Nitrogen Mineralization Characteristics of Disturbed and Undisturbed Soil Samples for Four Main Soil Types on the Loess Plateau

Long-term alternate leaching aerobic incubation was conducted to study nitrogen (N) mineralization in four main soil types under disturbed (D) and undisturbed (UD) conditions from the Loess Plateau (China). Results showed that N mineralization of the UD and D samples decreased from southern to northern Shaanxi Province. Nitrate was the main component of N mineralization during the aerobic incubation for both the D and UD samples. However, net inorganic N in the D samples was less than in UD samples. The average total mineralized N levels were 30% larger for the set of D samples than for the UD samples, and the mineralization potential of the D samples was larger than that of UD samples. Further studies are required to develop predictive methods for quantifying N availability.     

Comparison of Chemical Methods of Assessing Potentially Available Organic Nitrogen from Organic Residues Applied to a Sandy Soil

Abstract

More than 90% of the nitrogen (N) in soils is bond as organic N compounds. The available N can be estimated on the mineral N released during time‐consuming incubations of soil. Several chemical methods have been developed as substitutes for incubations. On the other hand, there has been an increase in waste production. Residues could potentially offset the need for mineral fertilizers, being both an economic and environmental benefit. Thus, the development of a routine method for prediction of N supply both from soil organic matter (SOM) and the application of organic residues is of great interest. An incubation experiment was performed in a Cambic Arenosol to evaluate different chemical methods. Air‐dried soil was mixed with increasing amounts of composted solid municipal waste, secondary pulp‐mill sludge, hornmeal, poultry manure, the solid phase from pig slurry, and composted pig manure. Samples were incubated for 244 days under a controlled environment. Among the chemical extractants studied, hot 2 M potassium chloride (KCl) and hot 0.01 M calcium chloride (CaCl₂) showed promise in indicating values of N₀ (potentially available nitrogen), and these simple methods are suitable for use in routine laboratory conditions.     

石灰岩山地侧柏纯林非生长季土壤氮矿化研究

为探明石灰岩山地侧柏纯林非生长季土壤氮矿化能力,采用PVC管原位培养法对济南南部山区石灰岩山地人工恢复不同年限(5,10,25年)的侧柏纯林土壤的氮矿化能力进行研究。结果表明:3种不同恢复年限侧柏纯林NO3--N含量先升高后降低然后再有所升高,NH4+-N含量变化没有明显的规律性。其净硝化速率和净氮矿化速率均在11月份达到最大值,分别为(0.07±0.04)mg/(kg.d),(0.11±0.01)mg/(kg.d),(0.15±0.02)mg/(kg.d)和(0.15±0.04)mg/(kg.d),(0.29±0.02)mg/(kg.d),(0.33±0.03)mg/(kg.d)。石灰岩山地侧柏纯林土壤的净氮矿化速率与土壤湿度表现为二次函数关系,但随湿度增加,土壤净氮矿化能力降低。土壤净氮矿化与土壤pH值呈显著负相关(r=-0.452,p=0.018),与土壤有机碳含量、微生物量碳含量和C/N比均呈正相关关系,但相关性不显著(r=0.076,p=0.707;r=0.374,p=0.055;r=0.337,p=0.086)。非生长季石灰岩山地侧柏纯林土壤有较强的氮转化能力,气温变化所导致的土壤环境因素对氮矿化有显著影响。     

Nationally Coordinated Evaluation of Soil Nitrogen Mineralization Rate using a Standardized Aerobic Incubation Protocol

Abstract

Aerobic incubation methods have been widely used to assess soil nitrogen (N) mineralization, but standardized protocols are lacking. A single silt loam soil (Catlin silt loam; fine‐silty, mixed, superactive, mesic, Oxyaquic Arguidoll) was subjected to aerobic incubation at six USDA‐ARS locations using a standardized protocol. Incubations were conducted at multiple temperatures, which were combined based on degree days (DD). Soil water was maintained at 60% water‐filled pore space (WFPS; constant) or allowed to fluctuate between 60 and 30% WFPS (cycle). Soil subsamples were removed periodically and extracted in 2 M potassium chloride (KCl); nitrate (NO₃) and ammonium (NH₄) concentrations in extracts were determined colorimetrically. For each location, the rate of soil organic‐matter N (SOMN) mineralization was estimated by regressing soil inorganic N (N_i) concentration on DD, using a linear (zero‐order) model. When all data were included, the mineralization rate from four datasets was not statistically different, with a rate equivalent to 0.5 mg N kg^?1 soil day^?1. Soil incubated at two locations exhibited significantly higher SOMN mineralization rates. To assess whether this may have been due to pre‐incubation conditions, time‐zero data were excluded and regression analysis was conducted again. Using this data subset, SOMN mineralization from five (of six) datasets was not significantly different. Fluctuating soil water reduced N‐mineralization rate at two (of four) locations by an average of 50%; fluctuating soil water content also substantially increased variability. This composite dataset demonstrates that standardization of aerobic incubation methodology is possible.     

模拟氮沉降对温带不同森林类型土壤氮矿化速率的影响

通过室内模拟不同氮形态(NH4+-N、NO3--N、NH4+-N+NO3--N)沉降实验,研究不同氮形态沉降对温带不同森林类型(椴树红松混交林、白桦天然次生林、红松人工林和落叶松人工林)土壤氮矿化速率的影响。结果表明:在整个培养期间,与对照相比,经过氮沉降土壤净氨化速率、净硝化速率及净矿化速率都呈现出增长趋势,而其增加的程度又取决于森林类型、土层、氮处理类型和处理时间。不同林型土壤净氨化速率、净硝化速率及净矿化速率受氮沉降影响不同,混交林对氮沉降的响应要弱于阔叶林,高于针叶人工纯林;土壤A层比土壤B层对氮沉降敏感;以铵态氮形态沉降时对铵态氮含量、净氨化速率影响较大,以硝态氮形态沉降时对硝态氮含量、净硝化速率影响较大,混合形态的氮沉降要比单种形态的氮沉降使土壤净氨化速率、净硝化速率及净矿化速率增加幅度更高;氮沉降时间越长,土壤净氨化速率、净硝化速率及净矿化速率与对照差距越大,说明氮沉降对土壤的影响存在累加效应。     

Mineralization of Three Organic Manures Used as Nitrogen Source in a Soil Incubated under Laboratory Conditions

Abstract

The rate and timing of manure application when used as nitrogen (N) fertilizer depend on N‐releasing capacity (mineralization) of manures. A soil incubation study was undertaken to establish relative potential rates of mineralization of three organic manures to estimate the value of manure as N fertilizer. Surface soil samples of 0–15 cm were collected and amended with cattle manure (CM), sheep manure (SM), and poultry manure (PM) at a rate equivalent to 200 mg N kg^?1 soil. Soil without any amendment was used as a check (control). Nitrogen‐release potential of organic manures was determined by measuring changes in total mineral N [ammonium‐N+nitrate‐N (NH₄ ⁺–N+NO₃ ^?–N)], NH₄ ⁺–N, and accumulation of NO₃ ^?–N periodically over 120 days. Results indicated that the control soil (without any amendment) released a maximum of 33 mg N kg^?1soil at day 90, a fourfold increase (significant) over initial concentration, indicating that soil had substantial potential for mineralization. Soil with CM, SM, and PM released a maximum of 50, 40, and 52 mg N kg^?1 soil, respectively. Addition of organic manures (i.e., CM, SM, and PM) increased net N released by 42, 25, and 43% over the control (average). No significant differences were observed among manures. Net mineralization of organic N was observed for all manures, and the net rates varied between 0.01 and 0.74 mg N kg^?1 soil day^?1. Net N released, as percent of organic N added, was 9, 10, and 8% for CM, SM, and PM. Four phases of mineralization were observed; initial rapid release phase in 10–20 days followed by slow phase in 30–40 days, a maximum mineralization in 55–90 days, and finally a declined phase in 120 days. Accumulation of NO₃ ^?–N was 13.2, 10.6, and 14.6 mg kg^?1 soil relative to 7.4 mg NO₃ ^?–N kg^?1 in the control soil, indicating that manures accumulated NO₃ ^?–N almost double than the control. The proportion of total mineral N to NO₃ ^?–N revealed that a total of 44–61% of mineral N is converted into NO₃ ^?–N, indicating that nitrifiers were unable to completely oxidize the available NH₄ ⁺. The net rates of mineralization were highest during the initial 10–20 days, showing that application of manures 1–2 months before sowing generally practiced in the field may cause a substantial loss of mineralized N. The rates of mineralization and nitrification in the present study indicated that release of inorganic N from the organic pool of manures was very low; therefore, manures have a low N fertilizer effect in our conditions.     

Sulphur Mineralization and Carbon,Nitrogen, and Sulphur Relationships in Some Alfisols of India

Abstract

The amount of sulphur (S), nitrogen (N), and organic carbon (C) in different layers of soils from some Alfisols varied considerably with location. The amount of S extracted by different extractants as a percentage of the total S was in the order of organic (3.5%)>0.05 (N) NH₄OAc+0.25 (N) HOAc (1.9%)>0.1 (N) H₃PO₄ (1.8%)>0.025 (N) CaCl₂ (1.8%)>0.03 (N) NaH₂PO₄ (1.7%)>0.001 (N) HCl (0.6%). In all the soil series SO₄ ^2?‐S mineralization decreased up to the second week after incubation, followed by a slight increase up to the fourth week, a subsequent decline up to the sixth week, and a slight increase up to the eighth week. The C:N, C:S, N:S, and C:N:S ratios averaged 9.4:1, 63.7:1, 6.9:1, and 94:10:2.08, respectively.     

Mineralization of Nitrogen from Biofuel By-products and Animal Manures Amended to a Sandy Soil

Transformations of nitrogen (N) from poultry litter (PL), dairy manure compost (DMC), anaerobically digested fiber (ADF), Perfect Blend 7–2–2 (PB), a compost/litter mixture (C/L), dried distillers grains from ethanol production (DG), and mustard meal from biodiesel production (MM) applied to a Quincy fine sand were investigated in an incubation experiment over 210 days. The cumulative release totals of available N after 210 days were 61, 61, 56, 44, 29, 2, and –2% for the total N in MM, PB, DG, PL, C/L, DMC, and ADF, respectively. With application of MM and DG, ammonium (NH₄-N) accumulated initially in the soil with very little nitrification, possibly because of inhibition of nitrification related to chemical compounds in the amendments. Mineralization of organic N to NH₄-N and nitrate (NO₃-N) was relatively slow from MM- and DG-amended soils, indicating the potential for using biofuel by-products as slow-release N sources for plants.     

Container and Installation Time Effects on Soil Moisture,Temperature, and Inorganic Nitrogen Retention for an in situ Nitrogen Mineralization Method

Mineralization contributes significantly to agronomic nitrogen (N) budgets and is difficult to accurately predict. Models for predicting N‐mineralization contributions are needed, and development of these models will require field‐based data. In situ mineralization methods are intended to quantify N mineralization under ambient environmental conditions. This study was conducted to compare soil moisture and temperature in intact soil cores contained in cylinders to those in adjacent bulk soil, compare the effect of two resin‐bag techniques on water content of soil within cylinders, and assess the effect of installation duration on inorganic N retention by resins. The study was conducted at a dryland conventionally tilled corn (Zea mays L.) site and an irrigated no‐tillage corn site in eastern Nebraska. Soil in cylinders was slightly wetter (<0.05 g g^?1) and warmer (<1 °C) than adjacent soil. Soil water content was <80% water‐filled pore space (WFPS) at all sampling times and differed little between the two resin‐bag techniques. Greater soil water content and temperature conditions (though small) observed during most of the study period likely enhanced N mineralization within the cylinder compared to N mineralization in adjacent bulk soil, but the magnitude is likely much less than core‐to‐core variation normally observed in a field. Installing cylinders for more than 60 days resulted in loss of inorganic N from resins. Care is needed during installation to ensure that compaction of soil below the cylinder does not impede water movement through the intact soil core. The in situ method utilizing intact soil cores and resin bags replaced at 28‐ to 40‐day intervals is a viable method for measuring N mineralization.     

残落物混合分解对杨树-农作物复合系统土壤碳氮矿化的影响

采用室内培养的方法研究杨-麦、杨-花生等不同复合经营模式下,杨树叶与农作物秸秆混合后对土壤碳、氮矿化及土壤微生物量的影响。结果表明:(1)单一模式中,花生叶处理的有机碳矿化累积量最大,花生茎秆、杨树叶处理次之,小麦秸秆处理最低。混合处理有机碳矿化累积量依次为杨树叶-花生叶>杨树叶-花生茎秆>杨树叶-小麦秸秆,且培养结束时,混合物表现出明显的促进作用;(2)土壤微生物量碳、氮与各残落物氮含量、C/N比存在显著的相关性;(3)杨树叶、小麦秸秆及其混合物处理的土壤矿质态氮含量均低于对照,而添加花生叶、花生茎秆以及它们与杨树叶的混合物使矿质态氮含量高于对照。试验说明杨-麦、杨-花生复合模式均能有效提高土壤微生物的生物量,调节碳的动态及氮的供应,而选择种植含氮量高的农作物更有利于促进残落物分解和养分归还,这对深入研究林-农复合系统的模式筛选、结构优化及可持续经营具有一定的现实意义。     

Validation and Recalibration of a Soil Test for Mineralizable Nitrogen

Abstract

A soil test for mineralizable soil N had been calibrated for winter wheat in the Willamette Valley of western Oregon. Seventy‐eight percent of the variation in spring N uptake by unfertilized wheat was explained by N mineralized from mid‐winter soil samples incubated anaerobically for 7 days at 40°C. Mineralizable N (Nmin) ranged from 10 to 30 mg N kg^?1 and was used to predict N fertilizer needs. Recommended rates of N were correlated (R²=0.87) with maximum economic rates of N fertilizer. Subsequent farmer adoption of no‐till sowing and a high frequency of soil tests>30 mg N kg^?1 prompted reevaluation of the soil test. Four N fertilizer rates [0, 56, G, and G+56 kg N ha^?1] were compared in 12 m×150 m farmer‐managed plots. Grower's N rates (G) ranged from 90 to 180 kg N ha^?1 and were based on N_min and NH₄‐N plus NO₃‐N soil tests. Averaged across ten no‐till and five conventionally tilled sites, grain yield and crop N uptake were maximized at the recommended rate of N. Results demonstrate that N fertilizer needs for winter wheat can be predicted over a wide range of mineralizable soil N (10 to 75 mg N kg^?1) and that the same soil test calibration can be used for conventionally sown and direct‐seeded winter wheat.     

土壤氮素矿化研究进展

本文总结了有机氮矿化方面的研究成果,对土壤有机氮矿化不同数学模式进行了归纳和分类,分析了模型的适用条件,提出了今后研究的思路。     

Nitrogen Mineralization and Nitrification in Two Soils with Different pH Levels

ABSTRACT

Soil pH is one of the properties that mostly influences nitrification rates, and can be used as a tool for controlling this process, seen that depending on its extent it may lead to nitrogen (N) losses and subsequent contaminations. The aims of this study were to evaluate mineralization and nitrification of two soils at different pH levels. The experimental design was factorial with two factors and three replicates, with the first factor referring to two samples of red latosols, one eutrophic (LV1) and the other dystrophic (LV2), and the second factor was soil’s pH, at six levels: 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5. Samples were incubated for 70 days in laboratory conditions. Both nitrate (N-NO₃) and mineral N contents were determined and adjusted to growth models. The eutrophic soil presented higher mineral N and N-NO₃, and the increase of pH levels led to increases of both inorganic N and N-NO₃contents. Increases in pH levels caused N-NO₃levels to increase in both soils, however this occurrence happened because it increased the amount of mineralized N in the soil, seen that in all pH ranges in both soils practically all mineral N was in the form of N-NO₃.     

无机改良剂对皖南植烟红壤氮矿化的影响

以皖南植烟旱地红壤为研究对象,通过模拟试验分析了无机改良剂(T20、G20、硅藻土)对土壤氮矿化及硝化作用的影响。试验采用室内恒温间歇淋洗好气培养法(Stanford法),研究无机改良剂添加量处理(1%,2%,5%和10%)对皖南植烟红壤氮矿化的影响。结果表明,3种改良剂均可提高土壤淋洗液pH,pH增加幅度与改良剂添加量显著相关,T20、G20与硅藻土的土壤淋洗液pH增加幅度最大可提高0.30,0.50,0.43个单位;利用一级动力学方程N_t=N_0(1-e~(-kt))拟合土壤氮矿化过程,不同处理的相关系数R~2为0.970 9~0.998 0,相关性均达到极显著水平;39个供试土壤样品的有机氮矿化势N0为14.86~177.1mg/kg,平均50.53mg/kg。不同处理的N0均与改良剂添加量显著正相关,对照N0为14.86mg/kg,添加10%硅藻土、T20与G20处理的N0分别为104.1,177.1,26.01 mg/kg,是对照处理的7,11.9,1.75倍。39个土壤样品的供氮指数N0×k为0.66~6.39mg/(kg·d),平均为2.19mg/(kg·d);添加1%,2%的硅藻土处理及添加1%,5%,10%的G20处理的综合指数N0×k均显著高于对照处理。不同处理的土壤硝化累积量随时间变化符合Logistic的"S"形生长曲线,其决定系数R2为0.953 3~0.996 2,达到极显著水平。硅藻土、G20与T20处理的最大氮矿化促进率分别可达27.46%,94.76%,0.63%,而最大硝化促进率分别可达82.83%,136.4%,40.44%;氮矿化促进作用与无机改良剂添加量呈显著正相关。通过对3种改良剂的氮矿化与硝化作用比较,G20较硅藻土与T20在促进氮矿化与硝化方面具有比较优势。可见,合理增加无机改良剂,可以促进土壤有机氮的矿化以及硝化作用的进行,增强皖南旱地植烟土壤氮素的有效利用。     

Study of the Potentially Mineralized Nitrogen Content and Nitrogen Supply by Soil Incubation Method in a Long-Term Field Experiment in East Hungary

The formation and fate of soluble nitrogen (N) forms and their response to organic-matter mineralization is not obvious yet, and results are often inconsistent despite intensive research. The available N supply of the soil is very important for plant nutrition and environmentally sound N fertilization. The determination of actual N supply is very important for sustainable agriculture in Hungary, especially in acidic sandy soils, which are very sensitive to environmental effects and inefficient human treatment. Therefore, the aim of this article is to provide further information about N mineralization processes and organic–mineral interactions of soil. To establish the potentially mineralized N content and available N supply of soil, a biological (incubation) method was carried out an acidic brown forest soil of the Nyírlugos long-term field experiment in Hungary. The incubation was carried out in the laboratory with differently treated soils of the long-term field experiment to investigate the effect of treatments on N mineralization processes of soil. The incubation period was 16 weeks long. The pH and the easily soluble mineralized and organic N fractions of soil were measured periodically from leached solution (0.01 M calcium chloride; CaCl₂). The leaching process was repeated after 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, and 16 weeks. The potentially mineralized N content of soil and the actual rate of N mineralization were calculated from periodically collected data. The results of the incubation method can be summarized as follows: the kinetics of incubation of 0.01 M CaCl₂ soluble organic N is similar to mineral N; 0.01 M CaCl₂–soluble N fractions were mainly in inorganic forms in the incubation period but the content of the organic form was significant too; and the mineralization rate is greater where the microbiological activity of the soil is expressed and the soil properties are more favored as a result of applied treatments.     

Mineralization of Nitrogen in Soils Amended with Dairy Manure as Affected by Wetting/Drying Cycles

Abstract

Interest in manure management and its effects on nitrogen (N) mineralization has increased in recent years. The focus of this research was to investigate the N‐mineralization rates of different soil types in Coastal Plain soils and compare them to a soil from Illinois. Soils with and without dairy composted manure addition were subjected to different wetting/drying cycles [constant moisture at 60% water‐filled pore space (WFPS) and cycling moisture from 60 to 30% WFPS] under laboratory conditions at three different temperatures (11°C, 18°C, and 25°C). Samples were collected from three different soil types: Catlin (Mollisols), Bama (Ultisols), and Goldsboro (Utilsols). Soil chemical and physical properties were determined to help assess variations in N-mineralization rates. Addition of composted manure greatly impacted the amount of N mineralized. The amount of manure‐derived organic N mineralized to inorganic forms was mainly attributed to the soil series, with the Catlin (silt loam) producing the most inorganic N followed by the Goldsboro (loam) and then Bama (sandy loam). This was probably due to soil texture and the native climatic conditions of the soil. No significant differences were observed between the constant and cycling moisture regimens, suggesting that the imposed drying cycle may not have been sufficient to desiccate microbial cells and cause a flush in N mineralization upon rewetting. Nitrogen mineralization responded greatly to the influence of temperature, with the greatest N mineralization occurring at 25°C. The information acquired from this study may aid in predicting the impact of manure application to help increase N‐use efficiency when applied under different conditions (e.g., climate season) and soil types.     

华北地区作物生长期水氮含量变化过程模拟及其参数敏感性分析

根据中国科学院栾城农业生态系统试验站2006-2007年小麦-玉米生长季实测的作物水氮动态变化数据,进行CERES-Wheat和CERES-Maize模型在华北地区冬小麦和夏玉米作物水氮过程模拟能力的验证及参数敏感性分析。结果表明,模型模拟的冬小麦生长季土壤含水量、土壤硝态氮含量、植株含氮量与实测值的相关系数分别为0.46、0.74和0.68,夏玉米则依次为0.95、0.62和0.72。敏感性分析发现土壤含水量和土壤硝态氮含量对土壤参数变化比较敏感,植株含氮量则受遗传参数影响显著。当田间持水量相对变化+10%时,冬小麦和夏玉米的土壤含水量相对变化率分别为+7.5%和+8.8%,冬小麦和夏玉米土壤硝态氮含量的相对变化率分别为+12.0%和+17.9%。叶热间距PHINT对冬小麦植株含氮量有负效应,PHINT相对变化+10%时冬小麦植株含氮量的相对变化率为-11.5%;夏玉米植株含氮量对出苗-幼苗末期所需温时(P1)较为敏感,P1变化+10%时夏玉米植株含氮量相对变化+9.3%。     

Potential of Chemically Labile Fractions to Measure Mineralizable Soil Nitrogen

Nitrogen (N) in the soil is largely organic and is available to crops only after it is mineralized to inorganic N by microbial or enzyme action. To develop a soil test for guiding N applications, a method to predict the relative amount of organic N that will mineralize in a growing season is necessary. Several chemical analysis methods proposed in the literature to measure mineralizable N were examined for chemical interference, measurement precision, response to procedure modifications, and ability to distinguish differences among soils. The chemical analyses examined involved various acid or alkaline hydrolysis, with the resulting inorganic ammonium N measured by steam distillation and manual or automated diffusion. A gelatinous precipitate in the filtered and neutralized 6 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) hydrolysis solution interfered with magnesium oxide (MgO) diffusion traditionally used to measure inorganic ammonium N. Removing the precipitate appeared to circumvent the interference. The precipitate did not appear to interfere with the sodium hydroxide (NaOH) diffusion. The 6 M HCl hydrolysis extracted 34 to 103% of clay‐fixed ammonium in the soils. Steam distillation was shown to be an acceptable alternative to diffusion for measuring NaOH‐labile N. The vigor of NaOH measurement conditions caused differences in results, showing that precise and reproducible conditions are necessary. Several methods were closely correlated (r² > 0.62) with N mineralized during aerobic incubations and could be considered for further evaluation for soil N testing. This study showed that modifications are required to several proposed analytical methods to improve their potential to estimate mineralizable N for fetilizer or other amendment recommendations for crop production     

Nitrogen Mineralization from Five Manures as Influenced by Chemical Composition and Soil Type

The high cost of chemical fertilizers has forced farmers to switch to intensive use of locally available manures. Two laboratory incubation experiments were carried out in Sudan to study the effects of manure (chicken, farmyard, pigeon, and goat), chemical fertilizer, and four soil types (Ustert, Fluvent, Orthid, and Psamment) on nitrogen (N) mineralization. Net N mineralization in light soils (248, 529 mg N kg^?1) was significantly (P ≤ 0.02) greater than in heavy soils (44, 212 mg N kg^?1). Manure pH (R ² = 0.9, P ≤ 0.01), lignin content (R ² = 0.74, P ≤ 0.05), lignin / total nitrogen (TN; R ² = 0.72, P ≤ 0.05), polyphenols/TN (R ² = 0.75, P ≤ 0.05), and TN (R ² = 0.76, P ≤ 0.05) were found to be the best parameters to determine N mineralization from manures. These findings support earlier studies that N release from organic N of different sources depends on soil type and chemical composition of the manure.