Effects of biochar application on soil potassium dynamics and crop uptake

Biochar has been suggested as a possible means for enhancing soil fertility, including soil potassium (K). However, understanding of the effects of biochar on soil K dynamics remains limited. In this study, a pot trial was conducted to investigate the influence of biochar application (0, 5, 10, and 25 g kg^?1 soil) on soil K dynamics and crop K uptake under a winter wheat–maize rotation in two types of soil (an Alfisol, which contained a high initial available K and an Entisol, which contained a high abundance of 2 : 1 K‐bearing minerals). Changes in soil K in various forms following biochar application and cropping were determined, and their contributions to plant K uptake were evaluated. Soil microbial activity, especially the development of K‐dissolving bacteria (KDB), was evaluated to obtain insights into its effects on the weathering of K‐bearing minerals in the soils. During the wheat growth period, crop K uptake was more enhanced (13.6–40.5% higher) in the Alfisol than in the Entisol due to the higher availability of water‐soluble and exchangeable K, while K fixation occurred in the Entisol because of the higher content of 2 : 1 K‐bearing minerals. During the maize period, crop K uptake was generally higher in the Entisol soil due to the release of non‐exchangeable K. In addition, biochar application enhanced the growth of KDB in both soils, which was associated with changes in soil pH and water‐soluble K. However, improved mineral K release was observed only in the Entisol. It is concluded that biochar application could be a feasible soil amendment to improve soil K availability, but crop K uptake responses may vary depending on soil types. Soils abundant in 2 : 1 K‐bearing minerals tend to prolong biochar effects on crop K uptake. Biochar application enhanced the growth of KDB, which may facilitate mineral K weathering in soils with abundant K‐bearing minerals.     

Effect of long‐term fertilization and manuring on potassium release properties in a Typic Ustochrept

A long‐term fertilizer experiment, over 27 years, studied the effect of mineral fertilizers and organic manures on potassium (K) balances and K release properties in maize‐wheat‐cowpea (fodder) cropping system on a Typic Ustochrept. The treatments consisted of control, 100% nitrogen (100% N), 100% nitrogen and phosphorus (100% NP), 50% nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (50% NPK), 100% nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (100% NPK), 150% nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (150% NPK), and 100% NPK+farmyard manure (100% NPK+FYM). Nutrients N, P, and K in 100% NPK treatment were applied at N: 120 kg ha^—1, P: 26 kg ha^—1, and K: 33 kg ha^—1 each to maize and wheat crops and N: 20 kg ha^—1, P: 17 kg ha^—1, and K: 17 kg ha^—1 to cowpea (fodder). In all the fertilizer and manure treatments removal of K in the crop exceeded K additions and the total soil K balance was negative. The neutral 1 N ammonium acetate‐extractable K in the surface soil (0—15 cm) ranged from 0.19 to 0.39 cmol kg^—1 in various treatments after 27 crop cycles. The highest and lowest values were obtained in 100% NPK+FYM and 100% NP treatments, respectively. Non‐exchangeable K was also depleted more in the treatments without K fertilization (control, 100% N, and 100% NP). Parabolic diffusion equation could describe the reaction rates in CaCl₂ solutions. Release rate constants (b) of non‐exchangeable K for different depth of soil profile showed the variations among the treatments indicating that long‐term cropping with different rates of fertilizers and manures influenced the rate of K release from non‐exchangeable fraction of soil. The b values were lowest in 100% NP and highest in 100% NPK+FYM treatment in the surface soil. In the sub‐surface soil layers (15—30 and 30—45 cm) also the higher release rates were obtained in the treatments supplied with K than without K fertilization indicating that the sub‐soils were also stressed for K in these treatments.     

四川盆地紫色母岩养分风化释放

Purplish soils having high fertility with mineral nutrients inherited from the parent rock are widely distributed in the hills along the Yangtze River, especially in the Sichuan Basin. Pot and field weathering experiments were conducted to mimic rock weathering and nutrient release processes in order to better understand soil fertility and nutrient compensation. Three types of purplish rock formations formed in the Jurassic period, Shaximiao （J2s）, Suining （J3s）, and Penglaizhen （J3P）, as well as one type formed in the Cretaceous period, the Chengqiangyan group （K1c）, were used in this study. Results showed that the soil formation rate was in the range from 11.2 to 19.6 mm every year, and rock weathering was in the order of J3s 〉 J3P 〉 J2s 〉 K1c. Because more rock surface was exposed to sunlight and rainfall in field conditions, pot weathering was slower than field weathering. Nutrient release rates increased with rock weathering and was in the order similar to that of rock weathering： J3P 〉 J3s 〉 J2s 〉 K1c. Potassium release was the most important in all rocks; after 2 years of weathering, 19.4% to 46.9% of K was released from the initial parent rocks, which suggested that K release from weathering could meet most of the crop K requirement in purplish soils. Thus, rapid release of nutrients from weathering of purplish rocks was key to nutrient replenishment and fertility of purplish soils.     

Exchangeable K levels for maximum crop yields on soils of different cation exchange capacities

Abstract

Wide differences in levels of exchangeable K considered adequate for maximum yields in different States are probably a consequence of the acceptance of either a single 200 pp2m rate for 95–987. sufficiency suggested by Bray, or a variable level based on a percentage of the soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) proposed by Bear. It now appears that sufficiency levels should vary with soil CEC, but not merely as a simple percentage of it. Moreover, the relatiorshlp in practice is complicated by such factors as leaching of K from coarse textured soils, and fixation of added K in, and release of native K from, non‐exchangeable forms in soils high in micaceous clay content. Since these influences occur widely in Ohio soils, the need for new field studies was recognized and implemented. Laboratory and growth chamber studies relating K sufficiency to energies of exchange were examined. Also, a new procedure used by the Ohio Soil Testing Laboratory for providing K sufficiency baaed on soil CEC and crop yield and composition is described.     

Base Cation Supply in Spruce and Beech Ecosystems of the Strengbach Catchment (Vosges Mountains, N-E France)

In spruce and beech stands, mineral budgets for a rotation period were calculated from measured element fluxes. The release of base cations by mineral weathering was calculated with the steady state soil chemistry model PROFILE. The calcium release rate by weathering of the mineral fine earth was extremely low. For the period of one rotation, mineral weathering cannot provide enough Ca to compensate timber harvesting and leaching. Forest sustainability depends strongly on the amounts of Ca gained from deposition and lost by biomass removal. Magnesium was supplied by atmospheric deposition and mineral weathering. Calculated weathering rates were close to present soil losses. However, as the model assumes that all dissolution reactions are congruent, the computed release rate of Mg from illite might be too high. Main inputs of K to the soil solutions were primarily attributed to canopy leaching and litterfall in upper horizons and to mineral weathering in deeper horizons. The cation budget of the beech stand was much more equilibrated than that of the spruce stand. Given possible changes in silviculture and deposition chemistry, the sustainability of the present stands is rather improbable with respect to their mineral supply.     

Specific Responses of Soil Microbial Residue Carbon to Long-Term Mineral Fertilizer Applications to Reddish Paddy Soils

Mineral nutrient inputs to soil may alter microbial activity and consequently influence the accumulation of microbial residues. In this study, we investigated the effects of application rates and ratios of mineral fertilizers on the microbial residue carbon(MRC) of reddish paddy soils after long-term(15-year) fertilizer applications in southern China. Contents of three soil amino sugars as microbial residue contents were determined and MRC were calculated based on amino sugars. Results showed that three individual amino sugar contents increased as fertilizer application rates increased until maximum values were reached at a rate of 450-59-187 kg ha~(-1) year~(-1)(N-P-K). The three amino sugar contents then declined significantly under the highest mineral fertilizer application rate of 675-88-280 kg ha~(-1) year~(-1)(N-P-K). In addition, to enhance the microbial residue contents, it was more beneficial to double P(N:P:K= 1:0.26:0.41) in fertilizers applied to the P-deficient reddish paddy soils than to double either N(N:P:K = 2:0.13:0.41) or K(N:P:K= 1:0.13:0.82). The contents of the three individual amino sugars and microbial residues under different fertilizer application rates and ratios were significantly and positively correlated with soil organic carbon(SOC), total N, total P, and p H. Increases in values of the fungal C to bacterial C ratios showed that soil organic matter(SOM) stability increased because of the fertilizer applications over the past 15 years. The contents and ratios of amino sugars can be used as indicators to evaluate the impact of mineral fertilizer applications on SOM dynamics in subtropical paddy soils. The results indicated that fertilizer applications at a rate of 450-59-187 kg ha~(-1) year~(-1)(N-P-K) may improve crop yields, SOC contents, and SOC stability in subtropical paddy soils.     

Effects of weathering state of coarse‐soil fragments on tree‐seedling nutrient uptake

Fine earth accumulated within the weathering fissures of the coarse‐soil fraction (particles > 2 mm), so called “stone‐protected fine earth”, can provide a high short‐term nutrient release by cation exchange. It is thus hypothesized that unweathered gneiss particles cannot provide plants with exchangeable‐cation nutrients and that biological weathering is needed to include silicate‐bound nutrients into biochemical cycles. In a microcosm experiment, ectomycorrhizal Norway spruce (Picea abies) seedlings were grown on either weathered or unweathered paragneiss coarse‐soil fragments under natural hydraulic and climatic boundary conditions. A nutrient solution containing N, P, and K was added, however Mg and Ca could only be taken up from the coarse‐soil substrate. Solutes in drainage were analyzed during the experiment; plant nutrient uptake was determined after the experiment ended. Solute dynamics depended on the weathering state of the substrates: unweathered gneiss showed high initial Mg and Ca fluxes that diminished strongly afterwards, whereas weathered gneiss showed a much more gradual and sustainable release of these cations. Patterns in dissolved organic C and sulfate drainage indicated that the internal pores of weathered gneiss fragments contained organic material most likely as a result of living spaces from microorganisms. Plant biomass did not differ between treatments, however Mg content was higher in seedlings grown on weathered gneiss. Nutrient budgets demonstrated that the “stonesphere” of weathered gneiss can act as a quasi‐constant nutrient source whereas unweathered gneiss only provided high initial nutrients fluxes. In nutrient‐depleted, acidified fine‐earth environments, the coarse‐soil fraction may therefore act as a retreat for nutrient‐adsorbing tissues and as a buffer for nutrient shortages.     

土壤风化速率研究及其应用

土壤矿物风化是土壤、也是整个生态系统中无机矿质养分的最重要来源,不仅为植物长期提供养分和保持土壤的化学平衡稳定性,并缓冲土壤和地表水的酸化,还影响全球气候变化。风化速率在全球碳循环、酸临界负荷和土壤侵蚀等研究中都是非常重要的参数。土壤化学风化是一个不断进行的自然释放过程,气候是最主要的驱动力,而矿物本身的稳定性也影响了风化速率的快慢。由于人为影响下的大气酸沉降和农业活动已经非常普遍,目前的土壤风化速率也因此而改变。本文从风化速率的研究方法、风化速率的影响因素以及风化速率在全球变化中的应用3个方面介绍了近年来在风化速率方面的研究进展,并探讨了相关研究未来的发展趋势。     

共施磷酸二氢钙和硫酸铵对土壤中钾形态转化的影响

Soil potassium (K) deficiency has been increasing over recent decades as a result of higher inputs of N and P fertilizers concomitant with lower inputs of K fertilizers in China; however, the effects of interactions between N, P, and K of fertilizers on K status in soils have not been thoroughly investigated for optimizing N, P, and K fertilizer use effciency. The influence of ammonium sulfate (AS), monocalcium phosphate (MCP), and potassium chloride application on K fractions in three typical soils of China was evaluated during 90-d laboratory soil incubation. The presence of AS significantly altered the distribution of native and added K in soils, while addition of MCP did not significantly affected K equilibrium in most cases. Addition of AS significantly increased water-soluble K (WSK), decreased exchangeable K (EK) in almost all the soils except the paddy soil that contained considerable amounts of 2:1 type clay minerals with K added, retarded the formation of fixed K in the soils with K added, and suppressed the release of fixed K in the three soils without K added. These interactions might be expected to influence the K availability to plants when the soil was fertilized with AS. To improve K fertilizer use effciency, whether combined application of AS and K was to be recommended or avoided should depend on K status of the soil, soil properties, and cropping systems.     

Effects of acid sulphate on DOC release in mineral soils: the influence of SO42− retention and Al release

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in acid‐sensitive upland waters is dominated by allochthonous inputs from organic‐rich soils, yet inter‐site variability in soil DOC release to changes in acidity has received scant attention in spite of the reported differences between locations in surface water DOC trends over the last few decades. In a previous paper, we demonstrated that pH‐related retention of DOC in O horizon soils was influenced by acid‐base status, particularly the exchangeable Al content. In the present paper, we investigate the effect of sulphate additions (0–437 µeq l^?1) on DOC release in the mineral B horizon soils from the same locations. Dissolved organic carbon release decreased with declining pH in all soils, although the shape of the pH‐DOC relationships differed between locations, reflecting the multiple factors controlling DOC mobility. The release of DOC decreased by 32–91% in the treatment with the largest acid input (437 µeq l^?1), with the greatest decreases occurring in soils with very small % base saturation (BS, < 3%) and/or large capacity for sulphate (SO₄^2?) retention (up to 35% of added SO₄^2?). The greatest DOC release occurred in the soil with the largest initial base status (12% BS). These results support our earlier conclusions that differences in acid‐base status between soils alter the sensitivity of DOC release to similar sulphur deposition declines. However, superimposed on this is the capacity of mineral soils to sorb DOC and SO₄^2?, and more work is needed to determine the fate of sorbed DOC under conditions of increasing pH and decreasing SO₄^2?.     

The Weathering of Mineral Soil by Natural Soil Solutions

Chemical weathering is an important neutralisation process and sourceof cations in forest soil. The presence of dissolved organic matter in the soil solution can have a considerable influence on weathering release. The aim of this study is to compare the weathering potentialof natural soil solutions, collected from Norway spruce, Scots pine and birch sites, to release Al, Ca, Mg, K, Na, and Si from the fine fraction in the C horizon of a podzol. Residual organic matter in the mineral soil was removed with H₂O₂. The <0.06 mm fraction of the mineral soil was suspended in soil solution, collected from the three sites, for 11 days with continuous agitation. Ultrapure water was used as a control. The pH of the suspensions was maintained at 5.4 by bubbling with CO₂. The initial mean DOC concentrations in the soil solutions were 65, 56 and 40 mg L^-1 for the spruce, pine and birch sites, respectively. The presence of DOM in the soil solution did not significantly enhance the capacity to weather mineral soil material, and no systematic differences were found between the three sites. However, Al release from the mineral soil was slightly higher in the soil solutions containing DOM compared to the control solution with no DOM. The proportions of DOM fractions capable of enhancing weathering were comparable with those reported in earlier studies. The weathering of metals was found to be primarily due to pH-driven processes. The lack of considerable weathering enhancement by DOM could be due to the fact that the cation-binding sites of the organic ligands were already saturated by e.g. Al and Fe in the soil solution derived from these podzolic, Al- and Fe-rich soils.     

Effects of Atmospheric Sea-Salt Deposition on Soils and Freshwaters in Northeast Scotland

The majority of Scottish upland soils are particularly sensitive to acid deposition because of their low weathering rates. The compositions of the exchangeable base cations of such soils in the United Kingdom are dominated by sea salt inputs rather than by mineral weathering inputs of base cations. Catchments with low mineral weathering rates are also those particularly susceptible to freshwater acidification. Therefore, catchments exhibiting a high sea salt effect should also exhibit the most acid waters under base flow and storm flow conditions. A field evaluation study based on 61 catchments in NE Scotland has shown that this is indeed the case. River water pH under both base flow and high flow conditions is correlated stronhly with the relative contribution of Na+ to the sum of Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+. From these results, an attempt is being made to produce a quantitative signature of weathering for the soils within the catchment upstream of the sampling point. Representative soil samples from the LFH, AE, B and C horizons and on 4 different parent materials have been obtained from the surrounding catchments to validate the above results for associated soil solutions. Sampling took place on upland moorland podzols under Calluna vulgaris. Tension lysimeters were used to sample the soil solutions so that their chemistry could be compared with that of the relevant river water.     

Release of interlayer potassium in Norwegian grassland soils

Potassium (K) release from sources that are not initially exchangeable is attributed to depletion of interlayer K of micas and clay minerals or weathering of feldspars. The aim of the present study was to estimate the K release from interlayer K. Soil samples from 17 field experiments in ley on a range of mineral soils in Norway were used in the study. The change in K‐fixation capacity was used as an estimate of depletion of interlayer K. It was assumed that the increase in K‐fixation capacity during 3 yr of cropping was equivalent to the amount of K depleted from the interlayer positions. Mean K fixation increased in the majority of the soils during 3 yr of grass cropping both with and without K application. The increase in K fixation indicated that without K application, the K uptake from interlayer K amounted to 43%, 28%, and 26% of the K yield for clay soils, high‐K sandy soils, and low‐K sandy soils, respectively. Including K uptake from exchangeable K in the topsoil and from subsoil, the explained K uptake amounted to 79%, 69%, and 81% for the three groups of soil, respectively. Simple linear‐regression analyses showed that the change in K fixation during 3 yr of grass cropping was best explained by the percentage of clay in the soil.     

Towards a new method of setting a critical load of acidity for ombrotrophic peat

Critical loads of acidity for mineral soils can be set according to the capacity of the underlying bedrock to replenish the base cations leached by acid deposition. Unfortunately, this relatively simple approach cannot be applied to peat, one of the most widely occurring soil types in the wetter, western areas of Europe. These organic soils depend on atmospheric deposition for their supply of base cations rather than mineral weathering. We aim to develop a critical load methodology for ombrotrophic peat, using a combination of field observations and laboratory experiments. Simulated rain has been applied to intact cores of peat to determine the key chemical processes governing the response of these soils to both increases and decreases in acid deposition. It is evident that peat does not behave as a simple ion exchanger; the complex reactions of decomposition, sulphate reduction, nitrate uptake and organic acid production also control the response to acid inputs. This paper looks at some of the results from these experiments and considers the implications for setting critical loads.     

黑龙江垦区农田土壤养分平衡分析与评价

养分资源高效利用是农业绿色发展的重要环节。黑龙江垦区是中国粮食主产区之一,对其进行农田土壤养分平衡评价至关重要。该研究以黑龙江垦区为研究对象,采用农田土壤养分平衡方法,分析与评价其2000-2018年农田土壤氮、磷、钾养分输入与输出情况。结果表明:1)2000-2018年黑龙江垦区农田土壤氮、磷、钾输入与输出整体呈现"平稳-增长-下降后平稳"的趋势,养分输入以化肥为主,养分输出以籽粒和秸秆为主。2)黑龙江垦区农田土壤单位面积养分输入量较为稳定,并且所带来的经济效益在增加。3)2017年以来黑龙江垦区农田土壤氮和钾处于养分平衡状态,而磷处于养分盈余状态。2018年黑龙江垦区氮、磷、钾利用效率分别为51.03%、27.98%、10.04%。建议黑龙江垦区大力推广有机无机肥配施,开展农田土壤养分平衡长期调查与监测,促进区域农业绿色发展。     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics of Some Benchmark Soil Series under Rice–Wheat Cropping System in the Indo‐Gangetic Plains of Northwestern India

Abstract

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important issues in long‐term sustainability of a cropping system. Fixation and release behavior of potassium were studied in the surface and subsurface horizons in five benchmark soil series, viz. Dhar, Gurdaspur, Naura, Ladowal, and Nabha, under rice–wheat cropping system in the Indo‐Gangetic plains of India. Potassium fixation was noted by adding six rates of K varying from 0 to 500 mg kg^?1 soil in plastic beakers while K release characteristics were studied by repeated extractions with 1 M HNO₃ and 1 M NH₄OAc extractants. The initial status of K was satisfactory to adequate. Potassium fixation of added K increased with the rate of added K irrespective of soil mineralogy and soil depth. Soils rich in K (Ladowal and Nabha) fixed lower amounts (18–42%) of added K as compared to Gurdaspur, Dhar, and Naura (44.6–86.4%) soils low in K. The unit fertilizer requirement for unit increase in available K was more in low‐K soils. The study highlights the need for more studies on K fixation in relation to the associated minerals in a particular soil. Potassium‐release parameters such as total extractable K, total step K, and CR‐K varied widely in different soil series, indicating wide variation in the K‐supplying capacity of these soils. K released with 1 M NH₄OAc extractant was 20–33% of that obtained with 1 M HNO₃. Total extractable K using 1 M HNO₃ varied from 213 to 528 mg kg^?1 and NH₄OAc‐extractable K ranged from 71 to 312 mg kg^?1 soil in surface and subsurface layers of different soil series. The Ladowal and Nabha series showed higher rates of K release than Gurdaspur, Dhar, and Naura series, indicating their greater K‐supplying capacity.     

Short‐time clay‐mineral evolution in a soil chronosequence in Oléron Island (France)

Major weathering sequences in soils are well established; however, knowledge on rates of mineral transformations remains unknown, because it is often difficult to date precisely soil processes. This work was carried out on soils developed on recent (< 188 y) sand dunes on the W coast of Oléron Island (France). The coast has been protected against marine and wind erosion by constructing five consecutives barriers close to the coastline since 1820 (1820, 1864, 1876, 1889, 1948) defining the maximum age of the soil parent material, as before the areas between the barriers were under water. Soils on the older dunes have low clay content (> 94% of sand) and exhibit a bleached E horizon that overlies a yellowish brown B horizon. The process responsible for their formation is podzolization promoted by the high permeability of the material and complexing organic matter produced by coniferous vegetation. Initial mineralogy of C horizons is homogenous and constituted of chlorite, illite, illite/smectite mixed‐layer minerals, and kaolinite, quartz, calcite (≈ 8% related to shell fragments), and feldspars. The initial clay‐mineral assemblage of the E horizons is dominated by illite (well‐crystallized WCI and poorly crystallized PCI) and chlorite. With progressive podzolization, poorly crystallized illite is first transformed to illite/smectite mixed‐layer minerals and in a further step into smectite. In addition, transformation of well‐crystallized illite leads to formation of ordered illite/smectite mixed‐layer minerals in the E horizons, which is not commonly described in soils. In the B horizons, illite/smectite mixed‐layer minerals are present with traces of smectite, as well as Al and Fe oxi‐hydroxides as revealed by DCB and oxalate chemical extractions. This chronosequence illustrates that over short distances and short time (< 188 y) intense mineral weathering and soil development occur. Major clay‐mineral changes occur between 132 and 188 y in agreement with development of the pine forest producing acidic litter.     

Contrasting development of soil microbial community structure under no-tilled perennial and tilled cropping during early pedogenesis of a Mollisol

A range of agricultural practices influence soil microbial communities, such as tillage and organic C inputs, however such effects are largely unknown at the initial stage of soil formation. Using an eight-year field experiment established on exposed parent material (PM) of a Mollisol, our objectives were to: (1) to determine the effects of field management and soil depth on soil microbial community structure; (2) to elucidate shifts in microbial community structure in relation to PM, compared to an arable Mollisol (MO) without organic amendment; and (3) to identify the controlling factors of such changes in microbial community structure. The treatments included two no-tilled soils supporting perennial crops, and four tilled soils under the same cropping system, with or without chemical fertilization and crop residue amendment. Principal component (PC) analysis of phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles demonstrated that microbial community structures were affected by tillage and/or organic and inorganic inputs via PC1 and by land use and/or soil depth via PC2. All the field treatments were separated by PM into two groups via PC1, the tilled and the no-tilled soils, with the tilled soils more developed towards MO. The tilled soils were separated with respect to MO via PC1 associated with the differences in mineral fertilization and the quality of organic amendments, with the soils without organic amendment being more similar to MO. The separations via PC1 were principally driven by bacteria and associated with soil pH and soil C, N and P. The separations via PC2 were driven by fungi, actinomycetes and Gram (−) bacteria, and associated with soil bulk density. The separations via both PC1 and PC2 were associated with soil aggregate stability and exchangeable K, indicating the effects of weathering and soil aggregation. The results suggest that in spite of the importance of mineral fertilization and organic amendments, tillage and land-use type play a significant role in determining the nature of the development of associated soil microbial community structures at the initial stages of soil formation.     

Organic matter returns to soils must be higher under organic compared to conventional farming

The aim of this paper is to discuss the demand of fresh organic matter (FOM) supply to maintain soil organic matter (SOM) levels and productivity of arable soils under organic management. The basic question is whether the different frame conditions in organic vs. conventional farming result in a different and system‐specific FOM demand. If this is the case, it would follow that the farming system has to be considered in the calculation of SOM balances. SOM balances are the most common decision support tools in organic matter management. A conversion to organic farming in practice usually leads to an increase of SOM levels as well as soil microbial activity over time. The system‐specific driver of this effect is the indispensable extension of the share of (perennial) legumes in crop rotations at the expense of non‐legumes such as cereals, row crops, and maize. Extended legume cropping is essential for N supply in crop rotations as the import of N fertilizer in total is limited by organic farming regulations and mineral N fertilizer may not be used at all. Based on this characteristic of organic management, we argue that the demand of FOM supply to soils must be higher than in conventional crop production. The most relevant factors are (1) the non‐existence of mineral N fertilizer as an external N source that supports the maintenance of SOM by decreasing the demand for SOM‐N, (2) benefits of increasing SOM stocks and turnover for soil productivity under organic management, and, (3) increased mass‐losses of FOM and easily degradable SOM compartments due to higher microbial activity in soils. These effects have to be quantified and must be considered in SOM balances in order to avoid misleading assessments and erroneous decisions.     

亚热带花岗岩地区土壤矿物风化过程中盐基离子的释放特征

矿物风化过程中盐基离子释放遵从一定的化学计量关系,这种化学计量关系一般只能通过模拟实验来获取。本研究采用pH 7.0的EDTA-乙酸铵溶液将土壤中的交换性盐基离子完全洗脱出来,然后用Batch方法模拟不同pH溶液淋溶洗脱盐基和未洗脱盐基土壤,旨在消除土壤中交换性盐基离子的影响后更为准确地判断土壤矿物风化的盐基离子释放特征。结果表明:未洗脱盐基土壤的淋出液pH由3.73±0.14逐渐上升到4.23±0.06,主要原因是淋溶液中有高浓度的NH_4~+;洗脱盐基土壤矿物风化后淋出液pH从7.39±0.02逐渐下降到5.39±0.17,主要是由于土壤中可风化矿物减少。土壤交换性盐基离子会改变盐基离子释放特征、释放总量:未洗脱盐基土壤经酸雨淋溶后,各盐基离子释放均呈现急速下降后逐渐平缓的趋势,洗脱盐基土壤矿物风化后,K~+及盐基离子释放总量呈波动上升趋势,且盐基离子释放总量比未洗脱盐基土壤低。土壤交换性盐基离子的存在还会改变淋出液中的盐基离子化学计量关系:未洗脱盐基土壤的K~+︰Ca~(2+)︰Mg~(2+)︰Na+化学计量关系为11︰13︰4︰1(当量比),而洗脱盐基土壤为7︰2︰2︰1。K~+是盐基离子中风化释放量最多的,大部分K~+来自于土壤中云母的风化。因此,只有利用洗脱盐基土壤的盐基离子释放量才能准确计算矿物风化速率并获得准确的化学计量关系。土壤矿物风化作用随着淋溶液酸度增大而增强,但模拟一年降雨量的情况下,p H 3.5、4.5和5.5三种不同p H溶液对矿物风化后盐基离子的释放在实验期间没有显著性影响,较长时间后的差异性有待观察。本研究表明,可以通过预洗脱盐基土壤然后模拟酸雨淋溶的方法,观察矿物风化特征,特别是盐基离子释放的化学计量特征。