Cultivation effects on temporal changes of organic carbon and aggregate stability in desert soils of Hexi Corridor region in China

Sustainable agricultural use of cultivated desert soils has become a concern in Hexi Corridor in Gansu Province of China, because loss of topsoil in dust storms has been recently intensified. We chose four desert sites to investigate the effects of cultivation (cropping) on (i) soil organic C and its size fractions and (ii) soil aggregate stability (as a measure of soil erodibility). These parameters are of vital importance for evaluating the sustainability of agricultural practices.

Total organic C as well as organic C fractions in soil (coarse organic C, 0.1–2 mm; young organic C, 0.05–0.1 mm; stable organic C, <0.05 mm) generally increased with the duration of the cultivation period from 0 (virgin soil, non-cultivated) to more than 30 years (p < 0.05). Compared to total organic C in virgin soils (2.3–3.5 g kg⁻¹ soil), significantly greater values were found after 10 to >20 years of cultivation (6.2–7.1 g kg⁻¹ soil). The increase in organic C in desert soils following prolonged cultivation was mainly the consequence of an increase in the coarse organic C. The increase in total organic C in soil was also dependent on clay content [total organic C = 0.96 + 0.249 clay content (%) + 0.05 cultivation year, R² = 0.48, n = 27, p < 0.001]. This indicates that clay protected soil organic C from mineralization, and also contributed to the increase in soil organic C as time of cultivation increased.

There was a significant positive correlation between aggregate stability and total organic C across all field sites. The water stability of aggregates was low (with water-stable aggregate percentage 4% of dry-sieved aggregates of size 1–5 mm). There was no consistent pattern of increase in the soil aggregate stability with time of cultivation at different locations, suggesting that desert soils might remain prone to wind erosion even after 50 years of cultivation. Alternative management options, such as retaining harvested crop residues on soil surface and excluding or minimizing tillage, may permit sustainable agricultural use of desert soils.     

Depth distribution and bioavailability of pollutants in long-term differently tilled soils

Pollutants can be introduced to soil through the application of organic and inorganic fertilizers and pesticides and through atmospheric depositions. The objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of long-term (9–17 years) tillage systems on the behavior of pollutants in soils. Bioavailability and enrichment of heavy metals, arsenic, and organics, i.e. polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s) and a chlorinated phenol (2,4-DCP) were measured in a Eutric Cambisol and a Luvisol under conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT), and no-tillage (NT). Soil samples were collected from 0 to 3, 3 to 10, and 10 to 25 cm depths.

The upper layer of NT soils was enriched in pollutants, but concentrations decreased with increasing soil depth. Atmospheric deposition of pollutants and input via organic fertilizers was noticeable in soils under long-term NT. Total amount of zinc (59 mg kg⁻¹) was significantly enriched in the 0–3 cm depth of the Luvisol under NT and this was attributed to higher sorption capacity for heavy metal input via liquid manure. In the Eutric Cambisol, NT resulted in significant increase of cadmium extracted by aqua regia in the arable layer of 0–25 cm. As a result of higher soil organic C, long-term accumulation of PCB’s in NT soils was more pronounced than in plowed soils. In plowed soils the mixing effect resulted in homogeneous distribution of pollutants within a soil depth of 0–25 cm.

The enrichment of organic C in RT and NT soils emphasizes the role of soils as a sink for pollutants, buffering the contaminants against leaching and transfer into crops.     

Response of phosphomonoesterases in soils to chloroform fumigation

The chloroform fumigation technique has been successfully employed to quantify intracellular and extracellular urease and arylsulfatase activities in soil. In this study, the same approach was evaluated for its ability to differentiate between various pools of phosphomonoesterase activities in soils and reference proteins purified from plant and microbial sources. The activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases were assayed in 10 surface soils and reference proteins at their optimal pH values before and after chloroform fumigation and in the presence and absence of toluene. Chloroform fumigation decreased the activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases in soils, on average, by 6 and 8%, respectively. Similarly, the activities of two purified reference enzyme proteins were decreased after fumigation, with acid and alkaline phosphatase activities exhibiting a reduction of 17 and 8%, respectively. Toluene treatment caused an increase in the activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases by 8 to 18% in nonfumigated soils, but showed no effect in the fumigated soils. Average enzyme protein concentrations, calculated for the 10 soils based on the activity values of the soils and the specific activity of the purified enzymes (i.e., activity values per mg protein), were 22.5 and 2.1 mg protein (kg soil)^—1 for acid and alkaline phosphatase, respectively. The decrease in enzyme activity by the fumigant was either by direct denaturing of the periplasmic and extracellular portion of the particular protein after lysis of the microbial cell membrane, by absorption and/or inhibition of the released phosphomonoesterases by organic and inorganic constituents or by degradation of the protein by soil proteases. The ratios of acid phosphatase protein concentrations relative to organic C in six soils were significantly, but negatively correlated with soil organic C, suggesting differences in organic C quality. Comparison of the activity values of soil phosphatases with those of the protein concentrations present in soils indicated that alkaline phosphatase has greater catalytic efficiency than does acid phosphatase.     

Effects of pig slurry application on soils and soil humic acids

The effect of three annually consecutive additions of pig slurry at two rates (90 and 150 m3 x ha(-1) x year(-1) on soils and soil humic acids (HAs) was investigated in a field experiment under semiarid conditions. Soils and pig slurries were analyzed by standard methods. The HAs were isolated from soils and pig slurry by a conventional procedure based on alkaline extraction, acidic precipitation to pH 1, purification by repeated alkaline dissolutions and acidic precipitations, water washing, dialysis, and final freeze-drying. The HAs obtained were analyzed for elemental (C, H, N, S, and O) and acidic functional group (carboxylic and phenolic) composition, and by UV-vis, FT-IR, fluorescence, and ESR spectroscopies. With respect to the control soil, the pig slurry amended soils had greater pH and electrical conductivity, slightly larger total N content, and smaller values of C/N ratio. A decrease of total organic C was observed only in soils amended for 2 and 3 years at the higher slurry rate. With respect to control soil HA, pig slurry HA was characterized by larger contents of S- and N-containing groups, smaller acidic functional group and organic free radical contents, a prevalent aliphatic character, extended molecular heterogeneity, and smaller aromatic polycondensation and humification degrees. Amendment with pig slurry HA determines a number of modifications in soil HAs, including increase of C, S, and COOH contents, C/N ratios, and aliphaticity and decrease of extraction yields and N, O, phenolic OH, and organic free radical contents. These effects are generally more evident after the first year of slurry application and tend to disappear with increasing number of treatments. Most probably, over the years the slightly humified slurry HA is mineralized through extended microbial oxidation, whereas only the most recalcitrant components, such as S-containing, phenolic, and aliphatic structures, are partially accumulated by incorporation into soil HA.     

Mineralization of C-atrazine in an entic haplustoll as affected by selected winter weed control strategies

The effect of winter weed control (WWC) management on ¹⁴C-atrazine (6-chloro-N²-ethyl-N⁴-isopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) mineralization was investigated in an Entic Haplustoll in Argentina. Three WWC managements were selected: Chemical Fallow (CF) and Cereal Cover Crop (CCC), both under no-tillage, and Reduced Tillage (RT) with chisel and moldboard plow. Soil was sampled at two depths: 0–5 and 5–10 cm, to evaluate the soil stratification induced by the tillage system. To distinguish differences in atrazine degradation in soils with and without previous history of atrazine application two crop sequences were selected: continuous soybean [Glycine max L., Merr.] (CS) without previous atrazine exposure, and soybean–maize (Zea mays L.) rotation (SM) with atrazine application every winter and in alternate springs. The release of ¹⁴C-CO₂ during laboratory incubations of soils treated with ring labelled ¹⁴C-atrazine was determined. Soil organic matter (SOM) distribution was determined with depth and among three soil size fractions: 200–2000 μm, 50–200 μm and <50 μm. Previous atrazine application enhanced atrazine degrading microorganims. Atrazine mineralization was influenced by both WWC management and the tillage system. Chemical fallow showed the highest atrazine mineralization in the two crop sequences. Depth stratification in atrazine degradation was observed in the two WWC treatments under the no-tillage. Depth stratification in the content of soil organic C and relative accumulation of organic C in coarsest fractions (200–2000 and 50–200 μm) were observed mainly in no-till systems. Depth stratification of atrazine degrading activity was mainly correlated to the stratification of fresh organic matter associated with the coarsest fractions (200–2000 μm). Atrazine persistence in soil is strongly affected by soil use and management, which can lead to safe atrazine use through selection of appropriate agricultural practices.     

Nutrient balances in calcareous soils after application of different rates of pig slurry

Abstract. Changes in amounts of macro-(N, P, K) and micro-nutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) were determined in two calcareous soils amended over an eight-month period with pig slurry applications ranging from 0 to 500 m³/ha, and planted in containers with green pepper ( Capsicum annuum ). Total N and exchangeable K increased after slurry applications of 300 m³/ha or more, and available P increased after the smallest application rate (100m³/ha). Maximum crop nutrient uptakes of 41, 40 and 91% for N, P and K occurred with the smallest dose of slurry. Large losses of N, ranging from 27 to 74% (mean 55%) of N added to soil, occurred with all slurry treatments. From 41 to 71% (mean 55%) of the total P added in pig slurry was fixed in non-assimilable forms. Most of the K from the pig slurry was available to the plants. Most of the micro-nutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) from the slurry were immobilized in the soil, probably because of the high pH and the small amounts of organic matter in both the slurries and soils tested.     

Chemical and biochemical properties in a silty loam soil under conventional and organic management

To improve soil fertility, efforts need to be made to increase soil organic matter content. Conventional farming practice generally leads to a reduction of soil organic matter. This study compared inorganic and organic fertilisers in a crop rotation system over two cultivation cycles: first crop broad bean (Vicia faba L.) and second crop mixed cropped melon-water melon (Cucumis melo-Citrullus vulgaris) under semi-arid conditions. Total organic carbon (TOC), Kjeldahl-N, available-P, microbial biomass C (Cmic), and N (Nmic), soil respiration and enzymatic activities (protease, urease, and alkaline phosphatase) were determined in soils between the fourth and sixth year of management comparison. The metabolic quotient (qCO₂), the Cmic/Nmic ratio, and the Cmic/TOC ratio were also calculated. Organic management resulted in significant increases in TOC and Kjeldahl-N, available-P, soil respiration, microbial biomass, and enzymatic activities compared with those found under conventional management. Crop yield was greater from organic than conventional fertilizer. The qCO₂ showed a progressive increase for both treatments during the study, although qCO₂ was greater with conventional than organic fertilizer. In both treatments, an increase in the Cmic/Nmic ratio from first to second crop cycle was observed, indicating a change in the microbial populations. Biochemical properties were positively correlated (p < 0.01) with TOC and nutrient content. These results indicated that organic management positively affected soil organic matter content, thus improving soil quality and productivity.     

连作西瓜的根际土壤酶活性和微生物多样性

以山东大鹏西瓜基地0,3,9,15 a的西瓜根和根际土壤为研究对象,采用野外调查和实验室分析方法分析连作对西瓜根际土壤酶活性和微生物多样性的影响。结果表明:随着连作年限的增加,土壤有机质和氮磷钾含量递减,连作第15年有机质及有效氮磷钾含量最低。在同一生长时期内,连作年限越长,西瓜根系活跃吸收面积和总吸收面积最低,根际土壤酶活性呈现先递增后下降的趋势,并且根际土壤酶活力幼苗期 < 抽蔓期 < 结果期。在连作前期土壤中可培养微生物代谢活力递增,连作后期微生物代谢活力递减,且连作越久土壤中微生物群落多样性降低,均匀度先增加后降低。相关性分析表明,土壤中过氧化氢酶（p < 0.05）、磷酸酶（p < 0.05）、蔗糖酶（p < 0.01）、速效磷（p < 0.05）、速效钾（p < 0.05）与真菌具有正相关性;脲酶与细菌正相关（p < 0.01）,与碱解氮负相关（p < 0.01）;过氧化氢酶（p < 0.05）、碱解氮（p < 0.01）与放线菌具有显著正相关。综上所述,连作0～9 a,土壤微生物代谢活力和酶活性增强,养分流失较小;连作9 a后,土壤养分流失严重,土壤酶活性和微生物代谢活力显著降低,产生连作障碍,说明减少连作年限可使西瓜优质丰产并且可持续发展,反之影响西瓜正常生长生产,损害经济效益。     

Seasonality of soil biological properties in a poplar plantation growing under elevated atmospheric CO2

Microorganisms are the regulators of decomposition processes occurring in soil, they also constitute a labile fraction of potentially available N. Microbial mineralization and nutrient cycling could be affected through altered plant inputs at elevated CO_2. An understanding of microbial biomass and microbial activity in response to belowground processes induced by elevated CO₂ is thus crucial in order to predict the long-term response of ecosystems to climatic changes. Microbial biomass, microbial respiration, inorganic N, extractable P and six enzymatic activities related to C, N, P and S cycling (β-glucosidase, cellulase, chitinase, protease, acid phosphatase and arylsulphatase) were investigated in soils of a poplar plantation exposed to elevated CO_2. Clones of Populus alba, Populus nigra and Populus x euramericana were grown in six 314 m² plots treated either with atmospheric (control) or enriched (550 μmol mol⁻¹ CO₂) CO₂ concentration with FACE technology (free-air CO₂ enrichment). Chemical and biochemical parameters were monitored throughout a year in soil samples collected at five sampling dates starting from Autumn 2000 to Autumn 2001.

The aim of the present work was: (1) to determine if CO₂ enrichment induces modifications to soil microbial pool size and metabolism, (2) to test how the seasonal fluctuations of soil biochemical properties and CO₂ level interact, (3) to evaluate if microbial nutrient acquisition activity is changed under elevated CO₂.

CO₂ enrichment significantly affected soil nutrient content and three enzyme activities: acid phosphatase, chitinase and arylsulphatase, indicators of nutrient acquisition activity. Microbial biomass increased by a 16% under elevated CO₂. All soil biochemical properties were significantly affected by the temporal variability and the interaction between time and CO₂ level significantly influenced β-glucosidase activity and microbial respiration. Data on arylsulphatase and chitinase activity suggest a possible shift of microbial population in favour of fungi induced by the FACE treatment.     

Salinity risks on calcareous soils following pig slurry applications

Abstract. The electrical conductivity of pig slurry suggests that addition of this waste to soils in arid and semi-arid areas could cause salinization. Changes in electrical conductivity and soluble salt concentration in two calcareous soils indicated a salinity risk after 24 months of pig slurry addition at rates of 400 m²/ha/yr or more. Salinity risk increased with soil water-holding capacity. Water-soluble potassium concentrations showed a greater increase than other cations in the soils because of the large amount present in the slurry. The proportion of soluble potassium in the soil depended on the soil's cation exchange capacity and on the composition of the clay fraction.     

Particle size fractionation of fungal and bacterial biomass in subalpine grassland and forest soils

Characterization of soil aggregates according to particle size fractions is a useful tool in process-oriented research into soil organic matter and biological properties. Substrate-induced respiration (SIR) inhibition was used to quantify microbial, fungal and bacterial biomass in particle size fractions of soils ranging from forest to grassland in a subalpine region of central Taiwan. In addition, ergosterol content was determined in the same samples to verify fungal biomass measured by SIR inhibition technique. Surface soil (0–10 cm) was fractionated into four particle size fractions: coarse sand (250–2000 μm), fine sand (53–250 μm), silt (2–53 μm) and clay (0.2–2 μm). The larger sized fractions (>250 μm and 53–250 μm) contained higher levels of fungal ergosterol than the smaller sized ones (2–53 μm and 0.2–2 μm). The largest particle size fraction (250–2000 μm) from all studied habitats showed the highest level of microbial biomass, with no clear trend in microbial biomass level among the other size fractions. SIR-calculated fungal biomass level and ergosterol converted fungal biomass content were positively correlated (r=0.71, p<0.05), and such correlation decreased as biomass levels were high. Ratios of fungi to bacteria ranged between 0.6 and 1.3 in fractions obtained in this study. This study indicates a high variability of microbial (fungal and bacterial) biomass level among particle size fractions in soil, and that the large-sized fractions tend to contain a high level of microbial biomass in a given ecosystem.     

典型黑土区坡耕地土壤碱性磷酸酶和有机质空间分布研究

以东北黑土侵蚀严重区宾州河流域为研究区,通过采集流域上游、中游和下游6个典型坡面及各坡面不同坡位的土壤样品,分析坡耕地土壤碱性磷酸酶和土壤有机质在流域和坡面尺度的空间分布特征及其与土壤侵蚀的关系。结果表明,在流域尺度上,坡耕地土壤碱性磷酸酶活性和土壤有机质含量均表现为下游 > 中游 > 上游,坡面尺度上总体表现为坡面上部 < 坡面中部 < 坡面下部的趋势,且坡位对土壤有机质分布的影响较其对土壤碱性磷酸酶活性的影响更为明显。土壤碱性磷酸酶活性与土壤有机质间存在极显著的正相关关系。流域土壤碱性磷酸酶活性和有机质空间分布与土壤侵蚀空间分布相对应,反映出土壤侵蚀是影响该区耕层土壤碱性磷酸酶活性和土壤有机质含量的主要因素。     

基于不同方法测定土壤酸性磷酸酶活性的比较

土壤酸性磷酸酶与有机磷的矿化及植物的磷素营养关系最为密切。目前国内学者在测定酸性磷酸酶活性时主要参照关松荫《土壤酶及其研究法》中以磷酸苯二钠为基质的测定方法,而国外学者主要参照Dick《Methods of Soil Enzymology》中以对硝基苯磷酸二钠为基质的测定方法(PNPP)。但是,在以磷酸苯二钠为基质测定生成物的过程中,常出现显色程度不明显的问题;另外,采用不同基质测定酸性磷酸酶活性也造成了测定方法选择的困难。为合理选择土壤酸性磷酸酶活性的测定方法,本研究选用酸性、中性和碱性土壤各10个土样,分别采用以磷酸苯二钠为基质,且在显色阶段分别加入pH5.0醋酸盐缓冲液(DPP 1)和pH9.4硼酸盐缓冲液(DPP 2)的方法,以及PNPP方法测定土壤酸性磷酸酶活性。同时也研究了不同pH缓冲液和苯酚浓度对生成物显色反应的影响。结果表明:以磷酸苯二钠为基质、在显色反应阶段加入pH≤6的缓冲液时,苯酚和2,6-二溴苯醌氯亚胺不显色;当加入pH≥8的缓冲液时,两者之间显色且苯酚浓度和吸光值的Pearson相关系数极显著。这说明pH低是导致高苯酚浓度和2,6-二溴苯醌氯亚胺显色效果差的一个主要原因。此外,采用PNPP方法测定时,在酸性、中性和碱性土壤中,10个样本酸性磷酸酶活性的变异系数分别较DPP 2增加了70.04%、42.44%和21.17%;极差分别是DPP 2的27.18倍、26.85倍和39.43倍。总之,如果选用磷酸苯二钠为基质测定土壤酸性磷酸酶活性,应在显色阶段加入碱性硼酸盐缓冲液;选用对硝基苯磷酸二钠为基质,是更为简单和灵敏的方法。     

Effects of N-enriched sewage sludge on soil enzyme activities

Sewage sludge is increasingly used as an organic amendment to soil, especially to soil containing little organic matter. However, little is known about utility of this organic amendment with N-enriched or adjusted C:N ratios in soil. We studied the effects of adding of different doses (0, 100, 200 and 300 t ha⁻¹) and C:N ratios (3:1, 6:1 and 9:1) of sewage sludge on enzyme activities (β-glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase, arylsulphatase and urease) in a clay loam soil at 25 °C and 60% soil water holding capacity. Nitrogen was added in the form of (NH₄)₂ SO₄ solution to the sludge to reduce the C:N ratio from 9:1 to 6:1 and 3:1. The addition of different doses and C:N ratios of the sludge caused a rapid and significant in the enzymatic activities in soils, this increase was specially noticeable in soil treated with high doses of the sludge. In general, enzymatic activities in sludge-amended soils tended to decrease with the incubation time. All activities reached peak values at 30 days incubation and then gradually decreased up to 90 days of incubation. Sewage sludges also the increased available metal (Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) contents in the soils. However, the presence of available soil metals due to the addition of the sludge at all doses and C:N ratios did negatively affect all enzymatic activities in the soils. This experiment indicated that all doses and C:N ratios of sewage sludge applied to soil would have harmful effects on enzymatic activity. Some heavy metals found in sewage sludge may negatively influence soil enzyme activities during the decomposition of the sludge.     

Composition of organic solutes and respiration in soils derived from alkaline and non-alkaline parent materials

Parent material greatly influences pedogenesis and soil nutrient availability and consequently we hypothesized that it would significantly affect the amount of organic solutes in soil, many of which have been implicated in rhizosphere processes linked to plant nutrient uptake. Consequently, we investigated the influence of two contrasting parent materials in which calcite was present or absent (alkaline and non-alkaline soils) on the concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), low-molecular weight organic acids (LMWOA) and glucose in soil solution. Both soils were under Norway spruce. The dynamics of LMWOAs in soil were also investigated using ¹⁴C-labelled citrate and oxalate. Some of the mineral horizons of the alkaline soils showed significantly higher concentrations of DOC, phenolics, and fumarate in soil solution and also a higher basal respiration. No major differences were seen in organic solute status in the organic horizons of the two soil types. LMWOAs were present at low concentrations in soil solution (< 1 to 25 µM). Their mineralization rate significantly decreased with soil depth, however, overall neither their concentration or half-life in soil was markedly affected by parent material. The alkaline soils had significantly higher CO₂-to-soil organic C (SOC) ratios, and consequently SOC in the alkaline soils did not seem more chemically stable against mineralization. Considering possible DOC and CO₂ efflux rates it was suggested that the equal or larger SOC stocks in alkaline mineral soils were most likely linked to a higher net primary productivity. In conclusion, our study found that parent material exerted only a small effect on the concentration and dynamics of organic solutes in soil solution. This suggests that in comparison to other factors (e.g. vegetation cover, climate etc) parent material may not be a major regulator of the organic solute pool in soil.     

严重退化红壤植被恢复后有机质富集和团聚体稳定性

Three types of soils： an eroded barren soil under continuous fallow, an eroded soil transplanted with Lespedeza shrubs （Lespedeza bieolor）, and an eroded soil transplanted with camphor tree （Cinnaraomum camphora） were investigated to quantify organic matter pools and aggregates in reforested soils using physical fractionation techniques and to determine aggregate stability in relation to the enrichment of soil organic carbon （SOC）. Soil organic matter （SOM） was physically fractionalized into free particulate organic matter （fPOM）, occluded particulate organic matter （oPOM）, and mineralassociated organic matter （mOM）. The SOM was concentrated on the surface soil （0 5 cm）, with an average C sequestration rate of 20-25 g C m^-2 year^-1 over 14 years. As compared to the eroded barren land, organic C content of fPOM, oPOM, and mOM fractions of the soil under Lespedeza and under camphor tree increased 12-15, 45-54, and 3.1-3.5 times, respectively. A linear relationship was found between aggregate stability and organic C （r^2 = 0.45, P 〈 0.01）, oPOM （r^2 = 0.34, P 〈 0.05）, and roOM （r^2 = 0.46, P 〈 0.01） of aggregates. The enrichment of organic C improved aggregate stability of the soil under Lespedeza but not that under camphor tree. However, further research is needed on the physical and biological processes involved in the interaction of soil aggregation and SOC sequestration in ecosystem.     

有机无机肥配施提高旱地麦田土壤养分有效性及酶活性

【目的】有机无机肥配施可显著提高土壤微生物活性,改善土壤养分供应状况。深入理解不同氮肥用量配施有机肥下土壤的生物化学性状,为充分发挥肥料效益,实现冬小麦高产稳产提供科学施肥依据。【方法】以冬小麦为供试作物,在黄土高原南部半湿润易旱区连续三年进行了田间定位试验。采用裂区试验,设置5个氮肥用量 (N 0、75、150、225、300 kg/hm2),配施或不施有机肥 (30 t/hm2)。在冬小麦拔节期、抽穗期、灌浆期、成熟期,取0—20 cm土层样品,采用常规方法测定土壤养分和酶活性。在收获期,调查了冬小麦籽粒产量。【结果】1) 冬小麦产量以施氮量N 150 kg/hm2配施有机肥处理最高,且有机无机肥配施与单施化肥处理相比能够在减少19.1%的氮肥用量条件下,保证冬小麦产量稳产高产,此外在天气不理想的状况下,冬小麦的净收益也能保持在较高水平。2)在冬小麦的整个生育期,有机无机肥配施处理可显著提高0—20 cm土层土壤有机质、全氮、有效磷、速效钾、硝态氮含量以及土壤蔗糖酶、碱性磷酸酶和脲酶活性,与单施化肥处理相比分别增加18.2%、27.4%、149.3%、31.4%、27.6%、4.0%、4.7%、1.5%,但对过氧化氢酶活性无明显促进作用,且除了脲酶以施氮量N 300 kg/hm2配施有机肥的活性最高,其余指标均以施氮量N 150 kg/hm2配施有机肥处理效果最佳。3) 施氮量、有机肥、冬小麦生育期显著影响土壤蔗糖酶、碱性磷酸酶、过氧化氢酶和脲酶活性,施氮量和有机肥的交互效应显著影响碱性磷酸酶活性,施氮量和冬小麦生育期的交互效应显著影响土壤蔗糖酶、碱性磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶活性,有机肥和冬小麦生育期的交互效应显著影响土壤碱性磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶活性,施氮量、有机肥和冬小麦生育期三者的交互效应显著影响土壤蔗糖酶活性。4) 相关分析表明,土壤碱性磷酸酶与有机质间、脲酶与速效钾之间均未达显著相关水平,土壤蔗糖酶、碱性磷酸酶、过氧化氢酶和脲酶与有机质、全氮、有效磷、速效钾均呈显著或极显著正相关。【结论】土壤养分、酶活性和冬小麦产量之间密切相关,在施用有机肥30 t/hm2的基础上配施氮肥N 150 kg/hm2,有利于增强黄土高原南部半湿润易旱区冬小麦土壤生态系统的可持续性。     

Microbial use of organic amendments in saline soils monitored by changes in the C/C ratio

An incubation experiment was carried out to investigate whether salinity at high pH has negative effects on microbial substrate use, i.e. the mineralization of the amendment to CO₂ and inorganic N and the incorporation of amendment C into microbial biomass C. In order to exploit natural differences in the ¹³C/¹²C ratio, substrate from two C₄ plants, i.e. highly decomposed and N-rich sugarcane filter cake and less decomposed N-poor maize leaf straw, were added to two alkaline Pakistani soils differing in salinity, which had previously been cultivated with C₃ plants. In soil 1, the additional CO₂ evolution was equivalent to 65% of the added amount in the maize straw treatment and to 35% in the filter cake treatment. In the more saline soil 2, the respective figures were 56% and 32%. The maize straw amendment led to an identical immobilization of approximately 48 μg N g⁻¹ soil over the 56-day incubation in both soils compared with the control soils. In the filter cake treatment, the amount of inorganic N immobilized was 8.5 μg N g⁻¹ higher in soil 1 than in soil 2 compared with the control soils. In the control treatment, the content of microbial biomass C₃-C in soil 1 was twice that in soil 2 throughout the incubation. This fraction declined by about 30% during the incubation in both soils. The two amendments replaced initially similar absolute amounts of the autochthonous microbial biomass C, i.e. 50% of the original microbial biomass C in soil 1 and almost 90% in soil 2. The highest contents of microbial biomass C₄-C were equivalent to 7% (filter cake) and 11% (maize straw) of the added C. In soil 2, the corresponding values were 14% lower. Increasing salinity had no direct negative effects on microbial substrate use in the present two soils. Consequently, the differences in soil microbial biomass contents are most likely caused indirectly by salinity-induced reduction in plant growth rather than directly by negative effects of salinity on soil microorganisms.     

铀污染对土壤酶活性及微生物功能多样性的影响

为研究外源铀对土壤微生态的影响,设置不同浓度(0、10、20、50、100、150 mg·kg^-1)的铀对土壤进行处理,测定各铀处理组中土壤酶活性和微生物功能多样性。Biolog-ECO微平板技术分析结果表明,随着铀污染浓度升高,微生物活性逐渐降低;各铀处理组土壤微生物群落Shannon、Simpson、McIntosh多样性指数均显著低于对照组。铀处理后,六大类碳源利用能力较对照组显著降低,其中酚酸类碳源平均颜色变化率(AWCD)仅为对照组的19.98%。对照组中,微生物对胺类碳源利用能力最高;10 mg·kg^-1铀处理组中,微生物对多聚物类碳源利用能力最高;50、100和150 mg·kg^-1铀处理组中,微生物对羧酸类碳源利用能力最高。酶活性分析表明,随着铀污染浓度升高,碱性磷酸酶和芳基硫酸酯酶活性均呈下降趋势,而亚硝酸还原酶活性呈先升高后降低的趋势。纤维素酶活性仅在高浓度铀污染土壤中受到抑制。铀处理第30天,酶活性受到的抑制作用最强。4种酶对铀敏感程度依次为芳基硫酸酯酶>碱性磷酸酶>亚硝酸还原酶>纤维素酶。综上可知,铀污染对土壤微生物群落碳源利用能力有显著的抑制作用,同时芳基硫酸酯酶可有效表征土壤受铀污染程度。本研究结果为评估和修复铀污染生态环境提供了理论依据。     

Changes in soil pH due to the storage of soils

Abstract. The pH of soil samples was remeasured after storage for 20 years in the laboratory. The pH decreases were minor in acid to neutral soils (-0.3), but greater in alkaline soils (-0.63). The pH differences were statistically significant only for alkaline soils. The decreases of pH with time are probably mainly due to the decomposition of organic matter, the CO₂ produced, the hydroscopic water and the presence of CaCO₃.