玉米种植模式下砒砂岩与沙复配土氮素淋失特征

为探索砒砂岩与沙的最佳混合比例,使其大规模应用于毛乌素沙地土地整治,发展农业种植,防止地下水污染.本文进行了不同比例的砒砂岩与沙复配土种植玉米的小区试验,在玉米生长期采集不同深度的土壤测其铵态氮和硝态氮含量,对不同混合比例下复配土的氮素淋失特性进行研究.结果表明:(1)铵态氮含量在各混合比例的复配土中较低,均在2.5 mg/kg以下,未出现累积情况;(2)砒砂岩与沙在不同的混合比例下均存在硝态氮淋失;(3)砒砂岩与沙混合比例为1∶2时,硝态氮主要累积在0-40 cm,且无机氮累积量最高,其玉米产量高达9 900 kg/hm2.对种植玉米而言,推荐采用1∶2的砒砂岩与沙混合比例进行推广开发.     

砒砂岩与沙复配成土过程中沙的调控作用

研究不同含沙量下砒砂岩与沙复配土壤的物理性质,为研究其成土机理及砒砂岩与沙复配成土技术大规模应用于毛乌素沙地土地整治、发展农业种植提供科学依据。通过监测分析不同含沙量复配土的土壤质地、毛管孔隙度、导水性、团聚体等指标,分析沙在复配土成土过程中的作用。结果表明:含沙50%(质量分数)时,黏粒含量最高(8.24%),且随含沙量的上升,毛管孔隙度呈显著的线性负相关,饱和导水率则随含沙量的增加呈指数增长。维持作物良好生长的水稳定性大团聚体含量随含沙量变化呈极显著差异(P0.01),而随耕作次数变化差异不显著(P0.05)。本研究结果说明沙土在砒砂岩与沙复配成土可改良土壤质地、增加土壤导水性、透气性等作用,利用砒砂岩与沙复配成土技术有望实现沙漠绿化造田,从而控制砒砂岩水土流失和沙土沙漠化问题。     

砒砂岩对毛乌素沙地风沙土储水能力影响的研究

为探析砒砂岩对于风沙土储水能力的影响,在毛乌素沙地设置不同比例砒砂岩与沙复配成土试验小区(砒砂岩与沙的体积比分别为1∶1,1∶2,1∶5),进行单季玉米种植,并分别于2013—2015年连续3年对0—120cm深度内土壤水分进行动态监测。结果表明:从2013—2015年,适量砒砂岩的加入将风沙土储水量从100mm左右提升至200mm以上,并可逐步调节土壤水分至不亏缺状态,显著提升土壤的保水蓄水能力,有利于作物生长需求;土壤储水以40cm以下中深层土壤储水能力改善作用最为明显,且经多年种植,0—40cm和80—120cm土层逐步成为土壤水分较为稳定的土层,利于作物根系对水分的吸收利用;砒砂岩与沙1∶1~1∶5范围内,随砒砂岩所占比例提高,复配土储水特征的改善作用有增强趋势,但趋势不显著。     

不同配比下复配土的土壤颗粒组成、分形维数与质地变化特征

为探讨砒砂岩与沙复配成土后土壤颗粒及质地变化,采用不同比例的砒砂岩与沙(1∶1,1∶2,1∶5)复配成土进行了小区试验。对种植N年的砒砂岩与沙混合后的复配土颗粒特征及质地变化进行了分析。结果表明:(1) 1∶1复配土中粉粒(0.002～0.05 mm)含量较高,占49.37%,1∶2,1∶5复配土主要是砂粒(0.05～2 mm),含量分别为52.74%,75.55%。(2)复配土颗粒体积分形维数表现为1∶11∶21∶50∶1;(3)土壤体积分形维数和黏粒体积含量呈显著的正相关关系,而与粉粒和砂粒的体积含量相关性较小;(4)在风沙土中添加不同比例的砒砂岩后,砂土(0∶1)质地逐步发生从砂土—壤砂土(1∶2,1∶5)—砂壤土(1∶1)—粉砂壤(1∶1)的转变。结论表明:土壤颗粒越细粒,土壤颗粒体积分形维数越高,可很好地表征沙地质地结构变化;随着种植年限的增加,1∶1复配土地质地变化最为显著。砒砂岩中的黏粉粒改善了风沙土结构,表明砒砂岩可作为改良风沙土的材料。     

添加砒砂岩对风沙土性质的改良及时间效应

试验利用砒砂岩和风沙土性质上的互补性,采用田间试验,将两者按不同的比例（1:1,1:2,1:5）复配,并以黄土与风沙土1:2复配作为对照,以期为将砒砂岩与沙复配成土技术大规模推广应用于毛乌素沙地进行农业种植提供科学依据。结果表明,随着砒砂岩加入比例的增加,复配土壤砂粒含量减少,粉粒含量明显增加,砒砂岩的加入促使风沙土土壤质地由砂土向粉壤土逐渐转变。而且随着作物种植年限的增加,复配土壤砂粒含量也在明显减少,粉粒和黏粒含量增加且有逐渐下移的趋势,这种变化在0-40 cm土层尤为突出。各处理>0.25 mm水稳性团聚体含量（WR_0.25）,平均重量直径（MWD）,几何平均直径（GMD）均随砒砂岩加入比例和作物种植年限的增加而显著增加,>0.25 mm各级别土壤团聚体含量也基本随砒砂岩加入比例和作物种植年限的增加而增加,且增加最明显的是0.25~0.5 mm级别土壤团聚体含量。各处理0-30 cm土层土壤有机质含量随作物种植年限的增加而显著增加。综上,砒砂岩与沙复配比例为1:1~1:5均可不同程度的改善土壤质地和结构,增加土壤有机质,且复配比例在1:1~1:2时效果最佳。     

毛乌素沙地生态治理的复合土保水特性研究

为促进砒砂岩与沙复合成土高效节水技术在毛乌素沙地治理中的合理应用,开展了砂岩与沙不同配比、不同颗粒级配下的理化特性以及砒砂岩、沙及砒砂岩与沙复合土壤持水保水性能效果的实验研究。结果表明：1)砒砂岩与沙不同配比混合后,随砒砂岩比例增加,砂粒含量降低,粉粒含量增加,黏粒含量增加幅度较小,且黏粒在配比1∶1时达到最大值。从土壤质地变化角度,砒砂岩与沙混合的适宜比例为1∶5≤砒砂岩与沙混合比例≤1∶1;2)砒砂岩与沙配比为1∶2时是有效含水量与重力水大小关系的转折点,随着砒砂岩混合比例的增大,有效水含量开始增大,混合土壤的持水性能逐渐增强;3)砒砂岩与沙混合后,同时具有水分吸收和保水的作用,且沙中混合粒径2～4 cm砒砂岩岩块为最佳粒径范围;4)砒砂岩持水能力最强,砒砂岩与沙混合(1∶2比例)次之,沙最差,砒砂岩与沙混合后砒砂岩自身保持的水分向环境中释放,提高土壤保水能力,延长持水时间。总之,砒砂岩与沙混合后弥补了各自不利特性,防止了土壤水分的流失和无效蒸发,提高了土壤持水保水能力,为毛乌素沙地的治理和农业发展提供了有利条件。     

砒砂岩与沙复配土壤组成变化及玉米产量可持续性分析

砒砂岩与沙复配成土技术在毛乌素沙地土地整治中已广泛应用,然而,探索适合当地主要粮食作物高产稳产的砒砂岩与风沙土的适宜混合比例,提高复配土壤的农业适应性有待进一步研究。利用2010—2018年田间定位试验数据,分析玉米种植模式下不同比例复配土壤粉粒和黏粒含量及空间迁移规律,探索玉米产量可持续性及稳定性。结果表明:(1)随着试验的开展,0—30 cm土层中不同比例复配土壤粉粒、黏粒含量均向下层土体运移,运移速率为1:5>1:1>1:2,下层土壤中的粉粒和黏粒含量增加,使得土体剖面耕层增加至30—40 cm土层厚度。(2)玉米产量在1:1,1:2,1:5复配土壤上差异较大,与2010年相比较,到2018年产量分别提高了43.9%,105.9%,58.5%,并且1:2复配土壤上玉米多年平均产量超过了15 000 kg/hm²,与当地高产田产量持平。(3)1:2复配土壤对玉米增产的效果最优,SYI值最大,CV值最小,即产量稳定性和可持续性最好。因此,确定1:2复配比例最适合玉米生长,其朝着有利于玉米生长发育并获得高产的方向发展。     

毛乌素沙地砒砂岩固沙机理研究

为探索毛乌素沙地砒砂岩与沙混合后的固沙机理,采用实验、模拟与野外观测相结合的方法,对砒砂岩与沙混合后的质地、持水保水性、土壤结皮方面进行了分析。结果表明:(1)砒砂岩与沙粒度分布范围分别为0.317~709.0μm和0.564~2 000.0μm,二者混合可扩大沙的粒径组成,有效改善了沙土的质地,提高地表粗糙度;(2)从含水量下降随时间变化来看,沙的含水量快速降低,54h内可从15.90%降低到3.26%,而砒砂岩、砒砂岩与沙的混合物含水量分别为21.39%和15.87%,水分下降速率慢,且砒砂岩的毛管孔隙度高于沙,混合后提高了沙的孔隙度,降低了饱和导水率,提高了沙的保水性能;(3)在水的作用下,砒砂岩与沙混合后能够快速形成表层物理结皮,而无水状态下则极难形成。不同比例的混合方式对结皮形成的厚度有显著的影响,沙地结皮的形成有效防止了沙丘流动和扬沙的发生,达到了固沙的效果。     

砒砂岩与沙复配土壤质地与有机质动态变化特征

为了研究毛乌素沙地砒砂岩与沙混合构成的一种新型复配土壤在长期种植过程中土壤质量发育状况,基于2010-2018年不同比例砒砂岩与沙(1∶1,1∶2,1∶5)复配土壤的田间定位试验,综合分析了不同比例复配土壤机械组成、颗粒分形特征、有机质的变化特征及之间的关系。结果表明:(1)随着种植年限的增加,3种比例复配土壤耕层质地向变细和颗粒组成合理的方向发展,土壤颗粒分形维数和有机质含量总体呈增加趋势;(2)1∶2复配土壤粉黏粒含量、分形维数值和有机质含量增加速率均大于1∶1,1∶5;1∶2复配土壤种植9年后有机质含量达到最高值(6.24±0.30)g/kg,与种植前相比较提高了12倍;(3)不同比例复配土壤颗粒分形维数与有机质含量均存在显著正相关关系(p<0.05),粉粒和黏粒是研究区沙化土地复配土壤质地改善和有机质提升最关键的两个粒级。综上,随种植年限的增加,复配土向无机-有机胶体复合状态发展,1∶2复配土壤最适合玉米种植,提高了土壤的稳定性和农业适应性。     

砒砂岩与风沙土复配后的粒度组成变化

从粒度组成变化情况上探索砒砂岩作为一种固沙新材料的可能性,可为毛乌素沙化治理、保持水土、发展农业种植提供科学支撑。将砒砂岩与风沙土分别按1∶0、1∶1、1∶2、1∶5和0∶1质量比复配,用激光粒度分析仪对其粒度组成及级配特性进行分析研究。结果表明:砒砂岩与风沙土复配后,改变了风沙土以砂粒为主、结构松散、易风蚀的特点,随着砒砂岩质量的增加,<0.05 mm粒径的质量分数增加,质地呈现砂土-砂壤-壤土-粉壤的转变;且风沙土的粒度分布范围小、均质性强等特点得到一定程度改善,砒砂岩与风沙土复配后,其粒度分布范围变广,当砒砂岩与风沙土复配的质量比为1∶5(不均匀系数为54.71,曲率系数为2.54)或1∶2(不均匀系数为76.21,曲率系数为1.12)时,其颗粒级配连续,且级配特性良好。因此,从粒度组成上看,砒砂岩具有固沙的可能,质地条件随砒砂岩质量的增加而变好,级配特性以砒砂岩∶风沙土按1∶2或1∶5质量比进行复配为宜。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Electron donor and pH relationships for biologically enhanced dissolution of chlorinated solvent DNAPL in groundwater

Biologically enhanced dissolution offers a method to speed removal of chlorinated solvent dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) sources such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichoroethene (TCE) from aquifers. Bioremediation is accomplished by adding an electron donor to the source zone where fermentation to intermediates leading to acetic acid and hydrogen results. The hydrogen and possibly acetic acid are used by dehalogenating bacteria to convert PCE and TCE to ethene and hydrochloric acid. Reductive dehalogenation is thus an acid forming process, and sufficient alkalinity must be present to maintain a near neutral pH. The bicarbonate alkalinity required to maintain pH above 6.5 is a function of the electron donor: 800 mg/L of bicarbonate alkalinity is sufficient to achieve about 1.2 mM TCE dechlorination with glucose, 1.7 mM with lactate, and a much higher 3.3 mM with formate. Laboratory studies indicate that in mixed culture, formate can be used as an electron donor for complete conversion to ethene, contrary to pure cultures studies indicating it cannot. Various strategies can be used to add electron donor to an aquifer for DNAPL dehalogenation while minimizing pH problems and excessive electron donor usage, including use of injection-extraction wells, dual recirculation wells, and nested injection-extraction wells.     

Increase in auxiliary photoprotective photosynthetic pigments in wheat seedlings induced by Azospirillum brasilense

Inoculation of wheat seedlings with the plant growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense Cd was immobilized in alginate microbeads and, without applying any stress, significantly increased the quantity of several photosynthetic pigments, such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and the auxiliary photoprotective pigments violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, antheroxanthin, lutein, neoxanthin, and β-carotene. This resulted in greener plants with no apparent visible stress. After monitoring the quantity of photosynthetic pigments for 4 weeks, we observed that inoculated plants had higher quantities of pigments in shoot and stem. The greatest difference in the quantity of all pigments between inoculated and noninoculated plants occurred in the first week of growth. Regardless of treatment, the quantity of pigments in stems was three to four times less than the quantity of these pigments in shoots. Application of Azospirillum, either as liquid inoculant or as alginate microbeads, did not alter the positive effect of the bacteria on pigment production or the positive response of the plants towards A. brasilense Cd inoculation.     

Properties of anaerobically digested and composted municipal solid waste assessed by linking soil mesofauna dynamics and nitrogen modelling

We have studied the effect of anaerobically digested (ADMSW) and composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) on mineralization and foodweb dynamics to verify the hypothesis that ADMSW would immobilize N right after addition to soil in contrast to addition with CMSW. Another hypothesis was that the mesofauna (enchytraeids and microarthropods) would stimulate N release from the decomposer community. We measured excretion of -N and urea-N from the mesofauna and hypothesized that enchytraeids would release urea. ADMSW and CMSW were amended to pots with sandy loam and barley. The pots were divided into treatments with or without mesofauna. Mesofauna, plant N and biomass, soil N and ergosterol (fungal biomass) were measured over a 113-day period of four equidistant samplings. Soil respiration, N mineralization and N release by the mesofauna were modelled from concurrent studies. ADMSW- and CMSW-treated soils initially (<20 days) immobilized N. The amendments did not increase plant growth substantially, and this was probably due to N-limitation in the early stages of plant growth. Enchytraeid abundance was about three times higher in ADMSW- than CMSW-treated soils, indicating that ADMSW contained more labile compounds, bacteria, and microfauna. The mesofauna did not affect N-content, but the cumulated -N excreted by the mesofauna was estimated to be substantial and about one-fifth of total plant N in ADMSW. An explanation for this discrepancy might be that in the absence of the mesofauna, other members of the detrivore and microbivore community performed the mesofauna’s function. Neither enchytraeids nor microarthropods excreted urea.