Seasonal,annual, and treatment-induced variation in available nitrogen pools and nitrogen-cycling processes in soils of two Douglas-fir stands

Summary Forest-floor and 0–10 cm depth mineral soil horizons in two stands of Douglas fir were sampled for available NH₄ ⁺-N and NO₃ ^–-N, N-mineralization potentials, and nitrification potentials for 2 years. The plots in each stand were sampled for 1 year, treated with either ammonium sulfate, carbohydrate (sawdust-sucrose), irrigation, carbohydrate plus irrigation, or no treatment (control), and then sampled for 1 year following treatment. In general, the direction of change following the treatments was the same for both the forest-floor and the mineral soils. Fertilization increased the NH₄ ⁺-N and NO₃ ^–-N pools, nitrification potential, and N-mineralization potential, while treatment with carbohydrate decreased all of these characteristics. Irrigation generally increased NH₄ ⁺-N pools, nitrification potential, and N-mineralization potential, but decreased these characteristics in the soil at one site. Irrigation plus carbohydrate gave similar results to those of carbohydrate alone. Treatments altered pool sizes and/or potentials, but did not reduce within-year variance in any of these characteristics. Distinct seasonal patterns occurred in all measurements, suggesting that control of short-term variation in N-transformation processes is by factors which are dynamic in nature.     

Evapotranspiration and water use efficiency in different-aged Pacific Northwest Douglas-fir stands

We used the eddy-covariance technique to measure evapotranspiration (E) and gross primary production (GPP) in a chronosequence of three coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) stands (7, 19 and 58 years old in 2007, hereafter referred to as HDF00, HDF88 and DF49, respectively) since 1998. Here, we focus on the controls on canopy conductance (g_c), E, GPP and water use efficiency (WUE) and the effect of interannual climate variability at the intermediate-aged stand (DF49) and then analyze the effects of stand age following clearcut harvesting on these characteristics. Daytime dry-foliage Priestley–Taylor α and g_c at DF49 were 0.4–0.8 and 2–6 mm s^?1, respectively, and were linearly correlated (R² = 0.65). Low values of α and g_c at DF49 as well at the other two stands suggested stomatal limitation to transpiration. Monthly E, however, showed strong positive linear correlations to monthly net radiation (R² = 0.94), air temperature (R² = 0.77), and daytime vapour pressure deficit (R² = 0.76). During July–September, monthly E (mm) was linearly correlated to monthly mean soil water content (θ, m³ m^?3) in the 0–60 cm layer (E = 453θ ? 21, R² = 0.69), and GPP was similarly affected. Annual E and GPP of DF49 for the period 1998–2007 varied from 370 to 430 mm and from 1950 to 2390 g C m^?2, respectively. After clearcut harvesting, E dropped to about 70% of that for DF49 while ecosystem evapotranspiration was fully recovered when stand age was ～12 years. This contrasted to GPP, which varied hyperbolically with stand age. Monthly GPP showed a strong positive linear relationship with E irrespective of the stand age. While annual WUE of HDF00 and HDF88 varied with age from 0.5 to 4.1 g C m^?2 kg^?1 and from 2.8 to 4.4 g C m^?2 kg^?1, respectively, it was quite conservative at ～5.3 g C m^?2 kg^?1 for DF49. N-fertilization had little first-year response on E and WUE. This study not only provides important results for a more detailed validation of process-based models but also helps in predicting the influences of climate change and forest management on water vapour and CO₂ fluxes in Douglas-fir forests.     

Presence and dispersal of infective Frankia in peat and meadow soils in Sweden

Summary Use of the N₂-fixing grey alder, Alnus incana (L.) Moench, as a short-rotation crop for energy production is currently being explored. To evaluate the need for inoculation of alders, the distribution of infective propagules of Frankia in the soil at potential sites for alder plantations was examined. Uninoculated grey alder seedlings were grown in three types of soil. Frequent nodulation was found in a meadow soil which had been free from actinorhizal plants for nearly 60 years, but the alder seedlings failed to nodulate in peat soil from two different bog sites. One of these bogs had been exploited for peat and the surface layer of the peat had been removed, so that the soil samples were taken from deep layers of the peat. At the other site, an area of cultivated peat, there were no infective propagules of Frankia in plots without alders; the infective Frankia was present in plots only where it had been introduced by inoculated alders. There was no detectable air-borne dispersal of Frankia. Instead, water movement might account for the dispersal of Frankia in peat. Although the apparent absence of Frankia in these peat soils necessitates inoculation of alder seedlings before planting out, this makes it possible to introduce and maintain Frankia strains with selected beneficial characteristics, since there is no competition from an indigenous Frankia flora.     

Population size and N2-fixing activity of native peanut rhizobia in soils of Thailand

Summary The objective of this study was to assess the number and effectiveness of peanut rhizobia in soils of the major peanut-growing areas of Thailand. Three cropping areas, (1) continuously cropped with peanuts, (2) continuously cropped with non-legumes, and (3) non-cultivated fields, were chosen in each region. Peanut rhizobia were found in the soil at 38 to 55 sites sampled. Cultivated fields with a peanut cultivation history contained (as estimated by most probable numbers) an average of 1.6×10³ cells g^-1 of soil. The numbers of peanut rhizobia in most of the fallow fields and some of the noncultivated shrub or forest locations were much the same as at the sites where Arachis hypogaea was cultivated. In contrast, there were no or few (28–46 cells g^-1 soil) peanut rhizobia in the majority of fields continuously cultivated with sugarcane, cassava, corn, and pineapple. It appears that in these areas the indigenous peanut rhizobial populations are not adequate in number for a maximal nodulation of peanuts. A total of 343 Bradyrhizobium isolates were tested for effectiveness and were found to vary widely in their ability to fix N₂. In some areas the majority of rhizobia were quite effective while in others they were less effective than the inoculum strain THA 205 recommended in Thailand.     

Carbon dioxide fluxes in coastal Douglas-fir stands at different stages of development after clearcut harvesting

Forests play a significant role in the global carbon (C) cycle. Variability in weather, species, stand age, and current and past disturbances are some of the factors that control stand-level C dynamics. This study examines the relative roles of stand age and associated structural characteristics and weather variability on the exchange of carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and three different coastal Douglas-fir stands at different stages of development after clearcut harvesting. The eddy covariance technique was used to measure carbon dioxide fluxes and a portable soil chamber system was used to measure soil respiration in the three stands located within 50 km of each other on the east coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. In 2002, the recently clearcut harvested stand (HDF00) was a large C source, the pole/sapling aged stand (HDF88) was a moderate C source, and the rotation-aged stand (DF49) was a moderate C sink (net ecosystem production of −606, −133, and 254 g C m⁻² year⁻¹, respectively). Annual gross ecosystem production and ecosystem respiration also increased with increasing stand age. Differences in stand structural characteristics such as species composition and phenology were important in determining the timing and magnitude of maximum gross ecosystem production and net ecosystem production through the year. Both soil and ecosystem respiration were exponentially related to soil temperature in each stand with total ecosystem respiration differing more among stands than soil respiration. Between 1998 and 2003, annual net ecosystem production ranged from 254 to 424 g C m⁻² year⁻¹ over 6 years for DF49, from −623 to −564 g C m⁻² year⁻¹ over 3 years for HDF00, and from −154 to −133 g C m⁻² year⁻¹ over 2 years for HDF88. Interannual variations in C exchange of the oldest, most structurally stable stand (DF49) were related to variations in spring weather while the rapid growth of understory and pioneer species influenced variations in HDF00. The differences in net ecosystem production among stands (maximum of 1000 g C m⁻² year⁻¹ between the oldest and youngest stands) were an order of magnitude greater than the differences among years within a stand and emphasized the importance of age-related differences in stand structure on C exchange processes.     

Pore size distribution measurements in swell-shrink soils

A method for the determination of pore size distribution in swell-shrink soils was described. Undisturbed core samples, saturated and drained at 1.5 MPa suction, were filled with a non-polar liquid (xylol), and its retention at suctions lower than 1.5 MPa was measured. Oven dry samples were analyzed in the same way. Derived pore size distributions were compared with those obtained by water desorption. Pore size distributions and their relative changes as a function of water content were related to some soil constituents and properties. Stability factor and sum of montmorillonite and vermiculite significantly influenced the pore size distribution by water release, A higher stability factor resulted in lower relative changes (ratios) in the pore size classes <10 μm and 0.2–10 μm when the samples were drained from saturation to 1.5 MPa suction, however, at extreme dryness, the relative changes were positively correlated to the sum of montmorillonite and vermiculite.     

Isolation and characterization of a mycorrhiza helper bacterium from rhizosphere soils of poplar stands

If mycorrhizal formation could be enhanced by co-inoculation with mycorrhiza helper bacteria (MHB) which promote rapid root colonization by specific ectomycorrhizal fungi, this would be of advantage to the poplar forest industry. A number of poplar rhizobacterial strains were isolated from 11 regions of the eastern China. Four of the isolates, SY15, DZ18, HLJ4, and PY10, were characterized as MHB potential strains based on their positive effect on growth of ectomycorrhizal fungi Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers.) and Lactarius insulsus (Fr.). Under greenhouse conditions, one of the bacterial isolate, DZ18, significantly promoted the poplar trees growth and ectomycorrhizal colonization of P. tinctorius and L. insulsus on Populus deltoides Marsh. In contrast, the other three isolates SY15, HLJ4, and PY10 promoted fungal growth in vitro experiments but did not enhance ectomycorrhizal (ECM) formation in the greenhouse experiment. Therefore, it was concluded that DZ18 can be considered as an MHB strain. DZ18 was identified as Bacillus sp. based on morphological, physiological, and biochemical analyses in combination with analysis of 16S rDNA gene sequences.     

西天目集约经营雷竹林土壤硅存在形态与植物有效性研究

在雷竹主产地临安西天目选取了集约经营下不同种植年限(1、5、10、15 a)的雷竹林地,采集不同深度(0～10 cm、10～20 cm和20～40 cm)土样,运用逐级化学提取等技术,研究集约经营雷竹林土壤硅素含量与形态随种植年限和土壤剖面深度的变化规律,为雷竹林地土壤有效态硅调控提供理论依据。研究结果表明:(1)雷竹林土壤不同土层有效态硅的含量(0.084～0.318 g kg-1)和所占的比例(1.60%～12.3%)随种植年限和有机物覆盖年限的增加呈先下降后上升趋势;(2)雷竹林表层土壤无定形硅含量(2.58～5.15g kg-1)和所占比例(75.1%～87.7%)随种植年限的增加呈上升趋势;(3)覆盖有机物可同时促进无定形硅向有效态硅、有机结合态硅、铁锰(氢)氧化物结合态硅转变。     

Nitrogen availability decreases prokaryotic diversity in sandy soils

In this study, the interrelation between nitrogen availability and prokaryotic diversity are studied using a well-characterised system from a long-term field experiment on a loamy sandy soil. The prokaryotic potential functional diversity and community composition were assessed using community-level physiological profiling (CLPP), and their phylogenetic diversity was analysed using polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) in combination with sequencing analysis. Highest prokaryotic potential functional diversity was measured in the control soil receiving no N fertilisation, indicating an efficient as well as versatile utilisation of the substrates in this soil. Both substrate utilisation richness and substrate utilisation evenness, the two constituents of the functional diversity, were decreased with increasing N supply. Furthermore, distinct prokaryotic community compositions were generated in N-enriched soils compared to unfertilised control soils. These differences suggest a dominance of populations adapted to utilising readily available substrates. We demonstrated that the shift in prokaryotic functional diversity was connected to a shift in the phylogenetic structure of the bacterial and archaeal communities. Taken together, our data clearly show that, for the sandy soil system, prokaryotic diversity and N availability were interrelated.     

多环芳烃胁迫下稻田土壤细菌及分支杆菌种群多样性研究

多环芳烃（PAHs）污染对土壤微生物群落特别是微生物功能群的影响一直备受关注。本文应用变性梯度凝胶电泳（DGGE）技术,从群落和功能群多样性两个角度,分析了PAHs胁迫条件下稻田土壤细菌遗传多样性及与PAHs降解有密切关系的分支杆菌种群多样性变化。结果表明,PAHs污染对稻田土壤细菌群落多样性指数无显著影响,但造成土壤细菌群落结构的改变,重度PAHs造成一些对污染敏感的细菌种类消失,而使一些与PAHs降解有关的细菌种类丰度增加。而对与多环芳烃降解有密切关系的分支杆菌而言,中度PAHs污染稻田土壤分支杆菌种群多样性指数较重度和轻度PAHs污染土壤的略高,不同PAHs污染程度稻田土壤的优势分支杆菌种类不尽相同,PAHs污染造成稻田土壤1种或几种分支杆菌得到富集。长期PAHs污染造成土壤细菌群落和分支杆菌种群结构的变化,将直接影响土壤生态系统功能的发挥,间接改变土壤质量。     

不同种类中国杉对土壤养分状况的影响

The effects of different types of Chinese fir stand,including those with varous composition (pure and mixed),in various cropping systems (first and continuous cropping system)and at different ages,on the nutrient status of soils the hilly regions of southern Anhui Province were studied by means of ecological sequential comparison on the basis of similar climate and soil type.The work was carried out in the Xiaoxi Forest Farm of Jingxian County and the Caijiaqiao Forest Farm of Jingde Coundy,where the soil is parayellow soil derived from phyllite and sandstone,The results revealed that with the increase of age,Chinese fir pure stand could accumulate organic matter and nitrogen in the soil but it resulted in decreasing of soil pH and base ions(especially Ca^2 ) compared to its mixed stand with broad-leaf trees such as Chinese sassafras,In order to improve the soil fertility,It would be better to mix Chinese fir with broad-leaf trees when afforestation In the management of Chinese fir pure stand,base compounds and phosphates should be added to the soil for mintaining soil fertility and raising and raising forest productivity.     

Methane and nitrous oxide fluxes of soils in pure and mixed stands of European beech and Norway spruce

Tree species can affect the sink and source strength of soils for atmospheric methane and nitrous oxide. Here we report soil methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) fluxes of adjacent pure and mixed stands of beech and spruce at Solling, Germany. Mean CH₄ uptake rates ranged between 18 and 48 μg C m^?2 hour^?1 during 2.5 years and were about twice as great in both mixed and the pure beech stand as in the pure spruce stand. CH₄ uptake was negatively correlated with the dry mass of the O horizon, suggesting that this diminishes the transport of atmospheric CH₄ into the mineral soil. Mean N₂O emission was rather small, ranging between 6 and 16 μg N m^?2 hour^?1 in all stands. Forest type had a significant effect on N₂O emission only in one mixed stand during the growing season. We removed the O horizon in additional plots to study its effect on gas fluxes over 1.5 years, but N₂O emissions were not altered by this treatment. Surprisingly, CH₄ uptake decreased in both mixed and the pure beech stands following the removal of the O horizon. The decrease in CH₄ uptake coincided with an increase in the soil moisture content of the mineral soil. Hence, O horizons may maintain the gas diffusivity within the mineral soil by storing water which cannot penetrate into the mineral soil after rainfall. Our results indicate that conversion of beech forests to beech–spruce and pure spruce forests could decrease soil CH₄ uptake, while the long‐term effect on N₂O emissions is expected to be rather small.     

Splash distance and size distributions for various soils

Splash is an important process in interrill erosion because it produces movement of soil fragments. However, this process is technically difficult to measure and little is known about its size selectivity. In this study, a splash ring device was used to characterise the spatial variation of the quantity and the aggregate size distribution of splashed soil fragments. Soil aggregates were placed at the centre of an experimental device subjected to a 29 mm h⁻¹ simulated rainfall with a kinetic energy of 17 J mm⁻¹. Splashed soil fragments were collected in concentric rings and analysed for masses and fragment size distributions. Four different soils, with various textures, were tested.Soils fragments were splashed across the whole splash device up to 45 cm from the source, and the quantity of splashed fragments decreased exponentially with the distance. For the four tested soils, the splash parameters were significantly correlated to the results of aggregate stability measurements with r=−0.96 and r=0.95, respectively, for the total splashed mass and the mean weight diameter (MWD) of the whole splashed fragments. The measurement of the splashed fragment size distributions showed that fragments up to 2000 μm were transported by raindrop impacts. The mass percentage of the coarsest fractions of splashed soil fragments exponentially decreased with the distance from the source. The extent of this decrease depends on the soil type. The size distributions of splashed soil fragments were compared with those of soil fragments produced by breakdown. Comparison of splash data to aggregate breakdown data showed an enrichment of the 200–1000 μm size fraction in the splashed fragments.     

Population density and taxonomic composition of bacterial nanoforms in soils of Russia

The population density, physiological state, and taxonomic composition of bacterial nanoforms were first studied in soils of Russia. It was demonstrated with the help of fluorescent microscopy that the populations of nanoforms in the studied soils are very high and comprise tens and hundreds of millions of cells per 1 g of soil. The portion of cells with undamaged cell membranes was significantly higher in the nanoforms (95–98%) than in the cells of common size (about 50%), and this fact suggests the viability of the nanoforms. The taxonomic diversity of the nanoforms is great; the representatives of the main phylogenetic groups widespread in the soils were found among the nanoforms, namely, Archaea, Actinobacteria, Cytophaga, and Proteobacteria. The results allow assuming that the transformation of the cells into nanoforms is a relatively common event in the life of soil bacteria, allowing them to remain viable under unfavorable conditions and participate actively in soil processes.     

施肥对板栗林土壤活性碳库和温室气体排放的影响

在浙江省临安市典型板栗林试验地,利用静态箱-气相色谱法测定了不同施肥条件下板栗林土壤CO2和N2O排放速率,同时测定了土壤水溶性有机碳（WSOC）和微生物量碳（MBC）含量。初步探讨了施肥对板栗林土壤活性碳库与温室气体排放速率的影响,以及土壤温室气体排放速率与活性碳库之间的关系。本试验设置不施肥（CK）、 无机肥（IF）、 有机肥 （OF）和有机无机混合肥（OIF,1/2无机肥和1/2有机肥）4个施肥处理。结果表明, 施肥1个月后,与不施肥（CK）处理相比,无机肥（IF）、 有机肥（OF）和有机无机混合肥（OIF）处理下土壤CO2排放速率分别增加了87%、 38%和61%, N2O排放速率分别增加了101%、 67%和95%; 而施肥6个月后,与CK处理相比,IF、 OF和OIF处理下土壤CO2 排放速率分别增加了51%、 43%和64%,N2O排放速率分别增加了21%、 29%和47%。同时,施肥显著增加板栗林土壤WSOC和MBC含量（P＜0.05）。此外,土壤CO2和N2O排放速率与WSOC含量均呈显著正相关（P0.05）,而与MBC含量没有显著的相关性。因此,施肥引起板栗林地土壤WSOC含量增加可能是导致板栗林地土壤温室气体排放增加的重要原因之一。     

Population dynamics of amoebae in soils suppressive and non-suppressive to wheat take-all

Populations of soil amoebae were estimated throughout two wheat crops and a fallow from wheat rotations suppressive and non-suppressive to take-all. The suppressive pasture-pasture-wheat plot showed higher rhizosphere populations of mycophagous amoebae and higher associations of mycophagous and other amoebae with wheat roots throughout the crop period than the non-suppressive continuous-wheat plot. Populations of mycophagous amoebae were positively and significantly (P = 0.05) correlated with populations of the take-all fungus in both soils, and with soil moisture in the non-suppressive soil. The possible role of mycophagous amoebae in the wheat rhizosphere in suppressive soil is discussed.     

Genetic diversity of rhizobia associated with alfalfa in Serbian soils

We have evaluated the genetic diversity and phylogeny of alfalfa rhizobia, originating from different types of soils in Serbia and their ability to establish an effective symbiosis with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). A collection of 65 strains isolated from root nodules of alfalfa were characterized by rep-PCR analysis, partial and complete 16S rDNA gene and recA gene sequencing, as well as atpD gene sequencing and DNA–DNA hybridizations. The results of the sequence analyses revealed that Sinorhizobium meliloti is the dominant species in alfalfa nodules. Only one strain was identified as Sinorhizobium medicae, two strains as Rhizobium tibeticum and one strain as Rhizobium sp. Despite the fact that the majority of strains were identified as S. meliloti, a high genetic diversity at strain level was detected. Almost all isolates shared the ability to nodulate and fix nitrogen with M. sativa, except 11 of them, which were incapable of fixing nitrogen with this species. About 50% of the isolates showed values of symbiotic effectiveness (SE) above 50%, while 10% of the strains were highly effective with SE values above 70%. Some of the strains which were highly effective in nitrogen fixation at the same time could intensively solubilize phosphates, offering a possibility for multipurpose inoculum development. This was the first genetic study of rhizobia isolated from this region and also the first report of natural presence of R. tibeticum in root nodules of M. sativa.