Microbial biomass and mineralizable nitrogen distributions in no-tillage and plowed soils

Summary Distribution of soil microbial biomass and potentially mineralizable nitrogen (PMN) in long-term tillage comparisons at seven sites in the United States varied with tillage management and depth in soil. Microbial biomass and PMN levels of no-tillage soils averaged 54% and 37% higher, respectively, than those in the surface layer of plowed soil. Biomass and PMN levels were greatest in the surface 0 to 7.5-cm layer of no-tillage soil and decreased with depth in soil to 30 cm. Biomass and PMN levels of plowed soil, however, were generally greatest at the 7.5 –15 cm depth. Microbial biomass levels were closely associated with soil distributions of total C and N, water content, and water-soluble C as influenced by tillage management. Potentially mineralizable N levels in soil were primarily associated with distributions of microbial biomass and total N. Absolute levels of PMN and microbial biomass and the relative differences with tillage management were dependent on climatic, cropping, and soil conditions across locations. The additional N contained in soil biomass and PMN in the surface 0–7.5 cm of no-tillage compared with plowed soils ranged from 13 to 45 and 12 to 122 kg N/ha, respectively, for 6 of 7 locations. Fertilizer placement below the biologically rich surface soil layer and/or rotational tillage may improve short-term nitrogen use efficiency and crop growth on reduced-tillage soils.Contribution from USDA-ARS in cooperation with the Nebraska Agricultural Experimental Station, published as paper no. 8086, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experimental Station     

The influence of tillage on the proportion of organic carbon and nitrogen in the microbial biomass of medium-textured soils in a humid climate

Summary Microbial biomass C and N respond rapidly to changes in tillage and soil management. The ratio of biomass C to total organic C and the ratio of mineral N flush to total N were determined in the surface layer (0–5 cm) of low-clay (8–10%), fine sandy loam, Podzolic soils subjected to a range of reduced tillage (direct drilling, chisel ploughing, shallow tillage) experiments of 3–5 years' duration. Organic matter dynamics in the tillage experiments were compared to long-term conditions in several grassland sites established on the same soil type for 10–40 years. Microbial biomass C levels in the grassland soils, reduced tillage, and mouldboard ploughing treatments were 561, 250, and 155 g g^-1 soil, respectively. In all the systems, microbial biomass C was related to organic C (r=0.86), while the mineral N flush was related to total N (r=0.84). The average proportion of organic C in the biomass of the reduced tillage soils (1.2) was higher than in the ploughed soils (0.8) but similar to that in the grassland soils (1.3). Reduced tillage increased the average ratio of mineral N flush to total soil N to 1.9, compared to 1.3 in the ploughed soils. The same ratio was 1.8 in the grassland soils. Regression analysis of microbial biomass C and percent organic C in the microbial biomass showed a steeper slope for the tillage soils than the grassland sites, indicating that reduced tillage increased the microbial biomass level per unit soil organic C. The proportion of organic matter in the microbial biomass suggests a shift in organic matter equilibrium in the reduced tillage soils towards a rapid, tillage-induced, accumulation of organic matter in the surface layer.     

Seasonal fluctuations in soil microbial biomass carbon,phosphorus, and activity in no-till and reduced-chemical-input maize agroecosystems

Summary The soil microbial biomass contains important labile pools of C, N, P, and S, and fluctuations in its size and activity can significantly influence crop productivity. In cropping systems where fertilizer use is reduced or eliminated and green-manure legumes are used, nutrient availability is more directly linked to C-cycle dynamics. We observed the fluctuations in microbial biomass C and P, and in microbial biomass activity over three cropping seasons in continuous maize and 2-year maize-wheat-soybean rotation agroecosystems under no-till and reduced-chemical-input management. We estimated the concentrations of microbial C and P using fumigation-incubation and fumigation-extraction techniques for the surface 20 cm of Cecil and Appling series soils (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic, Typic Kanhapludults). There were significant seasonal fluctuations in microbial C and P under all cropping systems. Generally, the magnitude of fluxes and the quantity of microbial C and P tended to be higher in reduced-chemical-input systems due to tillage and incorporation of crop, weed, and legume residues. Over 3 years, the means for microbial C were 435 under reduced-input maize; 289 under no-till maize; 374 und the reduced-input crop rotation; and 288 mg kg^-1 soil under the no-till rotation. The means for microbial P were 5.2 under reduced-input maize; 3.5 under no-till maize; 5.0 under the reduced-input rotation; and 3.5 mg kg^-1 soil under the no-till rotation. Estimates of microbial activity, derived from CO₂–C evolution and specific respiratory activity (mg CO₂–C per mg biomass C), suggest that reduced-chemical-input management may cause a larger fraction of the biomass to be relatively inactive but may also increase the activity of the remaining fraction over that in no-till. Thus in these specific systems, the turnover of C and P through the microbial biomass with a reduced chemical input to the soil may be higher than under a no-till system.     

Soil quality response to tillage and crop residue removal under subarctic conditions

Little is known about the long-term effects of tillage and crop residue management on soil quality and organic matter conservation in subarctic regions. Therefore, we quantified wet aggregate stability, bulk density, pH, total organic C and N, inorganic N, microbial biomass C and N, microbial biomass C:N ratio, microbial quotient, and potential C and N mineralization for a tillage/crop residue management study in central Alaska. Soil from no-till (NT), disked once each spring (DO), and disked twice (DT, spring and fall) treatments was sampled to 20 cm depth in spring and fall of the 16th and 17th years of the study. Crop residues were either retained or removed after harvest each year. Reducing tillage intensity had greater impact on most soil properties than removing crop residues with the most notable effects in the top 10 cm. Bulk density was the only indicator that showed significant differences for the 10–20 cm depth, with values of 0.74 Mg m⁻³ in the surface 10 cm in NT compared to 0.86 in DT and 1.22 Mg m⁻³ in NT compared to 1.31 in DT for the 10–20 cm depth. Wet aggregate stability ranged from 10% in DT to 20% in NT. Use of NT or DO conserved soil organic matter more than DT. Compared to measurements made in the 3rd and 4th years of the study, the DT treatment lost almost 20% of the soil organic matter. Retaining crop residues on the soil conserved about 650 g m⁻² greater C than removing all residues each year. Soil microbial biomass C and mineralizable C were highest in NT, but the microbial C quotient, which averaged only 0.9%, was not affected by tillage or crop residue treatment. Microbial biomass C:N ratio was 11.3 in DT and 14.4 in the NT, indicating an increasing predominance of fungi with decreasing tillage intensity. Barley grain yield, which averaged 1980 kg ha⁻¹ over the entire 17 years of the study, was highest in DO and not significantly different between NT and DT, but weeds were a serious problem in NT. Reduced tillage can improve important soil quality indicators and conserve organic matter, but long-term NT may not be feasible in the subarctic because of weed problems and build up of surface organic matter.     

Tillage effects on microbial biomass and nutrient distribution in soils under rain-fed corn production in central-western Mexico

Quantifying how tillage systems affect soil microbial biomass and nutrient cycling by manipulating crop residue placement is important for understanding how production systems can be managed to sustain long-term soil productivity. Our objective was to characterize soil microbial biomass, potential N mineralization and nutrient distribution in soils (Vertisols, Andisols, and Alfisols) under rain-fed corn (Zea mays L.) production from four mid-term (6 years) tillage experiments located in central-western, Mexico. Treatments were three tillage systems: conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (MT) and no tillage (NT). Soil was collected at four locations (Casas Blancas, Morelia, Apatzingán and Tepatitlán) before corn planting, at depths of 0–50, 50–100 and 100–150 mm. Conservation tillage treatments (MT and NT) significantly increased crop residue accumulation on the soil surface. Soil organic C, microbial biomass C and N, potential N mineralization, total N, and extractable P were highest in the surface layer of NT and decreased with depth. Soil organic C, microbial biomass C and N, total N and extractable P of plowed soil were generally more evenly distributed throughout the 0–150 mm depth. Potential N mineralization was closely associated with organic C and microbial biomass. Higher levels of soil organic C, microbial biomass C and N, potential N mineralization, total N, and extractable P were directly related to surface accumulation of crop residues promoted by conservation tillage management. Quality and productivity of soils could be maintained or improved with the use of conservation tillage.     

Effects of tillage and crop rotation on chemical phosphorus forms and some related biological activities in a Chilean Ultisol

The effect of tillage systems and crop rotation on microbial biomass phosphorus (MBP) and acid phosphatase (P‐ase) activity, and the amount of different phosphorus (P) forms measured by ³¹P‐NMR spectroscopy were studied on a field experiment carried out in a temperate Ultisol from southern Chile. Two tillage systems, no tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) and two crop rotations, oat–wheat (OW) and lupine–wheat (LW) were evaluated 4 yr after the start of the experiment to determine the effects of such management on some soil biological parameters and P forms at three depths (0–5, 0–10 and 10–20 cm). Microbial biomass P ranged from 6.5 to 22.6 mg/kg, whereas the mean total P (P_T) was 1995 mg/kg for all treatments (OW and LW). Microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and surface P accumulation (at 0–5 cm depth), including Olsen P, MBP, orthophosphate monoesters (monoester‐P), were larger under NT than CT. Tillage effects were greater than crop rotation effects in enhancing P availability. The LW rotation showed enhanced P‐ase activity and increased monoester‐P forms (57 vs. 30% of the total integral area of the spectra, in average) compared with OW. Nevertheless, OW rotation increased orthophosphate (ortho‐P), especially at 10–20 cm. Microbial biomass carbon ranged from 532 to 2351 mg/kg, which represented 1.2–4.5% of total organic C (C_o). Furthermore, MBP correlated positively with MBC (r = 0.80), Olsen P (r = 0.77), C_o (r = 0.77), pH (r = 0.65), P_T (r = 0.65) and P‐ase activity (r = 0.57), suggesting the importance of the microbial biomass on soil P availability.     

免耕对不同麦玉轮作农田土壤碳组分及理化性质的影响

为探讨耕作及轮作方式对农田土壤理化性质和碳组分的影响,设置免耕、传统耕作2种耕作方式,以及小麦-玉米轮作、小麦/玉米间作、小麦-冬油菜-玉米轮作3种种植模式,共形成6个处理,研究结果表明:与传统耕作相比,免耕增加了0~5 cm、5~20 cm土层全氮、全磷、速效磷和含水量,而降低了的土壤pH和土壤容重。免耕小麦/玉米间作(NT.W1/NT.WM.1)处理的土壤容重、含水量、全氮、全磷含量高于NT.WRM3和NT.WM5处理,在不同土层间,土壤全氮、全磷和速效磷含量随着土层深度的增加而降低。土壤碳组分含量总体表现为免耕处理高于传统耕作处理,免耕处理0~5 cm土层土壤有机碳、颗粒有机碳、可溶性有机碳、微生物量碳含量较相应传统耕作分别增加了1.31%~36.57%、2.07%~35.22%、2.38%~4.78%、2.08%~11.68%,在5~20 cm土层,免耕处理土壤有机碳和微生物量碳含量高于传统耕作。在不同免耕处理下,土壤有机碳,颗粒有机碳和微生物量碳含量在0~5 cm、5~20 cm土层总体表现为NT.WM5高于其他免耕处理,相关性分析表明,有机碳、微生物量碳和速效磷呈极显著正相关,容重和有机碳呈极显著负相关。综上所述,免耕小麦/玉米间作利于改善土壤理化性质,小麦-玉米轮作有利于提高土壤有机碳,颗粒有机碳和微生物量碳含量。     

稻田系统管理措施对微生物生物量C、N、P的长期影响

A 12-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different tillage methods and fertil-ization systems on microbial biomass C,N and P of a gray fluvo-aguic soil in rice-based cropping system .Five fertilization treatments were designed under conventional tillae(CT) or on tillage(NT) system:no fertilizer(CK) ; chemical fertilizer only(CF) ; combining chemical fertilizer with pig manure(PM); combining chemical fertilizer with crop straw (CS) and fallow (F). The results showed that biomass C,N and P were enriched in the surface layer of no-tilled soil,whereas they distributed relatively evenly in the tilled soil,which might result from enrichment of crop resdue,organic manure and mineral fertilzer,and surficial developent of root systems under NT.Under the cultivation system NT had slightly greater biomass C,N and P at 0-5 cm depth ,significantly less biomass C,N and P at 5-15 cm depth ,less microbial biomass C,N and equivalent biomass P at 15-30 cm depth as compared to CT,indicating hat tillage was beneficial for the multiplication of organims in the plowed layer of soil.Under the fallow system,biomass C,N and P in the surface layer were significantly greater for NT than CT while their differences between the two tillage methods were neligible in the deeper layers.In the surface layer,biomass C,N and P in the soils amended with oranic manure combined with mineral fertilizers were significantly greater than those of the treatments only with mineral fertilizers and the control.Soils without fertilzer had the least biomass nutrient contents among the five fertilization treatments.Obviously,the long-term application of organic manure could maintain the higher activity of microorganisms in soils.The amounts of biomass C,N and P in the fallowed soils varied with the tillage methods;they were much greater under NT than under CT,especially in the surface layer,suggesting that the frequent plowing could decrease the content of organic matter in the surface layer of the fallowed soil.     

轮作、耕作及行距对麦田土壤温度动态的影响

研究了加拿大南部冬小麦田在轮作、耕作和行距共同作用下的土壤温度动态。田间裂区试验主区为3个轮作(冬小麦连作、冬小麦/油菜轮作和冬小麦/夏休闲),副区包括两种耕作技术(免耕和常规耕作),小裂区包括两种种植行距(等行距和大小行)。结果表明,免耕处理下秸秆覆盖有效地降低了冬季土壤的冻结深度。在1993～1994年度,连作小麦免耕土壤的-5℃等温线要比常规耕作浅22cm。免耕秸秆覆盖的温度效应在冬小麦连作和冬小麦/油菜两种轮作上比在冬小麦/夏休闲上更为明显。在冬小麦连作和冬小麦/油菜轮作下,免耕土壤2.5cm的春季温度连续4个月显著低于常规耕作土壤。1994年4月8日,免耕和常规耕作农田2.5cm处的温差在冬小麦连作处理上达到4.1℃。对于冬小麦/夏休闲处理,由于秸秆覆盖量较少,耕作措施对土壤温度的影响不太明显。在1994年春季,大小行种植的土壤温度显著高于等行距种植的土壤温度。因此,免耕主要通过秸秆覆盖来改变土壤的温度状况。通过轮作、耕作和行距等措施,可以在一定程度上实现土壤温度的人为调节     

Characterizing the relationships between soil organic matter components and microbial function and composition along a tillage disturbance gradient

We studied the effect of no-till (disc seeder), conventional-till (tine scarifier+disc seeder) and rotary-till (rotary hoe+disc seeder) management on soil organic matter (SOM) components, rates of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling, substrate utilization and microbial community composition. We hypothesized that labile SOM fractions are sensitive to changes in tillage techniques and, in turn mediate any tillage-induced changes in microbial function and composition. A replicated field site was established in May 1998 in the semi-arid agricultural region of Western Australia and soils were collected in September 2004. We found soil pH varied between different tillage techniques as an initial lime application was mixed to deeper soil depths in rotary-till soil than no-till and conventional-till soil. Total-C was greater in surface soil and lower in subsurface soil from no-till and conventional-till plots than from rotary-till plots, but there was no effect of tillage technique on total-C when averaged across soil depths. Light (specific density <1.0 g cm^?3) fraction organic matter (LFOM), dissolved organic matter (DOM) and microbial biomass (MB) C and N pools, and rates of C and N cycling all tended to decrease with soil depth. In general, LFOM-C and N, dissolved organic C (DOC) and microbial biomass carbon (MB-C), soil respiration, cellulase activity, gross immobilization rates were positively correlated (r>0.50) and were greater in no-till and conventional-till soil than rotary-till soil both within, and across soil depths. These soil variables generally increased (r>0.5) with increasing soil pH. Dissolved organic N and gross N mineralization were positively correlated (r>0.90) but neither was affected by tillage techniques. No-till soil had greater utilization of carboxylic acids and lower utilization of amino acids and carbohydrates than conventional-till and rotary-till soil; surface soil also had greater utilization of carboxylic acids than subsurface soil. In turn, substrate utilization differed between soil depths, and between no-till soil and conventional-till and rotary-till soil; these differences were correlated with soil pH, total-N, DOC, LFOM-N and microbial biomass nitrogen (MB-N). Bacterial and fungal biomasses generally decreased with soil depth and were greater in no-till and conventional-till soil than rotary-till soil. Microbial community composition differed between all tillage techniques and soil depths; these differences were correlated with soil textural classes, soil pH, and total, LFOM, DOM and microbial C and N pools. These results indicate that most tillage-induced changes to soil properties were associated with the greater soil disturbance under rotary-till than under no-till or conventional-till management. Our results indicate that tillage-induced changes to soil pH, and LFOM, DOM and microbial biomass pools are likely to be important regulators of the rates of C and N cycling, substrate utilization and microbial community composition in this coarse textured soil.     

Short-term effect of tillage and crop rotation on microbial community structure and enzyme activities of a clay loam soil

A field study was carried out to analyze the short-term (2 years) effect of tillage and crop rotation on microbial community structure and enzyme activities of a clay loam soil. The experimental design was a split-plot arrangement of treatments, consisting of two tillage treatments—ridge tillage (RT) and no-tillage (NT)—in combination with two crop rotation treatments—corn (Zea mays L.) monoculture and a 2-year corn-soybean (Glycine max L.) rotation. Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles were used to assess soil microbial community structure. No-tillage resulted in significantly higher total PLFAs compared to the RT treatment, which was accompanied by higher activities of protease, β-glucosaminidase, and β-glucosidase. This suggests a close link between soil microbial communities and enzyme activities in response to tillage. The increase of total microbial lipid biomass in the NT soils was due to the increase in both fungal and bacterial PLFAs. Crop rotation had little effect on soil bacterial communities and enzyme activities, but it significantly influenced soil fungal communities, particularly arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Soils under monoculture corn had higher fungal biomass than soils under corn-soybean rotation regardless of tillage treatment.     

No-till soil management increases microbial biomass and alters community profiles in soil aggregates

Aggregation is important for soil functioning, providing physical protection of organic matter and microbial inhabitants. Tillage disrupts aggregates, increases wind and water erosion of soils and exposes formerly protected organic matter to decomposition and losses. Microbial biomass and community dynamics in dry-sieved aggregate-size classes from long-term no-till (NT) and conventionally tilled (CT) soils were examined using phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA). Bacterial, fungal, and total biomass were up to 32% greater in NT compared to CT aggregates. Aggregate size also affected microbial biomass, which was highest in the 1–2 mm size class. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were particularly affected by tillage disturbance with increases of 40–60% among aggregate-size classes in NT vs. CT, but glomalin related soil protein concentration was not different between tillage treatments or among aggregate-size classes. Bacterial stress biomarkers were higher in CT than NT aggregates but were not significantly correlated with total C, total N or C:N ratio, indicating that the physiological status of bacteria within aggregates was not simply governed by the quantity of available resources. Ordination analysis of PLFA profiles demonstrated a shift in microbial community structure between NT and CT aggregates, correlated with AMF abundance in NT aggregates and increased bacterial stress biomarkers in CT aggregates. Our results demonstrated greater microbial biomass and altered microbial community structure in NT vs. CT aggregates. This work demonstrates that tillage management influences microbial community structure within aggregates and may provide a potential explanation for differences in process rates observed in NT vs. CT soils. Further research into the processes that govern community structure in aggregates from NT and tilled soils is needed to better understand how the interaction of microorganisms with their physical environment affects nutrient turnover and availability.     

Dryland plant biomass and soil carbon and nitrogen fractions on transient land as influenced by tillage and crop rotation

Soil and crop management practices may alter the quantity, quality, and placement of plant residues that influence soil C and N fractions. We examined the effects of two tillage practices [conventional till (CT) and no-till (NT)] and five crop rotations [continuous spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (CW), spring wheat–fallow (W–F), spring wheat–lentil (Lens culinaris Medic.) (W–L), spring wheat–spring wheat–fallow (W–W–F), and spring wheat–pea (Pisum sativum L.)–fallow (W–P–F)] on transient land previously under 10 years of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) planting on the amount of plant biomass (stems + leaves) returned to the soil from 1998 to 2003 and soil C and N fractions within the surface 20 cm in March 2004. A continued CRP planting was also included as another treatment for comparing soil C and N fractions. The C and N fractions included soil organic C (SOC), soil total N (STN), microbial biomass C and N (MBC and MBN), potential C and N mineralization (PCM and PNM), and NH₄-N and NO₃-N contents. A field experiment was conducted in a mixture of Scobey clay loam (fine-loamy, mixed, Aridic Argiborolls) and Kevin clay loam (fine, montmorillonitic, Aridic Argiborolls) in Havre, MT, USA. Plant biomass yield varied by crop rotation and year and mean annualized biomass was 45–50% higher in CW and W–F than in W–L. The SOC and PCM were not influenced by treatments. The MBC at 0–5 cm was 26% higher in W–W–F than in W–F. The STN and NO₃-N at 5–20 cm and PNM at 0–5 cm were 17–1206% higher in CT with W–L than in other treatments. Similarly, MBN at 0–5 cm was higher in CT with W–L than in other treatments, except in CT with W–F and W–P–F. Reduction in the length of fallow period increased MBC and MBN but the presence of legumes, such as lentil and pea, in the crop rotation increased soil N fractions. Six years of tillage and crop rotation had minor influence on soil C and N storage between croplands and CRP planting but large differences in active soil C and N fractions.     

Effect of Long-Term Soil Management on the Mutual Interaction Among Soil Organic Matter, Microbial Activity and Aggregate Stability in a Vineyard

Vineyard management practices to enhance soil conservation principally focus on increasing carbon (C) input, whereas mitigating impacts of disturbance through reduced tillage has been rarely considered. Furthermore, information is lacking on the effects of soil management practices adopted in the under-vine zone on soil conservation. In this work, we evaluated the long-term effects (22 years) of alley with a sown cover crop and no-tillage (S + NT), alley with a sown cover crop and tillage (S + T), and under-vine zone with no vegetation and tillage (UV) on soil organic matter (SOM), microbial activity, aggregate stability, and their mutual interactions in a California vineyard in USA. Vegetation biomass, microbial biomass and activity, organic C and nitrogen (N) pools, and SOM size fractionation and aggregate stability were analysed. Soil characteristics only partially reflected the differences in vegetation biomass input. Organic C and N pools and microbial biomass/activity in S + NT were higher than those in S + T, while the values in UV were intermediate between the other two treatments. Furthermore, S + NT also exhibited higher particulate organic matter C in soil. No differences were found in POM C between S + T and UV, but the POM fraction in S + T was characterized by fresher material. Aggregate stability was decreased in the order: S + NT > UV > S + T. Tillage, even if shallow and performed infrequently, had a negative effect on organic C and N pools and aggregate stability. Consequently, the combination of a sown cover crop and reduced tillage still limited SOM accumulation and reduced aggregate stability in the surface soil layer of vineyards, suggesting relatively lower resistance of soils to erosion compared to no-till systems.     

Soil carbon and nitrogen accumulation with long-term no-till versus moldboard plowing overestimated with tilled-zone sampling depths

Numerous investigators of tillage system impacts on soil organic carbon (OC) or total nitrogen (N) have limited their soil sampling to depths either at or just below the deepest tillage treatment in their experiments. This has resulted in an over-emphasis on OC and N changes in the near-surface zones and limited knowledge of crop and tillage system impacts below the maximum depth of soil disturbance by tillage implements. The objective of this study was to assess impacts of long-term (28 years) tillage and crop rotation on OC and N content and depth distribution together with bulk density and pH on a dark-colored Chalmers silty clay loam in Indiana. Soil samples were taken to 1 m depth in six depth increments from moldboard plow and no-till treatments in continuous corn and soybean–corn rotation. Rotation systems had little impact on the measured soil properties; OC content under continuous corn was not superior to the soybean–corn rotation in either no-till or moldboard plow systems. The increase in OC (on a mass per unit area basis) with no-till relative to moldboard plow averaged 23 t ha⁻¹ to a constant 30 cm sampling depth, but only 10 t ha⁻¹ to a constant 1.0 m sampling depth. Similarly, the increase in N with no-till was 1.9 t ha⁻¹ to a constant 30 cm sampling depth, but only 1.4 t ha⁻¹ to a constant 1.0 m sampling depth. Tillage treatments also had significant effects on soil bulk density and pH. Distribution of OC and N with soil depth differed dramatically under the different tillage systems. While no-till clearly resulted in more OC and N accumulation in the surface 15 cm than moldboard plow, the relative no-till advantage declined sharply with depth. Indeed, moldboard plowing resulted in substantially more OC and N, relative to no-till, in the 30–50 cm depth interval despite moldboard plowing consistently to less than a 25 cm depth. Our results suggest that conclusions about OC or N gains under long-term no-till are highly dependent on sampling depth and, therefore, tillage comparisons should be based on samples taken well beyond the deepest tillage depth.     

Dissolved and Soil Organic Carbon after Long‐Term Conventional and No‐Tillage Sorghum Cropping

Abstract

Distribution of dissolved (DOC) and soil organic carbon (SOC) with depth may indicate soil and crop‐management effects on subsurface soil C sequestration. The objectives of this study were to investigate impacts of conventional tillage (CT), no tillage (NT), and cropping sequence on the depth distribution of DOC, SOC, and total nitrogen (N) for a silty clay loam soil after 20 years of continuous sorghum cropping. Conventional tillage consisted of disking, chiseling, ridging, and residue incorporation into soil, while residues remained on the soil surface for NT. Soil was sampled from six depth intervals ranging from 0 to 105 cm. Tillage effects on DOC and total N were primarily observed at 0–5 cm, whereas cropping sequence effects were observed to 55 cm. Soil organic carbon (C) was higher under NT than CT at 0–5 cm but higher under CT for subsurface soils. Dissolved organic C, SOC, and total N were 37, 36, and 66%, respectively, greater under NT than CT at 0–5 cm, and 171, 659, and 837% greater at 0–5 than 80–105 cm. The DOC decreased with each depth increment and averaged 18% higher under a sorghum–wheat–soybean rotation than a continuous sorghum monoculture. Both SOC and total N were higher for sorghum–wheat–soybean than continuous sorghum from 0–55 cm. Conventional tillage increased SOC and DOC in subsurface soils for intensive crop rotations, indicating that assessment of C in subsurface soils may be important for determining effects of tillage practices and crop rotations on soil C sequestration.     

耕作方式和秸秆还田对砂姜黑土碳库及玉米小麦产量的影响

长期秸秆还田免耕覆盖措施导致沿淮区域砂姜黑土耕层变浅、下表层(10～30 cm)容重增加、土壤养分不均衡等问题凸显,限制了小麦-玉米周年生产力的提高。耕作和秸秆还田措施合理的搭配组合是解决这一问题的有效方法。通过8年的小麦-玉米一年两熟田间试验,设置4个处理:1)玉米季免耕-小麦季免耕秸秆不还田(N);2)玉米季深耕-小麦季深耕秸秆不还田(D);3)玉米季秸秆免耕覆盖还田+小麦秸秆免耕覆盖还田(NS);4)玉米季秸秆免耕覆盖还田+小麦季秸秆深耕还田(DS)。通过分析作物收获后不同土壤深度(0～60 cm)总有机碳(TOC)、颗粒态碳(POC)、微生物生物量碳(MBC)、易氧化态碳(KMnO4-C)、可溶性有机碳(DOC)和土壤碳库管理指数(CPMI),并结合小麦-玉米的周年产量变化,以期获得培肥砂姜黑土的最佳模式。研究结果表明:1)相对于长期免耕措施(N),DS处理能够提高0～30 cm土层TOC、POC、MBC、KMnO4-C等组分含量和CPMI;而NS措施仅提高土壤表层(0～10 cm)TOC、活性有机碳组分含量和CPMI;2)DS处理显著提升了小麦-玉米的周年生产力,其麦玉的周年产量均值分别比N、D和NS处理高出14.7%、12.9%和8.5%;3)MBC和KMnO4-C对于耕作和秸秆还田措施都是较为敏感指示因子。总的来说,玉米季小麦秸秆覆盖还田+小麦季玉米秸秆深耕还田(DS)是改善沿淮地区砂姜黑土土壤碳库、提高小麦-玉米周年产量的一种有效农田管理模式。     

长期免耕与施用有机肥对土壤微生物生物量碳、氮、磷的影响

通过设置在江苏省句容农科所的田间定位试验研究长期免耕及施用有机肥料对土壤微生物生物量碳、氮、磷的影响。结果表明 :经过 1 6年 32茬稻—麦水旱轮作后 ,表土层 ( 0～ 5cm)土壤微生物生物量碳、氮、磷含量比亚表层 ( 5～ 1 0cm)分别高 2 7.5 %、43.6%和1 1 %。与常规耕翻相比长期免耕处理表土层土壤微生物生物量碳、氮含量分别增加了2 5 .4%和 45 .4% ,而微生物生物量磷无明显变化规律 ;亚表层的土壤微生物生物量碳、氮、磷免耕与耕翻两种耕作方式间的差异不显著。尽管各施肥处理施用的氮、磷、钾数量完全相等 ,但土壤微生物生物量碳、氮、磷的含量却因肥料种类的不同而异。综合 0～ 5和 5～ 1 0cm土层 ,微生物生物量碳、磷为 :猪粪 化肥 >秸秆 化肥 >绿肥 化肥 >化肥 >不施肥 ,微生物生物量氮则为 :猪粪 化肥 >绿肥 化肥 >秸秆 化肥 >化肥 >不施肥。相关分析结果显示 ,土壤微生物生物量碳、氮与土壤有机碳、土壤全氮和土壤碱解氮之间均呈极显著的正相关 ,表明其与土壤肥力关系密切 ,可作为评价土壤肥力性状的生物学指标     

Interactive effects of wheel‐traffic and tillage system on soil carbon and nitrogen

Abstract

Wheel‐traffic induced soil compaction has been shown to limit crop productivity, and its interaction with tillage method could affect soil nutrient transformations. A study was conducted during 1993–1994 to determine interactive effects of tillage method (conventional tillage and no‐tillage) and wheel‐traffic (traffic and no traffic) on soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) at a long‐term (initiated 1987) research site at Shorter, Alabama. The cropping system at this study site is a corn (Zea mays L.) ‐ soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] rotation with crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) as a winter cover crop. Soil organic C, total N, and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) were not significantly affected by six years of traffic and tillage treatments. However, conventional tillage compared to no‐tillage almost doubled the amount of CO₂‐C respired over the entire observation period and during April 1994 field operations. Soil respiration was stimulated immediately after application of wheel‐ traffic, but nontrafficked soils produced greater amounts of CO₂‐C compared to trafficked soils during other periods of observation. Nitrogen mineralization was significantly lower from no‐tillage‐trafficked soils compared to conventional tillage‐trafficked and no‐tillage‐nontrafficked soils for the 1993 growing season. A laboratory incubation indicated the presence of relatively easily mineralizable N substrates from conventional tillage‐trafficked soil compared to conventional tillage‐nontrafficked and no‐till‐trafficked soils. For the coarse textured soil used in this study it appears that conventional tillage in combination with wheel‐traffic may promote the highest levels of soil microbial activity.     

The effect of trends in tillage practices on erosion and carbon content of soils in the US corn belt

The EPIC model was used to simulate soil erosion and soil C content at 100 randomly selected sites in the US corn belt. Four management scenarios were run for 100 years: (1) current mix of tillage practices maintained; (2) current trend of conversion to mulch-till and no-till maintained; (3) trend to increased no-till; (4) trend to increased no-till with addition of winter wheat cover crop. As expected, the three alternative scenarios resulted in substantial decreases in soil erosion compared to the current mix of tillage practices. C content of the top 15 cm of soil increased for the alternative scenarios, while remaining approximately constant for the current tillage mix. However, total soil C to a depth of 1 m from the original surface decreased for all scenarios except for the no-till plus winter wheat cover crop scenario. Extrapolated to the entire US corn belt, the model results suggest that, under the current mix of tillage practices, soils used for corn and/or soybean production will lose 3.2 × 10⁶ tons of C per year for the next 100 years. About 21% of this loss will be C transported off-site by soil erosion; an unknown fraction of this C will be released to the atmosphere. For the base trend and increased no-till trend, these soils are projected to lose 2.2 × 10⁶ t-C yr^?1 and 1.0 × 10⁶ t-C yr^?1, respectively. Under the increased no-till plus cover crop scenario, these soils become a small sink of 0.1 × 10⁶ t-C yr^?1. Thus, a shift from current tillage practices to widespread use of no-till plus winter cover could conserve and sequester a total of 3.3 × 10⁶ t-C yr^?1 in the soil for the next 100 years.