Hydraulic properties of Eucalyptus grandis in response to nitrate and phosphate deficiency and sudden changes in their availability

Some herbaceous plant species have been shown to dynamically alter the hydraulic properties of their roots in response to sudden changes in the concentrations of mobile nutrients. These hydraulic adaptations effectively allow plants to ‘chase' mobile nutrients across the rhizosphere. Trees, on the other hand, could mitigate effects of heterogeneous, dynamic soil environments with extensive root systems as such systems would effectively equalize nutrient availability. In addition, large dendritic root systems would reduce the effectiveness of rapid, localized, physiological hydraulic changes as these local changes might cancel each other at lower‐order root junctions. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine if trees (Eucalyptus grandis) employ short‐term (minutes to hours), physiological hydraulic changes or rely on long‐term (days), growth‐based hydraulic acclimations to enhance mobile nutrient uptake. We used two nutrients, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), that are characterized by contrasting soil mobility: N being mobile and P immobile. Transpiration, whole‐plant hydraulic resistance (liquid phase), and the hydraulic resistance of single roots of E. grandis plants grown in high and low N combined with high and low P availability were measured. In general, plants grown with high N availability had lower whole‐plant hydraulic resistance than plants grown with low N availability. When N or P were in short supply, a sudden addition of N or P did not change either single‐root or whole‐plant hydraulic resistance at a given leaf water potential. However, addition of N reduced the transpiration rate, thus, enhancing plant water status, suggesting that E. grandis behavior prioritizes water conservation over N uptake in short‐term. Prolonged exposure to low nutrient availability resulted in high overall hydraulic resistance further suggesting prioritization of water conservation over N gain.     

Effect of organic and mineral fertilizers on some soil properties

Abstract

NPK was applied to a Haynie, very fine, sandy loam as 89.6 MT/ha (40 T/ac) of OF (organic fertilizer as feedlot manure at 45% water content) and as MF (mineral fertilizer) with nutrients equivalent to the manure during 18 months.

Organic fertilizer increased soil organic matter content 0.25% more than the MF and 0.2% more than the control. Organic fertilizer increased the CEC 0.3 m.e./100 g more than the MF and 0.4 m.e./100 g more than the control. Organic fertilizer increased exch. Mg by 32 kg/ha while MF decreased exch. Mg slightly.     

长期施用有机肥对水稻产量和氮磷养分利用效率的影响

以长三角地区典型土壤类型青紫泥为背景土壤,研究连续7年有机肥不同施用量和化肥减量条件下水稻产量、氮磷吸收累积特性和氮磷利用效率,并对影响水稻氮磷吸收利用效率的原因进行分析。结果表明,与纯化肥处理相比,施用有机肥处理在不同程度上增加了水稻产量,其中以处理C4(30 t·hm~(-2)有机肥+1/2常量化肥)增加比例最大,为5.67%。当有机肥单施用量达60 t·hm~(-2)时,水稻产量比纯化肥处理增加5.56%,地上部氮磷累积均高于其它各处理,其中,氮累积尤为明显,增加比例为16.5%~25.4%。有机肥不同用量配合化肥减量施用时水稻地上部氮磷转运量、生理利用效率与纯化肥处理间无明显差异。然而,当单施有机肥用量达60 t·hm~(-2)时,氮转运量明显增加,生理利用效率明显降低,磷生理利用效率亦有所降低,但不如氮明显。水稻氮磷生理利用效率降低的主要原因是长期大量施用有机肥使土壤养分含量增加特别明显,可能超过利于水稻利用的浓度范围。另外,土壤矿质元素铵态氮在水稻生长过程中含量过高也与之紧密相关。     

Impact of organic manures with and without mineral fertilizers on soil chemical and biological properties under tropical conditions

Soils receiving organic manures with and without chemical fertilizers for the last 7 yr with pearlmillet–wheat cropping sequence were compared for soil chemical and biological properties. The application of farmyard manure, poultry manure, and sugarcane filter cake alone or in combination with chemical fertilizers improved the soil organic C, total N, P, and K status. The increase in soil microbial‐biomass C and N was observed in soils receiving organic manures only or with the combined application of organic manures and chemical fertilizers compared to soils receiving chemical fertilizers only. Basal and glucose‐induced respiration, potentially mineralizable N, and arginine ammonification were higher in soils amended with organic manures with or without chemical fertilizers, indicating that more active microflora is associated with organic and integrated system using organic manures and chemical fertilizers together which is important for nutrient cycling.     

施用尿素、有机-无机复混肥和包膜有机肥对几种水稻田土表水层pH的影响

采用不同类型的3种水稻田土壤进行模拟培养,研究施用尿素、有机-无机复混肥和包膜有机肥对土表水层pH变化的影响。实验表明:淹水培养5天以后土表水层pH变化趋势明显。水稻田土壤类型不同,培养期间土表水层pH变化差异显著。在培养后5～15天期间,不施肥对照、施用包膜有机肥处理和施用复混肥处理,红壤、灰潮土和盐碱土土表水层pH都明显上升;施用尿素处理在灰潮土和盐碱土上土表水层pH值略微下降,而在红壤上仍呈上升趋势。     

平菇栽培废料等有机肥对土壤活性有机质和土壤酶活性的影响

通过大田试验研究了不施有机肥(CK)、施用平菇栽培废料(T1)、施用干腐熟牛粪(T2)和烘干鸡粪(T3)在种植黄瓜01～50.d内土壤中活性有机质和4种土壤酶活性的变化。结果表明:施入不同有机肥对土壤总有机质含量的影响为烘干鸡粪平菇栽培废料干腐熟牛粪对照;对活性有机质含量的影响为平菇栽培废料烘干鸡粪干腐熟牛粪对照;施用平菇栽培废料的土壤中脲酶、转化酶和脱氢酶活性最高,施用干腐熟牛粪的土壤中过氧化氢酶活性最高。相关性分析显示,脲酶、转化酶和脱氢酶活性与土壤活性有机质显著相关。用平菇栽培废料做有机肥能有效提高土壤活性有机质含量和土壤酶活性。     

Aging effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on phosphorus fractionation in a calcareous sandy loam soil

In most arid and semiarid soils, naturally occurring phosphorus(P) is a major yield-limiting plant nutrient. In this study, to investigate the effects of organic(OP) and inorganic P(IP) sources on P fractionation, a calcareous sandy loam alkaline soil was fertilized with OP and IP fertilizers at low(80 mg P kg~(-1) soil) and high(160 mg P kg~(-1) soil) application rates. Three combinations of OP and IP(i.e., 75% OP + 25% IP, 50% OP + 50% IP, and 25% OP + 75% IP) were applied at low and high application rates,respectively, followed by soil aging for 21 d. Soil samples were collected after 1, 2, 3, 7, and 21 d and subjected to sequential extraction to analyze soluble and exchangeable, Fe-and Al-bound, Ca-bound, and residual P fractions. The soluble and exchangeable P fraction significantly increased up to 24.3%, whereas the Ca-bound fraction decreased up to 40.7% in the soils receiving 75% OP + 25% IP and 50% OP + 50% IP, respectively, compared with the control(receiving no P fertilizer). However, the transformation of P fractions was influenced by aging time. Addition of P sources caused instant changes in different P fractions, which then tended to decline with aging time. Change in soil p H was the limiting factor in controlling P availability. At high application rate, the OP source significantly increased soil P availability compared with the IP source with soil aging. Depending on P fractionation, a proper combination of OP and IP fertilizers, as long-term slow and instant P-releasing sources for plant uptake, respectively, may be a sustainable strategy to meet crop P requirements in the arid and semiarid soils.     

Physico‐chemical characterization of humic‐metal‐phosphate complexes and their potential application to the manufacture of new types of phosphate‐based fertilizers

The aim of this review is to describe the main physicochemical characteristics of diverse types of humic‐metal‐phosphate acid complexes. The effects of these complexes on phosphorus (P) fixation in soils with different pH values and physicochemical features and on plant phosphorus uptake are also discussed. Humic‐metal‐phosphate complexes have apparent stability constants in the same range as those of metal‐humic complexes, in solutions with diverse pH and ionic‐strength values. Likewise, the molecular‐size distribution of humic‐metal‐phosphate complexes as a function of pH is similar to that of potassium or sodium humates and metal‐humic complexes. Humic‐metal‐phosphate complexes are able to decrease phosphate fixation in soils and increase plant growth and phosphate uptake. Phosphorus fertilizers containing humic‐metal‐phosphate complexes proved to be efficient to improve plant growth and P uptake with respect to conventional fertilizers such as single superphosphate. The values of parameters related to plant phosphorus‐utilization efficiency (PUt E) suggest that the regulation of root acquisition of phosphate from these complexes could involve the interregulation of a system for the optimization of metabolic P utilization in the shoot and another system involving stress responses of roots under phosphorus deficiency.     

Synergetic use of biochar and synthetic nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers to improves maize productivity and nutrient retention in loamy soil

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the effect of biochar on maize production and nutrient retention with recommended full and half dose of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) nutrition in loamy soil. In the first study, maize was grown in pots with four levels of biochar (0, 2, 4, and 6?t?ha^?1) under two levels of NP fertilizer, viz. recommended (200–150?kg?NP?ha^?1) and it’s half (100–75?kg?NP?ha^?1) dose. The prominent improvement in plant roots traits, leaf area, plant growth, morphological and yield-related parameters were observed with addition of biochar at 2 and 4?t?ha^?1; while, plant height, number of grains per cob, grains and biological yield decreased with biochar addition 6?t?ha^?1 along with full dose of NP nutrition. In subsequent field studies, two levels of biochar along with control (0, 2, 4?t?ha^?1) were investigated. The more improvement in root growth, leaf area and crop growth was observed when biochar was applied at 2?t?ha^?1 with full NP nutrition. Biochar application at 2?t?ha^?1 with full NP nutrition produced the highest grain yield (6.64?t?ha^?1); however, biochar addition (2?t?ha^?1) with half NP nutrition resulted in better grain yield than full dose of NP to enhance maize production as compared with full dose of NP without biochar. Therefore, biochar addition (2?t?ha^?1) with half-recommended dose of NP prominently improved the maize productivity in loamy soil and serve as better in replacement of full dose of NP fertilizer.     

应用近红外光谱法测定土壤的有机质和pH值

为了满足精细农业对土壤快速实时测试的需要,对未经过粉碎、过筛等处理的土壤,采集了4000～12500 cm-1范围的近红外光谱。研究了土壤的光谱特性,并采用偏最小二乘回归分析方法建立了一阶微分光谱的光谱吸光度与有机质含量和pH值之间的定量分析模型。试验分析表明：有机质的预测相关系数为0.818,预测标准偏差SEP为0.069,预测均方根误差为RMSEP为0.085;pH值的预测相关系数为0.834,SEP为0.095,RMSEP为0.114。表明采用近红外光谱仪经一阶微分处理可以很好地预测经过简单处理的土样中的有机质含量和pH值, 该结论为今后田间快速土壤特性光谱测量奠定了基础。     

有机肥料氮、磷、钾的化学分析方法

介绍了用化学分析方法测定有机肥料氮、磷、钾的含量，即样品经硫酸一过氧化氢消化后，制备待测溶液，分取待测溶液用NC-2型快速定氮仪测定氮，用磷钼酸喹啉重量法测定磷，用四苯硼酸钾重量法测定钾，不须使用分光光度计和火焰光度计，适宜一般复混肥料厂采用，对含氮、磷、钾分别达0．1％以上的样品均可用本法测定，方法的准确度和精密度能满足生产的要求。     

Corn biomass,uptake and fractionation of soil phosphorus in five soils amended with organic wastes as P fertilizers

Abstract

Sustainable food production includes mitigating environmental pollution and avoiding unnecessary use of non-renewable mineral phosphate resources. Efficient phosphorus (P) utilization from organic wastes is crucial for alternative P sources to be adopted as fertilizers. There must be predictable plant responses in terms of P uptake and plant growth. An 18-week pot experiment was conducted to assess corn (Zea mays L.) plant growth, P uptake, soil test P and P fractionation in response to application of organic P fertilizer versus inorganic P fertilizer in five soils. Fertilizers were applied at a single P rate using: mono-ammonium phosphate, anaerobically digested dairy manure, composted chicken manure, vegetable compost and a no-P control. Five soils used varied in soil texture and pH. Corn biomass and tissue P concentrations were different among P fertilizers in two soils (Warden and Quincy), with greater shoot biomass for composted chicken manure and higher tissue P concentration for MAP. Plant dry biomass ranged from highest to lowest with fertilizer treatment as follows: composted chicken manure?>?AD dairy?=?MAP?=?no-P control?=?vegetable compost. Soil test P was higher in soils with any P fertilizer treatment versus the no-P control. The loosely bound and soluble P (2.7?mg P kg^?1) accounted for the smallest pool of inorganic P fractions, followed by iron bound P (13.7?mg P kg^?1), aluminum bound P (43.4?mg P kg^?1) and reductant soluble P (67.9?mg P kg^?1) while calcium bound P (584.6?mg P kg^?1) represented the largest pool of inorganic P.     

Residual effects of organic acid-treated phosphate rocks on some soil properties and phosphate availability

The effects of the application of organic acid-treated phosphate rocks on the growth and nutrient uptake of Italian rye grass (Lolium multiflorum Lam. cv. Tachiwase) and some properties of the soil were evaluated in a greenhouse pot experiment. Phosphate rocks (PRs) collected from six countries; China, Florida (USA), Jordan, Sri Lanka, Togo, and Tanzania, were treated with 1 M oxalic or tartaric acid at the ratio of 2.5 mL g^-1 PR. The organic acid-treated PRs, containing 12–31% water soluble P, were applied to a granitic regosol (pH 5.8) at 200 mg P pot^-1 (4 kg soil). Untreated PRs and single superphosphate (SSP) were included in the treatments. Italian ryegrass was grown for 175 dafter planting (DAP) with ample supply of other nutrients and water. Shoots were harvested at 56, 119, and 175 DAP and the soils were analyzed for pH and Olsen-P after the experiment. Application of organic acid-treated PRs consistently increased the dry matter yield and P uptake of the plants compared with the application of untreated PRs at each harvest, but they were less effective than SSP. A larger amount of P (calculated per unit water-soluble P applied) was recovered from the organic acid-treated PRs than from SSP. The amount of residual extractable P in the soils with the organic acid-treated PRs was about the same as or significantly larger than that in the soil treated with SSP. Soil pH was also significantly higher than in the control and SSP soils. The results suggest that organic acids could be used to improve the P availability of PRs to plants with favorable residual effects in terms of available P and soil pH, without exerting any adverse effects on plant growth or nutrient acquisition.     

连续过量施磷和有机肥的产量效应及环境风险评价

通过5年田间肥料定位试验,研究连续过量施用磷肥和有机肥在蔬菜上的产量效应,土壤积累磷在0—5, 0—10, 10—20, 20—80 cm土层的分布特点及农田积累磷的流失风险评价。结果表明,P2O5用量为180～360 kg/hm2,大白菜、伏白菜、辣椒、豆角的产量分别平均增加21.5%、39.5%、71.6%、50.0%;有机肥用量为150～300 t/hm2,4种蔬菜产量分别平均增加23.8%、26.7%、62.6%、80.0%,差异均达到显著和极显著水平。土壤Olsen-P 在蔬菜上的产量效应符合一元二次式。连续5年施用磷肥和有机肥,0—60 cm土壤各形态磷均显著积累;20—40、40—60、60—80 cm土壤Olsen-P分别相当于0—20 cm Olsen-P 的35.7%、11.8%、7.1%;0—20 cm 土壤Olsen-P分别相当于0—5、0—10 cm Olsen-P的 88.1%、84.0%。0—20 cm土壤Olsen-P与CaCl2-P、NaOH-P、灌溉滞留水中的可溶磷及农田磷流失风险势（P-index ）均呈显著正相关关系。石灰性土壤Olsen-P可作为评价农田磷生产力和环境风险评价的指标。     

根系分区交替灌溉条件下番茄果实硝酸盐含量的水肥耦合效应研究

为了解根系分区交替灌溉条件下灌水量和氮、磷、钾肥用量对番茄果实中硝酸盐含量的影响，通过盆栽试验，采用四元二次回归正交旋转组合设计，建立了硝酸盐含量与水肥因子的数学模型，并对各单一因素的效应及两两因素的耦合效应进行了分析。结果表明，在其他因子为0水平时，番茄果实中的硝酸盐含量，随灌水量、施磷量的增加均呈先增加后降低的变化趋势；随施钾量的增加呈先降低后增加的变化趋势；但不随施氮量而变化。灌水量与施氮量、施磷量与施钾量的交互作用均表现为阻碍番茄果实硝酸盐的积累。根系分区交替灌溉条件下，适当提高灌水量和施磷量,或者减少施钾量能有效地降低番茄果实的硝酸盐含量。     

有机酸对合成磷源施入石灰性潮土后速效磷动态变化的影响

以郑州市石灰性潮土为材料，加入不同磷源和不同有机酸进行培养，培养周期内测定速效磷含量，研究草酸、柠檬酸、苹果酸、酒石酸、腐殖酸5种有机酸对合成磷源施入石灰性潮土后速效磷动态变化的影响。结果表明，不同合成磷源施入土壤中都会使土壤中速效磷含量增加，而后随时间的推移，速效磷含量迅速下降，大约30～45d后趋于稳定；供试有机酸能明显减弱速效磷含量随时间而降低的趋势，使得土壤速效磷含量在较长的一段时间内保持较高的水平；有机酸对石灰性潮土速效磷动态变化影响能力因有机酸种类和性质的不同而不同，其作用能力大小顺序为草酸，腐殖酸〉柠檬酸，苹果酸〉酒石酸。     

Nutrient dynamics from surface-applied organic matter amendments on no-till orchard soil

Advancing conservation agriculture depends on understanding nutrient dynamics of organic matter amendments (OMA) on no-till soil. This field incubation study compared surface-applied composted dairy manure (CM), green waste compost (GWC) and an unamended control from March to September in 2015 and 2016 using a RCBD in a California almond (Prunus dulcis) orchard. Measurements included OMA nutrient release rates, changes in soil organic carbon (SOC), total N (TN) and inorganic N, P and K availability using in-season soil sampling and collection of ion exchange resin (IER) membranes from 0 to 10 cm depth, and cumulative N and P availability using soil IER cores from 0 to 50 cm depth. We hypothesized OMA sources with a lower initial C:N increase soil N availability, greater soluble phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) concentrations increase P and K availability, and all OMA sources increase SOC with the greatest N recovery in the TN pool. No differences were observed in C, N and P release rates, while the K release rate was the greatest. In-season N availability showed no effect but P and K availability differed as evidenced by greater IER adsorption and soil extractable P and K. Both OMA sources significantly increased in SOC and TN. Net N mineralization from OMA sources ranged from 0.7% to 8.0% of applied N and total N recovery in TN and inorganic N pools increased based on the initial C:N. These results advance our understanding of nutrient dynamics while conserving the soil due to the no-till practice of surface-applied OMA.     

陕西省苹果主产区土壤有机质、氮磷钾养分含量与分布特征

【目的】研究陕西省苹果主产区土壤养分状况,为陕西省苹果主产区施肥策略的合理制定及土壤养分管理提供科学依据。【方法】自2012～2016年,在陕西省延安、铜川、渭南、咸阳和宝鸡5个苹果主要生产地区选取典型果园,样点数依次为17208、2634、8589、14723和303个,采集0—40 cm土层土壤样品,测定土壤有机质、碱解氮、有效磷和速效钾含量,并利用现有果园土壤养分分级标准,比较分析各地区土壤养分分布状况。【结果】目前,陕西省苹果主产区土壤有机质、碱解氮、有效磷和速效钾含量平均值分别为11.5 g/kg、57.1 mg/kg、13.0 mg/kg和160.4 mg/kg,较低和低等水平所占比例分别为33.3%、61.8%、85.0% 和50.4%。不同地区土壤养分存在一定差异,从全区来看,基本呈西、南高,东、北低的分布特征,即宝鸡是果园土壤养分含量最高的地区,咸阳、渭南和铜川次之,延安果园土壤养分含量最低。延安地区果园土壤平均有机质含量9.5 g/kg、碱解氮49.4 mg/kg、有效磷9.0 mg/kg和速效钾140.0 mg/kg,处于较低和低等养分水平的果园百分比分别为61.6%、77.7%、99.3%和67.5%。铜川地区果园土壤有机质平均含量为14.2 g/kg,有机质达中等及以上水平果园占88.9%;碱解氮含量均值为62.0 mg/kg,46.4%的果园处于较低和低等水平;有效磷含量均值为13.9 mg/kg,75.3%的果园处于较低和低等水平;速效钾含量均值为181.6 mg/kg,处于中等及以上水平的果园所占比例为67.2%。渭南地区果园土壤有机质含量均值为13.1 g/kg,有机质达中等及以上水平果园占83.2%;碱解氮含量均值为61.6 mg/kg,54.6%的果园处于较低和低等水平;有效磷含量均值为13.7 mg/kg,81.0%的果园处于较低和低等水平;速效钾含量均值为170.1 mg/kg,42.6%的果园处于较低和低等水平。咸阳地区果园土壤有机质含量均值为12.3 g/kg,有机质达中等及以上水平的果园占85.7%;碱解氮含量均值为62.7 mg/kg,49.4%的果园处于较低和低等水平;有效磷含量均值为16.7 mg/kg,74.2%的果园处于较低和低等水平;速效钾含量均值为173.2 mg/kg,处于中等及以上水平果园所占比例为60.9%。宝鸡地区果园土壤有机质含量均值为17.5 g/kg,有机质达中等及以上水平果园占97.4%;碱解氮含量均值为78.3 mg/kg,21.7%的果园在较低和低等水平;有效磷含量均值为23.4 mg/kg,64.9%的果园在中等及以上水平;速效钾含量均值为179.2 mg/kg,处于中等及以上水平果园所占比例为70.0%。【结论】陕西省苹果主产区土壤养分含量总体较低,不同地区苹果园土壤有机质和氮磷钾有效养分含量差异较大,需因地制宜确定合理的施肥方案。     

Predicting soil N mineralization: Relevance of organic matter fractions and soil properties

Distinct extractable organic matter (EOM) fractions have been used to assess the capacity of soils to supply nitrogen (N). However, substantial uncertainty exists on their role in the N cycle and their functional dependency on soil properties. We therefore examined the variation in mineralizable N and its relationship with EOM fractions, soil physical and chemical properties across 98 agricultural soils with contrasting inherent properties and management histories. Mineralizable N was determined by aerobic incubation at 20 °C and optimum moisture content for 20 weeks. We used multivariate statistical modelling to account for multi-collinearity, an issue generally overlooked in studies evaluating the predictive value of EOM fractions. Mineralization of N was primarily related to the size of OM pools and fractions present; they explained 78% of the variation in mineralizable N whereas other soil variables could explain maximally 8%. Both total and extractable OM expressed the same soil characteristic from a mineralization perspective; they were positively related to mineralizable N and explained a similar percentage of the variation in mineralizable N. Inclusion of mineralizable N in fertilizer recommendation systems should be based on at least one OM variable. The most appropriate EOM fraction can only be identified when the underlying mechanisms are known; regression techniques are not suitable for this purpose. Combination of single EOM fractions is not likely to improve the prediction of mineralizable N due to high multi-collinearity. Inclusion of texture-related soil variables or variables reflecting soil organic matter quality may be neglected due to their limited power to improve the prediction of mineralizable N.     

Properties of dissolved organic matter related to soil organic matter quality and nitrogen additions in Norway spruce forest floors

The quality of dissolved organic matter (DOM) is highly variable and little information is available on the relation of DOM quality to the structure and composition of its parent soil organic matter (SOM). The effect of increasing N inputs to forest soils on the structure and composition of both SOM and DOM also remains largely unclear. Here we studied the release of DOM, its specific UV absorption and two humification indices (HIX) derived from fluorescence spectra from Oa material of 15 North- and Central-European Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stands. The Oa material was incubated aerobically at 15 °C and water holding capacity over a period of 10 months and extracted monthly with an artificial throughfall solution. Soil respiration was determined weekly. The influence of mineral N inputs on composition of DOM and on respiration rates was investigated on periodically NH₄NO₃-treated Oa samples of eight selected sites. Release of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from untreated Oa material samples ranged from 0.0 to 58.6 μg C day⁻¹ g C⁻¹ and increased with increasing C-to-N ratio. One HIX and UV absorption of DOM were negatively correlated to the degree of oxidation of lignin-derived compounds and positively to the C-to-N ratio and – HIX only – to the aromatic C content of SOM. Mineral N addition had no distinct effect on respiration rates. In six of eight samples the N-treatment caused an increase in specific UV absorption or one HIX of DOM. However, these effects were not statistically significant. Addition of mineral N did not affect the rates of DOM release. Our results show that properties of SOM largely determine the amount and quality of DOM in forest floors. Changes of DOM quality due to mineral N additions are likely, but we cannot confirm significant changes of DOM release.