Soft rock for improving crop yield in sandy soil in the Mu Us desert,China

Soft rock efficiently retains water because it is hard when dry but expands rapidly when wet, thus it can be used as a natural water retention agent. Therefore, soft rock can be blended with sandy soil to enhance the water-holding capacity of sandy land. Understanding how soft rock content in sandy soil affects corn growth (Zea mays L.) is essential for enhancing local agricultural production in the Mu Us Desert. The Root Zone Water Quality Model 2 was calibrated and validated based on 2-years of experimental data for composite soils prepared at three ratios of soft rock to sand (1:1, 1:2, and 1:5 v/v), and then used to estimate the water non-limiting potential yield (Yp) and the potential yield of a rainfed crop [Yp(r)], along with yield gap [YG(r)] of corn using the weather data from 1990 to 2013 in the Mu Us Desert. The mean simulated Yp(r) of corn in the compound soil at a ratio of 1:2 was significantly higher than that of the compound soil at 1:1 and 1:5 ratios, respectively. The mean simulated Yp(r)s of corn were 2.551, 3.527, and 2.924?Mg ha^?1 and the YG(r)s were 6.071, 5.096, and 5.698?Mg ha^?1 for 1:1, 1:2, and 1:5 ratios, respectively. The crop yield depends on the amount of soft rock added to the sandy soils.     

燕沟流域退耕地土壤有机碳、全氮和酶活性对植被恢复过程的响应

本文以黄土高原丘陵区陕北延安燕沟流域为例,研究了退耕地土壤有机碳、全氮和酶活性对植被恢复过程的响应。结果表明,随植被恢复年限的增加,植被盖度、多度和物种数均呈现先增加后减少然后又增加的趋势。同当年对照农地相比,随着植被恢复年限的增加,表层（0～20cm）土壤有机碳、全氮、蔗糖酶、脲酶和碱性磷酸酶活性均明显增加,过氧化氢酶活性随植被恢复年限的增加变化不明显。同对照农地相比,表层土壤有机碳、全氮、蔗糖酶、脲酶和碱性磷酸酶活性分别增加了35％～184．6％、5．7％～157．4％、89．6％～566％、32．9％～331．2％和0．18％～184．8％。表层土壤有机碳和脲酶活性对植被恢复的响应是在植被恢复初期（0～8年）,随植被恢复年限的增加而增加,植被恢复8～29年期间,随植被恢复年限的增加而减少,而植被恢复29a以后,又随植被恢复年限的增加而增加。而表层土壤全氮、蔗糖酶和碱性磷酸酶活性对植被恢复的响应是在植被恢复初期（0～16年）,随植被恢复年限的增加而增加,植被恢复16～29年期间,随植被恢复年限的增加而减少,植被恢复29a以后,又随植被恢复年限的增加而增加。表层土壤蔗糖酶、脲酶和碱性磷酸酶活性与有机碳和全氮呈极显著的相关关系,而表层土壤过氧化氢酶活性与有机碳和全氮相关性不明显。     

围栏禁牧对毛乌素沙地土壤理化特征的影响

过度放牧导致干旱半干旱区毛乌素沙地草地严重退化。通过禁牧措施排除放牧干扰,使草地自然恢复,作为一种低投入的措施在世界各国退化草地生态系统恢复中得到广泛采用。文中对毛乌素沙地三种不同管理类型(持续放牧、围栏5年和围栏16年)土壤理化性状进行了研究,研究结果显示:围栏禁牧5年对0～30cm土壤颗粒组成和容重没有显著影响;围栏禁牧16年0～10cm土壤容重显著小于持续放牧区,而极细沙、粉粒和粘粒含量显著高于持续放牧区;围栏5年显著增加了0～5cm土壤有机碳,而0～30cm的全氮均没有显著增加。围栏16年土壤有机碳较放牧区在0～5cm、5～10cm、10～30cm分别显著增加了231%、81%、55%;全氮含量的变化趋势与之相同。结果表明,围栏5年对土壤粘粉粒、全氮含量的恢复基本没有效果;围栏16年能显著增加表层土壤粘粉粒含量和有机碳、全氮,但土壤碳、氮水平还是在比较低的水平(有机碳:4.30g.kg-1;全氮:0.74g.kg-1),即长期禁牧可以逐渐改善土壤质地和提高土壤肥力。研究结果为半干旱退化沙质草地生态系统的恢复、重建及管理提供科学依据。     

黄土丘陵沟壑区退耕植被恢复地土壤水稳性团聚体的变化特征

以黄土高原典型丘陵沟壑区—吴旗县为例,研究了退耕地不同植被恢复年限、不同植被类型和不同恢复方式下的土壤水稳性团聚体含量的变化。结果表明,>0.25mm土壤水稳性团聚体含量,在0～60cm土层随着退耕地恢复年限的延长而不断增加,乔木地相对较高,草地相对较低,灌木地介于两者之间。自然恢复方式>自然 人工恢复方式>人工恢复方式,坡耕地的团粒含量最低;在0～20cm土层,恢复前期土壤水稳性团聚体含量增幅较大,后期增幅较小,而40～60cm土层的变化规律则相反。对同一种植被类型,>5mm的土壤水稳性团聚体含量从0～20cm到40～60cm土层均呈下降趋势,并且在较浅土层灌木地的降幅相对较大,在较深土层乔木地的降幅相对较大。人为干预使得土壤水稳性团聚体从大粒径向小粒径转化,这种转化在较深土层表现的较明显。可见,在退耕地植被恢复中,具有较长恢复年限的乔木地,土壤的抗蚀性较强;自然 人工的恢复方式既缩短了植被恢复时间,也提高了土壤水稳性团聚体含量,从而改善了土壤结构。     

Effects of freezing intensity on soil solution nitrogen and microbial biomass nitrogen in an alpine grassland ecosystem on the Tibetan Plateau,China

The change of freeze-thaw pattern of the Tibetan Plateau under climate warming is bound to have a profound impact on the soil process of alpine grassland ecosystem;however,the research on the impact of the freeze-thaw action on nitrogen processes of the alpine grassland ecosystem on the Tibetan Plateau has not yet attracted much attention.In this study,the impact of the freezing strength on the soil nitrogen components of alpine grassland on the Tibetan Plateau was studied through laboratory freeze-thaw simulation experiments.The 0–10 cm topsoil was collected from the alpine marsh meadow and alpine meadow in the permafrost region of Beilu River.In the experiment,the soil samples were cultivated at –10°C,–7°C,–5°C,–3°C and –1°C,respectively for three days and then thawed at 2°C for one day.The results showed that after the freeze-thaw process,the soil microbial biomass nitrogen significantly decreased while the dissolved organic nitrogen and inorganic nitrogen significantly increased.When the freezing temperature was below –7°C,there was no significant difference between the content of nitrogen components,which implied a change of each nitrogen component might have a response threshold toward the freezing temperature.As the freeze-thaw process can lead to the risk of nitrogen loss in the alpine grassland ecosystem,more attention should be paid to the response of the soil nitrogen cycle of alpine grasslands on the Tibetan Plateau to the freeze-thaw process.     

Corn straw return can increase labile soil organic carbon fractions and improve water-stable aggregates in Haplic Cambisol

Corn straw return to the field is a vital agronomic practice for increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) and its labile fractions, as well as soil aggregates and organic carbon (OC) associated with water-stable aggregates (WSA). Moreover, the labile SOC fractions play an important role in OC turnover and sequestration. The aims of this study were to determine how different corn straw returning modes affect the contents of labile SOC fractions and OC associated with WSA. Corn straw was returned in the following depths: (1) on undisturbed soil surface (NTS), (2) in the 0-10 cm soil depth (MTS), (3) in the 0-20 cm soil depth (CTS), and (4) no corn straw applied (CK). After five years (2014-2018), soil was sampled in the 0-20 and 20-40 cm depths to measure the water-extractable organic C (WEOC), permanganate oxidizable C (KMnO₄-C), light fraction organic C (LFOC), and WSA fractions. The results showed that compared with CK, corn straw amended soils (NTS, MTS and CTS) increased SOC content by 11.55%-16.58%, WEOC by 41.38%-51.42%, KMnO₄-C and LFOC by 29.84%-34.09% and 56.68%-65.36% in the 0-40 cm soil depth. The LFOC and KMnO₄-C were proved to be the most sensitive fractions to different corn straw returning modes. Compared with CK, soils amended with corn straw increased mean weight diameter by 24.24%-40.48% in the 0-20 cm soil depth. The NTS and MTS preserved more than 60.00% of OC in macro-aggregates compared with CK. No significant difference was found in corn yield across all corn straw returning modes throughout the study period, indicating that adoption of NTS and MTS would increase SOC content and improve soil structure, and would not decline crop production.     

An over review of desertification in Xinjiang,Northwest China

Desertification research in arid and semi-arid regions has always been actively pursued. In China, the problem of desertification in Xinjiang has also received extensive attention. Due to its unique geography, many scholars have conducted corresponding research on the desertification status of Xinjiang. In this paper, we comprehensively reviewed desertification in Xinjiang, and compared the underlying mechanisms of desertification and the status of desertification conditions after the implementation of ecological control projects. On a larger scale, desertification in Xinjiang can be divided into soil salinization inside oases and sandy desertification on the edges of oases. Human activities are considered the main cause of desertification, but natural factors also contribute to varying degrees. Research on the mechanisms of desertification has effectively curbed the development of desertification, but unreasonable use of land resources accelerates the risk of desertification. For desertification control, there are several key points. First, desertification monitoring and the early warning of desertification expansion should be strengthened. Second, monitoring and reversing soil salinization also play an important role in the interruption of desertification process. It is very effective to control soil salinization through biological and chemical methods. Third, the management of water resources is also essential, because unreasonable utilization of water resources is one of the main reasons for the expansion of desertification in Xinjiang. Due to the unreasonable utilization of water resources, the lower reaches of the Tarim River are cut off, which leads to a series of vicious cycles, such as the deterioration of ecological environment on both sides of the river and the worsening of desertification. However, in recent years, various desertification control projects implemented in Xinjiang according to the conditions of different regions have achieved remarkable results. For future studies, research on the stability of desert-oasis transition zone is also significantly essential, because such investigations can help to assess the risk of degradation and control desertification on a relatively large scale.     

基于MTVDI与DDI二元回归模型对毛乌素沙地腹部土壤表层水分的研究

采用温度植被干旱指数法(MTVDI)与荒漠化指数法(DDI),利用2016年4月、9月的Landsat数据对毛乌素沙地腹部的土壤水分进行反演,并与实测的土壤水分进行对比检验,将所反演的土壤含水量图划分为4个等级,基于此分析了2个时期毛乌素沙地腹部的旱情土壤水分分布变化。结果显示：(1)4月份MTVDI指数与0~10 cm、10~20 cm、20~30 cm土层土壤含水量的R²值分别为0.656、0.646、0.637,整体高于9月份R²值0.457、0.436、0.431,MTVDI能够较好地反映毛乌素沙地腹部土壤表层水分,且精度较高;(2)荒漠化指数DDI与MTVDI结合建立二元线性回归模型监测区域土层0~10 cm深度含水量,平均相对误差为10.95 %;(3)4月份,研究区0~10 cm表层土壤含水量5%~10%区域占总面积的53.72%以上,达到了6 256 km²,含水量偏低,需要加强当地水资源管理。     

风沙土水分入渗与再分布过程中湿润锋运移试验研究

利用室内模拟试验系统,对塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地风沙土在滴灌条件下的水分入渗与水分再分布过程中湿润锋的运动规律进行了模拟试验研究。根据模拟试验描述了风沙土在滴灌条件下水分入渗与再分布情况下湿润体的形状变化,研究了在水平方向上与垂直方向上风沙土的湿润锋推进规律及运动特征,揭示了随着累计入渗量的增加,湿润锋推进过程在入渗初期速率较大,逐渐成减小趋势,并最终达到稳定入渗状态;在土壤水分再分布过程中土壤湿润锋面不断向外部推移,最后达到相对稳定;对风沙土水分入渗及再分布过程中其湿润锋的推进距离与时间做了函数关系拟合,其中乘幂函数关系式拟合最好。     

陕北固沙林恢复过程中土壤碳氮组分库特征与固存效应

选取陕北毛乌素沙地从半固定沙地到恢复2354a的灌木和乔木固沙林地,采用密度分组法分析表层土壤轻、重组分碳氮含量、C/N的演变及累积速率、固定碳氮贡献率特征。结果表明:固沙林从恢复2354a,乔木和灌木林土壤轻组碳分别增加了14.040.6倍和8.819.2倍,显著高于对应重组碳3.27.7倍和3.58.1倍的增幅;对应轻组氮分别增加了14.540.9倍和11.829.1倍,也显著高于重组氮4.68.5倍和4.412.6倍的增幅,说明轻组碳氮相对重组碳氮对固沙林恢复更加敏感。土壤轻重组碳氮含量增加使得乔木和灌木林轻组碳密度增速分别达0.57mg·hm^-2·a^-1和0.26mg·hm^-2·a^-1,重组碳密度增速则仅为0.18mg·hm^-2·a^-1和0.20mg·hm^-2·a^-1;同时,轻组氮密度增速分别达0.03mg·hm^-2·a^-1和0.02mg·hm^-2·a^-1,重组氮密度增速则分别达0.02mg·hm^-2·a^-1和0.04mg·hm^-2·a^-1。按此碳氮组分增速,到固沙林恢复54a时,乔木林和灌木林土壤轻组碳可分别贡献75.9%和59.4%的全有机碳增量;土壤重组氮则可贡献44.6%和63.9%的全氮增量。另外,恢复54a两种林地土壤重组C/N分别比半固定沙地降低11.4%和38.5%。但轻组C/N在乔木林并无显著变化,在灌木林恢复2354a土壤轻组C/N降低了21.7%31.0%,显著改变了土壤碳库性质。表明陕北固沙林恢复土壤表现出显著的固定碳氮效应,并且乔木林有更好的固碳能力,灌木林则有较好的固氮效应。     

绿洲农田土壤团聚体组成及有机碳和全氮分布对秸秆还田方式的响应

通过田间定位试验,在甘肃干旱灌区,研究了不同小麦秸秆还田方式(NTSS: 25~30 cm 高茬收割立茬免耕; NTS: 25~30 cm高茬秸秆覆盖免耕; TIS: 25~30 cm 高茬秸秆深翻耕; CT: 传统不留茬深翻耕—对照) 对农田土壤团聚体及有机碳和全氮分布特征的影响,以期为优化试区种植模式与提高农业可持续发展提供依据。结果表明：免耕秸秆还田处理(NTSS、NTS)≥0.25 mm团聚体含量较高,与CT相比,在0~10、10~20、20~30 cm土层分别提高5.4%与12.5%、13.3%与14.1%、11.1%与19.2%,以NTS提高幅度较大。NTSS、NTS提高了0~10、20~30 cm土壤团聚体的平均重量直径,较CT处理分别提高6.7%与11.6%、7.6%与8.1%,以NTS提高效果最明显。NTSS、NTS处理土壤有机碳和全氮含量均高于 CT 处理,在0~10、10~20、20~30 cm土层,有机碳含量分别增大8.1%与13.3%、7.4%与11.4%、7.8%与12.8%;全氮含量分别提高14.6%与17.9%、14.5%与17.9%、16.2%与20.5%,同样,以NTS提高土壤有机碳及全氮程度较大。各级别团聚体中有机碳和全氮含量均随土层深度增加而减小,团聚体中有机碳和全氮含量随团聚体直径减小而增加,NTS处理在各土层各级别团聚体均保持较高的土壤有机碳及全氮含量。因此,前茬小麦25~30 cm秸秆覆盖免耕还田是干旱灌区增强土壤团聚体形成、提高土壤有机碳及全氮含量的适宜栽培措施。     

川西北草地沙化对土壤可溶性有机氮及酶活性的影响

为探究草地沙化对川西北高寒草地土壤可溶性有机氮及酶活性的影响,采用样地调查方法,研究了不同沙化程度草地可溶性有机氮、脲酶、蛋白酶、硝酸还原酶及精氨酸脱氨酶的变化特征。结果表明:随草地沙化程度加剧,土壤脲酶、蛋白酶、硝酸还原酶及精氨酸脱氨酶活性显著降低。与未沙化草地相比,重度沙化草地0~20cm土层脲酶、蛋白酶、硝酸还原酶及精氨酸脱氨酶活性分别降低了40.54%、30.68%、39.85%和44.00%;土壤可溶性有机氮随沙化程度增加呈下降趋势,相较于未沙化,轻度沙化、中度沙化和重度沙化草地土壤可溶性有机氮含量分别下降了22.36%、48.72%和67.77%,且0~20 cm土层变化最为显著。相关分析结果表明,酶活性与土壤氮素呈极显著正相关;硝酸还原酶与铵态氮、硝态氮、微生物量氮和可溶性有机氮的相关系数最高,分别达到0.868、0.850、0.789和0.701。     

Spatial heterogeneity of soil water content in the reversion process of desertification in arid areas

Sandy soils in arid,rain-fed environments have low and limited water content,which is a principal factor limiting vegetation development,and a key constraint controlling the structure and functions of the ecological systems in arid areas.The spatial heterogeneity of soil water content is a major soil property,and a focus of soil science and hydrology.On the southern edge of the Tengger Desert,sample plots were selected from mobile sand dunes in desertified lands that had been enclosed for 5,15 and 25 years,respectively.This study explored the dynamic and spatial heterogeneity of soil water content in these different layers of soil that were also in the reversion process of desertification.The results showed that the soil water content of the mobile sand dunes was highest when in the initial stages of the reversion process of desertification,while the soil water content in the 0-20 cm,20-40 cm and 40-60 cm layers of soil was 1.769%,3.011%,and 2.967% respectively,presenting a restoring tendency after 25 years of enclosure.There were significant differences,as a whole,in the soil water content among different restoration stages and different soil layers,respectively.Changes in soil water content,in different soil layers,at different restoration stages,exhibited exponential or spherical patterns.The spatial distribution of soil water content exhibited a mosaic patch pattern with obvious spatial heterogeneity.The ratio of the heterogeneity of spatial autocorrelation to gross spatial heterogeneity was greater than 50%.The gross spatial heterogeneity of the 0-20 cm layer of soil improved gradually,while those of the 20-40 cm and 40-60 cm layers improved initially,then weakened in the reversion process of desertification.This study revealed that restoration with sand-binding vegetation reduced soil water content,and increased its spatial heterogeneity in arid areas.However,after 25 years of vegetation-soil system restoration,the soil water content started to increase and its spatial heterogeneity started to weaken.These results will further benefit the understanding of the ecological mechanism between soil water and sand-binding vegetation.     

沙地生态系统中蚂蚁活动与地表植被及土壤环境间的互作关系

动物扰动与植被和土壤环境的之间互作关系是土壤生态系统的重要一环,对植被结构、动物分布和土壤特性具有重要的调节作用,对沙地生态系统恢复过程具有不可估量的影响。文中根据在科尔沁沙地土壤动物的研究结果,总结了地表植被和土壤条件对蚂蚁活动分布的影响,分析了蚂蚁活动对植被分布、结构和土壤性状的反馈作用,详细地探讨了蚂蚁筑丘活动与...     

干旱风沙灌漠土玉米田树脂包衣尿素施用效果研究

田间试验对比研究了树脂包衣尿素和普通尿素在灌漠土和风沙土两种土壤上种植玉米的肥料投入产出效益和产量差异。结果表明:树脂包衣尿素在灌漠土和风沙土两种土壤的玉米产量效应上均有良好的表现,与等氮量的普通尿素相比,灌漠土玉米增产6.4%,风沙土玉米增产15.4%。而在灌漠土和风沙土上分别施用是常规氮肥用量50%和67%的包衣尿素,则可获得与普通尿素相等的产量。灌漠土上施用树脂包衣尿素的经济效益好于普通尿素。风沙土上施用等氮量包衣尿素时,经济效益最好,施用67%包衣尿素时,经济效益略低。灌漠土与风沙土两个试验点比较,风沙土试验点不但施氮量比灌漠土高出127.5 kg/hm2,而且其产量还略低于灌漠土试验点。     

干旱区绿洲土壤有机碳高光谱估测及其影响因子分析

为了揭示干旱区绿洲土壤有机碳的分布格局及环境因子的影响,以新疆渭干河-库车河三角洲绿洲为研究区,通过实测土壤高光谱数据以及化学分析获取的剖面土壤有机碳数据,提出了一种土壤光谱和偏最小二乘回归预测模型相结合的土壤有机碳估算方法,并分析了表层土壤有机碳含量与环境因子之间的相关性。结果表明:土壤反射率二阶微分变换优于一阶微分,经二阶微分变换后的光谱可以较好地预测土壤有机碳含量,预测模型的决定系数R~2均大于0.8,RPD均大于1.5,模型具有较高的精度和较好的稳定性。绿洲剖面土壤有机碳含量介于0.172～17.376 g·kg~(-1)之间,且主要集中在0～60 cm;土壤有机碳的变异系数在35%～53%;各层土壤有机碳分布格局相似,绿洲内部明显高于绿洲外围,并均有向表层聚集的趋势。相关分析表明土壤含盐量是影响土壤有机碳含量最重要的环境因子。     

Prioritizing woody species for the rehabilitation of arid lands in western Iran based on soil properties and carbon sequestration

Plants are an important component in many natural ecosystems. They influence soil properties, especially in arid ecosystems. The selection of plant species based on their adaptations to site conditions is essential for rehabilitation of degraded sites and other construction sites such as check-dams. Other factors to be considered in species selection include their effects on soil properties and their abilities to meet other management objectives. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of native (Populus euphratica Oliv. and Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb.) and introduced (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. and Prosopis juliflora (Swartz) DC.) woody species on soil properties and carbon sequestration (CS) in an arid region of Iran. Soil sampling was collected at three soil depths (0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm) at the sites located under each woody species canopy and in an open area in 2017. Soil physical-chemical property was analyzed in the laboratory. The presence of a woody species changed soil characteristics and soil CS, compared with the open area. For example, the presence of a woody species caused a decrease in soil bulk density, of which the lowest value was observed under E. camaldulensis (1.38 g/cm³) compared with the open area (1.59 g/cm³). Also, all woody species significantly increased the contents of soil organic matter and total nitrogen, and introduced species had more significant effect than native species. The results showed that CS significantly increased under the canopy of all woody species in a decreasing order of P. euphratica (9.08 t/hm²)>E. camaldulensis (8.37 t/hm²)>P. juliflora (5.20 t/hm²)>T. ramosissima (2.93 t/hm²)>open area (1.33 t/hm²), thus demonstrating the positive effect of a woody species on CS. Although the plantation of non-native species had some positive effects on soil properties, we recommend increasing species diversity in plantations of native and introduced woody species to provide more diversity for the increased ecosystem services, resilience, health and long-term productivity.     

外源铅在土壤中的年际变化及对土壤有机碳矿化和速效养分的影响

以关中土为供试土样进行田间试验,向耕层土壤中添加不同浓度外源铅(Pb0:背景值,CK;Pb1:175 mg·kg~(-1)+背景值;Pb2:350 mg·kg~(-1)+背景值),进行小麦—玉米轮作试验。分别于2011—2013年小麦收获季采集耕层(0~20 cm)土壤,分析土壤中铅全量及有效态铅含量的年际变化,以及铅对小麦-玉米轮作模式下土壤有机碳(SOC)、溶解性有机碳(DOC)、微生物量碳(MBC)、碱解氮、速效磷、速效钾含量的影响。结果表明,三年中,施铅处理下土壤中铅全量及有效态铅含量分别下降13.22%和30.65%,总体呈现逐年下降趋势。与对照(CK)相比,Pb1、Pb2处理下SOC平均含量分别下降了16.30%和11.86%;DOC平均含量分别下降了4.05%和7.34%,与土壤铅含量呈现显著负相关关系;低浓度铅污染下土壤微生物商(q M)显著高于对照土壤,微生物量碳含量变化不显著。此外,土壤速效养分的分析显示,土壤碱解氮含量在外源铅加入初期下降明显,且在Pb1处理下碱解氮减少量最大;土壤速效磷含量随土壤铅含量增加而呈现下降趋势;土壤速效钾含量则随土壤铅含量的增加而增加。试验表明,外源铅的加入影响了土壤有机碳的稳定性,对土壤碳、氮循环产生了一定的影响;能够与土壤溶液中的磷酸根生成难溶性盐,与土壤胶体或土壤矿物晶格中的K+发生置换,加大土壤速效养分的流失风险。     

Crop yields and soil organic carbon dynamics in a long-term fertilization experiment in an extremely arid region of northern Xinjiang,China

A long-term fertilization experiment was set up in northern Xinjiang, China to evaluate the dynamics of crop production and soil organic carbon(SOC) from 1990 to 2012 with seven fertilization treatments. The seven treatments included an unfertilized control(CK) and six different combinations of phosphorus(P), potassium(K), nitrogen(N), straw(S) and animal manure(M). The balanced fertilization treatments had significantly(P0.05) higher average yields than the unbalanced ones. The treatment with 2/3 N from potassium sulfate(NPK) and 1/3 N from farmyard manure(NPKM) had a higher average yield than the other treatments. The average yields(over the 23 years) in the treatments of NPK, and urea, calcium superphosphate(NP) did not differ significantly(P0.05) but were higher than that in the treatment with urea and potassium sulfate(NK; P0.05). The results also show that the highest increases in SOC(P0.05) occurred in NPKM with a potential increase of 1.2 t C/(hm~2·a). The increase in SOC was only 0.31, 0.30 and 0.12 t C/(hm~2·a) for NPKS(9/10 N from NPK and 1/10 N from straw), NPK and NP, respectively; and the SOC in the NP, NK and CK treatments were approaching equilibrium and so did not rise or fall significantly over the 23-year experiment. A complete NPK plus manure fertilization program is recommended for this extremely arid region to maximize both yields and carbon sequestration.     

Distribution of soil aggregates and organic carbon in deep soil under long-term conservation tillage with residual retention in dryland

To ascertain the effects of long-term conservation tillage and residue retention on soil organic carbon(SOC) content and aggregate distribution in a deep soil(>20-cm depth) in a dryland environment,this paper analyzed the SOC and aggregate distribution in soil, and the aggregate-associated organic carbon(OC) and SOC physical fractions. Conservation tillage(reduced tillage with residue incorporated(RT) and no-tillage with residue mulch(NT)) significantly increased SOC sequestration and soil aggregation in deep soil compared with conventional tillage with residue removal(CT). Compared with CT, RT significantly increased the proportion of small macroaggregates by 23%–81% in the 10–80 cm layer, and the OC content in small macroaggregates by 1%–58% in the 0–80 cm layer. RT significantly increased(by 24%–90%) the OC content in mineral-SOC within small macroaggregates in the 0–60 cm layer, while there was a 23%–80% increase in the 0–40 cm layer with NT. These results indicated that:(1) conservation tillage treatments are beneficial for soil aggregation and SOC sequestration in a deep soil in a dryland environment; and(2)the SOC in mineral-associated OC plays important roles in soil aggregation and SOC sequestration. In conclusion, RT with NT is recommended as an agricultural management tool in dryland soils because of its role in improving soil aggregation and SOC sequestration.