Effect of long-term cropping systems on soil organic carbon pools and soil quality in western plain of hot arid India

Maintaining soil organic carbon (SOC) in arid ecosystem is important for soil productivity and restoration of deserted sandy soil in western plain of India. There is a need to understand how the cropping systems changes may alter SOC pools including total organic carbon (TOC), particulate organic C (POC), water soluble carbon (WSC), very labile C (VLC), labile C (LC), less labile C (LLC) and non-labile C (NLC) in arid climate. We selected seven major agricultural systems for this study viz., barren, fallow, barley–fallow, mustard–moth bean, chickpea–groundnut, wheat–green gram and wheat–pearl millet. Result revealed that conversion of sandy barren lands to agricultural systems significantly increased available nutrients and SOC pools. Among all studied cropping systems, the highest values of TOC (6.12 g kg^?1), POC (1.53 g kg^?1) and WSC (0.19 g kg^?1) were maintained in pearl millet–wheat system, while the lowest values of carbon pools observed in fallow and barren land. Strong relationships (P < 0.05) were exhibited between VLC and LC with available nutrients. The highest carbon management index (299) indicates that wheat–pearl millet system has greater soil quality for enhancing crop productivity, nutrient availability and carbon sequestration of arid soil.     

Assessing soil quality indices based on soil organic carbon fractions in different long-term wheat systems under semiarid conditions

The literature shows a great number of soil quality indices (SQ_I) based on organic matter and its fractions. Our objectives were to determine the changes in soil organic carbon (SOC), carbon fractions and SQ_I in three production systems based on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The three production systems involved wheat monoculture under conventional tillage and no-tillage (WW_CT and WW_NT, respectively) and traditional management, wheat under conventional tillage and grazing of natural grasses, alternated one year each (WG_CT). In turn, each treatment was divided into N-P-fertilized (f) and non-fertilized (nf). We analysed SOC, labile fractions and their ratios (SQ_I) at 0–5, 5–10 and 10–20 cm soil depths. SOC was significantly higher in WW_NT-f than in WW_CT-f and WG_CT-f at 0–5 and 0–20 cm range. Conversely, the lowest concentration was found in WW_NT and WW_CT in non-fertilized plots. Particulate organic C (POC, 105–2,000 μm) was significantly affected by tillage at 0–5 cm with the greatest concentrations found in WW_NT (mean = 3.2 g kg⁻¹) followed by WG_CT and WW_CT (mean = 2.0 g kg⁻¹). Soils under CT showed the lowest lability index (LI) values, whereas the conversion to NT increased it (0.74–1.28). Carbon management index (CMI) increased significantly at the 0–20 cm seven years after NT establishment compared to WW_CT. SQ_I such as LI, CMI and SOC/silt+clay were more sensitive for differentiating production systems, whereas C pool index and C/N were more sensitive for differentiating the fertilizer application effect. Considering improvement in SQ_I and carbon fractions as indicators of better soil quality, adoption of NT improved the soil quality in the semiarid rainfed conditions in the short term.     

Effect of fertilizer application based on soil test crop response approach on active and passive pools of soil organic matter in maize–wheat cropping system

ABSTRACT

A long-term fertilizer experiment was initiated in kharif 2007 in a maize–wheat sequence at the Experimental Farm of Department of Soil Science, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur under the network of All India Coordinated Research Project on Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) Correlation Studies. The experiment consisted of eight treatments (control, general recommended dose, soil test based, farmers’ practice, target yield of 25 (rabi)/30 (kharif) and 35 (rabi)/40 (kharif) q ha^?1 either with or without 5 t ha^?1 farm yard manure) replicated thrice in a randomized block design. All the passive and active pools of soil organic matter (SOM) were highest under STCR treatments for target yield 35 q ha^?1 + farmyard manure (FYM). The highest value of both humic and fulvic acids under STCR treatment for target yield 35 q ha^?1 with FYM was statistically at par with treatment for target yield 25 q ha^?1 with FYM. The R² value indicated that about 96% to 98% of the total variation in grain yield was attributable to SOM fractions. The contribution of all fractions of SOM towards the total variation in straw yield was 96% to 97%.     

Effect of no-tillage with straw mulch and conventional tillage on soil organic carbon pools in Northern China

The dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) is imperative for maintaining soil quality. Our objective was to investigate the effects of tillage practices on SOC and its fractions at the depth (0–60 cm) of Chromic Cambisol profile in northern China. The experiment including no-tillage with straw mulch (NTSM) and conventional tillage (CT). Our results indicated that differences in SOC concentration and stock were primarily evident in the 0–10 cm layer. The particulate organic matter carbon (POM-C), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) levels in the top layers (0–10 cm) under the NTSM treatment were 28.5, 26.1 and 51.0% higher than CT. A positive correlation was observed between these labile C fractions and the SOC, and POM-C was the much more sensitive indicator of SOC quality than MBC and DOC. NTSM was unable to sustain the greater yields, and from 2006 to 2011, the mean maize yield for NTSM was significantly lower than that for CT (P < 0.05). NTSM resulted in higher SOC content and stocks in dryland farming systems but lower crop yields is a concern which needs to be addressed in order to make these systems acceptable to the farming community.     

矿区复垦土壤碳组分对外源碳输入的响应特征

研究外源碳输入对复垦土壤有机碳及组分的影响,对于深入探究矿区复垦土壤有机碳提升及培肥管理具有重要意义。本文依托山西省襄垣县采煤沉陷复垦区的长期定位试验,研究了矿区复垦土壤碳组分对不同外源碳(生物炭、堆肥、沼渣、牛粪与秸秆)输入的响应特征。分别在2011年与2016年对矿区复垦土壤样品进行采集,测定0～20 cm土层土壤有机碳、易氧化有机碳、活性碳库Ⅰ、Ⅱ的含量。结果表明,生物炭处理的土壤有机碳增长率和年变化量较对照(CK,无外源碳添加)分别增加101.80%和0.56g·kg–1·a–1,且均显著高于其他有机物料处理;生物炭、牛粪处理土壤0～20 cm土层固碳量较CK分别提高100.52%和91.52%,二者间差异不显著,均显著高于其他有机物料处理,堆肥、沼渣和秸秆处理间对土壤固碳量的提升作用不显著。添加有机物料均能显著增加复垦土壤易氧化有机碳的增长率和年变化量,均表现为堆肥处理最高,较CK分别增加12.37%和0.16 g·kg–1·a–1。复垦土壤活性碳库Ⅰ、Ⅱ的增长率和年变化量均为牛粪处理显著高于其他有机物料处理。有机物料添加均能提高土壤稳定性有机碳含量,与CK相比,生物炭和牛粪处理的提高幅度最大,显著高于其他有机物料,而牛粪与生物碳之间差异不显著。生物炭处理碳库管理指数最高,分别较堆肥、沼渣、牛粪、秸秆处理提高36.30%、52.23%、41.50%、52.02%。施用生物炭、堆肥、沼渣、牛粪与秸秆都能显著提升复垦土壤各碳组分含量和碳库管理指数,施用生物炭的效果最优,因此施用生物炭可作为矿区复垦土壤有机碳提升的有效管理措施。     

不同有机物料对苏打盐化土有机碳和活性碳组分的影响

【目的】在大同盆地苏打盐化土上,研究不同有机物料对春玉米产量、土壤有机碳及活性碳组分的影响,明确土壤有机碳及活性碳组分与主要盐碱指标的相关关系,为苏打盐化土改良及有机物料资源化利用提供理论支撑。【方法】2016-2017年在山西省北部怀仁县开展田间定位试验,设对照(CK)、风化煤、生物炭、牛粪和秸秆5个处理,各处理有机物料施用量按照每年9000 kg/hm^2等有机碳投入量折算,收获时对春玉米进行测产。2017年春玉米收获后,采集土壤样品测定土壤有机碳总量(SOC)和水溶性有机碳(WSOC)、易氧化有机碳(EOC)、轻组有机碳(LFOC)含量,分析土壤活性碳组分占有机碳的比例、土壤有机碳及活性碳组分与盐碱指标之间的关系。【结果】与CK相比,生物炭和秸秆处理春玉米产量无明显差异,而风化煤和牛粪处理春玉米产量则分别显著提高30.2%和30.3%。添加有机物料促进了0-20 cm土层SOC累积,其中以风化煤和牛粪处理效果最佳,较CK分别提高47.6%和36.1%。在有机碳组分方面,风化煤和牛粪处理提高WSOC、EOC含量的效果显著高于生物炭、秸秆处理;风化煤、牛粪和秸秆处理的LFOC含量显著高于生物炭处理。四类有机物料处理的WSOC占总有机碳的比例差异不显著,牛粪处理的占比显著高于CK。EOC占总有机碳的比例以牛粪处理最高,风化煤次之,且二者均显著高于CK处理;LFOC占总有机碳的比例则表现为秸秆、牛粪>风化煤、生物炭> CK。此外,添加有机物料能有效降低0-20 cm土层土壤pH、电导率(EC)和碱化度(ESP),其中以风化煤和牛粪处理降幅最大。相关分析表明,土壤SOC与pH、EC和ESP呈显著负相关。【结论】通过有机物料改良效果比较,发现牛粪和风化煤处理能促进苏打盐化土有机碳累积,提高可溶性、易氧化态及轻组有机碳组分在总有机碳中的占比,降低土壤pH、EC和ESP,明显提高春玉米产量。因此,风化煤和牛粪是山西北部苏打盐化土良好的改良剂。     

Effects of long-term fertiliser regime on soil organic carbon and its labile fractions under double cropping rice system of southern China

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to explore changes in soil bulk density, soil organic carbon content, soil organic carbon stock and soil labile organic carbon fractions under 34 years fertilizer regime in the double-cropping rice system of southern China. The experiment including five fertilizer treatments: chemical fertilizer alone (MF), rice straw residue and chemical fertilizer (RF), 30% organic manure and 70% chemical fertilizer (LOM), 60% organic manure and 40% chemical fertilizer (HOM), and without fertilizer input as control (CK). The results showed that soil bulk density in the 0-20 cm soil layer with long-term fertilizer treatments were significantly decreased compared to CK treatment. The soil organic carbon content and stock with RF, LOM and HOM treatments were significantly higher than that of MF and CK treatments. These results confirmed by the soil carbon management index which were significantly increased with RF, LOM and HOM treatments. As a result, combined application of organic manure with chemical fertilizer is a benefit nutrient management for improving soil organic carbon content and stock, soil carbon management index in paddy field of southern China.     

Long-term effects of NPK fertilizers and organic manures on soil organic carbon and carbon management index under a double-cropping rice system in Southern China

The effects of manure and chemical fertilizer on soil bulk density, soil organic carbon (SOC), and the role of carbon management index (CMI) in soil quality evaluation were studied under a double-cropping rice system in a long-term experiment. The experiment included five fertilizer treatments: without fertilizer input (CK), chemical fertilizer alone (MF), rice straw residue plus chemical fertilizer (RF), 30% organic matter plus 70% chemical fertilizer (LOM), and 60% organic matter plus 40% chemical fertilizer (HOM). RF, LOM, HOM treatments increased SOC content relative to MF treatment in the paddy fields at 0–20 cm. RF, LOM, HOM treatments were more effective for increasing CMI, lability index, lability of C, and SOC stocks, as compared with MF treatment. Based on rice grain yield and carbon storage, integrated fertilization of chemical fertilizer and organic manure proved to be the most effective practices for improving crop productivity and SOC sequestration.     

种植绿肥与稻秸协同还田对单季稻田土壤有机碳库和酶活性的影响

种植绿肥和秸秆还田是稻田土壤培肥的重要措施。研究江汉平原单季稻田冬闲期种植绿肥及稻秸不同利用模式对土壤有机碳库和土壤酶活性的影响,为合理利用秸秆和土地资源提供科学依据。该研究基于3 a田间定位试验,以稻秸不还田不种绿肥(CK1)和不施肥空白(CK0)为对照,分析了冬闲期稻秸全量覆盖单独还田(RSM)、稻秸原位焚烧还田(RSB)、单种绿肥(GM)以及稻秸全量覆盖与种植绿肥协同还田利用(RSM+GM)等处理模式下土壤有机碳各组分含量、碳库管理指数、酶活性的变化及其与水稻产量的关系。结果表明:与CK1和CK0相比,RSB处理3 a后显著降低了土壤稳态有机碳含量,对土壤总有机碳、活性有机碳含量以及碳库管理指数均无显著影响;而GM、RSM及RSM+GM处理3a后显著提高了土壤活性有机碳含量、碳库指数、碳库活度、碳库活度指数和碳库管理指数,尤其是RSM和RSM+GM处理还可显著提高土壤总有机碳含量,且多数指标均以RSM+GM处理增幅为最大,其次是RSM处理。与CK1相比,RSB处理3a后显著提高了过氧化氢酶和蔗糖酶活性,但对土壤脲酶活性无显著影响;而RSM、GM及RSM+GM处理模式3 a后均可显著增加土壤过氧化氢酶、脲酶和蔗糖酶活性,其中RSM+GM处理模式在1 a后即可显著提高土壤脲酶活性,2 a后显著提高土壤过氧化氢酶和蔗糖酶活性,3 a后土壤过氧化氢酶和蔗糖酶活性增幅均是最大。相比于CK1,RSM和RSB处理模式3 a的稻谷增产效果均不显著,而GM和RSM+GM处理模式连续3 a显著提高了稻谷产量,增幅分别为6.88%～11.67%和6.00%～13.40%。相关性分析表明,土壤总有机碳、活性有机碳、碳库管理指数、土壤酶活性与水稻产量之间均呈极显著正相关关系。综上,在江汉平原单季稻作条件下,冬闲期稻秸全量覆盖还田或种植绿肥均可改善土壤肥力,增加作物产量,但前者更有助于土壤有机碳积累,后者更利于作物产量提升。为了兼顾秸秆资源利用、土壤质量改善和作物增产稳产,稻田冬闲期稻秸全量覆盖与种植绿肥协同还田利用模式是一种较好的选择。     

Long-term manure application increased soil organic carbon and nitrogen mineralization through accumulation of unprotected and physically protected carbon fractions

Soil organic carbon(SOC) and nitrogen(N) mineralization are important biogeochemical processes associated with soil fertility. These processes are influenced by physically, chemically, and biologically stabilized SOC fractions, the mechanisms of which are not well known. The present study was conducted to evaluate the combined effect of manure and mineral fertilizers on the contents of SOC fractions to promote the mineralization of SOC and N.Treatments included: i) no fertilizer control(CK); ii)...     

冬季覆盖作物残茬还田对双季稻田土壤有机碳和碳库管理指数的影响

研究冬季不同覆盖作物残茬还田后稻田土壤总有机碳、活性有机碳含量和碳库管理指数的变化, 对合理利用冬闲稻田, 发展冬季覆盖作物, 以及科学评价不同种植模式具有重要意义。本研究以不同冬季覆盖作物-双季稻定位试验为研究对象, 采用田间小区试验方法, 分析了黑麦草-双季稻(T1)、紫云英-双季稻(T2)和油菜-双季稻(T3) 3种种植模式不同冬季覆盖作物残茬还田后对土壤耕层(0~20 cm)总有机碳、活性有机碳含量的影响, 并计算了各处理的碳库活度、碳库活度指数、碳库指数和碳库管理指数。结果表明, 与冬闲-双季稻(对照)相比, T1、T2和T3处理的冬季覆盖作物残茬还田均提高了稻田土壤总有机碳和活性有机碳含量, 其大小顺序均表现为T2>T1>T3>CK。其中, 各处理稻田土壤总有机碳含量均显著高于对照, 早稻收获时T1、T2和T3处理土壤总有机碳含量两年平均分别比对照增加6.73%、10.53%和4.79%, 晚稻收获时两年平均分别增加4.16%、6.20%和2.37%; T1和T2 处理土壤活性有机碳含量均显著高于对照, 早稻收获时两年平均分别比对照增加10.52%和21.52%, 晚稻收获时两年平均分别增加11.99%和15.59%。冬季覆盖作物残茬还田提高了土壤碳库活度、碳库活度指数、碳库指数和土壤碳库管理指数, 其大小顺序均表现为T2>T1>T3。总的来说, 各处理中以紫云英残茬还田的效果为最好, 黑麦草和油菜残茬还田的效果次之。     

Reduced tillage with residue retention improves soil labile carbon pools and carbon lability and management indices in a seven-year trial with wheat-mung bean-rice rotation

Soil total organic carbon (TOC) is a composite indicator of soil quality with implications for crop production and the regulation of soil ecosystem services. Research reports on the dynamics of TOC as a consequence of soil management practices in subtropical climatic conditions, where microbial carbon(C) loss is high, are very limited. The objective of our study was to evaluate the impact of seven years of continuous tillage and residue management on soil TOC dynamics (quantitative and qualitati...     

Conservation agriculture practice influences soil organic carbon pools in intensive rice-based systems of the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain

Studies of rice-based systems in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) have demonstrated the beneficial effects of Conservation Agriculture on soil organic carbon (SOC) status, along with increased soil health and crop productivity. However, it remains unclear as to the time for such treatments to have a positive effect. In this study of lentil-mung bean-rice and wheat-mung-rice rotations in Bangladesh positive effects of strip planting or bed planting, along with residue return, on SOC pools were apparent after 1.5 years, compared with intensive conventional tillage and limited residue return. Conventional tillage resulted in higher CO₂ emission compared with strip planting or bed planting as did high residue return. In the cereal-dominated rotation, the strip planting system sequestered carbon at a rate of 0.24–0.53 Mg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ (at 0–0.15 m depth) while conventional tillage was associated with a carbon loss of 0.52–0.82 Mg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. In the legume-dominated rotation, neither practice sequestered SOC. Under strip planting, a minimum annual crop residue input of 1.7 Mg C ha⁻¹ for the cereal-dominated system and 5.2 Mg C ha⁻¹ for the legume-dominated system was required to maintain SOC at equilibrium. We conclude that strip planting with high levels of crop residue return can be an effective and quick strategy in either slowing the loss of SOC or improving C sequestration in the intensive rice-based systems of the Eastern IGP.     

耕地土壤有机碳组分的季节变化

Carbon fractions in soils apparently vary not only in space, but also over time. A lack of knowledge on the seasonal variability of labile carbon fractions under arable land hampers the reliability and comparability of soil organic carbon(SOC) surveys from different studies. Therefore, we studied the seasonal variability of two SOC fractions, particulate organic matter(POM) and dissolved organic carbon(DOC), under maize cropping: POM was determined as the SOC content in particle-size fractions, and DOC was measured as the water-extractable SOC(WESOC) of air-dried soil. Ammonium, nitrate, and water-extractable nitrogen were measured as potential regulating factors of WESOC formation because carbon and nitrogen cycles in soils are strongly connected. There was a significant annual variation of WESOC(coefficient of variation(CV) = 30%). Temporal variations of SOC in particle-size fractions were smaller than those of WESOC. The stocks of SOC in particle-size fractions decreased with decreasing particle sizes, exhibiting a CV of 20%for the coarse sand-size fraction(250–2 000 μm), of 9% for the fine sand-size fraction(50–250 μm), and of 5% for the silt-size fraction(20–50 μm). The WESOC and SOC in particle-size fractions both peaked in March and reached the minimum in May/June and August, respectively. These results indicate the importance of the time of soil sampling during the course of a year, especially when investigating WESOC.     

长期施肥下褐土易氧化有机碳及有机碳库的变化特征

本研究探讨了24年长期施肥对褐土土壤有机碳(TOC)、有机碳储量(TOCs)、净固碳效率(NCSE)和碳库管理指数(CPMI)的影响,为评价褐土土壤碳库变化与质量及科学施肥提供理论依据。研究以褐土肥力与肥料长期定位试验为平台,通过9个处理[A组:不施肥处理(N_0P_0、CK);B组:单施无机肥处理(N_1P_1、N_2P_2、N_3P_3和N_4P_4);C组:有机肥与无机肥配施处理(N_2P_1M_1、N_3P_2M_3和N_4P_2M_2);D组:单施高量有机肥处理(M_6)]测定土壤TOC与易氧化有机碳(ROOC)含量,并计算TOCs、NCSE及CPMI等相关指标。结果表明,在不同土层不同时期施用较高量有机肥配施无机肥及施用高量有机肥(N_3P_2M_3、N_4P_2M_2和M_6)均可提高TOC和ROOC含量,且随土层深度加深提升作用减弱。TOCs、NCSE与0~20 cm土层TOC含量在时间和空间上的变化规律基本一致。施用高量有机肥(C组、D组)可有效提高TOCs,A组、B组的TOCs均值分别比C组、D组低76.77%与17.36%。长期施肥处理可提高NCSE,尤其是施用有机肥处理可显著提高NCSE。NCSE为D组C组A组=B组;D组NCSE为1 152.27 kg·hm~(-2)·a~(-1),是C组的2.51倍,B组的16.20倍。与试验前相比,C组和D组的CPMI无显著变化,且C组与D组间差异不显著,但A组与B组比试验前降低16.38~40.02。与A组(CK)相比,B组中N1P1处理与C、D组处理显著影响CPMI,提高了23.30~45.67。在0~40 cm土层CPMI与ROOC含量呈显著正相关,CPMI可以很好地指示有机碳的变化。可见,施用高量有机肥或者较高量有机肥与无机肥配施可极显著提高褐土土壤TOCs、NCSE和CPMI,即施用高量有机肥或者较高量有机肥与无机肥配施(N_3P_2M_3和N_4P_2M_2)有利于褐土有机碳的固存,可减少无机肥的施用量,使土壤性质向良性方向发展,培肥土壤。     

秸秆还田模式对小麦-玉米轮作体系土壤有机碳固存的影响

为解决麦玉轮作体系小麦秸秆直接粉碎还田存在的弊端,基于多年麦玉秸秆还田定位试验,筛选高产-节本-地力提升为一体的还田模式。选择4种还田模式,即小麦玉米秸秆均不还田(WN-MN,CK1)、小麦玉米秸秆均粉碎还田(WC-MC,CK2)、小麦高留茬还田(WH-MN)和小麦高留茬-玉米粉碎还田(WH-MC)为研究对象,比较其产量表现、土壤有机碳贮量盈亏、碳库管理指数等指标,评价将小麦秸秆粉碎还田改成高留茬还田后形成的还田模式与两季秸秆均粉碎还田的优劣。结果表明,与WN-MN相比,WC-MC和WH-MC的土壤碳储量分别增加24.23%和16.05%;与试验开始前土壤有机碳储量相比,4种还田模式的土壤碳固持为–0.83~6.14 Mg·hm^–2;维持土壤初始碳储量水平的最小碳投入量为4.06 Mg·hm^–2·a^–1。各处理不稳定有机碳组分的含量随着土层加深呈下降趋势。与WN-MN相比,WC-MC、WH-MC和WH-MN显著增加了0~20 cm表层不稳定碳组分的含量;WC-MC和WH-MC也显著增加了各土层的碳库管理指数。2015—2016周年产量,WC-MC、WH-MC平均较其他两个处理分别增加了34.5%、20.1%;2016—2017周年产量,以WH-MC最高,较其他处理平均高出11.1%。小麦高留茬-玉米粉碎还田模式下土壤有机碳储量、不稳定有机碳组分、碳库管理指数和作物产量均较高,且节本增效,表明该模式有利于关中平原麦玉轮作体系粮食生产可持续发展。     

Changes in soil carbon stock under the wheat-based cropping systems at Vojvodina province of Serbia

The aim of this study was to assess the changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) stock in relation to the carbon (C) input from nine wheat-based cropping systems and untilled grass. The SOC pool ranged from 32.1 to 49.4 Mg ha^?1 at 0–20 cm and from 94 to 171 Mg ha^?1 at 0–100 cm for the arable soil, while in untilled grassland, it was higher (54 and 185 Mg C ha^?1, respectively). SOC stock was observed to be lower at the unfertilized 2-year rotation and higher at the 4-year rotation with manure and mineral fertilization. The study showed a winter wheat yield decrease of 176.8 kg ha^?1 for a 1- Mg ha^?1 SOC stock change in the 0–20-cm soil depth. The estimated C input for SOC stock maintenance was from 266 to 340 g C m^?2 year^?1 for winter wheat and rotations, respectively. Additional C input did not increase the SOC pool, suggesting that arable plots had a limited ability to increase SOC. These results provide guidance for the selection of management practices to improve C sequestration.     

Effects of organic wastes on labile organic carbon in semiarid soil under plastic mulched drip irrigation

ABSTRACT

The objective of this work was to evaluate the variation in labile organic carbon fractions after the application of organic wastes (OWs) in semiarid soil under plastic mulched drip irrigation. The two-year experiment involved six treatments: chicken manure (CM), sheep manure (SM), mushroom residue (MR), maize straw (MS), fodder grass (FG), and tree leaves (TL), with an unamended soil (no OWs) as control. In 2015 and 2016, treatment with OWs led to increased levels of soil organic carbon (SOC), dissolved organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, easily oxidized organic carbon, as well as higher carbon management indexes and yields and lower oxidation stability coefficients. Higher SOC contents (p <0.01) were achieved in both years for TL and MS compared to the other OWs. In particular, the SOC content in 2016 was higher (p <0.05) for TL than MS. Compared to the other OWs, the easily oxidized organic carbon levels and carbon management indexes in both years were higher (p <0.01) for CM, SM, and MS, whereas the oxidation stability coefficients were lower (p <0.01). In conclusion, among the studied treatments, the application of MS was the most effective for improving soil fertility and enhancing soil carbon sequestration.     

Long-term manuring and fertilization effects on soil organic carbon pools in a Typic Haplustept of semi-arid sub-tropical India

Soil is a potential C sink and could offset rising atmospheric CO₂. The capacity of soils to store and sequester C will depend on the rate of C inputs from plant productivity relative to C exports controlled by microbial decomposition. Management practices, such as no-tillage and high intensity cropping sequences, have the potential to enhance C and N sequestration in agricultural soils. An investigation was carried out to study the influence of long-term applications of fertilizers and manures on different organic C fractions in a Typic Haplustept under intensive sequence of cropping with maize–wheat–cowpea in a semi-arid sub-tropic of India. In 0–15 cm, the bulk density was lowest (1.52 Mg m⁻³) in plots treated with 100% NPK + FYM, while the control treatment showed the highest value (1.67 Mg m⁻³). Balanced application of NPK (100% NPK) showed significantly lower bulk density (1.56 Mg m⁻³) over either 100% N (1.67 Mg m⁻³) or 100% NP (1.61 Mg m⁻³) in surface soils. The application of super-optimal dose of NPK (150% NPK) showed higher total organic C (TOC) (12.9 g C kg⁻¹) over either 50% NPK (9.3 g C kg⁻¹) or 100% NPK (10.0 g C kg⁻¹) in 0–15 cm soil layer. There was an improvement in TOC in 100% NPK or 100% NP (9.3 g C kg⁻¹) over 100% N (8.7 g C kg⁻¹) in the same depth. The application of FYM with 100% NPK showed 15.2, 9.9 and 5.2 g C kg⁻¹ in 0–15, 15–30 and 30–45 cm, respectively. Application of graded doses of NPK from 50 to 150% of recommendation NPK significantly enhanced other organic C fractions like, microbial biomass C (MBC), particulate organic C (POC) and KMnO₄ oxidizable C (KMnO₄–C) in all the three soil depths. The TOC in 0–45 cm soil depth in 150% NPK (63.5 Mg C ha⁻¹) was increased by 39% over that in 50% NPK treatment (51.5 Mg C ha⁻¹) and 29% over that in 100% NPK treatment (54.1 Mg C ha⁻¹). Integrated use of farmyard manure with 100% NPK (100% NPK + FYM) emerged as the most efficient management system in accumulating largest amount of organic C (72.1 Mg C ha⁻¹) in soil. Nevertheless, this treatment also sequestered highest amount of organic C (731 kg C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹). Particulate organic carbon, a physically protected carbon pool in soil, could well be protected in sub-surface soil layers than in surface soil layer as a means of carbon aggradations. Microbial metabolic quotient (qCO₂) was significantly lower in 100% NPK + FYM over other treatments to indicate this to be the most efficient manuring practice to preserve organic carbon in soil where it facilitates aggradations of more recalcitrant organic C in soil. As compared to POC, total TOC proved to be a better predictor of MBC as it strongly correlated with total carbon mineralized from soil.     

Linkage between soil organic carbon and the utilization of soil microbial carbon under plastic film mulching in a semi-arid agroecosystem in China

ABSTRACT

Studying changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) pools and soil microbial C substrate utilization under plastic mulching in different seasons is of great significance for improving soil fertility and sustainable agricultural development. Based on a 2-year plastic film mulching experiment in northeastern China, we investigated the SOC, labile SOC fractions under three treatments: non-mulching (NM), autumn mulching (AM) and spring mulching (SM). The results showed that SOC decreased with soil depth under the AM and SM treatments compared with the NM treatment. The microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) under the AM treatment increased significantly in the 0–10 cm soil layer, by 31.2% and 27.2% (p < 0.05), respectively. The AM treatment significantly increased the utilization of amino acids and carbohydrate C sources. Redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that MBC was the main factor influencing microbial metabolic functional diversity and accounted for the largest variation in the 0–10 cm layer. Pearson’s correlation analysis illustrated that MBC was strongly correlated with the utilization of the microbial C substrate. We suggest that AM may be an effective and sustainable management practice for improving soil quality and maintaining microbial functional diversity in semi-arid agroecosystems in this area.