Use efficiency of nitrogen from biodigested plant material by ryegrass

Apparent nitrogen‐use efficiency of the applied mineral N (NUE_min) in effluent from biodigested plant material (BE; C : N_org ratio 14:1; mineral N–to–total N ratio 0.5:1) and a nitrate‐based inorganic fertilizer (IF), both applied at two rates was investigated in a six‐month pot experiment with Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). Dry‐matter (DM) production was 7% lower and total amount of N in aboveground biomass was 8% lower in BE than in IF at 40 d after sowing (DAS), equal at 81 DAS, and higher in BE than in IF at 136 and 172 DAS. NUE_min calculated on the basis of accumulated N in aboveground biomass of ryegrass in fertilized treatments compared to a control without N application was significantly lower in BE than in IF up to the third cut (136 DAS). Total NUE_min, total N recovery, and amount of foliage DM were similar for both fertilizers at the end of the experiment. Root biomass, total DM produced including roots and stubble, the fraction of root N to total plant N, and soil mineral N at 172 DAS were higher for BE than for IF. Mineral N applied with biogas‐reactor effluent was almost as effective as the nitrate‐based mineral fertilizer used for comparison. Within the six‐month experimental period net N mineralization, estimated at 12% of organic N in effluent, was not substantial. Hence, the organic compounds in the effluent were relatively recalcitrant.     

Effects of land-use type and nitrogen addition on nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide production potentials in Japanese Andosols

Land-use type and nitrogen (N) addition strongly affect nitrous oxide (N₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) production, but the impacts of their interaction and the controlling factors remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of both factors simultaneously on N₂O and CO₂ production and associated soil chemical and biological properties. Surface soils (0–10 cm) from three adjacent lands (apple orchard, grassland and deciduous forest) in central Japan were selected and incubated aerobically for 12 weeks with addition of 0, 30 or 150 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1. Land-use type had a significant (p < 0.001) impact on the cumulative N₂O and CO₂ production. Soils from the apple orchard had higher N₂O and CO₂ production potentials than those from the grassland and forest soils. Soil net N mineralization rate had a positive correlation with both soil N₂O and CO₂ production rates. Furthermore, the N₂O production rate was positively correlated with the CO₂ production rate. In the soils with no N addition, the dominant soil properties influencing N₂O production were found to be the ammonium-N content and the ratio of soil microbial biomass carbon to nitrogen (MBC/MBN), while those for CO₂ production were the content of nitrate-N and soluble organic carbon. N₂O production increased with the increase in added N doses for the three land-use types and depended on the status of the initial soil available N. The effect of N addition on CO₂ production varied with land use type; with the increase of N addition doses, it decreased for the apple orchard and forest soils but increased for the grassland soils. This difference might be due to the differences in microbial flora as indicated by the MBC/MBN ratio. Soil N mineralization was the major process controlling N₂O and CO₂ production in the examined soils under aerobic incubation conditions.     

无机氮与蔬菜废弃物耦合对土壤氮矿化的影响

为探明有机废弃物添加量与不同无机氮水平耦合对土壤氮矿化的影响,设计了3个甘蓝废弃叶添加量[B1:200 g.kg 1(土),B2:400 g.kg 1(土),B3:550 g.kg 1(土)]和4个无机氮水平[N0:0 mg.kg 1(土),N1:25mg.kg 1(土),N2:50 mg.kg 1(土),N3:100 mg.kg 1(土)]交互的控制培养试验(25℃,65%的田间持水量)。试验结果显示:各氮处理下土壤净累积氮矿化量是空白对照的4～5倍,N1水平下土壤净累积氮矿化量显著高于其他氮水平。各甘蓝废弃叶添加量处理下土壤净累积氮矿化量是空白对照的3～5倍,且B2添加量下土壤净累积氮矿化量显著高于B1和B3。统计分析表明,氮处理和甘蓝废弃叶添加量之间的交互效应不显著(P=0.275),甘蓝废弃叶的添加是影响氮矿化的主要因素(Eta2=0.16),而供氮水平为次要因素(Eta2=0.07)。B1添加量下,培养前期(0～20 d)土壤净累积矿化量逐渐升高,后期保持稳定水平;但B2和B3添加量下,培养前期(30 d)土壤呈现矿化、固持、再矿化现象,后期土壤净累积矿化量逐渐升高。氮矿化速率结果说明,甘蓝废弃叶添加后氮素矿化主要发生在培养前30 d。对培养期间土壤净累积氮矿化量随时间变化做一级动力方程模拟,拟合效果良好(R2=0.62～0.89)。     

Phosphorus fertilization of a grass-legume mixture: Effect on plant growth,nutrients acquisition and symbiotic associations with soil microorganisms

Adding P on Lotus tenuis and Festuca arundinacea, pure or mixed, on growth, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) acquisition and associations with soil microorganisms was studied to investigate the establishment of Lotus for competing with Festuca. Triple-superphosphate was applied on a Typic Natraquoll where Lotus grows spontaneously. Biomass, N-P uptake, arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and rhizobia nodulation were measured. Lotus achieved the highest biomass, N-P uptake in fertilized stands and Festuca the lowest in fertilized and non-fertilized stands. Mycorrhizal colonization decreased with P-fertilization in both plants. Rhizobia nodules in Lotus showed little changes with P-fertilization. In mixed fertilized-stands, Lotus promoted the growth, N-P uptake of Festuca. P-fertilization increases the ability of Festuca to compete with Lotus for available-P in soil. Lotus improves nutrient cycling, maintains high level of rhizobia nodules and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization in roots. Adding P to limited N-P environments depress grasses growth to compete with legumes for resources.     

Influence of different land uses on soil nitrogen transformations after conversion from an Indian dry tropical forest

The effects of alternate land uses, such as grassland, cropland and mine spoil on mineral nitrogen (N), N-transformation rate and microbial biomass N (MBN) in dry tropical forest soils of India were studied. The mean annual mineral N in the forest, grassland, cropland and mine spoil ecosystems, respectively ranged from 15.24 to 19.58, 17.8 to 18.56, 16.49 to 19.85 and 10.52 to 13.44 µg g^− 1, net nitrification rate from 14.15 to 23.4, 10.11 to 11.38, 8.07 to 9.16, 10.52 to 13.44 µg g^− 1mo^− 1; net N-mineralization rate from 17.38 to 26.36, 13.99 to 15.41, 10.99 to 12.5, 5.43 to 7.68 µg g^− 1mo^− 1and and microbial biomass N from 41.25 to 58.87, 34.47 to 47.95, 27.88 to 30.43 and 22.95 to 25.26 µg g^− 1, respectively. The values were within the range reported by previous studies in different tropical environments. The mean annual net nitrification rates declined after conversion into grassland, cropland and mine spoil by 43, 54 and 78%, respectively, net N mineralization by 33, 46 and 70%, and microbial biomass N by 29%, 42% and 52%, respectively.The MBN was positively related to root biomass and total plant biomass, while microbial-N and inorganic N are reciprocally, while nitrification and N-mineralization are directly related to seasonal soil moisture and temperature. The microbial biomass N, nitrification and N-mineralization are negatively related to smaller fraction (< 0.1 mm) of the soil. Above- and below-ground biomass also have had their impact on microbial biomass N, and thereby N-mineralization. Thus, in dry tropical forests, land-use change affects remarkably the nitrogen transformation process in soil.     

Impact of nitrogen and phosphorus additions on soil gross nitrogen transformations in a temperate desert steppe

Nutrient addition has a significant impact on plant growth and nutrient cycling. Yet, the understanding of how the addition of nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) significantly affects soil gross N transformations and N availability in temperate desert steppes is still limited. Therefore, a ¹⁵N tracing experiment was conducted to study these processes and their underlying mechanism in a desert steppe soil that had been supplemented with N and P for 4 years in northwestern China. Soil N mineralization was increased significantly by P addition, and N and P additions significantly promoted soil autotrophic nitrification, rather than NH₄⁺-N immobilization. The addition of N promoted dissimilatory NO₃⁻ reduction to NH₄⁺, while that of P inhibited it. Soil NO₃⁻-N production was greatly increased by N added alone and by that of N and P combined, while net NH₄⁺-N production was decreased by these treatments. Soil N mineralization was primarily mediated by pH, P content or organic carbon, while soil NH₄⁺-N content regulated autotrophic nitrification mainly, and this process was mainly controlled by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria rather than archaea and comammox. NH₄⁺-N immobilization was mainly affected by functional microorganisms, the abundance of narG gene and comammox Ntsp-amoA. In conclusion, gross N transformations in the temperate desert steppe largely depended on soil inorganic N, P contents and related functional microorganisms. Soil acidification plays a more key role in N mineralization than other environmental factors or functional microorganisms.     

Effects of fertilizer application and fire regime on soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen,and nitrogen mineralization in an Australian subalpine eucalypt forest

The effects of a range of fertilizer applications and of repeated low-intensity prescribed fires on microbial biomass C and N, and in situ N mineralization were studied in an acid soil under subalpine Eucalyptus pauciflora forest near Canberra, Australia. Fertilizer treatments (N, P, N+P, line + P, sucrose + P), and P in particular, tended to lower biomass N. The fertilizer effects were greatest in spring and smaller in summer and late actumn. Low-intensity prescribed fire lowered biomass N at a soil depth of 0–5 cm with the effect being greater in the most frequently burnt soils. No interactions between fire treatments, season, and depth were significant. Only the lime + P and N+P treatments significantly affected soil microbial biomass C contents. The N+P treatment increased biomass C only at 0–2.5 cm in depth, but the soil depth of entire 0–10 cm had much higher (>doubled) biomass C values in the line + P treatment. Frequent (two or three times a year) burning reduced microbial boomass C, but the reverse was true in soils under forest burn at intervals of 7 years. Soil N mineralization was increased by the addition of N and P (alone or in combination), line + P, and sucrose + P to the soil. The same was true for the ratio of N mineralization to biomass N. Soil N mineralization was retarded by repeated fire treatments, especially the more frequent fire treatment where rates were only about half those measured in unburnt soils. There was no relationship between microbial biomass N (kg N ha^-1) and the field rates of soil N mineralization (kg N ha^-1 month^-1). The results suggest that although soil microbial biomass N represents a distinct pool of N, it is not a useful measure of N turnover.     

Impact of land-use types on soil nitrogen net mineralization in the sandstorm and water source area of Beijing,China

Changes of land-use type (LUT) can affect soil nutrient pools and cycling processes that relate long-term sustainability of ecosystem, and can also affect atmospheric CO₂ concentrations and global warming through soil respiration. We conducted a comparative study to determine NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ concentrations in soil profiles (0–200 cm) and examined the net nitrogen (N) mineralization and net nitrification in soil surface (0–20 cm) of adjacent naturally regenerated secondary forests (NSF), man-made forests (MMF), grasslands and cropland soils from the windy arid and semi-arid Hebei plateau, the sandstorm and water source area of Beijing, China. Cropland and grassland soils showed significantly higher inorganic N concentrations than forest soils. NO₃⁻-N accounted for 50–90% of inorganic N in cropland and grassland soils, while NH₄⁺-N was the main form of inorganic N in NSF and MMF soils. Average net N-mineralization rates (mg kg⁻¹ d⁻¹) were much higher in native ecosystems (1.51 for NSF soils and 1.24 for grassland soils) than in human disturbed LUT (0.15 for cropland soils and 0.85 for MMF soils). Net ammonification was low in all the LUT while net nitrification was the major process of net N mineralization. For more insight in urea transformation, the increase in NH₄⁺ and, NO₃⁻ concentrations as well as C mineralization after urea addition was analyzed on whole soils. Urea application stimulated the net soil C mineralization and urea transformation pattern was consistent with net soil N mineralization, except that the rate was slightly slower. Land-use conversion from NSF to MMF, or from grassland to cropland decreased soil net N mineralization, but increased net nitrification after 40 years or 70 years, respectively. The observed higher rates of net nitrification suggested that land-use conversions in the Hebei plateau might lead to N losses in the form of nitrate.     

Nitrogen addition and mowing affect microbial nitrogen transformations in a C4 grassland in northern China

Microbial nitrogen (N) transformations play a key role in regulating N cycling in grassland ecosystems. However, there is still little information on how management of semi‐arid grassland such as mowing and/or N fertilizer application affects microbial activity and N transformations. In a field experiment in northern China, N was added at a rate of 10 g N m^?2 year^?1 as NH₄NO₃ to mown and unmown plots (4 × 4 m²) and in situ rates of net ammonification (R_amm), nitrification (R_nit) and mineralization (R_min) were followed at monthly intervals for the vegetation growth periods in the years 2006–2009. In addition, we also measured soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN), microbial respiration (MR) and peak above‐ground biomass in August of each measurement year. Driven by the pronounced inter‐annual variability of rainfall, all the properties investigated varied markedly across years. Nevertheless, we were able to demonstrate that over the 4 years N addition significantly stimulated R_nit, R_min and MBN, on average, by 288, 149 and 11.6%, respectively. However, N addition decreased MBC significantly as well as the ratio of MBC:MBN by, on average, 10 and 23%, respectively, whereas an effect of N addition on MR could not be demonstrated. Mowing decreased MBN, MR and qCO₂ significantly by 9, 28 and 24%, respectively, but no effects were found on microbial net N transformation rates and MBC. N addition and mowing interactively affected R_amm and R_min, and MBN, MBC:MBN. In summary, our results indicate a positive effect of N addition but a negative effect of mowing on microbial N transformation in this C4 grassland in northern China.     

长期氮沉降和地上凋落物处理对半干旱区沙质草地表层土壤碳氮组分的影响

为揭示半干旱区沙质草地生态系统中表层土壤C、N组分对长期氮添加和地上凋落物处理的响应特征,以科尔沁沙地西南部国家野外科学观测研究站建立的长期(9年)氮添加和凋落物处理样地为平台,测定并分析该样地表层土壤环境因子、铵态氮、硝态氮、总有机碳、不同碳氮组分。结果表明:(1)持续9年的氮添加和地上凋落物处理对表层土壤环境因子和不同碳氮组分无交互作用;(2)氮添加处理显著降低土壤pH(p<0.01),增加土壤中硝态氮的含量(p<0.05),其增长幅度为37.57%,并显著增加溶解性有机氮(DON)和易变活性氮(LON)的含量(p<0.01,p<0.05);(3)地上凋落物去除显著降低土壤总有机碳(TOC)、易变缓性碳(IOC)、微生物生物量碳(MBC)和微生物生物量氮(MBN)含量(p<0.05);(4)经过9年氮添加和地上凋落物处理,半干旱区沙质草地表层土壤中不同碳氮组分与土壤环境因子间相关性并不密切。即长期氮添加和地上凋落物处理会改变表层土壤不同碳、氮组分的含量,但并未显著改变各碳、氮组分的比值。研究结果为揭示长期氮添加和地上凋落物处理对半干旱区沙质草地土壤C、N贮存和预测未来土壤生物地球化学元素动态研究提供参考资料。     

Nitrous oxide emissions and nitrogen cycling in managed grassland in Southern Hokkaido,Japan

Abstract

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions were measured and nitrogen (N) budgets were estimated for 2?years in the fertilizer, manure, control and bare plots established in a reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) grassland in Southern Hokkaido, Japan. In the manure plot, beef cattle manure with bark was applied at a rate of 43–44?Mg fresh matter (236–310?kg?N)?ha^?1?year^?1, and a supplement of chemical fertilizer was also added to equalize the application rate of mineral N to that in the fertilizer plots (164–184?kg?N?ha^?1?year^?1). Grass was harvested twice per year. The total mineral N supply was estimated as the sum of the N deposition, chemical fertilizer application and gross mineralization of manure (GMm), soil (GMs), and root-litter (GMl). GMm, GMs and GMl were estimated by dividing the carbon dioxide production derived from the decomposition of soil organic matter, root-litter and manure by each C?:?N ratio (11.1 for soil, 15.5 for root-litter and 23.5 for manure). The N uptake in aboveground biomass for each growing season was equivalent to or greater than the external mineral N supply, which is composed of N deposition, chemical fertilizer application and GMm. However, there was a positive correlation between the N uptake in aboveground biomass and the total mineral N supply. It was assumed that 58% of the total mineral N supply was taken up by the grass. The N supply rates from soil and root-litter were estimated to be 331–384?kg?N?ha^?1?year^?1 and 94–165?kg?N?ha^?1?year^?1, respectively. These results indicated that the GMs and GMl also were significant inputs in the grassland N budget. The cumulative N₂O flux for each season showed a significant positive correlation with mineral N surplus, which was calculated as the difference between the total mineral N supply and N uptake in aboveground biomass. The emission factor of N₂O to mineral N surplus was estimated to be 1.2%. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis suggested that the N₂O emission factor increased with an increase in precipitation. Consequently, soil and root-litter as well as chemical fertilizer and manure were found to be major sources of mineral N supply in the grassland, and an optimum balance between mineral N supply and N uptake is required for reducing N₂O emission.     

Seasonal nitrification measurements with different species of forest litter applied to granite-sand-filled lysimeters in the field

Summary The biodegradation of litter from Festuca silvatica, Abies pectinata, Fagus silvatica, Calluna vulgaris, Picea abies associated with forest brown acid soils or with podzolic soils was studied in field lysimeters filled with granite sand. Analysis of the leachates collected during 2 years made it possible to determine NO _inf3 ^sup- , NH _inf4 ^sup+ , and soluble organic N production in order to investigate the specific influence of the different species of litter on the mineralization of organic N and the variations in nitrification. With Festuca silvatica (grass), active nitrification was observed after the addition of fresh litter in autumn (fall of leaves). Nitrification remained significant in winter, reached a maximum in spring until early summer, and then decreased after mineralization of the easily mineralizable organic N. Nitrification was the major N transformation process in this litter. The addition of fresh litter of Abies pectinata (fir), Fagus silvatica (beech), Calluna vulgaris (heather), and Picea abies (spruce) in autumn induced an inhibition of nitrification during winter and spring. With these litter species, nitrification started again by the end of spring and was at a maximum in summer and autumn until leaf fall. By comparison with Festuca, inhibition observed in winter and spring with the other litter species was definitely due to the chemical composition of the leaves. Simultaneously, a lower C mineralization of these plant material occured. These litter species, in particular Calluna and Picea released leachates containing significant amounts of soluble organic N that were only slightly decomposed. We conclude that NO _inf3 ^sup- production outside of the plant growth period can definitely be involved in soil acidification and weathering processes.     

Regulation of microbial carbon,nitrogen, and phosphorus transformations by temperature and moisture during decomposition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Calluna vulgaris</Emphasis> litter

To evaluate the effect of climate change on ecosystem functioning, the temperature and moisture response of microbial C, N, and P transformations during decomposition of Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull. litter was studied in a laboratory incubation experiment. The litter originated from a dry heathland in the Netherlands where P limited vegetation growth. Fresh litter was incubated at 5, 10, 15, or 20°C and at a moisture content of 50, 100, or 200% in a full factorial design. Microbial nutrient transformations and activity were evaluated during two successive periods: an initial period of 48 days characterized by microbial growth and a second period from 48 to 206 days in which microbial growth declined significantly. Temperature and moisture response of respiration rate, the metabolic quotient (qCO₂), C, N, and P immobilization, net N and P mineralization and nitrification rates were evaluated by performing linear regressions. Microbial nutrient transformations and microbial activity depended both on temperature and moisture. In the first period, the respiration rate, qCO₂, microbial C and N immobilization, net P mineralization, net N mineralization and net nitrification rates were more strongly affected by temperature, while the microbial P immobilization rate was more strongly affected by moisture. The respiration rate, qCO₂, P immobilization rate, net P and N mineralization rate, and nitrification rate increased with temperature and moisture, while the C and N immobilization rate decreased with increasing temperature and increased with moisture. In the second period, C, N, and P immobilization and net N and P mineralization rates were significantly lower. The respiration rate and qCO₂ continued to increase with temperature and moisture, but C and N immobilization rates increased with temperature and declined with increasing moisture. Net P mineralization rate decreased at higher temperature and moisture, and nitrification rate declined with increasing temperature and increased with moisture. It was concluded that plant growth in these P-limited systems is very sensitive to climate change as it strongly relies on the competition for P with microbes, and temperature and moisture have a large effect on the immobilization rate of available P.     

Seasonal variations of soil microbial biomass and activity in warm- and cool-season turfgrass systems

Plant growth can be an important factor regulating seasonal variations of soil microbial biomass and activity. We investigated soil microbial biomass, microbial respiration, net N mineralization, and soil enzyme activity in turfgrass systems of three cool-season species (tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreb., Kentucky bluegrass, Poa pratensis L., and creeping bentgrass, Agrostis palustris L.) and three warm-season species (centipedegrass, Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro.) Hack, zoysiagrass, Zoysia japonica Steud, and bermudagrass, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.). Microbial biomass and respiration were higher in warm- than the cool-season turfgrass systems, but net N mineralization was generally lower in warm-season turfgrass systems. Soil microbial biomass C and N varied seasonally, being lower in September and higher in May and December, independent of turfgrass physiological types. Seasonal variations in microbial respiration, net N mineralization, and cellulase activity were also similar between warm- and cool-season turfgrass systems. The lower microbial biomass and activity in September were associated with lower soil available N, possibly caused by turfgrass competition for this resource. Microbial biomass and activity (i.e., microbial respiration and net N mineralization determined in a laboratory incubation experiment) increased in soil samples collected during late fall and winter when turfgrasses grew slowly and their competition for soil N was weak. These results suggest that N availability rather than climate is the primary determinant of seasonal dynamics of soil microbial biomass and activity in turfgrass systems, located in the humid and warm region.     

Influence of organic by-products and nitrogen source on chemical and microbiological status of an agricultural soil

We assessed the influence of the addition of four municipal or agricultural by-products (cotton gin waste, ground newsprint, woodchips, or yard trimmings), combined with two sources of nitrogen (N), [ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) or poultry litter] as carbon (C) sources on active bacterial, active fungal and total microbial biomass, cellulose decomposition, potential net mineralization of soil C and N and soil nutrient status in agricultural soils. Cotton gin waste as a C source promoted the highest potential net N mineralization and N turnover. Municipal or agricultural by-products as C sources had no affect on active bacterial, active fungal or total microbial biomass, C turnover, or the ratio of net C:N mineralized. Organic by-products and N additions to soil did not consistently affect C turnover rates, active bacterial, active fungal or total microbial biomass. After 3, 6 or 9 weeks of laboratory incubation, soil amended with organic by-products plus poultry litter resulted in higher cellulose degradation rates than soil amended with organic by-products plus NH₄NO₃. Cellulose degradation was highest when soil was amended with newsprint plus poultry litter. When soil was amended with organic by-products plus NH₄NO₃, cellulose degradation did not differ from soil amended with only poultry litter or unamended soil. Soil amended with organic by-products had higher concentrations of soil C than soil amended with only poultry litter or unamended soil. Soil amended with organic by-products plus N as poultry litter generally, but not always, had higher extractable P, K, Ca, and Mg concentrations than soil amended with poultry litter or unamende soil. Agricultural soil amended with organic by-products and N had higher extractable N, P, K, Ca and Mg than unamended soil. Since cotton gin waste plus poultry litter resulted in higher cellulose degradation and net N mineralization, its use may result in faster increase in soil nutrient status than the other organic by-products and N sources that were tested. Received: 15 May 1996     

Determination of a critical dilution curve for nitrogen concentration in cotton

Several nitrogen (N)‐rate field experiments were carried out in cotton to define dilution curves for critical N concentrations in individual plants (i.e., the minimum N concentration required for maximum growth at any growth stage). Nitrogen application rate had a significant effect on aboveground dry matter, N accumulation, and N concentration. As expected, shoot N concentration in plants decreased during the growing period. These results support the concept of critical N concentration in shoot biomass of single plants as described by Lemaire et al. (2007) and reveal that a dilution curve for critical N concentrations in cotton plants can be described by a power equation. The pattern of critical–N concentration dilution curves was consistent across the two sites. Nitrogen concentration for a given biomass varied greatly with the supply of N. After initial flowering, the N‐nutrition index (NNI) for aboveground biomass of individual plants increased with increasing N rates. Relationships between plant total N uptake and accumulated dry matter in the aboveground biomass can be described by the allometric‐relation equations for each dose of N. Nitrogen‐dilution curves can be used as a tool for diagnosing the status of N in cotton from initial flowering to boll opening. The relationship can also be used in the parameterization and validation of growth models for predicting the N response and/or N requirement of cotton.     

Effect of freeze-thaw events on mineralization of soil nitrogen

Summary In humid regions of the United States there is considerable interest in the use of late spring (April–June) soil NO ₃ ^– concentrations to estimate fertilizer N requirements. However, little information is available on the environmental factors that influence soil NO ₃ ^– concentrations in late winter/early spring. The influence of freeze-thaw treatments on N mineralization was studied on several central Iowa soils. The soils were subjected to temperatures of-20°C or 5°C for 1 week followed by 0–20 days of incubation at various temperatures. The release of soluble ninhydrin-reactive N, the N mineralization rate, and net N mineralization (mineral N flush) were observed. The freeze-thaw treatment resulted in a significant increase in the N mineralization rate and mineral N flush. The N mineralization rate in the freeze-thaw treated soils remained higher than in non-frozen soils for 3–6 days when thawed soils were incubated at 25°C and for up to 20 days in thawed soils incubated at 5°C. The freeze-thaw treatments resulted in a significant release of ninhydrin-reactive N. These values were closely correlated with the mineral N flush (r ²=0.84). The release of ninhydrin-reactive N was more closely correlated with biomass N (r ²=0.80) than total N (r ²=0.65). Our results suggest that freeze-thaw events in soil disrupt microbial tissues in a similar way to drying and re-wetting or chloroform fumigation. Thus the level of mineral N released was directly related to the soil microbial biomass. We conclude that net N mineralization following a spring thaw may provide a significant portion of the total NO ₃ ^– present in the soil profile.     

华北平原夏玉米临界氮稀释曲线的验证

The concept of critical N concentration （Nc） has been widely used in agronomy as the basis for diagnosis of crop N status, and allows discrimination between field situations of sub-optimal and supra-optimal N supply. A critical N dilution curve of Nc= 34.0W-0.37, where W is the aboveground biomass （Mg DM ha-1） and Nc the critical N concentration in aboveground dry matter （g kg-1 DM）, was developed for spring maize in Europe. Our objectives were to validate whether this European critical N dilution curve was appropriate for summer maize production in the North China Plain （NCP） and to develop a critical N dilution curve especially for summer maize production in this region. In total 231 data points from 16 experiments were used to test the European critical N dilution curve. These observations showed that the European critical N dilution curve was unsuitable for summer maize in the NCP, especially at the early growth stage. From the data obtained, a critical N dilution curve for summer maize in the NCP was described by the equation of Nc = 27.2W-0.27, when aboveground biomass was between 0.64 and 11.17 Mg DM ha-1. Based on this curve, more than 90% of the data for the N deficiency supply treatments had an N nutrition index （NNI） 〈 1 and 92% of the data for the N excess supply treatments had an NNI 〉 1.     

Variation in the C:N ratio of substrate mineralized during forest humus decomposition

Laboratory incubations of sieved (<2mm) forest humus were used to study the response of C and N mineralization to perturbation. Considerable variation in the ratio of mineralized C to mineralized N was observed. This ratio widened with increasing temperature. At constant temperature, addition of P stimulated CO₂-C evolution and reduced NH₄⁺-N production, also widening the C:N ratio of substrate mineralized. Addition of weak base stimulated mineralization of N more than C, reducing the C:N ratio of substrate mineralized. Addition of weak acid, mineral-N, or excessive amounts of water inhibited CO₂-C evolution while stimulating production of NH₄⁺-N, resulting in a “negative correlation” between the two, and reducing the C:N ratio of substrate mineralized still further.Results were interpreted in terms of effects on microbial biomass. A relatively benign treatment (P addition) may promote microbial growth and respiration, reducing net N availability. A moderate perturbation (addition of weak base) favors new organisms growing partly at the expense of microbial necromass. These organisms will mineralize some necromass-N, increase net N mineralization, and reduce the C:N ratio of substrate mineralized. Under severe conditions (addition of acid) the C:N ratio of substrate mineralized approaches that of the microbial biomass itself, suggesting that the biomass is the primary substrate mineralized. Microbial mortality is likely to be a significant factor affecting the supply of N in field situations, and should be included in any general model of soil N mineralization processes.     

Determining a critical nitrogen dilution curve for sugarcane

Adequate measurements of the nitrogen (N) concentration in the aboveground biomass of sugarcane throughout the growth cycle can be obtained using the critical N dilution curve (CNDC) concept, which provides an N‐nutrition index (NNI). The aim of this work was to determine the CNDC value for Brazilian sugarcane variety SP81‐3250, establish the critical concentration of N, and determine the NNI in the aboveground biomass throughout the cane plant and first ratoon crop cycles. The study was performed in three experimental areas located in São Paulo, Brazil, during the crop cycles of 2005/2006 (18‐month cane plant) and 2006/2007 (first ratoon). The plant cane crop was fertilized with treatments of 40, 80, or 120 kg N ha^–1 and a control treatment without N. After the plant cane harvest, rates of 0, 50, 100, or 150 kg N ha^–1 were applied to the control plot and the 120 kg N ha^–1–treatment plot in a split‐plot experimental design with four repetitions. Throughout both sugarcane cycles, measurements of aboveground biomass were used to determine the dry‐mass (DM) production and N concentration for each treatment. CNDC varied between the growth cycles, with a higher N concentration observed in the initial stages of the first ratoon and a lower N dilution observed throughout the plant cane cycle. The NNI value indicated excessive N storage in the initial stages and limiting concentrations at the end of the growth cycle. CNDC and NNI allow for the identification of the N‐nutrition variation rate and the period in which the nutrient concentration limits the production of aboveground biomass. The equations for the critical N (Ncr) level obtained in this study for plant cane (Ncr = 19.0 DM^–0.369) and ratoons (Ncr = 20.3 DM^–0.469) can potentially be used as N‐nutritional diagnostic parameters for sugarcane N nutrition.