山核桃集约经营过程中土壤微生物量碳氮的变化

[目的]研究不同集约经营历史山核桃林的土壤微生物量碳氮的演变规律,为山核桃林地土壤管理提供科学依据。[方法]在浙江省临安市分别采集并分析了经营历史为5,10,15,20a的山核桃林土壤样品,并与天然混交林(0a)进行比较。[结果]天然混交林改造为山核桃纯林并经集约经营后,林地土壤微生物量碳(MBC)、微生物量氮(MBN)、MBC/MBN,MBC/SOC均表现出先下降而后上升的趋势,经过10a经营后降到最低水平,与0a相比,0—10cm土层MBC,MBN和MBC/SOC分别降低了52.1%,32.0%和31.0%。经营10a的林地土壤MBC/MBN显著低于前期经营林地,而MBN/TN在经营过程中的差异并不显著。[结论]山核桃集约经营后,林地土壤微生物量碳氮含量显著下降。     

Gross fluxes of nitrogen in grassland soil exposed to elevated atmospheric pCO2 for seven years

Plant response to increasing atmospheric CO₂ partial pressure (pCO₂) depends on several factors, one of which is mineral nitrogen availability facilitated by the mineralisation of organic N. Gross rates of N mineralisation were examined in grassland soils exposed to ambient (36 Pa) and elevated (60 Pa) atmospheric pCO₂ for 7 years in the Swiss Free Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment experiment. It was hypothesized that increased below-ground translocation of photoassimilates at elevated pCO₂ would lead to an increase in immobilisation of N due to an excess supply of energy to the roots and rhizosphere. Intact soil cores were sampled from Lolium perenne and Trifolium repens swards in May and September, 2000. The rates of gross N mineralisation (m) and NH₄⁺ consumption (c) were determined using ¹⁵N isotopic dilution during a 51-h period of incubation. The rates of N immobilisation were estimated either as the difference between m and the net N mineralisation rate or as the amount of ¹⁵N released from the microbial biomass after chloroform fumigation. Soil samples from both swards showed that the rates of gross N mineralisation and NH₄⁺ consumption did not change significantly under elevated pCO₂. The lack of a significant effect of elevated pCO₂ on organic N turnover was consistent with the similar size of the microbial biomass and similar immobilisation of applied ¹⁵N in the microbial N pool under ambient and elevated pCO₂. Rates of m and c, and microbial ¹⁵N did not differ significantly between the two sward types although a weak (p<0.1) pCO₂ by sward interaction occurred. A significantly larger amount of NO₃⁻ was recovered at the end of the incubation in soil taken from T. repens swards compared to that from L. perenne swards. Eleven percent of the added ¹⁵N were recovered in the roots in the cores sampled under L. perenne, while only 5% were recovered in roots of T. repens. These results demonstrate that roots remained a considerable sink despite the shoots being cut at ground level prior to incubation and suggest that the calculation of N immobilisation from gross and net rates of mineralisation in soils with a high root biomass does not reflect the actual immobilisation of N in the microbial biomass. The results of this study did not support the initial hypothesis and indicate that below-ground turnover of N, as well as N availability, measured in short-term experiments are not strongly affected by long-term exposure to elevated pCO₂. It is suggested that differences in plant N demand, rather than major changes in soil N mineralisation/immobilisation, are the long-term driving factors for N dynamics in these grassland systems.     

Effect of elevated CO2 on soil N dynamics in a temperate grassland soil

The response of terrestrial ecosystems to elevated atmospheric CO₂ is related to the availability of other nutrients and in particular to nitrogen (N). Here we present results on soil N transformation dynamics from a N-limited temperate grassland that had been under Free Air CO₂ Enrichment (FACE) for six years. A ¹⁵N labelling laboratory study (i.e. in absence of plant N uptake) was carried out to identify the effect of elevated CO₂ on gross soil N transformations. The simultaneous gross N transformation rates in the soil were analyzed with a ¹⁵N tracing model which considered mineralization of two soil organic matter (SOM) pools, included nitrification from NH₄⁺ and from organic-N to NO₃⁻ and analysed the rate of dissimilatory NO₃⁻ reduction to NH₄⁺ (DNRA). Results indicate that the mineralization of labile organic-N became more important under elevated CO₂. At the same time the gross rate of NH₄⁺ immobilization increased by 20%, while NH₄⁺ oxidation to NO₃⁻ was reduced by 25% under elevated CO₂. The NO₃⁻ dynamics under elevated CO₂ were characterized by a 52% increase in NO₃⁻ immobilization and a 141% increase in the DNRA rate, while NO₃⁻ production via heterotrophic nitrification was reduced to almost zero. The increased turnover of the NH₄⁺ pool, combined with the increased DNRA rate provided an indication that the available N in the grassland soil may gradually shift towards NH₄⁺ under elevated CO₂. The advantage of such a shift is that NH₄⁺ is less prone to N losses, which may increase the N retention and N use efficiency in the grassland ecosystem under elevated CO₂.     

Changes in soil microbial biomass carbon and enzyme activities under elevated CO2 affect fine root decomposition processes in a Mongolian oak ecosystem

The relationships between soil microbial properties and fine root decomposition processes under elevated CO₂ are poorly understood. To address this question, we determined soil microbial biomass carbon (SMB-C) and nitrogen (SMB-N), enzymes related to soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling, the abundance of cultivable N-fixing bacteria and cellulolytic fungi, fine root organic matter, lignin and holocellulose decomposition, and N mineralization from 2006 to 2007 in a Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica Fischer ex Ledebour) ecosystem in northeastern China. The experiment consisted of three treatments: elevated CO₂ chambers, ambient CO₂ chambers, and chamberless plots. Fine roots had significantly greater organic matter decomposition rates under elevated CO₂. This corresponded with significantly greater SMB-C. Changes in the activities of protease and phenol oxidase under elevated CO₂ could not explain the changes in fine root N release and lignin decomposition rates, respectively, while holocellulose decomposition rate had the same response to experimental treatments as did cellulase activity. Changes in cultivable N-fixing bacterial and cellulolytic fungal abundances in response to experimental treatments were identical to those of N mineralization and lignin decomposition rates, respectively, suggesting that the two indices were closely related to fine root N mineralization and lignin decomposition. Our results showed that the increased fine root organic matter, lignin and holocellulose decomposition, and N mineralization rates under elevated CO₂ could be explained by shifts in SMB-C and the abundance of cellulolytic fungi and N-fixing bacteria. Enzyme activities are not reliable for the assessment of fine root decomposition and more attention should be given to the measurement of specific bacterial and fungal communities.     

Switchgrass Influences on Soil Biogeochemical Processes in the Dryland Region of the Pacific Northwest

Switchgrass and other perennial grasses have been promoted as biomass crops for production of renewable fuels. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of biomass removal on soil biogeochemical processes. A 3-year field study consisting of three levels of net primary productivity (NPP; low, medium, and high growing season precipitation) and two biomass crops (winter wheat and switchgrass) was conducted near Pendleton, Oregon. Switchgrass increased soil carbon (C)–nitrogen (N) ratio, but the effect varied with net primary productivity (NPP) and soil depth. In situ soil respiration (carbon dioxide; CO₂) rate from switchgrass increased with NPP level but switchgrass had greater cumulative flux than wheat in medium and low NPP. Nitrogen mineralization and microbial biomass carbon were significantly greater under switchgrass than under wheat at high and medium NPP. Introduction of switchgrass initiates major changes in soil nutrient dynamics through organic-matter input.     

太湖地区稻麦轮作农田改葡萄园对土壤氮转化过程的影响

采用15N成对标记技术结合数值模型,测定太湖地区两种土地利用方式(稻麦轮作农田和葡萄园)下的土壤氮素初级转化速率,探讨了土地利用方式改变对土壤供氮和保氮能力的影响。结果表明,葡萄园土壤初级矿化速率高于稻麦轮作农田土壤,但是其NH4+-N同化速率几乎可以忽略不计(0.02 mg kg-1 d-1),自养硝化成为培养条件下葡萄园土壤NH4+-N的唯一去向。葡萄园土壤初级自养硝化速率(15.85 mg kg-1 d-1)显著高于稻麦轮作农田土壤(13.65 mg kg-1 d-1),但两者初级异养硝化速率和NO3--N同化速率均接近零值。可见,太湖地区稻麦轮作农田改种为葡萄园后,土壤NH4+-N同化速率显著降低而自养硝化速率增加,由此导致更多的NO3--N在土壤中累积,进而可能增加土壤中N的淋溶和径流损失风险。     

Rhizodeposition-induced decomposition increases N availability to wild and cultivated wheat genotypes under elevated CO2

Elevated CO₂ may increase nutrient availability in the rhizosphere by stimulating N release from recalcitrant soil organic matter (SOM) pools through enhanced rhizodeposition. We aimed to elucidate how CO₂-induced increases in rhizodeposition affect N release from recalcitrant SOM, and how wild versus cultivated genotypes of wheat mediated differential responses in soil N cycling under elevated CO₂. To quantify root-derived soil carbon (C) input and release of N from stable SOM pools, plants were grown for 1 month in microcosms, exposed to ¹³C labeling at ambient (392 μmol mol⁻¹) and elevated (792 μmol mol⁻¹) CO₂ concentrations, in soil containing ¹⁵N predominantly incorporated into recalcitrant SOM pools. Decomposition of stable soil C increased by 43%, root-derived soil C increased by 59%, and microbial-¹³C was enhanced by 50% under elevated compared to ambient CO₂. Concurrently, plant ¹⁵N uptake increased (+7%) under elevated CO₂ while ¹⁵N contents in the microbial biomass and mineral N pool decreased. Wild genotypes allocated more C to their roots, while cultivated genotypes allocated more C to their shoots under ambient and elevated CO₂. This led to increased stable C decomposition, but not to increased N acquisition for the wild genotypes. Data suggest that increased rhizodeposition under elevated CO₂ can stimulate mineralization of N from recalcitrant SOM pools and that contrasting C allocation patterns cannot fully explain plant mediated differential responses in soil N cycling to elevated CO₂.     

外源水稻根系和茎叶碳氮在稻田土壤中释放的特征

东北地区气候寒冷,稻田土壤休耕期长,多处于冻结状态;水稻生长期短,土壤温度高且季节性淹水.外源水稻秸秆碳氮在东北地区稻田土壤休耕期和水稻生长期不同水热条件下的释放特征尚不完全清楚.通过室外培养试验方法,利用双标记(13C和15N)水稻根系和茎叶示踪技术和稳定同位素质谱分析技术,研究水稻根系和茎叶在稻田土壤中的腐解率、有...     

Natural N abundances in a tallgrass prairie ecosystem exposed to 8-y of elevated atmospheric CO2

After 8-y of elevated CO₂, we previously detected greater amounts of total soil nitrogen, suggesting that rates of ecosystem N flux into or out of tallgrass prairie had been altered. Denitrification and associative N fixation rates are the two primary biological processes that are known to control N loss and accumulation in tallgrass prairie soil. Therefore, our objective was to assess the natural abundance of plant and soil ¹⁵N isotopes as a cumulative index of potential change in efflux or influx of N into and out of the tallgrass prairie after 8-y of exposure to elevated CO₂. Aboveground plant delta ¹⁵N values of Andropogon gerardii were close to zero and more positive as a result of elevated CO₂, but whole-soil values at the 5-30 cm depth were significantly reduced (6.8 vs 7.3; P<0.05) under elevated CO₂-chamber (EC) relative to ambient CO₂- chamber (AC). Total, aboveground plant biomass, root-in-growth, extractable N, microbial biomass N, and soil pools collectively exhibited a range of delta ¹⁵N values from −2.8 to 7.3. Measurements of surface soil ¹⁵N indicate that a change in N inputs and outputs has occurred as a result of elevated atmospheric CO₂. In addition to possible changes in denitrification and N₂ fixation, other sources of N such as the re-translocation of N to the surface from deeper soil layers are needed to explain how soil N accrues in surface soils as a consequence of elevated CO₂. Our results support the notion that C accrual may promote N accrual, possibly driven by high plant and microbial N demand amplified by soil N limitation.     

Microbial immobilisation and turnover of N labelled substrates in two arable soils under field and laboratory conditions

Microbial biomass N dynamics were studied under field and laboratory conditions in soils of high yield (HY) and low yield (LY) areas in an agricultural field. The objective of the study was to determine the size and activity of soil microbial biomass in the soils of the different yield areas and to compare these data obtained under field and laboratory conditions. Soils were amended with ¹⁵N labelled mustard (Sinapis alba) residues (both experiments) and labelled nitrate (laboratory only) at 30 μg N g⁻¹ dry soil. Soil microbial biomass (SMB) N, mineral N (N_min) and total N content was monitored both in the field and in the laboratory. N₂O efflux was additionally measured in laboratory treatments. Isotope ratios were determined for SMB in both experiments, for all other parameters only in the laboratory treatments. In the laboratory less amounts of added substrate N were immobilised by the SMB in HY soils compared to LY soils, whereas in the field immobilisation of added N by SMB was higher in HY soils initially and slightly lower after 40 days of incubation. Calculated turnover times in the laboratory nitrate, laboratory mustard and field mustard amendments were 0.18, 0.27 and 0.74 years (HY) and 0.22, 0.61 and 1.01 years (LY), respectively. The turnover times of added substrate N always showed the trend to be faster in HY soils compared to LY soils. A faster turnover of nutrients in the HY soils may involve a better nutrient supply of the plants, which coincides with the higher agricultural yield observed in these areas.     

CO2浓度升高对三江平原湿地小叶章碳氮含量的影响

利用开顶箱薰气室(open-top chamber),设置正常大气CO2浓度和高CO2浓度(700 μmol/mol)2个水平和不施氮(NN,0 g/m2)、常氮(MN,5 g/m2)和高氮(HN,15 g/m2)3个氮素水平,研究CO2浓度升高对三江平原草甸小叶章碳氮积累的影响.结果表明,CO2浓度升高条件下小叶章植株总固碳量增加,不同氮水平下小叶章总固碳量分别增加19.3％(NN),24.4％(MN)和24.6％(HN),且根固定碳量占植株总体碳库比例均有不同程度的提高.CO2浓度升高降低了小叶章各器官氮含量,其中叶、茎氮含量以抽穗期降幅最大(14.4％和19.5％),根氮含量以腊熟期降幅最大(17.4％).小叶章各器官N含量的降低是由于CO2浓度升高条件下植株生长加快引起的稀释效应所致.     

Dynamics of microbial biomass nitrogen as influenced by organic matter application in paddy fields

The effects of annual application of rice straw or cow manure compost for 17–20 y on the dynamics of fertilizer N and soil organic N in Gley paddy fields were investigated by using the ¹⁵N tracer technique during the rice cropping season. The chloroform fumigation-extraction method was evaluated to determine the properties of soil microbial biomass under submerged field conditions at the tillering stage before mid-summer drainage, with special reference to the fate of applied NH₄ ⁺-¹⁵N.

The transfer ratios from applied NH₄ ⁺-¹⁵N to immobilized N in soil and to uptake N by rice during given periods varied with the rice growth stages and were affected by organic matter application. The accumulated amounts of netmineralized soil organic N (net-M_j ), immobilized N (I_j ), and denitrified N (D_j ) during the cropping season were estimated to be 14.0–22.5, 6.3–11.2, and 3.4–5.3 g N m^-2, respectively. Values of net-M_j and I_j were larger in the following order: cow manure compost plot > rice straw plot > plot without organic matter application, and their larger increase by the application of cow manure compost contributed to a decrease of the D_j values, as compared with rice straw application.

Values of E _N extra extractable soil total N after fumigation, increased following organic matter application, ranging from 2.1 to 5.4 g N m^-2. Small residual ratios of applied ¹⁵N in the fraction E _N at the end of the given period indicated that re-mineralization of newly-assimilated ¹⁵N through the easily decomposable fraction of microbial biomass had almost ended. Thus, the applicability to paddy field soils of the chloroform fumigation-extraction method was confirmed.     

Nitrogen fixation in soybeans as influenced by cultivar and Rhizobium strain differences

Summary The effect of soybean variety and Rhizobium strain, as well as the level of nitrogen fertilizer, were tested in a field experiment in Greece. Three nodulating varieties were used and one non-nodulating variety as control, with two Rhizobium strains, one commercially available and one isolated from the soil of the experimental site. Nitrogen fertilizer labeled with ¹⁵N enabled the nitrogen derived from the atmosphere (Ndfa), from the soil (Ndfs), and from the fertilizer (Ndff) to be estimated. Statistical analyses showed that the combined variety-strain effect was responsible for most of the variation observed in all parameters, either measured directly or calculated, while the nitrogen level had no effect. The locally isolated strain generally performed equally as well as the commercial one. With the highest yielding variety in particular, the nitrogen-fixing efficiency of soybean nodules, expressed as plant total nitrogen in excess of that in the non-nodulated control in relation to nodule dry weight, was even superior. Taking into account the low fertilizer recovery by plants, it is suggested that adapted cultivars properly inoculated can fix most of the nitrogen they need for high yields. This is of great economic importance for crops with high nitrogen-fixing efficiency, like the soybeans used in this work, which can fix more than 200 kg N/ha, as ¹⁵N dilution and nitrogen difference evaluations have confirmed. The local cultivars in this connection were superior to the United States cultivar, while the difference between cultivars in symbiotic performance were not due to the ability to nodulate, but rather to a much higher nodule-specific efficiency. The commercially available strain was found to produce generally more nodules and the locally isolated strain produced less but larger and more efficient nodules. Finally, the grains from the nodulated plants contained significantly smaller quantities of Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, and especially Mo compared with non-nodulated plants, as determined by X-ray fluorescence techniques.     

Degradation of 14C-Zinc Ammonium Acetate in Soils as Influenced by Soil Types,Soil Sterilization,and Carriers

Zinc ammonium acetate (ZAA), typically applied to soils in anhydrous ammonia as a carrier, has been used to improve corn (Zea maysL.) productivity. This study aimed to determine the fate of ZAA in soils as influenced by soil type (sandy, silt, and clay loam), sterilization (sterile and non-sterile), and two carriers (H₂O and NH₄OH). A 16 d laboratory incubation experiment with ¹⁴C-ZAA showed that total recovery of carbon-14 (¹⁴C) from ¹⁴CO₂ trap and soil extraction by CaCl₂ ranged from 72% to 94% in the first 8 d for sterilized soils. However, < 17% ¹⁴C was found in non-sterilized soils. Most ¹⁴C recovered in sterilized soil was associated with soil extraction, and relatively little was found in the CO₂ traps. All sterilized soils provided similar ¹⁴C recoveries except the sandy loam. Slightly more ¹⁴C was extracted from the soil when NH₄OH was the ZAA carrier rather than water. Conversely, recovery of ¹⁴CO₂ continued to increase during the 16 d incubation, but started faster when water was the ZAA carrier. Microbial activity appeared to be instrumental in the assimilation and disappearance of ZAA.     

Selected Soil Enzyme Activities,Soil Microbial Biomass Carbon,and Root Yield as Influenced by Organic Production Systems in Sweet Potato

A field experiment was conducted on Typic Rhedustalfs to determine the effects of various organic production systems. Results revealed that the soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) content was greatest with the application of 100% N through farmyard manure. The ratio index value of biofertilizer along with 50% N through any one of the organic sources were greater than 100% N through green leaf manure?/?vermicompost, integrated use of manure and fertilizer (conventional production system), and control (traditional system of production). Soil enzymes varied with the production systems. The urease, phosphatase, and β-glucosidase activities were more with greater nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic-matter treatments, respectively. The SMBC, soil enzymes, and microbial activity were very responsive to organic production systems, but their levels and activities were not reflected in sweet potato root yield.     

Nitrogen mineralization,N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O production and soil microbiological properties as affected by long-term applications of sewage sludge composts

A field study was conducted to investigate the long-term effect of surface application of sewage sludge composts vs chemical N fertilizer on total N, total C, soluble organic C, pH, EC, microbial biomass C and N, protease activity, deaminase activity, urease activity, gross and net rates of N mineralization and nitrification, CO₂ evolution, and N₂O production. Soil samples were taken from five depths (0–15, 15–20, 20–30, 30–40, and 40–50 cm) of a long-term experiment at the University of Tokyo, Japan. Three fields have been receiving sewage sludge composted with rice husk (RH), sawdust (SD), or mixed chemical fertilizer NPK (CF), applied at the rate of 240 kg N ha^–1 each in split applications in summer and autumn since 1978. Significantly higher amounts of total N and C and soluble organic C were found in the compost than in the CF treatments up to the 40-cm soil depth, indicating improved soil quality in the former. In the CF treatment, soil pH values were significantly lower and electrical conductivity values were significantly higher than those of compost-treated soils of up to 50 cm depth. Soil microbial biomass C and N, CO₂ evolution, protease, deaminase, and urease activities were significantly higher in the compost than in the CF treatments due to greater availability of organic substrates that stimulated microbial activity. Gross N mineralization rates determined by ¹⁵N dilution technique were eight and five times higher in the SD and RH treatments than in the CF treatment, respectively, probably due to high levels of microbial and enzyme activities. Net N mineralization rates were also significantly higher in the compost treatments and were negative in the CF treatment indicating immobilization. Net nitrification rates were higher in compost treatments and negative in the CF treatment. Nitrous oxide productions from compost treatments were higher than the CF treatment due to the greater availability of mineral N as a result of higher mineralization and nitrification rates and soluble organic C in the former. Most of the measured parameters were highest in the surface soil (0–15 cm) and were significantly higher in the SD treatment than in the RH treatment.     

Microbial assimilation of atmospheric CO2 into soil organic matter revealed by the incubation of paddy soils under 14C-CO2 atmosphere

Similar to higher plants, microbial autotrophs possess photosynthetic systems that enable them to fix CO₂. To measure the activity of microbial autotrophs in assimilating atmospheric CO₂, five paddy soils were incubated with ¹⁴C-labeled CO₂ for 45 days to determine the amount of ¹⁴C-labeled organic C being synthesized. The results showed that a significant amount of ¹⁴C-labeled CO₂ incorporated into microbial biomass was soil specific, accounting for 0.37%–1.18% of soil organic carbon (¹⁴C-labeled organic C range: 81.6–156.9 mg C kg^?1 of the soil after 45 days). Consequently, high amounts of C-labeled organic C were synthesized (the synthesis rates ranged from 86 to 166 mg C m^?2 d^?1). The amount of atmospheric ¹⁴CO₂ incorporated into microbial biomass (¹⁴C-labeled microbial biomass) was significantly correlated with organic C components (¹⁴C-labeled organic C) in the soil (r = 0.80, p < 0.0001). Our results indicate that the microbial assimilation of atmospheric CO₂ is an important process for the sequestration and cycling of terrestrial C. Our results showed that microbial assimilation of atmospheric CO₂ has been underestimated by researchers globally, and that it should be accounted for in global terrestrial carbon cycle models.     

Soil N Losses by Denitrification Evaluated Using the 15N Tracer Method

Molecular nitrogen (N₂) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) generated by denitrification increase N losses in the soil–plant system. This study aimed to quantify N₂ and N₂O from potassium nitrate (K¹⁵NO₃) applied to soils with different textures and moisture contents in the absence and presence of a source of carbon (C) using the ¹⁵N tracer method. In the three soils used (sandy texture (ST), sandy clay loam texture (SCLT), and clayey texture (CT)), three moisture contents were evaluated (40%, 60%, and 80% of the water holding capacity (WHC)) with (D⁺) and without (D^?) dextrose added. The treatments received 100 mg N kg^?1 (KNO₃ with 23.24 atom% ¹⁵N). N₂ emissions occurred in all of the treatments, but N₂O emissions only occurred in the D⁺ treatment, showing increases with increasing moisture content. SCLT with 80% WHC in the D⁺ treatment exhibited the highest accumulated N emission (48.26 mg kg^?1). The ¹⁵N balance suggested trapping of the gases in the soil.     

Gross N transfer rates in field soils measured by 15N-pool dilution

Abstract

A micro-plot ¹⁵N-tracer experiment was established in three different soils of a long-term soil fertility field experiment. The nutrient-poor loam sand has been subjected to various treatments over the years and this has resulted in different organic C (0.35% – 0.86%), microbial biomass (38.3 – 100.0 µg C _mic g^?1 soil), clay and fine silt contents. Using the ¹⁵N-pool dilution technique, we assessed gross N-transfer rates in the field. Gross N mineralization rates varied strongly among the three plots and ranged between 0.4 and 4.2 µg N g^?1 soil d^?1. Gross nitrification rates were estimated to be between 0 and 2.1 µg N g^?1 soil d^?1. No correlation between gross N mineralization rates and the organic matter content of the soils was established. However, gross nitrate consumption rates increased with increasing soil C content. The ¹⁵N-pool dilution technique was successfully used to measure gross N transfer rates directly in the field.     

Short and long-term effects of elevated CO2 on Lolium perenne rhizodeposition and its consequences on soil organic matter turnover and plant N yield

It is still unclear whether elevated CO₂ increases plant root exudation and consequently affects the soil microbial biomass. The effects of elevated CO₂ on the fate of the C and nitrogen (N) contained in old soil organic matter pools is also unclear. In this study the short and long-term effects of elevated CO₂ on C and N pools and fluxes were assessed by growing isolated plants of ryegrass (Lolium perenne) in glasshouses at elevated and ambient atmospheric CO₂ and using soil from the New Zealand FACE site that had >4 years exposure to CO₂ enrichment. Using ¹⁴CO₂ pulse labelling, the effects of elevated CO₂ on C allocation within the plant-soil system were studied. Under elevated CO₂ more root derived C was found in the soil and in the microbial biomass 48 h after labelling. The increased availability of substrate significantly stimulated soil microbial growth and acted as priming effect, enhancing native soil organic matter decomposition regardless of the mineral N supply. Despite indications of faster N cycling in soil under elevated CO₂, N availability to plants stayed unchanged. Soil previously exposed to elevated CO₂ exhibited a higher N cycling rate but again there was no effect on plant N uptake. With respect to the difficulties of extrapolating glasshouse experiment results to the field, we concluded that the accumulation of coarse organic matter observed in the field under elevated CO₂ was probably not created by an imbalance between C and N but was likely to be due to more complex phenomena involving soil mesofauna and/or other nutrients limitations.