保护性耕作对黑土有机碳组分和玉米产量的影响

  目的  探究不同保护性耕作措施对黑土有机碳组分的影响,对于保持黑土生态稳定性及其高肥力水平具有重要意义。  方法  以农田黑土为研究对象,玉米为供试作物,采用随机区组设计,设置传统翻耕（CT）、传统翻耕 + 秸秆还田（CTSI）、免耕（NT）、免耕 + 秸秆还田（NTSI）、深松（ST）和深松 + 秸秆还田（STSI）,共6个处理,采用密度分组法,研究不同保护性耕作措施对耕层土壤（0 ~ 20 cm）有机碳组分含量、结构特征及玉米产量的影响。  结果  与CT处理相比,不同保护性耕作处理土壤总有机碳含量均显著提高（P < 0.05）。ST处理轻组有机碳、粗颗粒有机碳和细颗粒有机碳组分含量均较CT处理显著增加（P < 0.05）,与不还田相比,秸秆还田处理有机碳各组分含量均增加,NTSI处理较CTSI处理显著提高轻组有机碳含量,STSI处理较CTSI处理显著提高粗颗粒有机碳和细颗粒有机碳含量。主成分分析表明,与CT处理相比,NT、NTSI、ST和STSI处理均能提高轻组有机碳多糖和碳水化合物官能团的相对含量;保护性耕作措施较CT处理不仅增加了粗颗粒有机碳和细颗粒有机碳组分活性官能团相对含量,还增加了稳定性官能团相对含量,有利于土壤稳定性结构的形成,促进碳的固存。耕作与秸秆还田显著影响了玉米产量,ST较CT和NT处理分别显著提高了22.37%和21.42%（P < 0.05）,秸秆还田处理有利于玉米产量提升,STSI处理增产效果最佳;相关性分析表明,粗颗粒有机碳能有效指示土壤有机碳的变化,其与细颗粒有机碳在维持和提升玉米产量中具有重要贡献。  结论  采用深松结合秸秆还田的保护性耕作措施对于稳定与提高黑土有机碳含量、固持土壤碳库和增加玉米产量具有重要作用。     

晋西北黄土丘陵区土壤饱和导水率的空间分布特征及影响因素

土壤饱和导水率（K_s）是反映土壤入渗性能与土壤持水能力的重要参数，为探究流域尺度下土壤K_s的空间分布特征及影响因素，更好地掌握土壤水文过程与调节机理，选取晋西北黄土丘陵区朱家川流域横向梯度（上游、中游、下游）不同土地利用方式下的土壤（70个样点）为研究对象，采用定水头法测定土壤K_s，并获取样点地形因子和其他土壤理化性质，通过建立土壤K_s偏最小二乘回归模型（PLSR），分析影响土壤K_s空间分布格局的主要因素。结果表明：（1）除土壤容重和砂粒含量为弱变异外，区域土壤理化性质其余因子均为中等变异；土壤K_s在横向梯度下表现为上游 > 中游 > 下游；（2）不同土地利用方式下土壤K_s差异显著（P<0.05），由高到低顺序为林地 > 农地 > 草地；（3）林地（VIP=1.997）与草地（VIP=1.710）利用方式、土壤容重（VIP=1.548）、土壤有机质（VIP=1.323）、大团聚体（VIP=1.266）、粉粒含量（VIP=1.062）和黏粒含量（VIP=1.049）是土壤K_s变化的主要因素，林地利用方式影响程度最大。土地利用、土壤性质、地形因子均是影响黄土丘陵区土壤K_s空间分布的主要因素，是用来模拟预测土壤K_s空间分布的重要因子。     

不同耕作方式下秸秆还田对晋中玉米田水分时空分布及产量的影响

为探讨保护性耕作和秸秆还田有机结合对春玉米休闲期蓄水保墒效果、生育期土壤水分时空变化、贮水量季节变化、产量及水分利用效率的影响,设置不同耕作方式(免耕、深松、翻耕)结合秸秆还田(100%秸秆还田、秸秆不还田)6个处理组合,2016-2018年在山西晋中连续2年进行定位试验研究。结果表明:(1)春玉米冬闲期不同耕作处理下土壤贮水量差异显著,且随着时间推移贮水量都有降低趋势,免耕和深松处理分别较翻耕土壤贮水量平均增加10.4,9.3 mm。在玉米的整个生育时期,免耕和深松处理土壤贮水量分别比翻耕提高4.8%,1.2%。(2)平均2年土壤含水量大小顺序为免耕>深松>翻耕,各处理平均土壤含水量分别为23.0%,21.8%,21.5%。丰水年不同耕作方式土壤含水量垂直变化在各生育时期差异较大,干旱年其变化的差异较小。(3)免耕与100%秸秆还田组合下玉米产量和水分利用效率最高,2年平均产量和WUE(水分利用效率)分别为12 679.9 kg/hm²和25.8 kg/(hm²·mm),翻耕与100%秸秆还田处理组合最低。无论是否秸秆还田,免耕和深松处理在春玉米冬闲期土壤蓄水保墒效果、生育期土壤水分状况、产量与水分利用效率均优于翻耕处理;在秸秆还田下免耕和深松耕作方式对玉米田水分的集蓄保用有良好的效果,以免耕秸秆还田效果最佳,可在晋中地区春玉米生产中推广应用。     

免耕和秸秆还田对潮土酶活性及微生物量碳氮的影响

利用中国科学院封丘农业生态实验站玉米-小麦轮作保护性耕作定位试验平台,研究了全翻耕（(T)、免耕（(NT)、全翻耕+秸秆还田（(TS)以及免耕+秸秆还田（(NTS)处理分别对田间0 ~ 10、10 ~ 20和20 ~ 30 cm土层酶活性及土壤微生物量碳、氮的影响。结果表明：①在0 ~ 10和10 ~ 20 cm土层内,土壤碱性磷酸酶、转化酶、脲酶、脱氢酶活性为免耕处理大于全翻耕处理,有秸秆还田处理大于无秸秆还田处理,以NTS处理最高,T处理最低;在20 ~ 30 cm土层中,土壤碱性磷酸酶、转化酶、脱氢酶活性免耕处理大于全翻耕处理,土壤碱性磷酸酶、转化酶、脲酶活性有秸秆还田处理大于无秸秆还田处理。②在0 ~10和10 ~ 20 cm土层内,土壤微生物量碳、氮均为免耕处理大于全翻耕处理,有秸秆还田处理大于无秸秆还田处理;在20 ~ 30 cm土层中,微生物量碳以NTS处理最高,微生物量氮以TS处理最高;③4种处理下的土壤酶活性和微生物量碳、氮均随着土层的加深而减少,且在各土层中差异达显著水平。     

连续秸秆还田和免耕对土壤团聚体及有机碳的影响

选取湖北省武穴市8年田间定位试验中的传统耕作(CT)、秸秆还田配合传统耕作(CTS)、免耕(NT)和秸秆还田配合免耕(NTS)4种处理,研究连续秸秆还田和免耕措施对表层(0—20cm)和亚表层(20—40cm)土壤团聚体稳定性及有机碳(SOC)的影响。结果表明:CTS、NT和NTS均显著增加了表层5mm水稳性团聚体的含量和团聚体平均重量直径(MWD),秸秆还田显著增加了亚表层土壤水稳性团聚体的MWD。与CT比较,CTS、NT、NTS处理的SOC含量分别增加20.83%,21.98%,32.76%。CTS和NTS处理显著提高了表层5,5~2,0.25mm团聚体中SOC含量,NT则显著提高了5,5~2mm团聚体中SOC含量;CTS显著增加了亚表层0.25 mm团聚体中SOC的含量。秸秆还田增加了表层土壤的碳(C)、氢(H)、氮(N)和氧(O)的含量,免耕降低了H的含量,增加了其他3种元素的含量,但是免耕处理增加了亚表层土壤中H的含量。NT和NTS处理较CT和CTS处理降低了土壤的H/C值,表明土壤的脂肪族成分在不断增加。秸秆还田主要增加了土壤中醇、酚类,芳香类,脂肪族化合物和碳水化合物的含量,而免耕主要增加脂肪族化合物的含量。这些有机组分的增加有助于团聚体稳定性的增强。     

耕作和秸秆还田对土壤团聚体有机碳及其作物产量的影响

通过3年的田间定位试验,研究不同耕作方式、秸秆还田对土壤团聚体、有机碳含量和作物产量的影响。试验共设置6个处理:翻耕+化肥(T1)、翻耕+秸秆还田+化肥(T2)、旋耕+化肥(T3)、旋耕+秸秆还田+化肥(T4)、免耕+化肥(T5)、免耕+秸秆还田+化肥(T6)。结果表明:与翻耕相比,0—20cm土层免耕处理大团聚体(2mm)含量增加35.79%,中粒度团聚体(2~0.25mm)含量增加30.81%,微团聚体(0.25~0.106mm)含量增加25.80%。免耕+秸秆还田的T6处理土壤团聚体中有机碳含量最高,大团聚体(A1)、中粒度团聚体(A2)和微团聚体(M1)中分别比"翻耕+化肥"的T1处理高25.04%,28.55%,18.12%。传统耕作作物产量高于保护性耕作,"翻耕+化肥"的T1处理在2013,2014,2015年的水稻当量产量分别比"免耕+化肥"的T5处理高12.30%,13.22%,15.20%。免耕和秸秆还田等保护性耕作方式提高了土壤团聚体含量,增加了土壤固碳,但一定程度上影响了水稻和小麦幼苗生长,降低了作物产量。     

水稻土厌氧氨氧化对不同耕作方式与秸秆还田的响应

【目的】研究稻田土壤厌氧氨氧化微生物活性、丰度和群落结构对不同耕作方式与秸秆还田的响应,为稻田土壤氮素管理提供科学依据。【方法】设置3个不同耕作方式(翻耕、旋耕、免耕)+秸秆还田处理,同时设置翻耕+秸秆不还田处理作为对照,采用_¹⁵N示踪法、荧光定量PCR及Illumina测序分别分析厌氧氨氧化菌潜在活性、功能基因hzsB拷贝数及群落组成。【结果】秸秆还田条件下,厌氧氨氧化菌潜在活性表现为免耕>旋耕>翻耕(p<0.05),对照与旋耕+秸秆还田处理无显著性差异。各处理之间厌氧氨氧化菌功能基因(hzsB)拷贝数无显著性差异。Illumina测序从属水平鉴定出Kuenenia和Scalindua两种已知的厌氧氨氧化菌及部分未鉴定属,且各处理间二者的相对丰度具有负相关关系(p<0.05)。相关性分析结果表明,厌氧氨氧化菌活性与土壤反硝化活性显著相关,与功能基因拷贝数及群落组成无显著相关性。【结论】水稻田长期秸秆还田和不同耕作方式改变了厌氧氨氧化菌活性和群落组成,但其数量未发生显著变化。水稻田秸秆还田加翻耕可一定程度上抑制土壤氮损失,而秸秆还田与免耕结合的田间管理方式提高了土壤氮素损失潜力。     

中国保护性耕作农田土壤有机碳变化速率研究——基于长期试验点的Meta分析

保护性耕作对于培肥地力、保障粮食安全、缓解气候变化等具有重要意义.本研究搜集了1980 ～2012年8月有关中国农田保护性耕作的157个试验点的303对田间定位试验数据,采用Meta分析方法定量分析了保护性耕作下我国农田耕层土壤(旱地0～ 20cm,水田0～15cm)有机碳(SOC)变化特征.结果表明,与传统耕作(CT)相比,传统耕作+秸秆还田(CTS)、免耕(NT)和免耕+秸秆还田(NTS)三种保护性耕作均能显著提高SOC含量,变化速率分别为NTS(0.52 g kg-1 a-1) ＞NT(0.35 g kg-1 a-1) ＞CTS(0.22 g kg-1 a-1);三种保护性耕作下SOC变化速率为水田＞旱地,一年两熟制＞一年一熟制;保护性耕作下,SOC积累与否及其幅度并不完全取决于其初始有机碳含量,短期试验(≤5a) SOC增加速率是长期试验(＞5a)的1.75倍,如果仅采用短期试验结果可能高估保护性耕作的固碳潜力.     

华北平原缺水区保护性耕作技术

针对华北平原缺水地区农田生产效益偏低和地下水严重超采导致的生态环境问题,以建立节水、高产、固碳的华北平原缺水区保护性耕作集成技术为目标,在国家科技支撑计划长期支持下,建立了华北平原历时最长的保护性耕作长期定位试验平台(2001年—),开展了小麦/玉米两熟制保护性耕作理论和关键技术研究,集成了农机农艺结合的高产节水型保护性耕作技术体系,并在河北省进行广泛示范推广。主要结果:1)华北平原冬小麦/夏玉米一年两熟区保护性耕作具有固碳、减排、节水、提高土壤质量等生态效应。长期保护性耕作具有土壤养分分层表聚现象:0~5 cm土层的土壤C、N、P、K、有机质含量高于5~10 cm土层,旋耕(RT)和免耕(NT1:秸秆直立免耕;NT2:秸秆粉碎免耕;NT3:整秸秆覆盖免耕)处理土壤有机碳(SOC)的层化比率为1.74~2.04,显著高于翻耕处理(CK和CT)的1.37~1.45。保护性耕作的固碳效应与机制:保护性耕作实施9年后不同耕作方式年固碳量(0~30 cm)NT2处理为840 kg·hm~(-2)·a~(-1)、RT处理为780 kg·hm~(-2)·a~(-1)、CT处理为600kg·hm~(-2)·a~(-1),14年后土壤有机碳(0~30 cm)发生了变化,NT2处理为540 kg·hm~(-2)·a~(-1)、RT处理为720 kg·hm~(-2)·a~(-1)、CT处理为710 kg·hm~(-2)·a~(-1);长期免耕减少了土壤的扰动而降低了土壤碳的矿化率,土壤碳的累积主要固定在土壤大团聚体的颗粒有机碳中,固定态碳首先进入活性易分解有机碳库,然后缓慢转入稳定碳库。保护性耕作的减排效应:不同耕作系统全球增温潜力的计算结果表明,免耕是大气增温的碳汇,而其他耕作系统为碳源。NT处理每年农田生态系统净截留碳947~1 070 kg(C)·hm-2;CK、CT和RT每年向大气分别排放等当量碳3 364kg(C)·hm-2、989 kg(C)·hm-2和343 kg(C)·hm-2。保护性耕作的土壤微生物多样性机制:保护性耕作显著提高了土壤中真菌、细菌、氨氧化古菌和亚硝酸还原酶(nir K)基因的反硝化微生物的多样性,但对氨氧化细菌与含nir S基因的反硝化微生物的多样性影响不大。保护性耕作节水保墒的土壤结构与水力学机制:常规耕作对土壤有压实的作用,而保护性耕作改善了土壤结构,有效提高了储水孔隙、导水率、田间持水量和有效水含量,秸秆覆盖又能有效减少土壤蒸发,具有开源与节流双重节水机制。2)建立了趋零蒸发的麦田玉米整秸覆盖全免耕种植模式。在小麦/玉米一年两熟种植区,首次提出了玉米整秸秆覆盖小麦全免耕播种的种植模式,实现了小麦玉米全程全量秸秆机械化覆盖,形成土壤无效蒸发趋于零的保护性耕作体系与方法;研制了实现趋零蒸发的4JS-2型梳压机和2BMF-6型小麦全免耕播种机组,比目前推广的2BMFS-6/12小麦免耕播种机减少作业动力45.2%,降低作业费用33.3%。3)建立了3年一深松(翻)的少免耕-深松轮耕模式,集成了节水高产保护性耕作技术体系。制定了华北平原冬小麦/夏玉米一年两熟区保护性耕作技术体系等河北省地方标准,与农业、农机部门联合示范,推动了河北省保护性耕作技术的推广和应用。成果在河北平原冬小麦/夏玉米一年两熟区进行了示范推广,社会效益和生态效益显著,2013年获河北省科技进步一等奖。     

秸秆还田方式对农田土壤结构及冬小麦产量的影响

为探索一种能够充分发挥秸秆改良土壤结构和提高作物产量作用的秸秆还田措施, 通过2 a小区试验, 以传统的秸秆还田方式[长秸秆(50 mm)覆盖或翻压还田, CK1、CK2]作为对照, 对比研究了粉碎、氨化秸秆以及与无机土壤改良剂(硫酸钙)混合翻压施用措施对农田土壤结构及冬小麦产量的影响。结果表明, 粉碎并氨化秸秆施入土壤后, 能显著(P<0.05)降低耕层(0~15 cm)土壤的容重, 增加土壤孔隙度, 但对耕层以下土壤容重及孔隙度改善效果不明显; 氨化秸秆施入土壤后较未氨化秸秆能显著(P<0.05)增加0~15 cm土壤中>0.25 mm土壤团聚体含量, 粉碎并氨化秸秆能显著(P<0.05)降低土壤团聚体分形维数, 提高0~15 cm土壤平均重量直径和几何平均直径各项评价指标。此外, 冬小麦穗粒数、1 m2有效穗数、千粒重和地上部总干物质量与籽粒产量的相关系数分别为0.30(P>0.05)、0.76(P<0.01)、 0.89(P<0.01)和0.88(P<0.01), 提高冬小麦有效穗数或地上部总干物质量可能是增加作物产量的主要途径。粉碎并氨化秸秆还田较秸秆覆盖能显著(P<0.05)提高冬小麦有效穗数; 粉碎并氨化秸秆与无机土壤改良剂(硫酸钙)混合施用措施提高冬小麦产量效果最为显著, 在冬小麦2个生长季比长秸秆覆盖还田(CK1)分别增产11.12%和17.84%, 比长秸秆翻压还田(CK2)分别增产7.39%和16.58%, 是本试验最佳秸秆还田方式。该研究成果可为干旱、半干旱地区改良秸秆还田措施、提高作物产量提供理论依据。     

紫云英还田量对烟田土壤微生物及酶的影响

为在翻耕条件下合理施用紫云英,保障农业的可持续性发展,定位试验研究了15000kg·hm-2、22500kg·hm-2、30000kg·hm-2紫云英还田和22500kg·hm-2紫云英还田减施化肥(施肥时扣除紫云英中氮、磷、钾)及紫云英不还田5个处理对烟田土壤微生物数量、微生物活度、酶的影响。结果表明:烟草生育期内,不同处理好气性细菌数量呈前期均迅速上升、中期均稍有上升,但后期各有升降的趋势;烟草生长早期,紫云英还田减施化肥能增加好气性细菌数量。放线菌数量烟草生育前期略有下降,中期有所回升,后期又缓慢下降;烟草生长早期,紫云英还田能增加放线菌数量;整个烟草生育期,紫云英还田减施化肥可减少放线菌数量。真菌呈现烟草生育前中期迅速上升,后期缓慢下降的趋势;相对较少的紫云英还田量对土壤真菌数量增长的刺激作用较为明显。微生物活度呈烟草生育前期下降、中期趋于平稳、后期迅速升高达到最高点的趋势;烟草成熟期,紫云英还田的微生物活度明显高于不还田处理,增加紫云英还田量,微生物活度增加,但紫云英还田减施化肥会降低微生物活度。土壤纤维素酶活性以烟草旺长期为界点,表现出前期增加、后期下降的特点;烟草生长后期,紫云英还田土壤的纤维素酶活性高于对照土壤。土壤脲酶活性呈先快速下降,再缓慢上升,最后再快速上升趋势。土壤蛋白酶活性呈烟草生育前期下降,后期缓慢上升的特点;土壤蛋白酶活性与紫云英施用量呈正相关。过氧化氢酶活性在烟草各生育期的变化不大。土壤生物学评价发现,22500kg·hm-2紫云英翻耕还田栽培烟草较佳。     

西天目集约经营雷竹林土壤硅存在形态与植物有效性研究

在雷竹主产地临安西天目选取了集约经营下不同种植年限(1、5、10、15 a)的雷竹林地,采集不同深度(0～10 cm、10～20 cm和20～40 cm)土样,运用逐级化学提取等技术,研究集约经营雷竹林土壤硅素含量与形态随种植年限和土壤剖面深度的变化规律,为雷竹林地土壤有效态硅调控提供理论依据。研究结果表明:(1)雷竹林土壤不同土层有效态硅的含量(0.084～0.318 g kg-1)和所占的比例(1.60%～12.3%)随种植年限和有机物覆盖年限的增加呈先下降后上升趋势;(2)雷竹林表层土壤无定形硅含量(2.58～5.15g kg-1)和所占比例(75.1%～87.7%)随种植年限的增加呈上升趋势;(3)覆盖有机物可同时促进无定形硅向有效态硅、有机结合态硅、铁锰(氢)氧化物结合态硅转变。     

不同养分条件下太子参根部土壤环境变化及综合评价

研究不同养分条件下太子参根部土壤环境变化的时间动态,探索太子参根部土壤环境的综合评价方法,可为指导太子参高效栽培提供理论基础。于3个不同土壤养分地块上分别种植太子参,定期监测其根部土壤化学性质、土壤酶活性及微生物种群结构变化,用主成分分析进行综合评价。结果表明：太子参整个生长时期,不同土壤养分条件下太子参根部土壤均以全磷、缓效钾、有效磷、速效钾含量以及土壤酸性转化酶（S-AI）和土壤过氧化氢酶（S-CAT）活性变异度最大;有机质及氮素含量、土壤酸性磷酸酶（S-ACP）、土壤脲酶（S-UE）及土壤多酚氧化酶（S-PPO）活性变异度较小;太子参成熟后,细菌和放线菌菌群数量显著增加,真菌菌群数量显著减少。测定的16个土壤环境指标中较多指标间显著相关,出现信息重叠,影响评价结果的客观性;以基本特征值大于1抽取5个成分,利用5个成分函数表达式进行综合评分,结果得出,各土壤养分含量越高,综合得分值越大,土壤环境越优。上述结果说明：太子参生育期内磷、钾素变化较大,及时补足磷、钾肥可能是改善太子参根部土壤环境的有效方法之一。利用主成分综合评分方法能客观、高效评价太子参根部土壤环境情况。     

Changes in aggregate stability,nutrient status,indigenous microbial populations,and seedling emergence,following inoculation of soil withNostoc muscorum

The potential of the N₂-fixing cyanophyteNostoc muscorum for improving the aggregate stability of a poorly structured silt loam soil was studied in a greenhouse experiment. Inoculum rates were 1.61×10⁵ cells g^-1 soil dry weight (low rate) and 4.04×10⁵ cell g^-1 soil dry weight (high rate), approximately equivalent to a field application of 2 and 5 kg ha^-1 cells dry weight, respectively.N. muscorum numbers had increased 8-fold (low rate) and 10-fold (high rate) by 300 days after inoculation, indicating not only survival but proliferation. Increases in soil polysaccharides, determined as soil carbohydrate C, were 2.96–3.49 time the values in the non-inoculated soils and aggregate stability had incrased by an average of 18% on day 300. Inoculation withN. muscorum also had a pronounced effect on soil chemical and biological properties, with total C increasing by 50–63% and total N increasing by 111–120%. Increases in the soil indigenous microbial population were recorded, with numbers of bacteria 500, fungi 16, and actinomycetes 48 times the non-inoculated values on day 300 in the high-rate soil. The emergence of lettuce seedlings (Lactuca sativa var. Saladin) in undisturbed inoculated 300-day soils was 56% (low rate) and 52% (high rate) higher than in non-inoculated soils. However, homogenising soils and irrigating (to smulate ploughing and surface crusting) significantly reduced this increase in both treatments, although emergence in inoculated soils was still greater by 45% (low) and 24% (high). It is recommended that inoculated soils be left undisturbed prior to planting. The effects ofN. muscorum on soil physical, chemical, and biological properties indicate the possible benefits of cyanobacteria as soil inoculants, not only for the improvement of soil aggregate stability but also as a means of improving seedling emergence.     

土壤质地对柱花草生长发育、生物量及土壤肥力变化的影响

采用大田试验的方法,在云南省元谋县小雷宰流域内壤土、砂壤土和重壤土3种质地土壤上,以热研5号柱花草为材料,研究土壤质地对柱花草生长发育、生物量及土壤有机质、有机碳、全氮和全磷的影响。试验结果表明:3种土壤质地上种植柱花草,柱花草地上部和地下部生长量和生物量表现幼苗期增加缓慢,而分枝期后增加快的趋势。壤土耕性好,兼有砂土和重壤土的优点,有利柱花草地上部分的生长发育,柱花草地上部生长量、生物量及改善土壤肥力方面显著高于重壤土。砂壤土有利于柱花草根系向深层土壤生长,柱花草地下部生长量、生物量及根瘤显著高于种植在重壤土。在3种土壤质地种植柱花草后,土壤有机质、有机碳、全氮和全磷均有上升趋势。综合而言,通气性和保肥保水能力居中的壤土更适合柱花草的生长发育及干物质的积累。     

Recovery of enchytraeid populations after severe drought events

The potential impact of changes in precipitation patterns associated with climate changes was investigated in Enchytraeidae (Oligochaeta) in a Danish heathland. The amount of precipitation was manipulated during spring and summer in an experimental field site in order to reveal effects of three different drought regimes: weak drought (WD), medium drought (MD) and high drought (HD). Enchytraeids were sampled every six to eight weeks (0–9 cm depth) for more than the eight months and soil water potential (SWP) and soil water content (SWC) was measured on a regular basis for five months.The enchytraeid communities were generally reduced due to a natural drought spell. The HD treatment significantly reduced the moisture level of the soil further with SWP below −15 bar (5 and 10 cm depth) and SWC around 5% (v/v) for more than two months. As a result almost no enchytraeids were found in HD plots after two months with high drought stress. Nevertheless, the HD-treated enchytraeid communities recovered within two months, as there was no significant difference in biomass and density of the different treatments at that time. During periods with extreme low SWP enchytraeids were practically absent in the top soil (0–3 cm), but a few animals were found in 3–6 cm. During this period SWP was around −15 bar even in 20 cm depth, indicating that active stages could not have survived. Thus, we suggest that the species present must be dependent on a drought tolerant stage, as vertical migration could not have supported the observed recovery.SWP and SWC were both significantly correlated with the total density and biomass of enchytraeids. However, density was better correlated with the SWP and SWC compared to biomass, which can be due to hatching of cocoons and increased fragmentation rate.     

Effects of biomass and size of Millsonia anomala (Oligochaeta: Acanthodrilidae) on particle aggregation in a tropical soil in the presence of Panicum maximum (Gramineae)

Summary The present study assessed the effect of the tropical geophagous earthworm, Millsonia anomala, on the aggregate-size distribution of a sieved (2 mm), tropical ferruginous soil in the presence and absence of the perennial tropical grass Panicum maximum. The effect of two size groupings and graded biomass densities of M. anomala on soil aggregation was analysed in time and with depth in the containers within which the plants were grown. In the absence of earthworms, aggregation was rapid although limited (13.5% of soil as aggregates >2.0 mm), and probably arose from a combination of microbial activity and physical processes (interparticle bonding due to clays and other colloids). The roots of the test species contributed little to aggregation. In contrast, the effect of earthworm activity on soil aggregation was rapid and important. The effects of both biomass and, to a lesser extent, size were significant. After 79 days, aggregation reached a maximum with 3 g per container of small earthworms (ca. 59% of soil as aggregates >2.0 mm) and a minimum with 1 g per container of large earthworms (ca. 35% of aggregates >2.0 mm). Aggregation was considered to occur through three different mechanisms: (1) A rapid aggregation due to the interactions of colloids; (2) an intermediate aggregation due to a combination of unquantified processes related to earthworm activity (mucus secretion, development of fungus hyphae); (3) egestion of soil as earthworm casts which are stable macroaggregates.     

自生固氮菌对土壤钾的活化作用

以土壤为钾源,通过液培试验研究了5株自生固氮菌(Azotobacter sp.)对土壤钾的活化作用。结果表明,自生固氮菌能分泌大量的氢离子,大幅度降低培养液p H,使氢离子浓度提高40倍以上。自生固氮菌分泌有机酸的种类与数量因菌株不同而异,这些有机酸包括甲酸、乙酸、草酸、丁二酸、柠檬酸、苹果酸和乳酸等。其中,全部供试菌株均能分泌草酸和苹果酸。在自生固氮菌的培养液中,钾浓度显著高于未接种的培养液,但土壤矿物结构钾则显著降低。由于土壤是培养液钾的唯一来源,说明自生固氮菌可促进土壤矿物钾溶解。相关分析表明,土壤矿物结构钾与自生固氮菌的有机酸分泌总量呈显著负相关(r=-0.845*,n=6),与培养液p H呈显著正相关(r=0.702*,n=6),说明自生固氮菌分泌的有机酸和氢离子可能溶解土壤矿物钾。考虑到自生固氮菌的草酸分泌量最大,络合钙、镁、铁、铝的能力最强,且与有机酸分泌总量呈极显著正相关(r=0.990**,n=6),推测草酸的分泌在活化土壤无效钾的过程中起重要作用。接种自生固氮菌显著降低土壤无效钾,活化能力因菌株不同而异,其原因可能与有机酸分泌的数量和种类有关。     

Soil fertility differences across a land-use intensification gradient in the highlands of Chiapas,Mexico

In the highlands of Chiapas, southern Mexico, soil texture and soil chemical properties were measured in 70 agricultural fields covering a range of slope positions and managements. Fields represented four corn cropping systems: long fallow, short fallow, pasture–cultivation rotation, and annual continuous cultivation, in addition to fallow at rest (forest, shrubland, and pastures). Fields were located in four slope positions (upper, middle, and lower slopes, and doline floor) in a karst landscape developed on limestone with additions of acid volcanic ashes. Distribution of clays and sands were related to the toposequence and the percentage of clay fraction increased from upper slope to doline floor. Sand presented a reverse pattern. Some soil chemical properties also vary in a characteristic way along the toposequence. Exchangeable Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) and pH were higher in the doline floor than in the other slope positions. Soil organic matter and total N contents were 30.4 and 35.2% higher under long fallow than under annual continuous cultivation. Soil Olsen P was greater under cultivation than under fallow (irrespective of the cropping system), with the highest values under annual continuous cultivation (16.2±8.3 mg kg⁻¹) and the lowest in the forest (5.3±2.5 mg kg⁻¹). Exchangeable K⁺ was 74 and 51% higher in cultivated plots of the long and the short fallow than under forest and shrubland, respectively. Exchangeable Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ and ECEC did not vary significantly among the cropping systems. Inputs of basic cations through burning of tree and shrub vegetation increased the soil pH. These results indicate that land use intensification is leading to a decline in soil organic matter and total N, whereas Olsen P increased with intensification due to the continuous application of P fertilizers and sheep manure as soil conditioners in intensively cultivated fields.     

The influence of soil bulk density and soil moisture on the habitat selection of the dung beetleTyphaeus typhoeus in the Netherlands

Summary In the Netherlands, the dung beetleTyphaeus typhoeus (Col., Geotrupidae) is confined to sandy and loamy sandy soils. Experiments were carried out in the laboratory and in the field to ascertain the effects of soil bulk density and soil moisture on various aspects of the reproductive behaviour and development of this dung beetle. Some of the results were validated under natural field conditions. The nesting burrows were shown not to penetrate beyond the upper level of the soil moisture saturation zone. The depth of the burrows was not influenced by the bulk density in moist and free-drained sandy soils. Lower bulk densities of the soil were shown to result in fewer dung sausages being made, even when sufficient dung was availabe to provide for the larvae. This phenomenon was attributed to a behavioural response from the dung beetles. The critical bulk density in the field appeared to be approximately 1.40 × 10³ kg/m³. The survival rate of eggs and larvae was shown to be adversely affected by conditions of high soil moisture (> 20% by volume) at the depths where the larvae develop. Evidence is given for a low survival rate of larvae at conditions of low soil moisture (pF > 2.7) at these depths. The impact of certain other soil factors is discussed.Communication no. 280 of the Biological Station, Wijster, The Netherlands