Ecological study on the dynamics of soil organic matter and its related properties in shifting cultivation systems of Northern Thailand

Abstract

There is a large number of hill people in northern Thailand, who practices shifting cultivation. In order to analyze the soil ecological problems involved in the transition from traditional shifting cultivation to more intensive upland farming, the authors carried out comparative studies on the dynamics of organic matter and its related properties in soils both in the traditional shifting cultivation systems adopted by Karen people and more intensive upland farming practiced by Thai and Hmong people in the area. The contents of organic matter and available N in the surface 10 cm layers of soil from the fields continuously cultivated were lower than those in soils under prolonged fallow (more than 10 y) or natural forest. Based on the rate of soil respiration, the amount of organic matter decomposed within 1 y was estimated to reach nearly 10% of that stored in the upper 50 cm layers of the soil profile in the upland crop fields. These results indicate that the organic matter-related resources markedly decreased under continuous cropping. The contents of C, N, and P in the microbial biomass of the surface 10 cm layers of soil ranged from 0.37 to 2.09 mg C g^?l soil, from 22.7 to 188 µg N g^?l soil, and from 6.1 to 65.7 µg P g^?l soil, respectively. Since the contents of microbial C, N, and P in the surface soils were generally higher under prolonged fallow and natural forests than in the fields continuously cultivated, the microbial activity and/or the amounts of C, N, and P available for biological activity seemed to have declined under continuous upland farming. The incubation experiment to assess the N mineralization pattern showed two remarkable characteristics: 1) there was an initial time lag until active mineralization of N occurred in the soils from young fallow forest and 2) the soil burning effect was observed after burning in the fields under prolonged fallow. The active process of nitrification after N mineralization was always associated with a sharp fall in soil pH, suggesting that soil acidification was promoted and basic cations were lost from the soils. In conclusion, rapid deterioration of the soil organic matter-related properties in cropping fields can be considered to be one of the ecological reasons why upland fields must be returned to fallow again a few years after forest reclamation in traditional shifting cultivation systems. Therefore, in alternative farming systems with more intensive land use, it is essential to apply organic materials into soils to decrease the rate of soil degradation, or to improve the soil fertility, in avoiding soil acidification along with nitrification.     

氮素富集对青藏高原高寒草甸土壤有机碳迁移和累积过程的影响

为深入揭示陆地生态系统碳固定对大气氮沉降增加的响应机理,基于海北高寒草甸多形态（NH4Cl、(NH4)2SO4、KNO3）、低剂量（N 0、10、20、40 kg hm-2 a-1）的增氮控制试验平台,采集各处理不同深度土壤样品,利用颗粒分组法分离测定总土壤有机碳（SOC）以及各粒径组分的碳含量和δ13C值。研究结果表明：低氮显著增加了土壤粗颗粒态有机碳（MacroPOC）和矿质结合态有机碳（MAOC）的含量,而高氮处理正好相反。施氮一致降低土壤细颗粒有机碳（MicroPOC）含量。此外,添加硝态氮肥对SOC各组分含量和δ13C值的影响显著高于铵态氮肥。总体而言,低氮导致表层30 cm层SOC储量增加了4.5%,而中氮和高氮导致SOC储量分别下降了5.4％和8.8％。低氮处理新增的碳以MacroPOC为主,而高氮处理损失的碳主要是MicroPOC。连续5 a施氮促进了颗粒有机碳（POC）组分的分解,进而导致SOC稳定组分的比例增加。可以认为,大气氮沉降或低剂量施氮（10 kg hm-2 a-1）短期内有利于青藏高原高寒草甸土壤碳截留,硝态氮较铵态氮输入对土壤储量增加更为有益。     

氮素富集对青藏高原高寒草甸土壤有机碳迁移和累积过程的影响

为深入揭示陆地生态系统碳固定对大气氮沉降增加的响应机理,基于海北高寒草甸多形态(NH4Cl、(NH4)2SO4、KNO3)、低剂量(N 0、10、20、40 kg hm-2a-1)的增氮控制试验平台,采集各处理水平下不同深度土壤样品,利用颗粒分组法分离测定总土壤有机碳(SOC)以及各粒径组分的碳含量和δ13C值。研究结果表明:低氮显著增加了土壤粗颗粒态有机碳(Macro POC)和矿质结合态有机碳(MAOC)的含量,而高氮处理正好相反。施氮一致降低土壤细颗粒态有机碳(Micro POC)含量。此外,添加硝态氮肥对SOC各组分含量和δ13C值的影响显著高于铵态氮肥。总体而言,低氮导致地表30 cm层SOC储量增加了4.5%,而中氮和高氮导致SOC储量分别下降了5.4%和8.8%。低氮处理时新增的碳以Macro POC为主,而高氮处理时损失的碳主要是Micro POC。连续5 a施氮促进了颗粒态有机碳(POC)组分的分解,进而导致SOC稳定组分的比例增加。可以认为,大气氮沉降或低剂量施氮(10 kg hm-2a-1)短期内有利于青藏高原高寒草甸土壤碳截留,硝态氮较铵态氮输入对土壤碳储量增加更为有益。     

土壤碳氮对多年生能源草、覆盖作物和氮施肥的响应

Cover crop and nitrogen(N) fertilization may maintain soil organic matter under bioenergy perennial grass where removal of aboveground biomass for feedstock to produce cellulosic ethanol can reduce soil quality. We evaluated the effects of cover crops and N fertilization rates on soil organic carbon(C)(SOC), total N(STN), ammonium N(NH_4-N), and nitrate N(NO_3-N) contents at the0–5, 5–15, and 15–30 cm depths under perennial bioenergy grass from 2010 to 2014 in the southeastern USA. Treatments included unbalanced combinations of perennial bioenergy grass, energy cane(Saccharum spontaneum L.) or elephant grass(Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.), cover crop, crimson clover(Trifolium incarnatum L.), and N fertilization rates(0, 100, and 200 kg N ha~(-1)). Cover crop biomass and C and N contents were greater in the treatment of energy cane with cover crop and 100 kg N ha~(-1) than in the treatment of energy cane and elephant grass. The SOC and STN contents at 0–5 and 5–15 cm were 9%–20% greater in the treatments of elephant grass with cover crop and with or without 100 kg N ha~(-1)than in most of the other treatments. The soil NO_3-N content at 0–5 cm was 31%–45% greater in the treatment of energy cane with cover crop and 100 kg N ha~(-1)than in most of the other treatments.The SOC sequestration increased from 0.1 to 1.0 Mg C ha~(-1)year~(-1)and the STN sequestration from 0.03 to 0.11 Mg N ha~(-1)year~(-1)from 2010 to 2014 for various treatments and depths. In contrast, the soil NH_4-N and NO_3-N contents varied among treatments,depths, and years. Soil C and N storages can be enriched and residual NO_3-N content can be reduced by using elephant grass with cover crop and with or without N fertilization at a moderate rate.     

The sensitivity of water extractable soil organic carbon fractions to land use in three soil types

Soil organic carbon (SOC) has a high impact on the sustainability of ecosystems, global environmental processes, soil quality and agriculture. Long-term tillage usually leads to SOC depletion. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of different land uses on water extractable organic carbon (WEOC) fractions and to evaluate the interaction between the WEOC fractions and other soil properties. Using an extraction procedure at 20°C and 80°C, two fractions were obtained: a cold water extractable organic carbon (CWEOC) and a hot water extractable organic carbon (HWEOC). The results suggest that there is a significant impact from different land uses on WEOC. A lower relative contribution of WEOC in SOC and a lower concentration of labile WEOC fractions are contained in arable soil compared to forestlands. Chernozem soil was characterized by a lower relative contribution of WEOC to the SOC and thus higher SOC stability in contrast to Solonetz and Vertisol soils. Both CWEOC and HWEOC are highly associated with SOC in the silt and clay fraction (<53 µm) and were slightly associated with SOC in the macroaggregate classes. The WEOC fractions were highly and positively correlated with the SOC and mean weight diameter.     

Long-term manure application increased soil organic carbon and nitrogen mineralization through accumulation of unprotected and physically protected carbon fractions

Soil organic carbon(SOC) and nitrogen(N) mineralization are important biogeochemical processes associated with soil fertility. These processes are influenced by physically, chemically, and biologically stabilized SOC fractions, the mechanisms of which are not well known. The present study was conducted to evaluate the combined effect of manure and mineral fertilizers on the contents of SOC fractions to promote the mineralization of SOC and N.Treatments included: i) no fertilizer control(CK); ii)...     

Organic resource quality influences short-term aggregate dynamics and soil organic carbon and nitrogen accumulation

Organic C inputs and their rate of stabilization influence C sequestration and nutrient cycling in soils. This study was undertaken to explore the influence of the combined application of different quality organic resources (ORs) with N fertilizers on the link between aggregate dynamics and soil organic C (SOC) and soil N. A mesocosm experiment was conducted in Embu, central Kenya where 4 Mg C ha⁻¹ of Tithonia diversifolia (high quality), Calliandra calothyrsus (intermediate quality) and Zea mays (maize; low quality) were applied to soil compared to a no-input control. Each treatment was fertilized with 120 kg N ha⁻¹ as urea [(NH₂)₂CO] or not fertilized. The soils used in the mesocosms were obtained from a three-year old-field experiment in which the same treatments as in the mesocosm were applied annually. No crops were grown in both the mesocosms and the thee-year field experiment. Soil samples were collected at zero, two, five and eight months after installation of the mesocosms and separated into four aggregate size fractions by wet sieving. Macroaggregates were further fractionated to isolate the microaggregates-within-macroaggregates; all soils and fractions were analyzed for SOC and N. The addition of ORs increased soil aggregation and whole SOC and soil N compared to the control and sole N fertilizer treatments. There were no differences among different OR qualities for whole SOC or soil N, but maize alone resulted in greater mean weight diameter (MWD), macroaggregate SOC and N than sole added Calliandra. The addition of N fertilizer only influenced SOC and soil N dynamics in combination with maize where SOC, soil N and aggregation were lower with the addition of N fertilizer, indicating an increased decomposition and loss of SOC and soil N due to a faster aggregate turnover after addition of N fertilizer. In conclusion, compared to high quality ORs, low quality ORs result in greater aggregate stability and a short-term accumulation of macroaggregate SOC and N. However, the addition of N fertilizers negates these effects of low quality ORs.     

Effects of tillage, organic resources and nitrogen fertiliser on soil carbon dynamics and crop nitrogen uptake in semi-arid West Africa

Tillage, organic resources and fertiliser effects on soil carbon (C) dynamics were investigated in 2000 and 2001 in Burkina Faso (West Africa). A split plot design with four replications was laid-out on a loamy-sand Ferric Lixisol with till and no-till as main treatments and fertiliser types as sub-treatments. Soil was fractionated physically into coarse (0.250–2 mm), medium (0.053–0.250 mm) and fine fractions (< 0.053 mm). Particulate organic carbon (POC) accounted for 47–53% of total soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration and particulate organic nitrogen (PON) for 30–37% of total soil nitrogen concentration. The POC decreased from 53% of total SOC in 2000 to 47% of total SOC in 2001. Tillage increased the contribution of POC to SOC. No-till led to the lowest loss in SOC in the fine fraction compared to tilled plots. Well-decomposed compost and single urea application in tilled as well as in no-till plots induced loss in POC. Crop N uptake was enhanced in tilled plots and may be up to 226 kg N ha⁻¹ against a maximum of 146 kg N ha⁻¹ in no-till plots. Combining crop residues and urea enhanced incorporation of new organic matter in the coarse fraction and the reduction of soil carbon mineralisation from the fine fraction. The PON and crop N uptake are strongly correlated in both till and no-till plots. Mineral-associated N is more correlated to N uptake by crop in tilled than in no-till plots. Combining recalcitrant organic resources and nitrogen fertiliser is the best option for sustaining crop production and reducing soil carbon decline in the more stabilised soil fraction in the semi-arid West Africa.     

Dissolved soil organic nitrogen and carbon in a Norway spruce stand and an adjacent clear-cut

 The aims of this study were to characterize dissolved soil organic N (DON) and C (DOC) in a coniferous stand and an adjacent clear-cut, and to evaluate the importance of DON in N leaching. The study was carried out in a Norway spruce stand and a clear-cutting treatment in the same forest stand. Concentrations of DON in soil solution were monitored for 5 years after clear-cutting with gravity lysimeters. In the Norway spruce stand DON comprised 62–83% of the total N in soil solution over the 5-year period. The concentrations of DON in the clear-cut were higher than in the forest stand, but the proportion of total N was lower. To characterize dissolved organic matter, soil samples were aerobically incubated for 6 weeks in the laboratory, and the quantity, molecular size distribution and chemical nature of both DON and DOC were determined from water extracts made before and after the incubation. In the soil samples from the Norway spruce stand, C-rich compounds with a high C/N ratio and large molecular size were formed. In contrast, after the incubation the major carriers of DON in soil samples from the clear-cut were N-rich organic compounds with a low C/N ratio and a small molecular size. The distribution of different chemical fractions of DOC in soil did not differ much whether recovered from the Norway spruce stand or the clear-cut. It was (from highest to lowest concentration): hydrophobic acids>hydrophilic acids>phenols>hydrophilic neutrals. A major part of DON was also carried by these fractions. During incubation the concentration of N-containing hydrophilic acids increased, especially in the soil from the clearcut. In soil samples from the Norway spruce stand, the rate of net N mineralization was low and no NO₃ was formed, whilst the rate of net N mineralization was high and net nitrification was intensive in soil from the clear-cut. Received: 12 June 2000     

Chemistry of bulk precipitation throughfall,soil water and stream water in a small catchment in Devon,England

Monthly mean concentrations of potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium chloride and nitrate-nitrogen were determined from samples of bulk precipitation, throughfall, soil water and streamflow collected weekly between April 1975 and September 1977 in a small catchment in Devon, England. Soil water concentrations are compared with the analysis of exchange capacity in composite soil samples. Rain contributed much sodium and chloride to total catchment output, and potassium was selectively enriched in throughfall. Calcium and magnesium concentrations were high in soil water samples and on the soil exchange complex.     

Dissolved organic matter enhances the sorption of atrazine by soil

The influence of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on the sorption of atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopylamino-1,3,5-triazine) by ten soils was investigated. Batch sorption isotherm techniques were used to evaluate the important physiochemical properties of soil determining the sorption of atrazine in the presence of DOM. The sorption of atrazine as a representative of nonionic organic contaminants (NOCs) by soil with and without DOM could be well described by the Linear and Freundlich models. The n values of the Freundlich model were generally near to 1, indicating that linear partitioning was the major mechanism of atrazine sorption by soil samples. The apparent distribution coefficient, value, for atrazine sorption in the presence of DOM initially increased and decreased thereafter as the DOM concentration increased in the equilibrium solution. DOM at relatively lower concentrations significantly enhanced the sorption of atrazine by soil, while it inhibited the atrazine sorption at higher concentrations. For all the soil samples, the maximum of was 1.1~3.1 times higher than its corresponding K _d value for the control (without DOM). The maximum enhancement of the distribution coefficient () in the presence of DOM was negatively correlated with the content of soil organic carbon (SOC) and positively correlated with the clay content. The critical concentration of DOM, below which DOM would enhance atrazine sorption, was negatively correlated with SOC. The influence of DOM on atrazine sorption could be approximately considered as the net effect of the cumulative sorption and association of atrazine with DOM in solution. Results of this study provide an insight into the retention and mobility of a NOC in the soil environment.     

喀斯特峰丛洼地土壤有机碳和氮素空间变异特征

本项试验在喀斯特典型峰丛洼地选择3个生态功能区,运用经典统计学和地统计学方法研究了土壤有机碳、全氮及碳氮比的空间变异特征。结果表明,随着生态系统由人工林(Ⅰ)次生林(Ⅱ) 原生林(Ⅲ)顺向演替,土壤有机碳、全氮和碳氮比平均值均呈现增加趋势,变异系数均在10.40％～80.94％之间,存在中等强度的变异性。人工林和原生林的土壤有机碳和全氮及人工林的碳氮比的块金值/基台值均＜25%,具有强烈的空间相关性;原生林碳氮比和次生林的3个土壤性质指标的块金值/基台值在32.6％～41.7％之间,具有中等的空间相关性;人工林各指标的变程明显大于次生林和原始林。Kriging插值结果表明,3个区域内有机碳和全氮的空间分布均具有显著的相似性,碳氮比变化则较不规则;人工林和原生林土壤有机碳、全氮含量呈片状平缓变化分布,次生林土壤有机碳、全氮含量及碳氮比呈支离破碎的斑块状分布。高度异质性的小生境决定了土壤有机碳、全氮和碳氮比的空间结构和格局,而受重度人类活动干扰的人工林和未受干扰的原生林空间异质性较次生林降低。     

澳大利亚、中国和泰国的热带地区的土壤化学退化的量化及修复

Soil and land degradation in the tropics can be identified and described in terms of physical,chemical,and biological changes from its pristine state brought about by natural and anthropogenic influences.A characteristic of these ecosystems is their capacity to recycle nutrients through soil organic matter(SOM). Following disturbance through changed land management.SOM is rapidly mineralized and there is a cor responding decline in fertility and the variable charge component of the cation exchange capacity.As these ecosystems are strongly dependent on SOM for their functionality,changed land use can have irreversible impacts on the productivity of these systems.The paper focuses on quantifying chemical degradation throughbenchmaking using data from paried sites in tropical China and Thailand using surface charge finger printing.Using values taken from the fingerprint of an undistubed soil,an index of chemical degradation from ideality was calculated.Various management stratgeies that attempt to reverse degradative trends or improve poor quality soils in their natural condition are discussed.such as the ddition of natural clays and silicated materials.Results are present to whow the effect of each of the aforementional strategies on surface charge characteristics and associated increases in plant productivity.     

土地整理对农田土壤碳含量的影响

土地整理对土壤的强扰动会影响土壤的碳循环平衡,为了研究土地整理对农田土壤碳含量的影响,通过间接采样和随机采样方法,采集了江苏3个土地整理区土地整理前后土样进行有机质测定,初步分析了不同土地整理区土地整理后的土壤碳含量变化及其变化差异原因。主要结论有：1）通过土地整理,3个土地整理区土壤碳含量都有得到提高。其中,苏南丹阳土地整理区碳质量分数提高了26.05%,碳密度提高23.87%,提高幅度最大,碳密度变化方向与碳含量变化具有一致性,但提高幅度低于碳含量。这与各整理区原有土质、土地整理工程施工方式、施工时间等因素密切相关。2）水田碳质量分数显著高于旱地碳质量分数,但是经过土地整理旱地碳含量提高幅度大于水田,水田在整理前后碳含量变化幅度不大。3）在土地整理项目实施前应制定适宜的土地整理规划,实施有利于土壤固碳的土地整理工程。     

过量施氮对旱地土壤碳、氮及供氮能力的影响

【目的】过量施氮会影响土壤有机碳、氮的组成与数量,进而改变土壤供氮能力,但关于西北旱地长期过量施用氮肥后土壤有机碳、氮及土壤供氮能力变化的研究尚缺乏。本文在长期定位试验的基础上,通过分析不同氮肥水平特别是过量施氮条件下土壤硝态氮,有机碳、氮和微生物量碳、氮的变化,探讨长期过量施氮对土壤有机碳、氮及供氮能力的影响。【方法】长期定位试验位于陕西杨凌西北农林科技大学农作一站。在施磷(P2O5)100kg/hm2的基础上,设5个氮水平,施氮量分别为N 0、80、160、240、320 kg/hm2。重复4次,小区面积40 m2,完全随机区组排列。种植冬小麦品种为小堰22。本文选取其中3处理,以不施氮为对照(N0)、施氮量N 160 kg/hm2为正常施氮(N160),施氮量N 320 kg/hm2为过量施氮(N320),分别于2012年6月小麦收获后和10月下季小麦播前采集土壤样品,进行测定分析。【结果】过量施氮导致下季小麦播前0—300 cm各土层硝态氮含量显著增加,平均由对照的2.8 mg/kg增加到15.5 mg/kg;同时,0—60 cm和0—300 cm土层的硝态氮累积量分别由对照的47.2和108.9 kg/hm2增加到76.5和727.7 kg/hm2。过量施氮也增加了夏闲期间0—300 cm土层土壤有机氮矿化量,由对照的72.4 kg/hm2增加到130.7 kg/hm2。但过量施氮未显著增加土壤的有机碳含量,却显著增加了土壤有机氮含量,过量施氮0—20、20—40 cm土层土壤有机碳分别为9.24和5.39 g/kg,有机氮分别为1.05和0.71 g/kg,较对照增加52.2%和54.3%。同样,过量施氮未显著影响0—20、20—40 cm土层土壤微生物量碳含量,其平均含量分别为253和205 mg/kg,却显著提高了0—20、20—40 cm土层土壤微生物量氮含量,由对照的24.1和7.5 mg/kg提高到43.6和16.1 mg/kg。【结论】过量施氮可以显著增加旱地土壤剖面中的硝态氮累积量、夏闲期氮素矿化量、小麦播前土壤氮素供应量和土壤微生物量氮含量,但对土壤有机碳和微生物量碳没有显著性影响,同时过量施氮增加了土壤硝态氮淋溶风险,故在有机质含量低的黄土高原南部旱地冬小麦种植中不宜施用高量氮肥,以减少土壤氮素残留和农业投入,达到保护环境和培肥土壤的目的。     

Quantifying and simulating carbon and nitrogen mineralization from diverse exogenous organic matters

The potential contributions of exogenous organic matters (EOMs) to soil organic C and mineral N supply depend on their C and N mineralization, which can be assessed in laboratory incubations. Such incubations are essential to calibrate decomposition models, because not all EOMs can be tested in the field. However, EOM incubations are resource-intensive. Therefore, easily measurable EOM characteristics that can be useful to predict EOM behaviour are needed. We quantified C and N mineralization during the incubation of 663 EOMs from five groups (animal manures, composts, sewage sludges, digestates and others). This represents one of the largest and diversified set of EOM incubations. The C and N mineralization varied widely between and within EOM subgroups. We simulated C and N mineralization with a simple generic decomposition model. Three calibration methods were compared. Individual EOM calibration of the model yielded good model performances, while the use of a unique parameter set per EOM subgroup decreased the model performance, and the use of two EOM characteristics to estimate model parameters gave an intermediate model performance (average RMSE-C values of 32, 99 and 65 mg C g⁻¹ added C and average RMSE-N values of 50, 126 and 110 mg N g⁻¹ added N, respectively). Because of the EOM variability, individual EOM calibration based on incubation remains the recommended method for predicting most accurately the C and N mineralization of EOMs. However, the two alternative calibration methods are sufficient for the simulation of EOMs without incubation data to obtain reasonable model performances.     

The contribution of soil organic matter fractions to carbon and nitrogen mineralization and microbial community size and structure

The aims of this study were to: (i) assess the impact of hay and fertilizer application on organic matter (OM) fractions (dissolved organic matter (DOM), light fraction organic matter (LFOM, <1.0 g cm⁻³), heavy fraction OM (HFOM, <1.7 g cm⁻³)), carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling processes and microbial community size and structure, and (ii) quantify the role of OM fractions to C and N cycling. Soil was collected in 2001 from a field experiment to which grass hay (1996) and/or fertilizer (1995 and 1999) had previously been applied. DOM-C (P<0.05) and DOM-N (P=0.07) were significantly higher in control and fertilized soil than hay and hay+fertilized soil. LFOM and HFOM C and N contents and C/N ratios were significantly (P<0.05) higher in hay+fertilized and hay amended soil than in control and fertilized soil. Potentially mineralizable-N (PMN), microbial biomass-C (MB-C), microbial biomass-N (MB-N) and microbial respiration (CO₂) were not affected by fertilizer and/or hay application. Gross N mineralization (Gross Min) and gross nitrification (Gross Nit) rates were significantly (P<0.05) higher in fertilized, hay, hay+fertilized soil than control soil. However, there was no significant difference between treatments in gross N immobilization rates. Results reported here highlight the importance of a labile fraction of the DOM pool to N and C cycling as its removal significantly (P<0.05) reduced PMN, MB-N, Gross Min and Gross Nit compared with whole soil in most or all treatments. In soil where DOM+LFOM were removed PMN was significantly (P<0.05) lower, but MB-C, Gross Min and Gross Nit was significantly (P<0.05) higher than in DOM removed soil. This suggests that LFOM plays an important role as a sink for mineral-N. Total soil phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) concentration was significantly (P<0.05) higher in hay amended than control, fertilized and hay+fertilized soil. Principal components analysis was able to clearly discriminate between control, fertilized, hay+fertilized and hay amended soil. Soil amended with hay or fertilizer had a microbial community structure which differed from that of the control or hay+fertilized soils. Redundancy analysis with Monte Carlo permutation tests revealed that PLFA profiles were strongly correlated to differences in Gross Min, Gross Nit, MB-N, MB-C, MB-C/N ratio, total soil C and total soil C/N ratio. The results of this research suggest that changes in microbial structure are related to aspects of soil C and N pools and cycling.     

Remnant tree effects on soil microbial carbon and nitrogen in tropical seasonal pasture in western Mexico

Selection of plant species for agro-silvo-pastoral or ecological reclamation programs must be based on a deeper knowledge of the existing relationships between plant species and soil nutrient dynamics in each ecosystem. We evaluated the seasonal pattern of soil microbial carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) under two remnant tree species (Caesalpinia eriostachys and Cordia elaeagnoides) in a tropical seasonal pasture dominated by Panicum maximum in western Mexico. Soil samples were taken from under two arboreal species and P. maximum in rainy and dry seasons. The soil C:N ratio was higher under P. maximum [17] than under both tree species [15]. The soil microbial C (Cm) was higher under C. elaeagnoides than under C. eriostachys and P. maximum. Magnitude and direction of effect of the two remnant tree species on soil biogeochemistry changed with seasonal rainfall. The interaction of plant species and seasonal rainfall did have an effect on soil microbial N (Nm). Soil samples from April and July had the lowest microbial N concentrations under the three plant species, increasing four fold in September under C. elaeagnoides and P. maximum. At the end of the wet season, C. elaeagnoides clearly had the highest Nm values (130 μg N g⁻¹), suggesting that this tree species has a higher capacity to protect soil N within microbial biomass than C. eriostachys, because under C. elaeagnoides the soil had more organic matter due a higher input of litter and root chemical quality. Therefore, C. elaeagnoides would be the best plant species to implement in agro-silvo-pastoral programs or ecological reclamation of TDF pastures.