Impacts of continuous excessive fertilization on soil potential nitrification activity and nitrifying microbial community dynamics in greenhouse system

Purpose

Sampling and analysis of greenhouse soils were conducted in Shouguang, China, to study continuous excessive fertilization effect on nitrifying microbial community dynamics in greenhouse environment.

Materials and methods

Potential nitrification activity (PNA), abundance, and structure of nitrifying microbial communities as well as the correlations with soil properties were investigated.

Results and discussion

Short-term excessive fertilization increased soil nutrient contents and the diversity of nitrifying microbial communities under greenhouse cultivation. However, the abundance and diversity of nitrifying communities decreased greatly due to the increase of soil acidity and salinity after 14 years of high fertilization in greenhouse. There was a significant positive correlation between soil PNA and the abundance of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) but not that of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) in topsoil (0–20 cm) when pH ≥7. Soil PNA and AOB were strongly influenced by soil pH. The groups of Nitrososphaeraceae, Nitrosomonadaceae, and Nitrospiraceae were predominant in the AOA, AOB, and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) communities, respectively. Nitrifying community structure was significantly correlated with soil electrical salinity (EC), organic carbon (OC), and nitrate nitrogen (NO₃ ^?–N) content by redundancy analysis (RDA).

Conclusions

Nitrification was predominated by AOB in greenhouse topsoil with high fertilizer loads. Soil salinity, OC, NO₃ ^?–N content, and pH affected by continuous excessive fertilization were the major edaphic factors in shaping nitrifying community structure in greenhouse soils.

     

轮作水稻对大棚土壤硝化作用和氮挥发的影响

通过大棚茄子—水稻轮作(GER)和大棚茄子—揭膜休闲(GEF)2种栽培模式在大棚茄子栽培期间土壤硝化作用强度、氨挥发速率和土壤水热条件指标动态变化的比较,研究了轮作水稻对大棚土壤硝化作用和氨挥发的影响。结果表明:(1)GER模式在大棚茄子各生育期土壤硝化作用强度都显著高于GEF土壤,苗期最高峰时表土和根际土硝化作用强度分别为56.6,101.4mg/(kg·h),比GEF模式增加了34.8%和42.4%;(2)GER模式在大棚茄子基肥和追肥施用后土壤氨挥发速率都显著低于GEF土壤,累积氨挥发量为1.21kg/hm~2,比GEF模式减少了76.7%;(3)GER模式在大棚茄子各生育期表土和根际土NH4+—N含量都低于GEF土壤,NO3-—N含量高于GEF模式;(4)GER和GEF模式在大棚茄子收获后表土NH4+—N含量分别为30.4,45.9mg/kg,NO3-—N含量分别为265.4,255.5mg/kg,存在明显的氮素累积。夏季轮作水稻缓解了大棚土壤酸化、提高了大棚茄子生长期间土壤pH、温度和含水量,对大棚土壤硝化作用有明显的促进作用,可减少土壤氨挥发损失。但硝化作用强度的增加促进了土壤中硝酸根的累积,存在加剧土壤次生盐渍化和氮损失的风险,应加强轮作周期氮肥合理施用技术研究。     

Functional and structural responses of bacterial and fungal communities from paddy fields following long-term rice cultivation

Purpose

Rice paddy soils undergo pedogenesis driven by periodic flooding and drainage cycles that lead to accumulation of organic matter and the stratification of nutrients and oxygen in the soil profile. Here, we examined the effects of continuous rice cultivation on microbial community structures, enzyme activities, and chemical properties for paddy soils along a chronosequence representing 0–700 years of rice cropping in China.

Materials and methods

Changes in the abundance and composition of bacterial and fungal communities were characterized at three depths (0–5, 5–10, and 10–20 cm) in relation to organic carbon, total nitrogen, dissolved organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon/nitrogen, and activities of acid phosphatase, invertase, and urease.

Results and discussion

Both soil organic carbon and total nitrogen increased over time at all three depths, while pH generally decreased. Microbial abundance (bacteria and fungi) and invertase and urease activity significantly increased with the duration of rice cultivation, especially in the surface layer. Fungal abundance and acid phosphatase activity declined with depth, whereas bacterial abundance was highest at the 5–10-cm soil depth. Profiles of the microbial community based on PCR-DGGE of 16S rRNA indicated that the composition of fungal communities was strongly influenced by soil depth, whereas soil bacterial community structures were similar throughout the profile.

Conclusions

Soil bioactivity (microbial abundance and soil enzymes) gradually increased with organic carbon and total nitrogen accumulation under prolonged rice cultivation. Microbial activity decreased with depth, and soil microbial communities were stratified with soil depth. The fungal community was more sensitive than the bacterial community to cultivation age and soil depth. However, the mechanism of fungal community succession with rice cultivation needs further research.

     

Biochar for crop production: potential benefits and risks

Purpose

Biochar, the by-product of thermal decomposition of organic materials in an oxygen-limited environment, is increasingly being investigated due to its potential benefits for soil health, crop yield, carbon (C) sequestration, and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation.

Materials and methods

In this review, we discuss the potential role of biochar for improving crop yields and decreasing the emission of greenhouse gases, along with the potential risks involved with biochar application and strategies to avoid these risks.

Results and discussion

Biochar soil amendment improves crop productivity mainly by increasing nutrient use efficiency and water holding capacity. However, improvements to crop production are often recorded in highly degraded and nutrient-poor soils, while its application to fertile and healthy soils does not always increase crop yield. Since biochars are produced from a variety of feedstocks, certain contaminants can be present. Heavy metals in biochar may affect plant growth as well as rhizosphere microbial and faunal communities and functions. Biochar manufacturers should get certification that their products meet International Biochar Initiative (IBI) quality standards (basic utility properties, toxicant assessment, advanced analysis, and soil enhancement properties).

Conclusions

The long-term effects of biochar on soil functions and its fate in different soil types require immediate attention. Biochar may change the soil biological community composition and abundance and retain the pesticides applied. As a consequence, weed control in biochar-amended soils may be difficult as preemergence herbicides may become less effective.

     

Fly ash and zeolite amendments increase soil nutrient retention but decrease paddy rice growth in a low fertility soil

Purpose

Fly ash (FA) and zeolite (Z) are known to increase nutrient retention in paddy soils through the immobilization of phosphorus (P) by FA and nitrogen (N) by Z. However, there is a possibility that the co-application of the amendments may hamper rice growth due to reduced availability of the nutrients. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the co-application of FA and Z on soil N and P availability and rice growth.

Materials and methods

Rice was cultivated in soils without the amendment (control) and with the amendment: FA alone, Z alone, and both FA and Z. Tiller number, dry matter (DM), rice uptake of N and P, and soil N and P concentrations were determined.

Results and discussion

The application of FA and Z increased N and P concentrations in the soils; however, such increased nutrient retention did not translate to DM increases. Results suggested that reduced mobility of nutrients hampered tillering in the early growth period, eventually leading to a reduction in DM accumulation at the harvest. Due to the nutrient limitation caused by FA and Z, the rice grown with both FA and Z did not survive at the harvest.

Conclusions

Our study shows that the application of FA and Z does not always improve rice growth due to nutrient limitation, especially in a low fertility soil. Furthermore, the co-application of FA and Z should be avoided, as the negative impact of FA or Z on nutrient limitation became more severe when FA and Z were co-amended.

     

Soil pH,organic matter,and nutrient content change with the continuous cropping of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cunninghamia lanceolata</Emphasis> plantations in South China

Purpose

Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook) is an important native tree species in China. Consecutive cropping traditionally occurs in Chinese fir plantations (CFPs), but this practice has resulted in productivity declines in subsequent rotations. This study was designed to better understand the change of soil properties in the continuous cropping CFPs.

Materials and methods

We investigated soil pH, soil organic matter (SOM), and nutrient contents in different soil layers and in rhizosphere soil (RS) and non-rhizosphere soil (NRS) under CFPs of different ages and in different rotations.

Results and discussion

In the upper (0–20 cm) soil layer, soil pH decreased, while SOM increased, beneath mature CFPs with consecutive rotations. Total nitrogen (TN), available potassium, and available phosphorus contents in the upper soil layers did not differ significantly with consecutive rotations. Soil pH in RS was significantly lower than in NRS under mature plantations of the third rotation. Soil organic matter, TN, and available nitrogen did not differ between RS and NRS. Available phosphorus in RS was consistently lower than in NRS, and was highly deficient in the third rotation.

Conclusions

We conclude that no severe soil nutrient degradation occurred in the continuous cropping CFPs examined in this study, with soil acidification and phosphorus deficiency being two primary problems observed.

     

Impact of climate and lithology on soil phytolith-occluded carbon accumulation in eastern China

Purpose

Occlusion of carbon (C) within phytoliths, biogenic silica deposited in plant tissues and returned to the soil, is an important mechanism for long-term terrestrial biogeochemical C sequestration and might play a significant role in mitigating climate change.

Materials and methods

Subtropical and tropical soil profiles (to 100 cm depth) developed on granite and basalt were sampled using a mass-balance approach to explore the influence of climate and lithology on soil phytolith-occluded carbon (PhytOC) accumulation.

Results and discussion

Soil PhytOC storage in the subtropics was significantly greater than in the tropics, with the soil profiles developed on granite storing greater PhytOC than soils derived on basalt. Phytolith and PhytOC content decreased with depth in all soil profiles. Phytolith content showed a positive correlation with the soil bio-available silicon in the soil profiles developed on basalt, while a negative correlation was observed in soil profiles developed on granite.

Conclusions

Climate and lithology have a significant impact on soil PhytOC sequestration. The management of forests (e.g., afforestation and reforestation) and external silicon amendments (e.g., basalt powder amendment) in soils, especially those developed on granite, have the potential to enhance PhytOC accumulation in forest ecosystems.

     

Effects of phosphate on trace element accumulation in rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.): a 5-year phosphate application study

Purpose

Phosphate (P) fertilizers are being widely used to increase crop yield, especially in P-deficient soils. However, repeated applications of P could influence trace element bioaccumulation in crops. The effects of 5-year P enrichment on trace element (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, As, and Hg) accumulation in Oryza sativa L. were thus examined.

Materials and methods

Two paddy soils with different initial P availabilities were amended with and without P fertilizer from 2009 to 2013. Trace elements and P levels in rice and soils were analyzed.

Results and discussion

In soil initially with limited P, P amendment enhanced grain Pb, As, and Hg concentrations by 1.8, 1.5, and 1.4-fold, respectively, but tended to decrease the grain Cd level by 0.73-fold, as compared to the control. However, in soil initially with sufficient P, P amendment tended to reduce accumulation of all examined elements in rice grain.

Conclusions

Phosphate amendment in initially P-limited and P-sufficient soils had different effects on trace element availability in soil (as reflected by extractable element) and plant physiology (growth and metal translocation), resulting in contrasting patterns of trace element accumulation in rice between the two types of soils. Our study emphasized the necessity to consider the promoting effects of P on Pb, As, and Hg accumulation in grain in initial P-deprived soil.

     

The fate of organic matter brought into soil by olive mill wastewater application at different seasons

Purpose

Application of olive mill wastewater (OMW) to soil may cause positive or negative effects. The present study aims at a better understanding of the fate of organic matter brought into soil by OMW application under different environmental conditions.

Materials and methods

Single OMW application to soil was conducted in spring, dry summer, summer with irrigation, and in winter. Two days and 18–24 months after the application, soil samples from two depths were analyzed for thermal soil organic matter (SOM) properties, total organic carbon, water-extractable dissolved soil organic carbon, and its specific ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm.

Results and discussion

After winter and irrigated summer treatments, OMW was largely leached from the upper horizon within 2 days. Application in spring and summer dry initially increased the thermolabile fraction and the calorific value of SOM, however, in a different degree due to different transport, transformation, and immobilization mechanisms. At the long term, SOM content was still elevated after summer dry treatment. The reduction of the thermostable fraction in spring treatment indicates a priming effect of the labile OMW constituents.

Conclusions

Application in winter or with irrigation cannot be recommended for the investigated site. Under hot and dry conditions, SOM content increased most persistently due to stronger mineral-organic interactions. Favorable conditions for biodegradation during OMW application in spring reduced the effects on SOM quantity in the long term. However, a possible priming effect and the persistence of changes in thermal properties need to be further investigated for repeated applications.

     

Phosphine-induced phosphorus mobilization in the rhizosphere of rice seedlings

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of phosphine in the mobilization of phosphorus in the rhizosphere soil of rice seedlings and to determine the relative efficiency of phosphine in plant P acquisition.

Materials and methods

An indoor simulation experiment was conducted and the matrix-bound phosphine (MBP), phosphorus fractions, and phosphatase activity in the rhizosphere soil samples from rice cultivation, biomass, the plant P, and the root system activity were measured under different phosphine concentrations (0, 1.4, 4.2, and 7.0 mg m^?3) for a period of 30 days.

Results and discussion

The results indicated that phosphine treatments enhanced MBP, inorganic P (resin–P_i, NaHCO₃–P_i, and NaOH–P_i), and phosphatase activity, as well as the root system activity, and the content of P in the rice seedlings was stimulated with increasing phosphine concentrations. However, organic P (NaHCO₃–P_o and NaOH–P_o) accumulation occurred in the rhizosphere of the rice seedlings. In addition, the content of organic P in the soil samples decreased with increased phosphine concentration.

Conclusions

Therefore, relatively high concentrations of phosphine in paddy field could have a positive impact on the effectiveness of phosphorus in rice plants via influencing the rhizosphere properties.

     

Accumulation and migration of heavy metals in soils of the Rostov region,south of Russia

Purpose

The main aim of the study performed during 6 years was to determine the specific features of heavy metal contamination of soil cover in the city of Rostov-on-Don and its agglomeration. It was supposed to answer the question: Does soil inherit heavy metals mainly from the parent rocks, or they enter the soil mainly as a result of anthropogenes in the city condition.

Materials and methods

Seventeen soil profiles were established in different parts of the Rostov agglomeration, within the city and in the urbanized agricultural region. The following objects were studied: (1) calcareous ordinary chernozem under steppe vegetation (fallow) and under trees (parks): soils of natural structure insignificantly affected by urbanization processes; (2) urbostratozems: soils of natural structure overlain by loose anthropogenic deposits; (3) screened urbostratozems (or ecranozems): soils of natural structure overlain by asphalt and/or another impermeable surface. The contents of heavy metals were determined by X-ray fluorescence. The degree of soil contamination with heavy metals was assessed by comparing their content with the MPC values (danger coefficient method) or using the total contamination factor Zc.

Results and discussion

The comparison of chernozems under different plant covers shows that the woody plants capable of retaining moisture in the soil and more deeply wetting the soil layer decrease the accumulation of vanadium, chromium, cobalt, nickel, and copper in the surface layer. The accumulation coefficients of these metals in urbostratozems are still lower for some reason. At the same time, an increase in the accumulation of zinc and lead is observed in the surface layer of soils under the forest canopy, as well as in the urbostratozems. In the Urbostratozems, screened by dense surfaces, a high variation is observed, which is related to the different times of soil sealing with asphalt.

Conclusions

The results showed that the concentrations of most elements in the parent rock of Rostov-on-Don exceed the background values, and those of some elements exceed the MPC levels. The main source of accumulation of these elements in the soil profile is the parent rock. Additional input from anthropogenic sources is contributed by the accumulation of such elements as chromium, nickel, zinc, and lead.

     

Dry cultivation enhances cadmium solubility in contaminated soils but minimizes cadmium accumulation in a leafy vegetable

Purpose

Water management has a strong influence on Cd solubility in agricultural soils, affecting Cd uptake in crops. In the process, sulfur interaction with other metals such as zinc may play an important role. A pot experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of water management coupled with zinc and sulfate amendment on Cd uptake by the leafy vegetable amaranth with a strong Cd accumulation tendency in its edible parts.

Materials and methods

The soils were amended with Cd, Cd+SO₄ and Cd+SO₄+Zn with no amendment as control. Then, the soils were flooded for 1 month, after which amaranth was grown with soil kept saturated (wet cultivation). In the succeeding planting, soils were tilled to aeration condition under which amaranth was grown again (dry cultivation). Soil and crop samples were collected and analysed for various parameters.

Results and discussion

The readily exchangeable quantities of Cd and Zn in the soil decreased under wet cultivation, increasing again under dry cultivation but to levels lower than those in the initial soil. Wet cultivation enhanced plant Cd concentration but reduced Zn accumulation compared to dry cultivation. Zn bioavailability was strongly affected by soil water status but failed to reduce Cd uptake by amaranth. Irreversible or slowly reversible changes occurred in Cd and Zn solubility and phytoavailability as soil water-saturated status was altered by periodic flooding events.

Conclusions

Dry cultivation with lower soil water content ensured high production with low Cd in the edible part of this leaf vegetable and so remains the recommended irrigation regime.

     

Effects of vermicompost amendment as a basal fertilizer on soil properties and cucumber yield and quality under continuous cropping conditions in a greenhouse

Purpose

We examined the effects of vermicompost application as a basal fertilizer on the properties of a sandy loam soil used for growing cucumbers under continuous cropping conditions when compared to inorganic or organic fertilizers.

Materials and methods

A commercial cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) variety was grown on sandy loam soil under four soil amendment conditions: inorganic compound fertilizer (750 kg/ha,), replacement of 150 kg/ha of inorganic compound fertilizer with 3000 kg/ha of organic fertilizer or vermicompost, and untreated control. Experiments were conducted in a greenhouse for 4 years, and continuous planting resulted in seven cucumber crops. The yield and quality of cucumber fruits, basic physical and chemical properties of soil, soil nutrient characteristics, and the soil fungal community structure were measured and evaluated.

Results and discussion

Continuous cucumber cropping decreased soil pH and increased electrical conductivity. However, application of vermicompost significantly improved several soil characteristics and induced a significant change in the rhizosphere soil fungal community compared to the other treatments. Notably, the vermicompost amendments resulted in an increase in the relative abundance of Ascomycota, Chytridiomycota, Sordariomycetes, Eurotiomycetes, and Saccharomycetes, and a decrease in Glomeromycota, Zygomycota, Dothideomycetes, Agaricomycetes, and Incertae sedis. Compared to the organic fertilizer treatment, vermicompost amendment increased the relative abundance of beneficial fungi and decreased those of pathogenic fungi. Cucumber fruit yield decreased yearly under continuous cropping conditions, but both inorganic and organic fertilizer amendments increased yields. Vermicompost amendment maintained higher fruit yield and quality under continuous cropping conditions.

Conclusions

Continuous cropping decreased cucumber yield in a greenhouse, but basic fertilizer amendment reduced this decline. Moreover, basal fertilizer amendment decreased beneficial and pathogenic fungi, and the use of vermicompost amendment in the basic fertilizer had a positive effect on the health of the soil fungal community.

     

Root plasticity,whole plant biomass,and nutrient accumulation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neyraudia reynaudiana</Emphasis> in response to heterogeneous phosphorus supply

Purpose

The aims of this study were to examine the adaptive mechanisms of Neyraudia reynaudiana, a pioneer species rapidly colonizing degraded sites, to heterogeneous phosphorus (P) distribution, and how foraging P distributed in patches affects whole-plant biomass and nutrient accumulation.

Materials and methods

Plants were grown in equally divided sand-culture boxes using different concentrations of P applied either heterogeneously (0/5, 0/15, 5/15, 0/30, and 15/30 mg KH₂PO₄ solution/kg dry soil) or homogeneously (2.5/2.5, 7.5/7.5, 10/10, 15/15, and 22.5/22.5 mg kg^?1) to each of the split boxes.

Results and discussion

After 4 months of treatment applications, a significant (p < 0.05) variation in specific root length plasticity was detected between patches of heterogeneous P availability. The largest patch strength difference (0/30 mg/kg) induced the greatest change in specific root length relative to the smallest patch strength difference (0/5 mg/kg). Root P content was not changed by the heterogeneous treatments. Although the whole plant biomass was unaffected by the P distribution pattern, the accumulation of P in the whole plant was slightly higher in the homogeneous treatment than in the heterogeneous treatment.

Conclusions

Plasticity of root morphological appears to be the main adaptation mechanism by which this species forages patchily distributed P. The benefit of this strategy is not reflected in increased whole-plant productivity or nutrient accumulation when P is heterogeneously distributed. The results are fundamental to understanding the mechanisms of foraging nutrient-patches and adapting to poor soil conditions.

     

Soil microbial abundance and community structure vary with altitude and season in the coniferous forests,China

Purpose

Soil microbes control the bioelement cycles and energy transformation in forest ecosystems, and are sensitive to environmental change. As yet, the effects of altitude and season on soil microbes remain unknown. A 560 m vertical transitional zone was selected along an altitude gradient from 3023, 3298 and 3582 m, to determine the potential effects of seasonal freeze-thaw on soil microbial community.

Materials and methods

Soil samples were collected from the three elevations in the growing season (GS), onset of freezing period (FP), deeply frozen period (FPD), thawing period (TP), and later thawing period (TPL), respectively. Real-time qPCR and polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) were used to measure the abundance and structure of soil microbial community.

Results and discussion

The bacterial, archaeal, and fungal ribosomal DNA (rDNA) copy numbers decreased from GS to freezing stage (FP and FPD) and then increased in thawing stage (TP and TPL). Similarly, the diversity of microbial community varied with seasonal freeze-thaw processes. The diversity index (H) of the bacterial and archaeal communities decreased from GS to FP and then increased to TPL. The fungal community H index increased in the freezing process.

Conclusions

Our results suggested that abundance and structure of soil microbial community in the Tibetan coniferous forests varied by season and bacterial and archaeal communities respond more promptly to seasonal freeze-thaw processes relative to fungal community. This may have important implications for carbon and nutrient cycles in alpine forest ecosystems. Accordingly, future warming-induced changes in seasonal freeze-thaw patterns would affect soil nutrient cycles via altering soil microbial properties.

     

Earthworms and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria enhance carbon accumulation in manure-amended soils

Purpose

Application of functional organisms in soil organic amendments has the potential to accelerate organic matter decomposition and stimulate C cycling. In this study, a short-term (a year) field experiment was conducted to investigate the collaborative effects of earthworms and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria on C accumulation in pig manure-amended soil.

Materials and methods

A field experiment was conducted with six treatments established. The first three treatments, including control (CK), pig manure (Pm), and pig manure?+?slurry (Pm?+?S), were set up to evaluate the influences of pig manure on soil C accumulation. The other three treatments, including manure?+?slurry?+?earthworms (Te), manure?+?slurry?+?phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (Tb), and manure?+?slurry?+?earthworms?+?bacteria (T(e?+?b)), were set up to investigate the collaborative effects of functional organisms on soil C cycling. The Pm?+?S treatment was chosen as the control (T) for this purpose.

Results and discussion

The results showed that the soil C pools did not increase significantly under the manure treatment. In contrast, an integrated application of manure, slurry, earthworms, and bacteria significantly increased the various C fractions, such as SOC and humin, indicating a rapid and positive effect of earthworms and bacteria on C accumulation. Besides, C sequestration by the integrated application was as high as 1.35 Mg C ha^?1 soil, half of which was stabilized.

Conclusions

The T(e?+?b) was an efficient strategy to sequestrate and stabilize SOC in arid hillside soils. The bacteria increased the labile OC, especially microbial biomass C, while the earthworms were apparently essential for the increase in stable OC.

     

Land use affects soil organic carbon of paddy soils: empirical evidence from 6280 years BP to present

Purpose

Submerged rice cultivation has been practiced in China for 7000 years. Empirical evidence on changes of soil organic carbon (SOC) contents in paddy soils over this historical time period is scarce. Therefore, a field study was conducted to investigate the effect of submerged rice cultivation on the accumulation and preservation of SOC in paddies.

Materials and methods

Two buried ancient paddy profiles (6280 years BP, named P-01 and P-03) in the Yangtze Delta of eastern China were excavated to illustrate the development of SOC contents in soils during the evolution of paddies under anthropogenic land use and environmental changes from the prehistoric period to the present time. Trends in SOC concentrations, total nitrogen concentrations, and stable carbon isotope ratio were identified for different points in time.

Results and discussion

Accumulation of organic carbon was found in the paddy soil layers of P-01 at 100–174 cm depth. This site was taken under submerged rice cultivation in about 6280 years BP. The average SOC concentration in the prehistoric paddy topsoil in 100–130 cm depth was 1.27 %, which is seven times higher than that in the adjacent uncultivated land at 103–130 cm depth of P-03. This implies that the paddy soil has experienced substantial CO₂ sequestration under submerged management during that time. By about 3320 years BP, organic carbon contents were halved, potentially due to marine inundation by sea level rise. Up to the year 2003, the SOC contents in all horizons in the present time paddy soil have increased, especially in the surface layer, indicative of continuous rice cultivation. However, due to rapid urbanization and industrialization, the cultivation of paddies in eastern China has gradually been discontinued leading to the loss of SOC stocks of approximately 10 % in a 6-year interval (from 2003 to 2009). A significant relationship between SOC and rice phytolith contents was found in the paddy soil horizons of P-01 (r?=?0.71, p?<?0.01) and P-03 (r?=?0.72, p?<?0.01), suggesting that phytolith-occluded organic carbon could be used as a biomarker to ascertain the development of SOC in the evolution of rice paddies over the past 6000 years.

Conclusions

Submerged rice cultivation led to a noticeable accumulation of SOC in paddies. Phytolith-occluded organic carbon could be used as a biomarker to monitor changes of OC contents in paddy soils.

     

Capping material type affects rhizosphere bacteria community structure in the cover soil in oil sands reclamation

Purpose

Rhizosphere bacteria play critical roles in soil nutrient cycling and plant growth during land reclamation. However, the impact of the type of capping material, used to provide functions such as preventing salt migration from saline groundwater to the cover soil, on rhizosphere bacterial community is unknown.

Materials and methods

We examined the influence of two capping materials: overburden (OB), a material excavated from below the top soil from oil sand mines, and tailings sand (TS), in comparison to the no capping layer (NC) control, on the composition, structure, and function of bacterial communities in the Pinus banksiana rhizosphere and bulk soil in the peat-mineral mix (PMM, the cover soil) in a 2-year column study simulating soil reconstruction in land reclamation in the oil sands. The bacterial community was determined through high-throughput sequencing the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene amplicons, and the potential functional profiles were predicted from the 16S rRNA gene using PICRUSt.

Results and discussion

Difference in the relative abundance of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) between the rhizosphere and the bulk soil was lower in the NC and OB than in the TS treatment. Rhizosphere bacterial community structure in the cover soil was different among the NC, OB, and TS treatments. Difference in bacterial community structure between the rhizosphere and bulk soil was driven by soil pH and electric conductivity changes in the OB treatment and by water-soluble organic carbon in the TS treatment. The relative abundance of functional genes for nutrient metabolism in the rhizosphere increased in the TS treatment, but those for environmental adaption increased in the NC and OB treatments.

Conclusions

We conclude that the type of capping material used affects the structure, composition, and function of rhizosphere bacterial communities in cover soils used in land reclamation, and this has implications for ecosystem re-establishment in the disturbed landscape in the oil sands.

     

Differential influence of four invasive plant species on soil physicochemical properties in a pot experiment

Purpose

This study compared the effects of four invasive plants, namely Impatiens glandulifera, Reynoutria japonica, Rudbeckia laciniata, and Solidago gigantea, as well as two native species—Artemisia vulgaris, Phalaris arundinacea, and their mixture on soil physicochemical properties in a pot experiment.

Materials and methods

Plants were planted in pots in two loamy sand soils. The soils were collected from fallows located outside (fallow soil) and within river valley (valley soil) under native plant communities. Aboveground plant biomass, cover, and soil physicochemical properties such as nutrient concentrations, pH, and water holding capacity (WHC) were measured after two growing seasons. Discriminant analysis (DA) was used to identify soil variables responsible for the discrimination between plant treatments. Identified variables were further compared between treatments using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s HSD test.

Results and discussion

Plant biomass, cover, and soil parameters depended on species and soil type. DA effectively separated soils under different plant species. DA on fallow soil data separated R. laciniata from all other treatments, especially I. glandulifera, native species and bare soil, along axis 1 (related mainly to exchangeable K, N-NH₄, total P, N-NO_3, and WHC). Large differences were found between R. laciniata and S. gigantea as indicated by axis 2 (S-SO₄, exchangeable Mg, total P, exchangeable Ca, and total Mg). DA on valley soil data separated R. japonica from all other treatments, particularly S. gigantea, R. laciniata, and native mixture, along axis 1 (N-NO₃, total N, S-SO₄, total P, pH). Along axis 2 (N-NO₃, N-NH₄, Olsen P, exchangeable K, WHC), large differences were observed between I. glandulifera and all other invaders.

Conclusions

Plant influence on soil differed both among invasive species and between invasive and native species. Impatiens glandulifera had a relatively weak effect and its soil was similar to both native and bare soils. Multidirectional effects of different invaders resulted in a considerable divergence in soil characteristics. Invasion-driven changes in the soil environment may trigger feedbacks that stabilize or accelerate invasion and hinder re-colonization by native vegetation, which has implications for the restoration of invaded habitats.

     

Soil properties and plant community relationship in a saltmarsh of the Grado and Marano lagoon (northern Italy)

Purpose

The relationship between soil properties and plant communities was investigated in a saltmarsh of the Grado and Marano lagoon (northern Italy), where hydrology and micromorphology strongly influence the features of the ecosystem. A multidisciplinary approach was used to assess the change of soil properties and plant communities in relation to the submergence of soil.

Materials and methods

The plant community and soil profile surveys were both carried out along a transect in six sampling sites of the Gran Chiusa saltmarsh (Grado and Marano lagoon). The morphological and physicochemical parameters of soil profiles were investigated, and soils were classified according to Soil Taxonomy. The concentration of macronutrients in both soils and plants was analysed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Cluster and linear discriminant analysis were used to assist the interpretation of the data of plant communities and soil properties, respectively. The bioconcentration factor explored the macronutrient relationship between plant community and soil.

Results and discussion

A high, middle and low zone were identified by clustering the different plant communities along the studied transect. Discriminant analysis showed how the increase in soil submergence supported the accumulation of S and Ca content and depletion of Fe and Na. The development of different plant communities was linked to both soil water saturation and to the capacity of halophytes to tolerate anoxic conditions or salinity, by extrusion or bioconcentration strategies.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that tide level plays an important role in the pedological development and chemical transformations along a soil hydrosequence. The micromosaic vegetation pattern may therefore represent a useful index of the hydrological and nutritional status of the underlying soils and could be used to predict changes in coastal ecosystems.