical savanna.     

Nitrogen and phosphorus uptake by maize as affected by particulate organic matter quality, soil characteristics, and land-use history for soils from the West African moist savanna zone

 The impact of land use (unfertilized continuous maize cropping, unfertilized and fertilized alley cropping with maize, Gliricidia sepium tree fallow, natural fallow) on the soil organic matter (SOM) status and general soil fertility characteristics were investigated for a series of soils representative for the West African moist savanna zone. Three soils from the humid forest zone were also included. In an associated pot experiment, relationships between maize N and P uptake and SOM and general soil characteristics were developed. Soils under natural fallow contained the highest amount of organic C (1.72%), total N (0.158%), and had the highest effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) [8.9 mEq 100 g^–1 dry soil], while the Olsen P content was highest in the fertilized alley cropping plots (13.7 mg kg^–1) and lowest under natural fallow (6.3 mg kg^–1). The N concentration of the particulate organic matter (POM) was highest in the unfertilized alley cropping plots (2.4%), while the total POM N content was highest under natural fallow (370 mg N kg^–1) and lowest in continuously cropped plots (107 mg N kg^–1). After addition of all nutrients except N, a highly significant linear relationship (R ²=0.91) was observed between the total N uptake in the shoots and roots of 7-week-old maize and the POM N content for the savanna soils. POM in the humid forest soils was presumably protected from decomposition due to its higher silt and clay content. After addition of all nutrients except P, the total maize P uptake was linearly related to the Olsen P content. R ² increased from 0.56 to 0.67 in a multiple linear regression analysis including the Olsen P content and clay content (which explained 11% of the variation in P uptake). Both the SOM status and N availability were shown to be improved in land-use systems with organic matter additions, while only the addition of P fertilizer could improve P availability. Received: 9 April 1999     

Effects of the invader Solidago canadensis on soil properties

A perennial goldenrod weed, Solidago canadensis, is rapidly spreading in China and now poses a serious threat to native ecosystem structure and function. Little is known about the effects of S. canadensis invasion on rhizosphere physico-chemical properties and microbial communities. The objective of this study was to compare the soil physico-chemical properties and microbial communities of invaded (two ecotone sites and one monoculture site) and native plant rhizospheres in field areas of Zhejiang Province, Eastern China. Compared with those in the native site, soil total nitrogen, total phosphorus, NO₃-N, available phosphorus content, and aggregate stability consistently decreased with S. canadensis invasion, while soil organic carbon, NH₄-N content, pH, and bulk density in the invaded sites significantly increased. Soil microbial biomass (expressed by carbon, nitrogen, or phosphorus content), activity (basal respiration and substrate induced respiration), and functional diversity (calculated from the average well color development (AWCD) of 31 carbon sources in a BIOLOG Ecoplate) significantly increased with S. canadensis invasion. Microbial utilization of carbohydrate groups significantly increased in the invaded sites, while the utilization of carboxylic acids and amines/amides groups significantly decreased. Principal components analysis (PCA) of the AWCD data indicated that the heavily invaded site (monoculture) was clearly separated from the native site. Redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that soil organic carbon, NH₄-N, NO₃-N, and pH significantly impacted the dynamics of microbial parameters across the invaded sites. These results suggested that several soil chemical properties (e.g., organic carbon, NH₄-N, and pH) and microbial parameters (e.g., microbial biomass, basal respiration, substrate induced respiration, and functional diversity) might be used as indicators of S. canadensis invasion density.     

Chemical,physical, and biochemical soil properties and plant roots as affected by native and exotic plants in Neotropical arid zones

At ‘Cerro Saroche’ National Park, one of the few protected arid zones in northern South America (Venezuela), two exotic plants, Kalanchoe daigremontiana and Stapelia gigantea, have become established. Our goal was to examine what type of relationship existed between these exotics and some biotic (enzymes activities and microbes, fine root mass, and the associated nutrient content) and abiotic (physical-chemical characteristics) soil properties. Soil samples were collected during the dry season from sites at which both exotics have become established and from places inhabited only by native plants. K. daigremontiana grew successfully on soil with greater clay contents for the best supply of Ca. S. gigantea grew in the same soil conditions than the resident plants, but the dense and shallow fine root mass system of this species probably allowed it to exploit a greater upper soil volume that the native plants coexisting with it. Urease activity was highest at the K. daigremontiana site and was related to the high soil organic carbon. Both alkaline phosphatase and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis were not affected by the presence of exotic plants. These are the first data on the interactions between invasive plants and soil properties in tropical arid lands.     

Components of organic phosphorus in soil extracts that are hydrolysed by phytase and acid phosphatase

 Extracts were prepared from soil using water, 50 mM citric acid (pH ∼2.3) or 0.5 M NaHCO₃ (pH 8.5), and were incubated with excess phytase from Aspergillus niger to determine the amounts of labile P. Two A. niger phytase preparations were used: (1) a purified form which exhibited a narrow substrate specificity and high specific activity against phytate; and (2) a commercial preparation (Sigma) with activity against a broad range of P compounds. A comparatively large proportion (up to 79%, or 5.7 μg g^–1 soil) of the organic P (P_o) extracted with citric acid was hydrolysed by the commercial phytase, while between 28% and 40% (up to 3.1 μg g^–1 soil) was hydrolysed using purified phytase. By comparison, only small quantities of the P_o in water and NaHCO₃ soil extracts were enzyme labile. While extractable P_o was increased both with increasing concentrations of citric acid (up to 50 mM) and increasing pH (pH 2.3–6.0), enzyme-labile P increased only with citric acid concentration. The labile component of P_o in citric acid extracts from soils with contrasting fertiliser histories indicated that enzyme-labile P_o is a relatively large soil P pool and is potentially an important source of P for plants. Received: 29 October 1999     

Carbon addition reduces labile soil phosphorus by increasing microbial biomass phosphorus in intensive agricultural systems

Accumulation of inorganic and labile organic phosphorus (P) in intensive agricultural systems leads to P loss from soil which can cause serious environmental problems. Soil microbes are important in mobilizing soil non-available P, however, little is known about the role of soil microbes in immobilizing P to reduce P loss. Here, we test whether stimulating microbial biomass to immobilize P could reduce the amount of labile P available for leaching. The distribution characteristics of Olsen P, organic P and microbial biomass P were determined in three intensive agricultural systems. In addition, we conducted a pot experiment with three P and four carbon (C) levels. CaCl₂ extractable P was measured and used to indicate the risk of P leaching. We found that there was a positive relationship between soil organic C and microbial biomass P. Carbon addition drove the process of P immobilization and reduced CaCl₂ extractable P. Microbial biomass P increased by 64% (p < .05) with the addition of C, and Olsen P and CaCl₂ extractable P decreased by 28% and 17%, respectively. Our results show that C addition increased microbial immobilization of P and reduced forms of labile P susceptible to leaching. Stimulating microbes to immobilize P by adding C to soils may have the potential to reduce P loss from intensive agricultural systems, reducing their environmental impact.     

The short-term cover crops increase soil labile organic carbon in southeastern Australia

Little information is available about the effects of cover crops on soil labile organic carbon (C), especially in Australia. In this study, two cover crop species, i.e., wheat and Saia oat, were broadcast-seeded in May 2009 and then crop biomass was crimp-rolled onto the soil surface at anthesis in October 2009 in southeastern Australia. Soil and crop residue samples were taken in December 2009 to investigate the short-term effects of cover crops on soil pH, moisture, NH₄⁺–N, NO₃⁻–N, soluble organic C and nitrogen (N), total organic C and N, and C mineralization in comparison with a nil-crop control (CK). The soil is a Chromic Luvisol according to the FAO classification with 48.4 ± 2.2% sand, 19.5 ± 2.1% silt, and 32.1 ± 2.1% clay. An exponential model fitting was employed to assess soil potentially labile organic C (C ₀) and easily decomposable organic C for all treatments based on 46-day incubations. The results showed that crop residue biomass significantly decreased over the course of 2-month decomposition. The cover crop treatments had significantly higher soil pH, soluble organic C and N, cumulative CO₂–C, C ₀, and easily decomposable organic C, but significantly lower NO₃⁻–N than the CK. However, no significant differences were found in soil moisture, NH₄⁺–N, and total organic C and N contents among the treatments. Our results indicated that the short-term cover crops increased soil labile organic C pools, which might have implications for local agricultural ecosystem managements in this region.     

Changes in soil microbial biomass, metabolic quotient, and organic matter turnover under Hieracium (H. pilosella L.)

 In New Zealand Hieracium is an opportunistic plant that invades high country sites more or less depleted of indigenous vegetation. To understand the invasive nature of this weed we assessed the changes in soil C, N and P, soil microbial biomass C, N and P contents, microbial C : N and C : P ratios, the metabolic quotient, and turnover of organic matter in soils beneath Hieracium and its adjacent herbfield resulting from the depletion of tussock vegetation. The amounts of soil organic C and total N were higher under Hieracium by 25 and 11%, respectively, compared to soil under herbfield. This change reflects an improvement in both the quantity and quality of organic matter input to mineral soil under Hieracium, with higher percentage organic C and a lower C : N ratio. The microbial biomass C, N and P contents were also higher under Hieracium. The amount of C respired during the 34-week incubation indicated differences in the nature of soil organic matter under Hieracium, the unvegetated "halo" zone surrounding Hieracium patches, and herbfield (depleted tussock grassland). Decomposition of organic matter in these zones showed that the Hieracium soil had the greatest rate of CO₂ respired, and the halo soil had the lowest. We relate the enhanced organic C turnover to the invasive nature of Hieracium. Net N mineralization was significantly lower from the Hieracium soil (57 mg N g^–1 soil N) than from herbfield and halo soils (74 and 71 mg N g^–1 soil N, respectively), confirming that the nature of organic N in Hieracium soil is different from adjoining halo and herbfield soils. It seems plausible that specific compounds such as polyphenols and lignins released by Hieracium are not only responsible for increased organic N, but also control the form and amount of N released during organic matter transformations. We conclude that the key to the success of Hieracium in the N-deficient South Island high country of New Zealand lies in its ability to control and sequester N supply through modifying the soil organic matter cycle. Received: 1 December 1998     

Effect of phosphate fertilization on crop yield and soil phosphorus status

To evaluate the effect of three phosphorus (P) fertilization regimes (no P, P input equivalent to P off‐take by crops, P input higher than P off‐take) on crop yield, P uptake, and soil P availability, seven field experiments (six in crop rotations, one under permanent grassland) were conducted in Switzerland during nine years (six trials) or 27 years (one trial). Soil total P (Pt), inorganic P (Pi), organic P (Po), and the amount of isotopically exchangeable soil P were measured in the 0–20 cm and 30–50 cm layers of the arable soils and in the 0–10 cm layer of the permanent grassland soil. Omitting P fertilization resulted in significant yield decreases only in one field crop trial as the amount of P isotopically exchangeable within one minute (E_1min) reached values lower than 5 mg P (kg soil)^–1. In the absence of P fertilization Pi decreased on average from 470 to 410 mg P (kg soil)^–1 in the upper horizon of 6 sites while Po decreased only at two sites (from 510 to 466 mg P (kg soil)^–1 on average). In all the treatments of the trials started in 1989 the E_1min values of the upper horizon decreased on average from 15.6 to 7.4 mg P (kg soil)^–1 between 1989 and 1998. These decreases were also observed when P inputs were higher than crops needs, showing that in these soils the highest P inputs were not sufficient to maintain the high initial available P levels. Finally for the six arable trials the values of the isotopic exchange kinetics parameters (R/r₁, n, C_P) and P exchangeable within 1 minute (E_1min) at the end of the experiment could be estimated from the values measured at the beginning of trial and the cumulated P balance.     

Effects of invasion of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mikania micrantha</Emphasis> on germination of rice seedlings,plant richness,chemical properties and respiration of soil

Mikania micrantha, a creeper and climber, has invaded forests and agricultural areas in the Western Ghats. A quantification of the effect of Mikania on species richness and factors that contribute to its success would help to understand the invasion success of Mikania in the Western Ghats of India. This study investigated its impact on species richness and factors that contribute to its invasion success. Impact of Mikania on species richness was studied in areas invaded by Mikania and not yet invaded by Mikania by quadrat (1 × 1 m²) method. Growth experiments were carried out with Mikania rhizosphere soil and soil treated with Mikania leaf leachate. Chemical characteristics such as electrical conductivity, organic matter, extractable P, total organic N and water-soluble phenolics, and microbial respiration of soil invaded by Mikania and not yet invaded by Mikania were measured. We observed lower species richness in areas invaded by Mikania compared to areas not yet invaded by Mikania. Seedling growth was suppressed in Mikania rhizosphere soil or soil treated with higher levels of Mikania leaf leachate. Higher levels of organic matter, total organic N and water-soluble phenolics, and lower microbial activity were observed in Mikania rhizosphere soil. Soil treated with Mikania leaf leachate has higher amounts of water-soluble phenolics. Mikania invasion appears to reduce plant species richness in the Western Ghats, and discourage seedling growth of certain plant species. Factors that are likely to contribute to Mikania success are its ability to pre-empt light and alter soil chemistry and biochemistry in ways that benefit the species.     

Labile nitrogen,carbon, and phosphorus pools and nitrogen mineralization and immobilization rates at low temperatures in seasonally snow-covered soils

Surface mineral horizons from four ecosystems sampled in the northwestern Italian Alps were incubated at −3 and +3°C to simulate subnivial and early thaw period temperatures for a seasonally snow-covered area. The soil profiles at these sites represent extreme examples of management, grazed meadow (site M) and extensive grazing beneath larch (site L) or naturally disturbed by avalanche and colonized by alder (site A) and the expected forest climax vegetation beneath fir (site F). Changes in labile pools of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) were active at all sites at both temperatures during 14 days of laboratory incubation. Ammonium was the dominant inorganic form of total dissolved N (TDN), being equivalent to 1.8–9.8 g N m⁻² within the mineral horizon. Gross rates of ammonification were similar at the two temperatures but significantly (p<0.05) greater in soil from beneath fir than in the other three. Nitrification occurred in all soils and displayed a wide range in rates, from 2 to 85 mg N m⁻² day⁻¹, and was least in the two most acid soils, A and F. Immobilization of NH₄ ⁺ as microbial N was greater in the fir soil than in the other three. Also, the fir soil showed greatest gross ammonification and least accumulation of NO₃ ⁻ and greatest tendency to retain N. This high N retention capacity in the climax ecosystem contrasted with the managed systems characterized by higher nitrification rates and greater potential spring NO₃ ⁻ loss. Dissolved organic N ranged between 30 and 50% of the TDN, while dissolved organic P was greater than 70% of total dissolved P (TDP). The dissolved organic compounds were important components of the labile pool, in equilibrium with a large reserve of organic N, and may significantly contribute to the soil N availability at low temperatures.     

Dynamics and availability of phosphorus in the rhizosphere of a temperate silvopastoral system

A field rhizosphere study was carried out over a period of 12 months on a 6-year-old silvopastoral trial in New Zealand. The trial comprised radiata pine (Pinus radiata) with lucerne (Medicago sativa) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) understoreys. The study was initiated because of the unique interrelationships between roots in silvopastoral systems and a paucity of understanding about the processes involved in phosphorus (P) dynamics in temperate silvopastoral systems. Improving our understanding in this area has important implications for nutrient management in silvopastoral systems. Rhizosphere soils were analysed to determine inorganic (Pi) and organic (Po) P fractions, macroporous resin Pi and Po, phosphatase enzyme activity, microbial biomass carbon and pH. Concentrations of labile Pi were consistently greater and Po lower in tree rhizosphere soil compared to the companion understorey, indicating that radiata pine when grown with a productive understorey mineralised Po to a greater extent than either understorey species. Tree rhizosphere soil from under lucerne and lucerne rhizosphere soil contained the lowest concentrations of total Pi and Po compared with tree under ryegrass and ryegrass rhizosphere soils. This was partly attributed to higher levels of phosphatase enzyme activity in the lucerne rhizosphere soils. The results suggest the combination of lucerne with radiata pine may enhance greater utilisation of soil P, although this requires further investigation. Lower levels of labile Po, and higher levels of labile Pi and phosphatase enzyme activity, were determined in tree and understorey lucerne and ryegrass rhizosphere soils in spring compared with autumn. This data confirmed that overall rates of soil organic P mineralisation are greatest in spring.     

Evaluation of rice–legume–rice cropping system on grain yield,nutrient uptake,nitrogen fixation,and chemical,physical, and biological properties of soil

To achieve higher yields and better soil quality under rice–legume–rice (RLR) rotation in a rainfed production system, we formulated integrated nutrient management (INM) comprised of Azospirillum (Azo), Rhizobium (Rh), and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) with phosphate rock (PR), compost, and muriate of potash (MOP). Performance of bacterial bioinoculants was evaluated by determining grain yield, nitrogenase activity, uptake and balance of N, P, and Zn, changes in water stability and distribution of soil aggregates, soil organic C and pH, fungal/bacterial biomass C ratio, casting activities of earthworms, and bacterial community composition using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) fingerprinting. The performance comparison was made against the prevailing farmers’ nutrient management practices [N/P₂O₅/K₂O at 40:20:20 kg ha⁻¹ for rice and 20:30:20 kg ha⁻¹ for legume as urea/single super-phosphate/MOP (urea/SSP/MOP)]. Cumulative grain yields of crops increased by 7–16% per RLR rotation and removal of N and P by six crops of 2 years rotation increased significantly (P < 0.05) in bacterial bioinoculants-based INM plots over that in compost alone or urea/SSP/MOP plots. Apparent loss of soil total N and P at 0–15 cm soil depth was minimum and apparent N gain at 15–30 cm depth was maximum in Azo/Rh plus PSB dual INM plots. Zinc uptake by rice crop and diethylenetriaminepentaacetate-extractable Zn content in soil increased significantly (P < 0.05) in bacterial bioinoculants-based INM plots compared to other nutrient management plots. Total organic C content in soil declined at 0–15 cm depth and increased at 15–30 cm depth in all nutrient management plots after a 2-year crop cycle; however, bacterial bioinoculants-based INM plots showed minimum loss and maximum gain of total organic C content in the corresponding soil depths. Water-stable aggregation and distribution of soil aggregates in 53–250- and 250–2,000 μm classes increased significantly (P < 0.05) in bacterial bioinoculants-based INM plots compared to other nutrient management plots. Fungal/bacterial biomass C ratio seems to be a more reliable indicator of C and N dynamics in acidic soils than total microbial biomass C. Compost alone or Azo/Rh plus PSB dual INM plots showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher numbers of earthworms’ casts compared to urea/SSP/MOP alone and bacterial bioinoculants with urea or SSP-applied plots. Hierarchical cluster analysis based on similarity matrix of DGGE profiles revealed changes in bacterial community composition in soils due to differences in nutrient management, and these changes were seen to occur according to the states of C and N dynamics in acidic soil under RLR rotation.     

Is invasion of deforested Amazonia by the earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus driven by soil texture and chemical properties?

Pontoscolex corethurus (Müller, 1857) is the most common invasive earthworm in disturbed lands in the tropics. Conditions required for its successful colonization of new plots are still not understood since some areas can be invaded while others, sometimes in the vicinity, are not. We kept newly hatched P. corethrurus in a wide range of Amazonian soils where population densities had been previously evaluated. We identified soil conditions that best sustain survival, soil ingestion and growth of P. corethrurus in controlled laboratory conditions and checked if presence/absence in the field was consistent with laboratory observations. While pH and Ca influenced survival; Mg and C content were the greatest determinants for growth and C:P, Mg and clay contents determined soil ingestion rates. Soil ingestion and growth rate were correlated. There were no differences in earthworm soil ingestion rates between invaded and non-invaded soils. However, growth rate and survival were higher in soils from invaded sites than in soils from non invaded sites, indicating that soil quality may play a role in the invasion process. We identified two cases where P. corethrurus did not occur: (1) unfavourable soil texture and chemical properties, but also some areas with and (2) favourable soil texture and chemical properties but no invasion. Other parameters, like vegetation cover (grass or trees), soil structure and compaction, soil hydrologic processes or biotic resistance of native earthworm communities could potentially also be key elements for understanding why P. corethrurus populations occur in some sites and not in others.