Interactive effects of elevated CO2 and nitrogen fertilization levels on photosynthesized carbon allocation in a temperate spring wheat and soil system

Increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration impacts the terrestrial carbon(C) cycle by affecting plant photosynthesis, the flow of photosynthetically fixed C belowground, and soil C pool turnover. For managed agroecosystems, how and to what extent the interactions between elevated CO2 and N fertilization levels influence the accumulation of photosynthesized C in crops and the incorporation of photosynthesized C into arable soil are in urgent need of exploration.We conducted an experiment simulating elevated CO2 with spring wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) planted in growth chambers.13C-enriched CO2 with an identical 13C abundance was continuously supplied at ambient and elevated CO2 concentrations(350 and 600 μmol mol-1, respectively) until wheat harvest.Three levels of N fertilizer application(equivalent to 80, 120, and 180 kg N ha-1 soil) were supplied for wheat growth at both CO2 concentrations. During the continuous 62-d 13CO2 labeling period, elevated CO2 and increased N fertilizer application increased photosynthesized C accumulation in wheat by 14%–24% and 11%–20%, respectively, as indicated by increased biomass production, whereas the C/N ratio in the roots increased under elevated CO2 but declined with increasing N fertilizer application levels. Wheat root deposition induced 1%–2.5% renewal of soil C after 62 d of 13CO2 labeling. Compared to ambient CO2, elevated CO2 increased the amount of photosynthesized C incorporated into soil by 20%–44%. However, higher application rates of N fertilizer reduced the net input of root-derived C in soil by approximately 8% under elevated CO2. For the wheat-soil system, elevated CO2 and increased N fertilizer application levels synergistically increased the amount of photosynthesized C. The pivotal role of plants in photosynthesized C accumulation under elevated CO2 was thereby enhanced in the short term by the increased N application. Therefore, robust N management could mediate C cycling and sequestration by influencing the interactions between plants and soil in agroecosystems under elevated CO2.     

Input of carbon to soil from wheat plants

The growth of wheat plants and the distribution of labelled photosynthate from pulse-labelling with ¹⁴CO₂ were measured periodically during the growing season in the field. During early growth there was approximately the same proportion of photosynthate translocated below ground and retained in the shoots. Of the ¹⁴C below ground about a half was respired and a quarter each was in the soil and roots. This distribution changed exponentially during growth with an increasing proportion of ¹⁴C remaining in the shoots and a corresponding decreasing proportion being translated below ground, which was only a few percent by flowering. From this information the total input of carbon to the soil from the crop was calculated to be 1305 kg Cha⁻¹. Comparison of these estimates with those from previous experiments suggest that differences do occur due to the stage of growth of the plant, the environmental conditions, soil type and microbial activity.     

Long‐term effects of fertilization on some soil properties under rainfed soybean‐wheat cropping in the Indian Himalayas

This study aims to examine the effects of long‐term fertilization and cropping on some chemical and microbiological properties of the soil in a 32 y old long‐term fertility experiment at Almora (Himalayan region, India) under rainfed soybean‐wheat rotation. Continuous annual application of recommended doses of chemical fertilizer and 10 Mg ha^–1 FYM on fresh‐weight basis (NPK + FYM) to soybean (Glycine max L.) sustained not only higher productivity of soybean and residual wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop, but also resulted in build‐up of total soil organic C (SOC), total soil N, P, and K. Concentration of SOC increased by 40% and 70% in the NPK + FYM–treated plots as compared to NPK (43.1 Mg C ha^–1) and unfertilized control plots (35.5 Mg C ha^–1), respectively. Average annual contribution of C input from soybean was 29% and that from wheat was 24% of the harvestable aboveground biomass yield. Annual gross C input and annual rate of total SOC enrichment from initial soil in the 0–15 cm layer were 4362 and 333 kg C ha^–1, respectively, for the plots under NPK + FYM. It was observed that the soils under the unfertilized control, NK and N + FYM treatments, suffered a net annual loss of 5.1, 5.2, and 15.8 kg P ha^–1, respectively, whereas the soils under NP, NPK, and NPK + FYM had net annual gains of 25.3, 18.8, and 16.4 kg P ha^–1, respectively. There was net negative K balance in all the treatments ranging from 6.9 kg ha^–1 y^–1 in NK to 82.4 kg ha^–1 y^–1 in N + FYM–treated plots. The application of NPK + FYM also recorded the highest levels of soil microbial‐biomass C, soil microbial‐biomass N, populations of viable and culturable soil microbes.     

Carbon sequestration dynamic,trend and efficiency as affected by 22‐year fertilization under a rice–wheat cropping system

The maintenance and accumulation of soil organic carbon (SOC) in agricultural systems is critical to food security and climate change, but information about the dynamic trend and efficiency of SOC sequestration is still limited, particularly under long‐term fertilizations. In a typical Purpli‐Udic Cambosols soil under subtropical monsoon climate in southwestern China this study thus estimated the dynamic, trend and efficiency of SOC sequestration after 22‐year (1991–2013) long‐term inorganic and/or organic fertilizations. Nine fertilizations under a rice–wheat system were examined: control (no fertilization), N, NP, NK, PK, NPK, NPKM (NPK plus manure), NPKS (NPK plus straw), and 1.5NPKS (150% NPK plus straw). Averagely, after 22‐years SOC contents were significantly increased by 4.2–25.3% and 10.2–32.5% under these fertilizations than under control conditions with the greatest increase under NPKS. The simulation of SOC dynamic change with an exponential growth equation to maximum over the whole fertilization period predicted the SOC level in a steady state as 18.1 g kg^?1 for NPKS, 17.4 g kg^?1 for 1.5NPKS, and 14.5–14.9 g kg^?1 for NK, NP, NPK, and NPKM, respectively. Either inorganic, organic or their combined fertilization significantly increased crop productivity and C inputs that were incorporated into soil ranging from 0.91 to 4.63 t (ha · y)^?1. The C sequestration efficiency was lower under NPKM, NPKS, and 1.5NPKS (13.2%, 9.0%, and 10.1%) than under NP and NPK (17.0% and 14.4%). The increase of SOC was asymptotical to a maximum with increasing C inputs that were variedly enhanced by different fertilizations, indicating an existence of SOC saturation and a declined marginal efficiency of SOC sequestration. Taken all these results together, the combined NPK plus straw return is a suitable fertilizer management strategy to simultaneously achieve high crop productivity and soil C sequestration potential particularly in crop rotation systems.     

Factors influencing the loss of organic carbon from wheat roots

Wheat plants were grown in an atmosphere containing ¹⁴CO₂ at temperatures of 10°C or 18°C for periods from 3–8 weeks. The plant roots were maintained under sterile or non-sterile conditions in soil contained in sealed pots which were flushed to displace respired ¹⁴CO₂. The ¹⁴C content of the shoots, roots and soil was measured at harvest. The loss of ¹⁴C from the roots, expressed either in terms of total ¹⁴C recovered from the pots or ¹⁴C translocated to the roots, ranged from 14.3–22.6%, mean 17.3% or 29.2–44.4%, mean 39.2%, respectively. The presence of soil microorganisms significantly increased ¹⁴CO₂ release from the rhizosphere but had no effect on the ¹⁴C content of the soil. Fractionation of 6 m HC1 hydrolysates from sterile and non-sterile soils showed the presence in all soils of material behaving as neutral sugars and amino acids, in quantities representing 5.9–9.2% and 13.4–17.2% of the soil ¹⁴C content for the sugar and amino acid fractions respectively. It is proposed that a major loss of root carbon resulted from autolysis of the root cortex. Root lysis was increased by soil microorganisms, apparently without penetration of the plant cell walls.     

Active microbial RNA turnover in a grassland soil estimated using a CO2 spike

Rhizosphere microbes are critical to the initial transfer and transformation of root carbon inputs to the soil but our understanding of the activity of these organisms remains constrained by their limited culturability. In this study we combined isotopic ¹³C tracer and molecular approaches to measure the incorporation of recently assimilated plant C into soil microbial RNA and DNA pools as a means to determine the turnover of the ‘active’ rhizosphere community. This required the development of a method for the extraction, purification and preparation of small-sample soil DNA and RNA (<5 μg C) for isotope analysis. Soil, plant and respired CO₂ samples were collected from a ¹³CO₂ pulse-chase experiment at intervals for 20 days post-labelling. The peak of ¹³C release in soil/root respired CO₂ came between 5 and 48 h after ¹³CO₂ pulse-labelling and was followed by a secondary peak of soil heterotroph ¹³C respiration after 136 h. Results showed that both soil DNA and RNA rapidly incorporated recent photosynthate with greatest ¹³C found in the ‘active’ microbial RNA fraction reflecting higher rates of microbial RNA turnover. The dilution rate of the pulse derived ¹³C in RNA-C was used to estimate a microbial RNA turnover of approximately 20% day⁻¹ with a 15-20 day residence time for photosynthate derived ¹³C in the RNA pool. The findings of this work confirm the rapid transfer of photosynthate C inputs through soil microorganisms to the atmosphere as CO₂ and the potential of the biomolecular-isotope tracer approach in soil C research.     

Mulching Affects Soil Properties and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Under Long‐Term No‐Till and Plough‐Till Systems in Alfisol of Central Ohio

Agricultural activities emit greenhouse gases (GHGs) and contribute to global warming. Intensive plough tillage (PT), use of agricultural chemicals and the burning of crop residues are major farm activities emitting GHGs. Intensive PT also degrades soil properties by reducing soil organic carbon (SOC) pool. In this scenario, adoption of no‐till (NT) systems offers a pragmatic option to improve soil properties and reduce GHG emission. We evaluated the impacts of tillage systems (NT and PT) and wheat residue mulch on soil properties and GHG emission. This experiment was started in 1989 on a Crosby silt loam soil at Waterman Farm, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA. Mulching reduced soil bulk density and improved total soil porosity. More total carbon (16.16 g kg⁻¹), SOC (8.36 mg L⁻¹) and soil microbial biomass carbon (152 µg g⁻¹) were recorded in soil under NT than PT. Mulch application also decreased soil temperature (0–5 cm) and penetration resistance (0–60 cm). Adoption of long‐term NT reduced the GHG emission. Average fluxes of GHGs under NT were 1.84 g CO₂‐C m⁻² day⁻¹ for carbon dioxide, 0.07 mg CH₄‐C m⁻² day⁻¹ for methane and 0.73 mg N₂O‐N m⁻² day⁻¹ for nitrous oxide compared with 2.05 g CO₂‐C m⁻² day⁻¹, 0.74 mg CH₄‐C m⁻² day⁻¹ and 1.41 mg N₂O‐N m⁻² day⁻¹, respectively, for PT. Emission of nitrous oxide was substantially increased by mulch application. In conclusion, long‐term NT reduced the GHG emission by improving the soil properties. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Changes in Organic Matter of an Oxisol with the Addition of Soybean and Corn Residues,Nitrogen and Phosphorus

Plants with different photosynthetic cycles (C3 and C4) and different plant parts (root or shoot) contribute in different ways to soil organic carbon (SOC). In addition, phosphate and nitrogen fertilization also act differently on the SOC stock. In this study, roots or shoots of corn (C3) and soybean (C4) plants were incorporated into samples of an Oxisol, with or without the addition of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and had the emission of carbon (C)- carbon dioxide (CO₂) measured during 45 days. Subsequently, soil organic matter fractionation, carbon and nitrogen microbial biomass and 13C isotopic discrimination were performed. The greatest increment in SOC was observed by adding corn plant material rather than soybean material. For both crops, the greatest contribution to SOC was achieved by adding roots as compared to shoots. Phosphorus addition produced greater microbial activity, followed by the addition of NP and then the addition of only N.     

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.     

Rhizodeposition of maize: Short‐term carbon budget and composition

The aim of this study was to assess differences in rhizodeposition quantity and composition from maize cropped on soil or on 1:1 (w/w) soil–sand mixture and distribution of recently assimilated C between roots, shoots, soil, soil solution, and CO₂ from root respiration. Maize was labeled in ¹⁴CO₂ atmosphere followed by subsequent simultaneous leaching and air flushing from soil. ¹⁴C was traced after 7.5 h in roots and shoots, soil, soil solution, and soil‐borne CO₂. Rhizodeposits in the leachate of the first 2 h after labeling were identified by high‐pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and pyrolysis–field ionization mass spectrometry (Py‐FIMS). Leachate from soil–sand contained more ¹⁴C than from soil (0.6% vs. 0.4%) and more HPLC‐detectable carboxylates (4.36 vs. 2.69 μM), especially acetate and lactate. This is either because of root response to lower nutrient concentrations in the soil–sand mixture or decreasing structural integrity of the root cells during the leaching process, or because carboxylates were more strongly sorbed to the soil compared to carbohydrates and amino acids. In contrast, Py‐FIMS total ion intensity was more than 2 times higher in leachate from soil than from soil–sand, mainly due to signals from lignin monomers. HPLC‐measured concentrations of total amino acids (1.33 μM [soil] vs. 1.03 μM [soil–sand]) and total carbohydrates (0.73 vs. 0.34 μM) and ¹⁴CO₂ from soil agreed with this pattern. Higher leachate concentrations from soil than from soil–sand for HPLC‐measured carbohydrates and amino acids and for the sum of substances detected by Py‐FIMS overcompensated the higher sorption in soil than in sand‐soil. A parallel treatment with blow‐out of the soil air but without leaching indicated that nearly all of the rhizodeposits in the treatment with leaching face decomposition to CO₂. Simultaneous application of three methods—¹⁴C‐labeling and tracing, HPLC, and Py‐FIMS—enabled us to present the budget of rhizodeposition (¹⁴C) and to analyze individual carbohydrates, carboxylates, and amino acids (HPLC) and to scan all dissolved organic substances in soil solution (Py‐FIMS) as dependent on nutrient status.     

Trends in grain yields and soil organic C in a long‐term fertilization experiment in the China Loess Plateau

Changes in grain yields and soil organic carbon (SOC) from a 26 y dryland fertilization trial in Pingliang, Gansu, China, were recorded. Cumulative C inputs from straw and root and manure for fertilizer treatments were estimated. Mean wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yields for the 18 y ranged from 1.72 t ha^–1 for the unfertilized plots (CK) to 4.65 t ha^–1 for the plots that received manure (M) annually with inorganic N and P fertilizers (MNP). Corn (Zea mays L.) yields for the 6 y averaged 2.43 and 5.35 t ha^–1 in the same treatments. Yields declined with year except in the CK for wheat. Wheat yields for N only declined with time by 117.8 kg ha^–1 y^–1 that was the highest decrease among all treatments, and that for NP declined by 84.7 kg ha^–1 y^–1, similar to the declines of 77.4 kg ha^–1 y^–1 for the treatment receiving straw and N annually and P every second year (SNP). Likewise, the corn yields declined highly for all treatments, and the declined amounts ranged from 108 to 258 kg ha^–1 y^–1 which was much higher than in wheat. These declined yields were mostly linked to both gradual dry weather and nutrients depletion of the soil. The N only resulted in both P and K deficiency in the soil, and soil N and K negative balances in the NP and MNP were obvious. Soil organic carbon (SOC) in the 0–20 cm soil layer increased with time except in the CK and N treatments, in which SOC remained almost stable. In the MNP and M treatments, 24.7% and 24.0% of the amount of cumulative C input from organic sources remained in the soil as SOC, but 13.7% of the C input from straw and root in the SNP, suggesting manure is more effective in building soil C than straw. Across the 26 y cropping and fertilization, annual soil‐C sequestration rates ranged from 0.014 t C ha^–1 y^–1 for the CK to 0.372 t C ha^–1 y^–1 for the MNP. We found a strong linear relationship (R² = 0.74, p = 0.025) between SOC sequestration and cumulative C input, with C conversion–to–SOC rate of 16.9%, suggesting these dryland soils have not reached an upper limit of C sequestration.     

Plant rhizodeposition — an important source for carbon turnover in soils

The soil organic matter plays a key role in ecological soil functions, and has to be considered as an important CO₂ sink on a global scale. Apart from crop residues (shoots and roots), left over on the field after harvest, carbon and nitrogen compounds are also released by plant roots into the soil during vegetation, and undergo several transformation processes. Up to now the knowledge about amount, composition, and turnover of these root‐borne compounds is still very limited. So far it could be demonstrated with different plant species, that up to 20 % of photosynthetically fixed C are released into the soil during vegetation period. These C amounts are ecological relevant. Depending on assimilate sink strength during ontogenesis, the C release varies with plant age. A large percentage of these root‐borne substances were rapidly respired by microorganisms (64—86 %). About 2—5 % of net C assimilation was kept in soil. The root exudates of maize were mainly water‐soluble (79 %), and in this fraction about 64 % carbohydrates, 22 % amino acids/amides and 14 % organic acids could be identified. Plant species and in some cases also plant cultivars varied strongly in their root exudation pattern. Under non‐sterile conditions the exuded compounds were rapidly stabilized in water‐insoluble forms and bound preferably to the soil clay fraction. The binding of root exudates to soil particles also improved soil structure by increasing aggregate stability. Future research should focus on quantification and characterization of root‐borne C compounds during the whole plant ontogenesis. Apart from pot experiments with ¹⁴CO₂ labeling, it is necessary to conduct model field experiments with ¹³CO₂ labeling in order to be able to distinguish between CO₂ originating from the soil C pool and rhizosphere respiration, originating from plant assimilates. Such a separation is necessary to assess if soils are sources or sinks of CO₂. The incorporation of root‐borne C (¹⁴C, ¹³C) into soil organic matter of different stability is also of particular interest.     

The Origin of Soil Organic C,Dissolved Organic C and Respiration in a Long‐Term Maize Experiment in Halle,Germany, Determined by 13C Natural Abundance

For a quantitative analysis of SOC dynamics it is necessary to trace the origins of the soil organic compounds and the pathways of their transformations. We used the ¹³C isotope to determine the incorporation of maize residues into the soil organic carbon (SOC), to trace the origin of the dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and to quantify the fraction of the maize C in the soil respiration. The maize‐derived SOC was quantified in soil samples collected to a depth of 65 cm from two plots, one ’︁continuous maize’ and the other ’︁continuous rye’ (reference site) from the long‐term field experiment ’︁Ewiger Roggen’ in Halle. This field trial was established in 1878 and was partly changed to a continuous maize cropping system in 1961. Production rates and δ¹³C of DOC and CO₂ were determined for the Ap horizon in incubation experiments with undisturbed soil columns. After 37 years of continuous maize cropping, 15% of the total SOC in the topsoil originated from maize C. The fraction of the maize‐derived C below the ploughed horizon was only 5 to 3%. The total amount of maize C stored in the profile was 9080 kg ha⁻¹ which was equal to about 31% of the estimated total C input via maize residues (roots and stubble). Total leaching of DOC during the incubation period of 16 weeks was 1.1 g m⁻² and one third of the DOC derived from maize C. The specific DOC production rate from the maize‐derived SOC was 2.5 times higher than that from the older humus formed by C₃ plants. The total CO₂‐C emission for 16 weeks was 18 g m⁻². Fifty‐eight percent of the soil respiration originated from maize C. The specific CO₂ formation from maize‐derived SOC was 8 times higher than that from the older SOC formed by C₃ plants. The ratio of DOC production to CO₂‐C production was three times smaller for the young, maize‐derived SOC than for the older humus formed by C₃ plants.     

Carbon flow in the plant-soil-microbe continuum at different growth stages of maize grown in a Mollisol

Understanding the photosynthetic carbon (C) dynamics in the plant–soil–microbe continuum is critical to the C sequestration in soils. However, such information is limited in maize (Zea mays L.) in Mollisols. Pot-grown maize was labelled with ¹³CO₂ at the 10-leaf, 15-leaf, heading, milk and dent stages to investigate the photosynthetic C flow in a maize–soil system and its contribution to soil organic carbon (SOC) in Mollisols. The majority of fixed ¹³C was recovered in shoots, ranging from 44.7% to 78.6%. The allocation of ¹³C fixed at different growth stages to belowground (roots and soil) gradually decreased over the growing period, indicating that the strength of root C sink is stronger at the early stages. However, the proportion of ¹³C in dissolved organic C and microbial biomass C to that in SOC significantly increased as the growth stages advanced. Over the entire growth period, the contribution of root-derived C to SOC was estimated to be 5461 mg C plant^?1 growth period^?1, of which approximately 79% was synthesized during the vegetative stages. Therefore, the input of photosynthetic C by maize plants into SOC mainly occurred during the younger stages of the plant, favouring the storage of SOC in Mollisols.     

Nitrogen fertilization increases rhizodeposit incorporation into microbial biomass and reduces soil organic matter losses

Agricultural soils receive large amounts of anthropogenic nitrogen (N), which directly and indirectly affect soil organic matter (SOM) stocks and CO₂ fluxes. However, our current understanding of mechanisms on how N fertilization affects SOM pools of various ages and turnover remains poor. The δ¹³C values of SOM after wheat (C₃)-maize (C₄) vegetation change were used to calculate the contribution of C₄-derived rhizodeposited C (rhizo-C) and C₃-derived SOM pools, i.e., rhizo-C and SOM. Soil (Ap from Haplic Luvisol) sampled from maize rhizosphere was incubated over 56 days with increasing N fertilization (four levels up to 300 kg N ha^?1), and CO₂ efflux and its δ¹³C were measured. Nitrogen fertilization decreased CO₂ efflux by 27–42% as compared to unfertilized soil. This CO₂ decrease was mainly caused by the retardation of SOM (C₃) mineralization. Microbial availability of rhizo-C (released by maize roots within 4 weeks) was about 10 times higher than that of SOM (older than 4 weeks). Microbial biomass and dissolved organic C remained at the same level with increasing N. However, N fertilization increased the relative contribution of rhizo-C to microbial biomass by two to five times and to CO₂ for about two times. This increased contribution of rhizo-C reflects strongly accelerated microbial biomass turnover by N addition. The decomposition rate of rhizo-C was 3.7 times faster than that of SOM, and it increased additionally by 6.5 times under 300 kg N ha^?1 N fertilization. This is the first report estimating the turnover and incorporation of very recent rhizo-C (4 weeks old) into soil C pools and shows that the turnover of rhizo-C was much faster than that of SOM. We conclude that the contribution of rhizo-C to CO₂ and to microbial biomass is highly dependent on N fertilization. Despite acceleration of rhizo-C turnover, the increased N fertilization facilitates C sequestration by decreasing SOM decomposition.     

Soil carbon dioxide emission from intensively cultivated black soil in Northeast China: nitrogen fertilization effect

Purpose

The aim of this study was to understand the effect of nitrogen fertilization on soil respiration and native soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition and to identify the key factor affecting soil respiration in a cultivated black soil.

Materials and methods

A field experiment was conducted at the Harbin State Key Agroecological Experimental Station, China. The study consisted of four treatments: unplanted and N-unfertilized soil (U0), unplanted soil treated with 225?kg?N?ha^?1 (UN), maize planted and N-unfertilized soil (P0), and planted soil fertilized with 225?kg?N?ha^?1 (PN). Soil CO₂ and N₂O fluxes were measured using the static closed chamber method.

Results and discussion

Cumulative CO₂ emissions during the maize growing season with the U0, UN, P0, and PN treatments were 1.29, 1.04, 2.30 and 2.27?Mg?C?ha^?1, respectively, indicating that N fertilization significantly reduced the decomposition of native SOC. However, no marked effect on soil respiration in planted soil was observed because the increase of rhizosphere respiration caused by N addition was counteracted by the reduction of native SOC decomposition. Soil CO₂ fluxes were significantly affected by soil temperature but not by soil moisture. The temperature sensitivity (Q ₁₀) of soil respiration was 2.16?C2.47 for unplanted soil but increased to 3.16?C3.44 in planted soil. N addition reduced the Q ₁₀ of native SOC decomposition possibly due to low labile organic C but increased the Q ₁₀ of soil respiration due to the stimulation of maize growth. The estimated annual CO₂ emission in N-fertilized soil was 1.28?Mg?C?ha^?1 and was replenished by the residual stubble, roots, and exudates. In contrast, the lost C (1.53?Mg?C?ha^?1) in N-unfertilized soil was not completely supplemented by maize residues, resulting in a reduction of SOC. Although N fertilization significantly increased N₂O emissions, the global warming potential of N₂O and CO₂ emissions in N-fertilized soil was significantly lower than in N-unfertilized soil.

Conclusions

The stimulatory or inhibitory effect of N fertilization on soil respiration and basal respiration may depend on labile organic C concentration in soil. The inhibitory effect of N fertilization on native SOC decomposition was mainly associated with low labile organic C in tested black soil. N application could reduce the global warming potential of CO₂ and N₂O emissions in black soil.     

Simulating the effect of potassium fertilization on carbon sequestration in soil

The impact of horticultural management on carbon sequestration in soils has been limited so far to tillage and nitrogen fertilization. Our objective was to evaluate by mathematical modeling the effect of potassium fertilization on CO₂ binding in cropland soils. The developed model integrates three subunits: (1) A published simulator of crop dry‐matter (DM) production in response to N, P, K fertilization, but not DM partitioning; (2) a published soil–crop–atmosphere model predicting crop yield and DM partitioning as a function of N but not K fertilization; (3) an original model computing the organic‐inorganic carbon transformations, inorganic‐carbon reactions and transport in soil, CO₂ diffusion, and soil carbon sequestration. The model described the K‐fertilization effect on C binding in soil as a function of the soil pH, the Ca²⁺ concentration in the soil solution, hydraulic properties, air temperature, and crop DM production, and partitioning characteristics. In scenarios of corn (Zea mays L.) growth in clayey soil and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in loam soil, the computed K‐induced CO₂ sequestration amounted to ≈ 14.5 and 24 kg CO₂ (kg K)^–1, respectively (0 vs. 100 kg ha^–1 K application). The soil CO₂ sequestration declined by 8% when corn grew in sandy instead of clayey soil and by 20% when the temperature was 10°C higher than the temperature prevailing in mild semiarid zones. All predicted CO₂‐sequestration results were approximately 30‐fold higher than the 0.6 kg CO₂ emitted per kg of K manufactured in industry.     

Carbon and nitrogen mineralization after maize harvest between and within maize rows: a microcosm study using 13C natural abundance

The sequestration of carbon in soil is not completely understood, and quantitative information about the rates of soil organic carbon (SOC) turnover could improve understanding. We analyzed the effects of the uneven distribution of crop residues after harvest of silage maize on C and N losses (CO₂‐C, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON), and NO₃^–) from a Haplic Phaeozem and on the occurrence of priming effects induced by the decomposition of accumulated maize residues. Soil columns were taken from a continuous maize (since 1961) field after harvest i) between maize stalk rows (M_bare), ii) within the maize rows including a standing maize stalk (M_stalk), and iii) from a continuous rye (since 1878) field after tillage (rye stalk and roots were mixed into the Ap horizon). The soil columns were incubated for 230 days at 8 °C with an irrigation rate of 2 mm 10^–2 M CaCl₂ per day. Natural ¹³C abundance was used to distinguish between maize‐derived C (in SOC and maize residues) and older C originating from former C₃ vegetation. The uneven distribution of maize residues resulted in a considerably increased heterotrophic activity within the maize rows as compared with soil between seed rows. Cumulative CO₂ production was 53.1 g CO₂‐C m^–2 for M_stalk and 23.3 g CO₂‐C m^–2 for M_bare. The contribution of maize‐derived C to the total CO₂ emission was 83 % (M_stalk) and 67 % (M_bare). Calculated as difference between CO₂‐C release from M_stalk and M_bare, 19 % of the maize residues (roots and stalk) in M_stalk were mineralized during the incubation period. There was no or only a marginal effect of the accumulation of maize residues in M_stalk on leaching of DOC, DON, and NO₃^–. Total DOC and DON leaching amounted to 2.5 g C m^–2 and 0.16 g N m^–2 for M_stalk and to 2.1 g C m^–2 and 0.12 g N m^–2 for M_bare. The contribution of maize‐derived C to DOC leaching was about 25 % for M_stalk and M_bare. Nitrate leaching amounted to 3.9 g NO₃^–‐N m^–2 for M_stalk and to 3.5 g NO₃^–‐N m^–2 for M_bare. There was no priming effect induced by the decomposition of fresh maize residues with respect to CO₂ or DOC production from indigenous soil organic carbon derived from C₃ vegetation.     

Critical carbon inputs to maintain soil organic carbon stocks under long‐term finger‐millet (Eleusine coracana [L.] Gaertn.) cropping on Alfisols in semiarid tropical India

Enrichment of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks through sequestration of atmospheric CO₂ in agricultural soils is important because of its impacts on adaptation to and mitigation of climate change while also improving crop productivity and sustainability. In a long‐term fertility experiment carried out over 27 y under semiarid climatic condition, we evaluated the impact of crop‐residue C inputs through rainfed fingermillet (Eleusine coracana [L.] Gaertn.) cropping, fertilization, and manuring on crop yield sustainability and SOC sequestration in a Alfisol soil profile up to a depth of 1 m and also derived the critical value of C inputs for maintenance of SOC. Five treatments, viz., control, farmyard manure (FYM) 10 Mg ha^–1, recommended dose of NPK (50 : 50 : 25 kg N, P₂O₅, K₂O ha^–1), FYM 10 Mg ha^–1 + 50% recommended dose of NPK, and FYM 10 Mg ha^–1 + 100% recommended dose of NPK imposed in a randomized block design replicated four times. Application of FYM alone or together with mineral fertilizer resulted in a higher C input and consequently built up a higher C stock. After 27 y, higher profile SOC stock (85.7 Mg ha^–1), C build up (35.0%), and C sequestration (15.4 Mg C ha^–1) was observed with the application of 10 Mg FYM ha^–1 along with recommended dose of mineral fertilizer and these were positively correlated with cumulative C input and well reflected in sustainable yield index (SYI). For sustenance of SOC level (zero change due to cropping) a minimum quantity of 1.13 Mg C is required to be added per hectare per annum as inputs. While the control lost C, the application of mineral fertilizer served to maintain the priori C stock. Thus, the application of FYM increased the C stock, an effect which was even enhanced by additional amendment of mineral fertilizer. We conclude that organic amendments contribute to C sequestration counteracting climate change and at the same time improve soil fertility in the semiarid regions of India resulting in higher and more stable yields.     

Natural 13C abundance and soil carbon dynamics under long‐term residue retention in a no‐till maize system

Residue retention and reduced tillage are both conservation agricultural practices that may enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) stabilization in soil. We evaluated the long‐term effects of no‐till (NT) and stover retention from maize on SOC dynamics in a Rayne silt loam Typic Hapludults in Ohio. The six treatments consisted of retaining 0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 200% of maize residues on each 3 × 3 m plot from the crop of previous year. Soil samples were obtained after 9 yrs of establishing the experiment. The whole soil (0–10 and 10–20 cm of soil depths) samples under different treatments were analysed for total C, total N, recalcitrant C (NaOCl treated sample) and ¹³C isotopic abundance (0–10 cm soil depth). Complete removal of stover for a period of 9 yrs significantly (P < 0.01) decreased soil C content (15.5 g/kg), whereas 200% of stover retention had the maximum soil C concentration (23.1 g/kg). Relative distribution of C for all the treatments in different fractions comprised of 55–58% as labile and 42–45% as recalcitrant. Retention of residue did not significantly affect total C and N concentration in 10–20 cm depth. ¹³C isotopic signature data indicated that C₄‐C (maize‐derived C) was the dominant fraction of C in the top 0–10 cm of soil layer under NT with maize‐derived C accounting for as high as 80% of the total SOC concentration. Contribution of C₄‐C or maize‐derived C was 71–84% in recalcitrant fraction in different residue retained plots. Residue management is imperative to increase SOC concentrations and long‐term agro‐ecosystem necessitates residue retention for stabilizing C in light‐textured soils.