红壤水稻土累积酶活性及养分对长期不同施肥处理的响应

本研究基于鹰潭农田生态系统国家野外科学观测研究站24年的长期定位试验,揭示对照(不施肥,CK)、有机肥(C)、化学氮磷钾肥(NPK)、化学氮磷钾肥+有机肥(NPKC)等不同施肥处理对红壤水稻土酶活性及土壤养分的影响。于晚稻收获后采集各小区耕层土壤,测定红壤水稻土中转化酶、脲酶活性(测定时并设加0.5 ml甲苯与不加甲苯处理)及转化酶动力学特征,同时测定土壤养分含量及微生物生物量碳,分析酶活性与养分含量及微生物生物量碳间的关系,明确土壤中累积酶活性及土壤养分对长期不同施肥处理的响应。结果发现,与对照相比,施肥处理下土壤转化酶活性显著提高了31.3%~131.7%,微生物生物量碳显著提高了84.9%~125.1%;在没有甲苯抑制微生物活性下,施肥处理的转化酶底物蔗糖转化速率增加量提高了89.5%~153.7%,脲酶底物尿素转化增加量提高了59.2%~98.9%,表明微生物显著影响两种累积酶表观酶活性;转化酶活性、脲酶活性与微生物生物量碳呈显著正相关。与对照处理相比,施肥处理显著增加了土壤有机碳(30.1%~36.3%)、全磷(28.6%~102.9%)、速效磷(62.2%~445.0%)、碱解氮(35.9%~56.4%)含量;统计分析显示,转化酶活性、脲酶活性均与碱解氮、有机碳含量显著正相关。与对照相比,各施肥处理土壤的转化酶米氏常数(Km)差异并不显著,而转化酶表观活性(Vmax)及转化系数(Vmax/Km)均显著增加。长期施肥处理增加了土壤养分含量和微生物生物量碳,提高了土壤中累积酶的活性。     

巢湖藻–草–泥堆制有机肥对土壤性质的影响

通过田间试验,研究施用由巢湖取出物蓝藻、水草和底泥高温堆肥制作成的有机肥对作物产量、土壤理化性质及微生物学特性的影响。结果表明:施用藻-草-泥有机肥对大豆、花生有明显增产效应。施肥土壤中总氮、碱解氮、总磷、有效磷、有机质、腐殖酸、阳离子交换量和土壤孔隙度均显著高于未施肥土壤,而容重显著降低。与未种植未施肥处理(T1)相比,种植大豆施肥(T4)和种植花生施肥处理(T5)中微生物生物量碳分别增加116.5%、97.8%,微生物生物量氮增加196.7%、170.6%;T4处理的转化酶、脲酶和过氧化氢酶活性分别提高183%、392%和8.9%,T5处理中相应酶活性分别提高116%、268%、1.01%。相关性分析表明,微生物生物量碳、氮和转化酶、脲酶活性都与多种肥力因子呈显著相关,且转化酶及脲酶活性间存在显著相关性。T4处理中过氧化氢酶活性与肥力因子间无显著相关性,而T5处理过氧化氢酶活性与有效磷、有机质、腐殖酸、微生物生物量碳、微生物生物量氮间呈显著相关。巢湖取出物蓝藻、水草和底泥可作为生产有机肥的良好材料以达到资源化利用目的。     

保水剂和微生物菌肥配施对旱作燕麦土壤微生物生物量碳、氮含量及酶活性的影响

为探讨保水剂和微生物菌肥配施后旱作燕麦土壤微生物生物量碳、氮含量及酶活性的影响,在内蒙古黄土高原旱作农田设置不施用保水剂和微生物菌肥(CK)、保水剂和微生物菌肥配施(A)、单施微生物菌肥(B)和单施保水剂(C)4个处理,分析燕麦全生育期内0—10,10—20,20—40 cm土壤微生物生物量碳、氮含量及酶活性时空动态变化和产量变化。结果表明:(1)全生育期,土壤微生物量碳含量呈"双峰"曲线变化,峰值均出现在孕穗期和灌浆期;氮含量呈先降低后升高再降低趋势,苗期含量最高;过氧化氢酶、蔗糖酶、脲酶活性均呈"单峰"曲线变化,过氧化氢酶、土壤蔗糖酶峰值在孕穗期,土壤脲酶则在抽穗期。(2)除CK外,土壤微生物量碳、氮含量及过氧化氢酶、蔗糖酶和脲酶活性表现为0—10 cm10—20 cm20—40 cm,其中配施(A)对0—10,10—20 cm影响均显著(p0.05),单施(B、C)仅对10—20 cm土层影响显著(p0.05)。(3)10—20 cm土层,配施(A)与其他3个处理间差异均显著(p0.05),提高微生物量碳含量4.82%～40.28%、微生物生物量氮含量8.44%～68.66%、过氧化氢酶活性13.32%～60.16%、蔗糖酶活性10.45%～39.14%、脲酶活性12.40%～55.62%。(4)配施(A)能同时显著(p0.05)提高燕麦籽粒产量和生物产量,提高幅度分别为8.40%～20.12%和10.80%～25.09%。因此,保水剂和微生物菌肥配施在黄土高原旱作区具有较好改善土壤微生物活性效果,提高旱作燕麦产量。     

有机无机肥配施对麦-稻轮作系统土壤微生物学特性的影响

采用盆栽试验研究了不同比例有机无机肥配施对连续4茬麦-稻轮作后土壤微生物学特性的影响。结果表明,与对照相比,单施化肥处理促进了土壤微生物生物量碳、氮和微生物熵的增加,提高了土壤蔗糖酶、蛋白酶、脲酶活性,降低了过氧化氢酶活性,提高了放线菌的数量,但对土壤细菌、真菌数量的影响不明显;有机无机肥配施处理的土壤微生物生物量碳、微生物生物量氮、微生物熵、土壤酶活性及3大类土壤微生物数量显著高于单施化肥及对照处理;土壤微生物生物量碳、微生物生物量氮、微生物熵和3大类微生物数量随着有机肥配施比例的提高而增加,以配施30%有机肥处理的最高;土壤酶活性综合指数以配施20%有机肥处理的最高。可见,化肥配施有机肥特别是配施中高量有机肥更有利于改善土壤微生物学特性,提高土壤生产能力。     

秸秆还田对酸性水稻土培肥增产、土壤微生物生物量及酶活性的影响研究

通过田间定位试验,研究了稻草秸秆还田对土壤有机质及其养分含量、土壤微生物生物量、土壤酶活性及水稻产量的影响。试验结果表明:秸秆还田显著提高了土壤有机质及养分含量,与对照相比,秸秆还田的处理土壤有机质含量提高了7.00%,土壤全氮、速效磷、速效钾和缓效钾含量分别提高了3.57%、3.49%、4.11%和3.39%;秸秆还田显著提高了土壤微生物生物量碳、氮,与对照相比,土壤微生物量碳、氮分别提高了37.4%和21.8%;秸秆还田显著提高了土壤酶活性,与对照相比,土壤脲酶、过氧化氢酶和蔗糖酶的活性分别提高了67.4%、12.4%和7.43%;秸秆还田显著提高了水稻产量,与对照相比,秸秆还田的处理和秸秆还田并配施腐熟剂的处理水稻实际产量分别增加了4.85%和5.96%。     

有机物料对原生盐碱地土壤生物学性质的影响

采用连续2年大田试验方法,研究了颗粒型秸秆(KL)、正常秸秆(JG)、牧草(MC)以及羊粪(YF)4种有机物料处理对试验地微生物数量、微生物生物量碳氮、土壤呼吸强度、三种土壤酶活性以及水稻产量的影响,并分析了生物学性质与测产指标的相关性。结果表明:与不施有机物料处理(CK)对比,施用有机物料的JG、MC、YF处理均不同程度提高了微生物数量、微生物生物量碳氮含量、土壤呼吸强度、土壤酶活性以及水稻产量,但差异不明显。同种有机物料不同形态之间差异显著,颗粒秸秆效果优于正常秸秆,颗粒秸秆与CK相比,提高了39.45%的土壤细菌、50.28%放线菌、89.91%真菌数量、63.21%和46.02%的土壤微生物生物量碳氮含量,土壤呼吸强度提高46.22%,过氧化氢酶活性提高18.03%,转化酶活性提高23.22%,纤维素酶活性提高79.32%,增产130.6%。土壤微生物数量(细菌、真菌和放线菌)与千粒重、结实率、每穗总粒数和产量具有相关性,土壤微生物活性(土壤呼吸强度和微生物生物量碳氮)与有效穗数、每穗总粒数、千粒重以及产量具有相关性,土壤酶活性(过氧化氢酶、转化酶和纤维素酶)与穗长和千粒重表现出相关性。结果表明相同条件下,原生盐碱地改良前期,不同种类有机物料对原生盐碱地作用效果相似,但同种有机物料不同形态其作用效果差异显著。     

蚓堆肥热干扰后对土壤质量和作物生长的影响

了解热干扰对蚓堆肥肥效的影响有助于指导其规模化加工和应用,促进有机废弃物的高效循环利用。通过模拟不同热干扰梯度(30、40、50、60和70℃)研究蚓堆肥自身性质的变化,将新鲜的蚓堆肥置于烘箱中加热20 h,并于温室中采用盆栽试验探究经过热干扰后的蚓堆肥对土壤性质及番茄生长的影响。结果表明,随着热干扰温度的升高,蚓堆肥的pH、可溶性有机碳及铵态氮含量呈上升趋势且在最高温干扰处理下达到最高,但硝态氮和速效钾含量呈下降趋势;微生物生物量碳氮含量先上升后下降,而其中参与碳氮循环的酶活性逐渐降低。经不同热干扰处理后的蚓堆肥施入土壤后,相比30℃的对照,蚓堆肥经热干扰后番茄的地上部生物量提高了2倍左右,根系生物量增加了56%～115%;伴随蚓堆肥热干扰温度的增加,植物氮磷钾养分的吸收量逐渐提高,蚓堆肥对土壤氮磷钾养分的供应量(土壤速效养分与植物有效养分吸收量之和)先升高后下降并在50℃干扰处理后达到最高;土壤pH及可溶性有机碳含量逐渐升高,土壤微生物生物量碳氮含量呈先上升后下降的趋势且在70℃干扰后降至最低,而土壤中参与碳氮循环的酶活性变化趋势不一致,但与对照相比总体呈上升趋势。总之,热干扰导致蚓堆肥生物活性下降及养分有效性增加,相应地,热干扰后的蚓堆肥施入土壤后能明显促进作物氮磷钾养分的吸收,有利于蚓堆肥发挥其肥效。因此,蚓堆肥加热处理有利于其发挥短期培肥和植物促生功效,而其长期效果有待今后在更大时空尺度上的研究。     

紫云英施用量对土壤活性有机碳和碳转化酶活性的影响

利用紫云英还田的定位试验研究不同紫云英施用量下土壤活性有机碳含量和碳转化酶活性的变化。试验包括对照、施用化肥和4个紫云英施用量(30、60、90和120 t·hm~(-2))处理。结果表明:与对照相比,施用化肥和紫云英均能够显著增加土壤活性有机碳(可溶性有机碳、热水提取态有机碳、微生物生物量碳和颗粒有机碳)含量,并且随着紫云英施用量的增加土壤活性有机碳含量显著增加。土壤碳转化酶活性的变化规律与土壤活性有机碳相同,其中施用化肥和紫云英较对照处理分别提高14%和24%~55%的纤维素酶活性、27%和45%~187%的蔗糖酶活性、42%和51%~165%的β-葡萄糖苷酶活性、11%和11%~24%的酚氧化酶活性以及16%和16%~27%的过氧化物酶活性。与对照相比,施用化肥对相对酶活性(酶活性与微生物生物量碳的比值)无显著影响;增加紫云英施用量能够显著增加相对蔗糖酶和相对β-葡萄糖苷酶活性,降低相对酚氧化酶活性和相对过氧化物酶活性。逐步回归分析表明土壤活性有机碳组分含量主要受纤维素酶、β-葡萄糖苷酶和酚氧化酶活性的影响。     

黄瓜有机营养土栽培中土壤酶活性、肥力动态变化及其相互关系

稻草与土按1:1(处理A)、2:1(处理B)的比例混合,经过堆积高温腐熟后在日光温室中栽培黄瓜,试验结果表明:有机营养土中稻草比例高的,脲酶、转化酶、纤维素酶活性升高,碱解氮、速效P、速效K含量增加,分别是处理B>处理A>对照,但过氧化氢酶活性呈降低趋势,变化大小为对照>处理A>处理B。脲酶、转化酶和纤维素酶与速效P呈极显著相关,与速效K显著相关。碱解氮含量与脲酶极显著性相关,与纤维素酶和转化酶显著性相关,但过氧化氢酶活性与碱解氮、速效P、速效K含量呈负相关,因此脲酶、转化酶、纤维素酶活性可以作为评价有机营养土肥力的标准。     

有机肥替代化肥对土壤肥力和玉米产量的影响

为研究有机肥替代化肥对土壤培肥和玉米产量的影响,在北京市房山区布置田间小区试验,试验设置不施肥对照(CK)、常规化肥(CN)、常规化肥等氮量的有机肥(ON)、有机肥使用量是ON处理的一半(0.5ON)、一半化肥氮一半有机肥氮(0.5 CN)5个处理。结果表明:有机肥替代100%化肥处理第2年玉米产量降低,降幅5.2%～6.7%,第3年减产幅度扩大;有机肥替代50%化肥可提高玉米产量11.8%。施用有机肥处理明显提高土壤有机质、速效氮磷钾、微生物生物量碳等指标。有机肥替代50%化肥氮处理下土壤碱解氮、速效钾含量增幅分别达到53.2%和38%,且和玉米产量具有显著性正相关关系。有机肥替代50%化肥氮处理可增加土壤微生物量碳和脲酶活性,改善土壤性质的同时增加土壤0.01～0.05 mm粒径团聚体的比例,是值得推广的施肥模式。     

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。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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,     

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,     

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,     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

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.