Determination of microbial biomass and fungal and bacterial distribution in cattle faeces

As an important component of organic fertilizers, animal faeces require methods for determining diet effects on their microbial quality to improve nutrient use efficiency in soil and to decrease gaseous greenhouse emissions to the environment. The objectives of the present study were (i) to apply the chloroform fumigation extraction (CFE) method for determining microbial biomass in cattle faeces, (ii) to determine the fungal cell-membrane component ergosterol, and (iii) to measure the cell-wall components fungal glucosamine and bacterial muramic acid as indices for the microbial community structure. Additionally, ergosterol and amino sugar data provide independent control values for the reliability of the microbial biomass range obtained by the CFE method. A variety of extractant solutions were tested for the CFE method to obtain stable extracts and reproducible microbial biomass C and N values, leading to the replacement of the original 0.5 M K₂SO₄ extractant for 0.05 M CuSO₄. The plausibility of the data was assessed in a 28-day incubation study at 25 °C with cattle faeces of one heifer, where microbial biomass C and N were repeatedly measured together with ergosterol. Here, the microbial biomass indices showed dynamic characteristics and possible shifts in the microbial community. In faeces of five different heifers, the mean microbial biomass C/N ratio was 5.6, the mean microbial biomass to organic C ratio was 2.2%, and the mean ergosterol to microbial biomass C ratio was 1.1‰. Ergosterol and amino sugar analysis revealed a significant contribution of fungi, with a percentage of more than 40% to the microbial community. All three methods are expected to be suitable tools for analysing the quality of cattle faeces.     

Nitrate Transformation and N2O Emission in a Typical Intensively Managed Calcareous Fluvaquent Soil: A 15-Nitrogen Tracer Incubation Study

A 56-day aerobic incubation experiment was performed with 15-nitrogen (N) tracer techniques after application of wheat straw to investigate nitrate-N (NO₃-N) immobilization in a typical intensively managed calcareous Fluvaquent soil. The dynamics of concentration and isotopic abundance of soil N pools and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission were determined. As the amount of straw increased, the concentration and isotopic abundance of total soil organic N and newly formed labeled particulate organic matter (POM-N) increased while NO₃-N decreased. When ¹⁵NO₃-N was applied combined with a large amount of straw at 5000 mg carbon (C) kg^?1 only 1.1 ± 0.4 mg kg^?1 NO₃-N remained on day 56. The soil microbial biomass N (SMBN) concentration and newly formed labeled SMBN increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing amount of straw. Total N₂O-N emissions were at levels of only micrograms kg^?1 soil. The results indicate that application of straw can promote the immobilization of excessive nitrate with little emission of N₂O.     

Dissolved organic matter and inorganic N jointly regulate greenhouse gases fluxes from forest soils with different moistures during a freeze-thaw period

ABSTRACT

Antecedent soil moisture before freezing can affect greenhouse gases (GHG) fluxes from soils during thaw, but their critical threshold values for GHG fluxes and the underlying mechanisms are still not clear. By using packed soil-core incubation experiments, we have studied nitrous oxide (N₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) fluxes from a mature broadleaf and Korean pine-mixed forest soil and an adjacent white birch forest soil with nine levels of soil moisture ranging from 10 to 90% water-filled pore space (WFPS) during a 2-month freezing at ?8°C and the following 10-day thaw at 10°C. The threshold values of soil moisture ranged from 50 to 70% WFPS for CH₄ uptake and from 70 to 90% WFPS for N₂O and CO₂ emissions from the two soils during the freeze-thaw period. Under the optimum soil moisture condition, fulvic-like compounds with high bioavailability contributed more than 60% of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the soil. Cumulative N₂O emissions from forest soils during the freeze-thaw period were greatest when the concentration ratio of nitrate-N to dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was 0.04 g N g^?1 C. Cumulative soil CO₂ emissions and CH₄ uptake during the freeze-thaw period were both regulated by the interaction between soil DOC and net N mineralization. The activities of β-1,4-glucosidase and β-1,4-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase, microbial biomass C and N, and the microbial biomass C-to-N ratios, were all significantly correlated to the soil N₂O, CO₂, and CH₄ fluxes. Overall, upon a freeze-thaw period with different soil moistures, GHG fluxes from forest soils were jointly regulated by inorganic N and DOC concentrations, and related to the labile components of DOM released into the soil, which could be strictly controlled by the related microbial properties.     

Nitrogen pools and turnover in arable soils under different durations of organic farming: II: Source‐and‐sink function of the soil microbial biomass or competition with growing plants?

The following parameters were measured on seven field plots at 3 sites which had been under organic farming for different periods of time: mineral nitrogen (N _min) contents, in situ net nitrogen mineralization (N _net), soil microbial biomass carbon (C _mic), and nitrogen (N _mic) contents, and extractable organic N contents. The measurements were conducted every three weeks from spring 1995/1996 to autumn 1997. The objective was to test whether, under organic farming: 1) temporal fluctuations of N_mic contents over the course of the year are indicative for a source‐and‐sink function for plant‐available N of the soil microbial biomass, and 2) temporal variations in N_mic content can be related with in situ N_net or plant N uptake. N_min contents gradually increased after ploughing in autumn until late winter. During intensive plant growth in spring, values rapidly declined. In situ N_net fluctuated only moderately and reached high values during intensive plant growth (May—July) as well as after soil cultivation in autumn. The C_mic and N_mic contents generally were low in winter, increased in spring and reached maxima in late spring or summer. In spring, the increase in C_mic contents preceded the increase in N_mic contents, resulting in elevated C_mic:N_mic ratios until shooting of winter wheat. This corresponds to an uptake of available soil nitrogen by the plants at the expense of soil micro‐organisms. The subsequent increase in N_mic contents, coinciding with high plant N uptake rates, indicates an enhanced, plant‐induced N mobilization at that time. Possible mobilization mechanisms are discussed. Soil microbial biomass exerted a source‐and‐sink function for extractable organic N on some of the field plots. Estimates of in situ N_net measurements were neither correlated significantly with soil microbial biomass N, N_mic flux, N_mic turnover, nor with plant N uptake. Lower N_mic turnover rates on 41 years versus 3 years organically managed fields indicate a stabilizing effect of organic farming on soil microflora.     

Nitrous oxide emissions and nitrogen cycling in managed grassland in Southern Hokkaido,Japan

Abstract

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions were measured and nitrogen (N) budgets were estimated for 2?years in the fertilizer, manure, control and bare plots established in a reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) grassland in Southern Hokkaido, Japan. In the manure plot, beef cattle manure with bark was applied at a rate of 43–44?Mg fresh matter (236–310?kg?N)?ha^?1?year^?1, and a supplement of chemical fertilizer was also added to equalize the application rate of mineral N to that in the fertilizer plots (164–184?kg?N?ha^?1?year^?1). Grass was harvested twice per year. The total mineral N supply was estimated as the sum of the N deposition, chemical fertilizer application and gross mineralization of manure (GMm), soil (GMs), and root-litter (GMl). GMm, GMs and GMl were estimated by dividing the carbon dioxide production derived from the decomposition of soil organic matter, root-litter and manure by each C?:?N ratio (11.1 for soil, 15.5 for root-litter and 23.5 for manure). The N uptake in aboveground biomass for each growing season was equivalent to or greater than the external mineral N supply, which is composed of N deposition, chemical fertilizer application and GMm. However, there was a positive correlation between the N uptake in aboveground biomass and the total mineral N supply. It was assumed that 58% of the total mineral N supply was taken up by the grass. The N supply rates from soil and root-litter were estimated to be 331–384?kg?N?ha^?1?year^?1 and 94–165?kg?N?ha^?1?year^?1, respectively. These results indicated that the GMs and GMl also were significant inputs in the grassland N budget. The cumulative N₂O flux for each season showed a significant positive correlation with mineral N surplus, which was calculated as the difference between the total mineral N supply and N uptake in aboveground biomass. The emission factor of N₂O to mineral N surplus was estimated to be 1.2%. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis suggested that the N₂O emission factor increased with an increase in precipitation. Consequently, soil and root-litter as well as chemical fertilizer and manure were found to be major sources of mineral N supply in the grassland, and an optimum balance between mineral N supply and N uptake is required for reducing N₂O emission.     

Heterogeneous distribution may substantially decrease initial decomposition, long-term microbial growth and N-immobilization from high C-to-N ratio resources

The effect of heterogeneous resource distribution in soil has seldom been studied under controlled laboratory conditions, even though this type of distribution is the rule rather than the exception in both agricultural and undisturbed soil systems. We use distribution trials to test the effect of stratified distribution of chopped maize, sheep faeces derived from maize, and chopped rape stems compared with even distribution. In all treatments, CO₂ mineralization decreased initially in the stratified experiments and in the rape treatment less (39 versus 43%) of the added carbon was mineralized even after 202 days of incubation at 15°C. In both maize and rape residue treatments, we observed much less immobilization of N_min and less microbial growth in the stratified experiments. The data set for rape was sufficiently detailed to allow a model interpretation using a spreadsheet version of the soil organic matter module from DAISY, a soil‐plant‐atmosphere system model. This indicated that the observed differences between the stratified and evenly distributed experiments could be largely understood by assuming diffusion limitation of nitrate from the bulk soil to the residuesphere. The residuesphere is the part of soil that is immediately affected by the decomposition of residue, and was assumed to be included in the first 10 mm of soil surrounding the residues in the stratified experiments at all times. Only a very small part of the variation in CO₂ respiration, N_min and soil microbial biomass N (SMB‐N) could be explained by additionally assuming less substrate utilization efficiency of the less decomposable fraction of rape in the stratified experiment. We observed greater N mineralization in the evenly distributed experiment with faeces, and smaller concentrations of soil microbial biomass nitrogen extracted by chloroform fumigation. We assume that most of the additional SMB‐N determined in the faeces treatments was from microorganisms present in the faeces at the time they were added to soil, and that these were less susceptible to microbial predation in the stratified than in the distributed experiment. We conclude that the spatial distribution of decomposing litters in soil significantly affects the C and N dynamics. Diffusion limitation of available N in the active zone of decomposition was the main causal agent, which induced a decrease in microbial growth and substrate utilisation.     

Soil microbial biomass C and N changes in relation to forest conversion in the Northwestern Turkey

Tree species differ in their effect on soil development and nutrient cycling. Conversion of beech coppice to pine plantations can alter soil physical and chemical properties, which in turn may have significant impacts on soil microbial biomass C and N (C_mic, N_mic). The major objective of this study was to evaluate soil quality changes associated with the forest conversion in humid NW Turkey. Results from this study showed that levels of soil organic carbon (C_org), total nitrogen (N_t), moisture, C_mic and N_mic under beech coppice were consistently higher but levels of pH, CaCO₃ and EC were lower compared to pine plantation. Differences between the forest stands in C_mic and N_mic were mainly related to the size of the C_org stores in soil and to tree species. In addition, high level of CaCO₃ is likely to reduce pools of soil organic C and possibly even microbial biomass C and N in pine forests. The average C_mic:N_mic ratios were higher in soils under beech coppice than pine plantation, while C_mic:C_org and N_mic:N_t percentages were similar in both forest types. These results revealed the differences in microbial community structure associated with different tree species and the complex interrelationships between microbial biomass, soil characteristics, litter quantity and quality. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stabilisation of soil organic matter in invertebrate faecal pellets through leaf litter grazing

Soils were amended with either leaf litter or faeces from pill millipedes fed on the leaf litter, then incubated at 20 °C for 130 days whilst monitoring the respiration rates. Significantly more CO₂ was respired from soil containing leaf litter than that amended with an equivalent weight of faecal matter, whilst the unamended soil exhibited a respiration rate similar to soil amended with faecal material. Consideration of these findings with recently observed differences in biochemical compositions of litter and faeces suggests that processing of plant litter by detritivores leads to more stabilised forms of organic matter by removal of biochemical components essential to the nutrient requirements of the invertebrate and the soil microbial biomass.     

C and N turnover in structurally intact soils of different texture

The turnover of native and applied C and N in undisturbed soil samples of different texture but similar mineralogical composition, origin and cropping history was evaluated at −10 kPa water potential. Cores of structurally intact soil with 108, 224 and 337 g clay kg⁻¹ were horizontially sliced and ¹⁵N-labelled sheep faeces was placed between the two halves of the intact core. The cores together with unamended treatments were incubated in the dark at 20 °C and the evolution of CO₂-C determined continuously for 177 d. Inorganic and microbial biomass N and ¹⁵N were determined periodically. Net nitrification was less in soil amended with faeces compared with unamended soil. When adjusted for the NO₃-N present in soil before faeces was applied, net nitrification became negative indicating that NO₃-N had been immobilized or denitrified. The soil most rich in clay nitrified least N and ¹⁵N. The amounts of N retained in the microbial biomass in unamended soils increased with clay content. A maximum of 13% of the faeces ¹⁵N was recovered in the microbial biomass in the amended soils. CO₂-C evolution increased with clay content in amended and unamended soils. CO₂-C evolution from the most sandy soil was reduced due to a low content of potentially mineralizable native soil C whereas the rate constant of C mineralization rate peaked in this soil. When the pool of potentially mineralizable native soil C was assumed proportional to volumetric water content, the three soils contained similar proportions of potentially mineralizable native soil C but the rate constant of C mineralization remained highest in the soil with least clay. Thus although a similar availability of water in the three soils was ensured by their identical matric potential, the actual volume of water seemed to determine the proportion of total C that was potentially mineralizable. The proportion of mineralizable C in the faeces was similar in the three soils (70% of total C), again with a higher rate constant of C mineralization in the soil with least clay. It is hypothesized that the pool of potentially mineralizable C and C rate constants fluctuate with the soil water content.     

Effects of the nitrification inhibitor nitrapyrin and the plant growth regulator gibberellic acid on yield-scale nitrous oxide emission in maize fields under hot climatic conditions

Nitrification inhibitors are widely used in agriculture to mitigate nitrous oxide(N₂O)emission and increase crop yield.However,no concrete information on their mitigation of N₂O emission is available under soil and environmental conditions as in Pakistan.A field experiment was established using a silt clay loam soil from Peshawar,Pakistan,to study the effect of urea applied in combination with a nitrification inhibitor,nitrapyrin(2-chloro-6-tri-chloromethyl pyridine),and/or a plant growth regulator,gibberellic acid(GA_3),on N₂O emission and the nitrogen(N)uptake efficiency of maize.The experimental design was a randomized complete block with five treatments in four replicates:control with no N(CK),urea(200 kg N ha^-1)alone,urea in combination with nitrapyrin(700 g ha^-1),urea in combination with GA_3(60 g ha^-1),and urea in combination with nitrapyrin and GA_3.The N₂O emission,yield,N response efficiency,and total N uptake were measured during the experimental period.The treatment with urea and nitrapyrin reduced total N₂O emission by 39%–43%and decreased yield-scaled N₂O emission by 47%–52%,relative to the treatment with urea alone.The maize plant biomass,grain yield,and total N uptake increased significantly by 23%,17%,and 15%,respectively,in the treatment with urea and nitrapyrin,relative to the treatment with urea alone,which was possibly due to N saving,lower N loss,and increased N uptake in the form of ammonium;they were further enhanced in the treatment with urea,nitrapyrin,and GA_3 by 27%,36%,and 25%,respectively,probably because of the stimulating effect of GA_3 on plant growth and development and the reduction in biotic and abiotic stresses.These results suggest that applying urea in combination with nitrapyrin and GA_3 has the potential to mitigate N₂O emission,improve N response efficiency,and increase maize yield.     

Plant material addition affects soil nitrous oxide production differently between aerobic and oxygen-limited conditions

It is a common agricultural practice for crop residues to be plowed into the soil or left on the soil surface. Soil addition of crop residues can considerably modify soil microbial activity and net N mineralization, and in general such modifications are negatively related to the C:N ratios of crop residues. Yet, little is known on the impacts of crop residues of different C:N ratios on soil nitrous oxide (N₂O) production under different aeration conditions via nitrification and denitrification. In this study, an 84-day laboratory incubation was conducted under aerobic and O₂-limited conditions and soil N₂O production was measured every 3 days after the addition of plant materials with a wide range of C:N ratios from 14 to 297. Two aerobic conditions were created by adjusting the water content of soil at a bulk density of 1.1 g cm⁻³ to 30% water-filled pore space (WFPS) and 60% WFPS, and two O₂-limited conditions were made by 90% WFPS and fluctuation between 90% and 30% WFPS. Each fluctuation cycle lasted 9 days and soil water content was readjusted to 90% WFPS at the end of each cycle. We also measured microbial respiration activity and net N mineralization periodically (i.e., 3, 7, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, and 84 days) during the incubation and microbial biomass C at the end of incubation. At aerobic conditions, soil amendments of plant materials, regardless of their C:N ratios, all enhanced soil N₂O production. However, net N mineralization was dependent on plant material C:N ratios, being significantly higher or lower than the control for C:N ratios ∼15 and C:N ratios ≥44, respectively. Such inconsistent responses indicated that nitrifiers mediating nitrification and therefore byproduct N₂O production could strongly compete with heterotrophic microbes for NH₄⁺ and therefore net N mineralization was not a good predictor for nitrification-associated N₂O production. Interestingly, plant material additions reduced soil N₂O production by up to ∼95% at O₂-limited conditions, perhaps due to NO₃⁻ limitation. Soil NO₃⁻ production via nitrification could be low at O₂-limited conditions, and soil NO₃⁻ availability could be further reduced due to increases in microbial biomass and thus microbial N assimilation after plant material additions. This NO₃⁻ limitation might enhance N₂O reduction to N₂, by which denitrifiers could harvest more energy from the consumption of limited NO₃⁻. Nonetheless, our results revealed contrasting differences in N₂O production between aerobic and O₂-limited conditions following soil amendments of plant materials.     

Nitrogen turnover in a repeatedly manured arid subtropical soil: Incubation studies with 15N isotopes

Under the hot and moist conditions of irrigated agriculture in the arid subtropics, turnover of organic matter is high, which can lead to considerable carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) losses. Therefore, sustainable use of these soils requires regular manure application at high rates. To investigate the contribution of consecutive manure applications to an arid sandy soil to various soil N pools, goat manure was isotopically labeled by feeding ¹⁵N‐enriched Rhodes grass hay and applied to the soil during a two‐year field experiment. In the first year, soils received ¹⁵N‐labeled manure to distinguish between soil‐derived and manure‐derived N. In the second year, these plots were split for the application of either ¹⁵N‐labeled or unlabeled manure to discriminate N derived from previous (first year) and recent (second year) manure application. Soil samples (of control and ¹⁵N‐manured soil) were collected at the end of the first and the second year, and incubated in two laboratory experiments with labeled or unlabeled manure. At the beginning of Experiment 1, 7% of total N, 11% of K₂SO₄ extractable N, and 16% of microbial biomass N were derived from previously field‐applied manure. While the application of manure during incubation increased microbial biomass N by 225% and 410% in the control soil and the previously field‐manured soil, respectively, N₂O emissions were more affected on the control soil, releasing considerable amounts of the soil N‐pool (80% of total emissions). In Experiment 2, 4% of total N, 7% of K₂SO₄ extractable N, and 7% of microbial biomass N derived from previously applied manure, and 4%, 8%, and 3% from recently applied manure, respectively. Microbial biomass N and N₂O‐N derived from manure declined with time after manure application, whereas in Experiment 1 this tendency was only observed for microbial biomass N.     

Effect of urease and nitrification inhibitors on N transformation, gaseous emissions of ammonia and nitrous oxide, pasture yield and N uptake in grazed pasture system

Nitrogen (N) losses via nitrate (NO₃⁻) leaching, ammonia (NH₃) volatilization and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from grazed pastures in New Zealand are one of the major contributors to environmental degradation. The use of N inhibitors (urease and nitrification inhibitors) may have a role in mitigating these N losses. A one-year field experiment was conducted on a permanent dairy-grazed pasture site at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand to quantify these N losses and to assess the effect of N inhibitors in reducing such losses during May 2005-2006. Cow urine at 600 kg N ha⁻¹ rate with or without urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (nBTPT) or (trade name “Agrotain”) (3 L ha⁻¹), nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) (7 kg ha⁻¹) and the use of double inhibitor (DI) containing a combination of both Agrotain and DCD (3:7) were applied to field plots in autumn, spring and summer. Pasture production, NH₃ and N₂O fluxes, soil mineral N concentrations, microbial biomass C and N, and soil pH were measured following the application of treatments during each season. All measured parameters, except soil microbial biomass C and N, were influenced by the added inhibitors during the three seasons. Agrotain reduced NH₃ emissions over urine alone by 29%, 93% and 31% in autumn, spring and summer respectively but had little effect on N₂O emission. DCD reduced N₂O emission over urine alone by 52%, 39% and 16% in autumn, spring and summer respectively but increased NH₃ emission by 56%, 9% and 17% over urine alone during those three seasons. The double inhibitor reduced NH₃ by 14%, 78% and 9% and N₂O emissions by 37%, 67% and 28% over urine alone in autumn, spring and summer respectively. The double inhibitor also increased pasture dry matter by 10%, 11% and 8% and N uptake by the 17%, 28% and 10% over urine alone during autumn, spring and summer respectively. Changes in soil mineral N and pH suggested a delay in urine-N hydrolysis with Agrotain, and reduced nitrification with DCD. The combination of Agrotain and DCD was more effective in reducing both NH₃ and N₂O emissions, improving pasture production, controlling urea hydrolysis and retaining N in NH₄⁺ form. These results suggest that the combination of both urease and nitrification inhibitors may have the most potential to reduce N losses if losses are associated with urine and improve pasture production in intensively grazed systems.     

水稻根际和周围土壤中微生物功能基因丰度与碳、氮状况及其通量之间的关系

Rapid nitrogen（N） transformations and losses occur in the rice rhizosphere through root uptake and microbial activities. However,the relationships between rice roots and rhizosphere microbes for N utilization are still unclear. We analyzed different N forms（NH＋4,NO-3, and dissolved organic N）, microbial biomass N and C, dissolved organic C, CH4 and N2O emissions, and abundance of microbial functional genes in both rhizosphere and bulk soils after 37-d rice growth in a greenhouse pot experiment. Results showed that the dissolved organic C was significantly higher in the rhizosphere soil than in the non-rhizosphere bulk soil, but microbial biomass C showed no significant difference. The concentrations of NH＋4, dissolved organic N, and microbial biomass N in the rhizosphere soil were significantly lower than those of the bulk soil, whereas NO-3in the rhizosphere soil was comparable to that in the bulk soil. The CH4 and N2O fluxes from the rhizosphere soil were much higher than those from the bulk soil. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that the abundance of seven selected genes, bacterial and archaeal 16 S rRNA genes, amoA genes of ammonia-oxidizing archaea and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, nosZ gene, mcrA gene, and pmoA gene, was lower in the rhizosphere soil than in the bulk soil, which is contrary to the results of previous studies. The lower concentration of N in the rhizosphere soil indicated that the competition for N in the rhizosphere soil was very strong, thus having a negative effect on the numbers of microbes. We concluded that when N was limiting, the growth of rhizosphere microorganisms depended on their competitive abilities with rice roots for N.     

Earthworm (Aporrectodea trapezoides)–mycorrhiza (Glomus intraradices) interaction and nitrogen and phosphorus uptake by maize

The interactive impacts of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF, Glomus intraradices) and earthworms (Aporrectodea trapezoides) on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and nutrient uptake were studied under near natural conditions with pots buried in the soil of a maize field. Treatments included maize plants inoculated vs. not inoculated with AMF, treated or not treated with earthworms, at low (25 mg kg⁻¹) or high (175 mg kg⁻¹) P fertilization rate. Wheat straw was added as feed for earthworms. Root colonization, mycorrhiza structure, plant biomass and N and P contents of shoots and roots, soil available P and NO₃⁻–N concentrations, and soil microbial biomass C and N were measured at harvest. Results indicated that mycorrhizal colonization increased markedly in maize inoculated with AMF especially at low P rate, which was further enhanced by the addition of earthworms. AMF and earthworms interactively increased maize shoot and root biomass as well as N and P uptake but decreased soil NO₃⁻–N and available P concentrations at harvest. Earthworm and AMF interaction also increased soil microbial biomass C, which probably improved root N and P contents and indirectly increased the shoot N and P uptake. At low P rate, soil N mobilization by earthworms might have reduced potential N competition by arbuscular mycorrhizal hyphae, resulting in greater plant shoot and root biomass. Earthworms and AMF interactively enhanced soil N and P availability, leading to greater nutrient uptake and plant growth.     

Microbial biomass and microbial C:N ratio in bulk soil and buried bags for evaluating in situ net N mineralization in agricultural soils

The in situ net nitrogen mineralization (N_net) was estimated in five agricultural soils under different durations of organic farming by incubating soil samples in buried bags. Simultaneously, soil microbial C and N was determined in buried bags and in bulk soil under winter wheat and after harvest. The aim was to check for variations in soil microbial biomass contents and microbial C:N ratios during the incubation period, and their importance for N_net rates. Microbial C and N contents were highest in soils that had been organically farmed for 41 years, whereas N_net rates were highest in a short‐term organically managed soil that had been under grassland use until 36 years ago. The mean coefficient of variation in the bulk soil for microbial C estimates ranged from 5 to 12 %. Microbial N contents were similar inside buried bags and in the bulk soil at the end of the incubation periods. Under winter wheat during the incubation period until harvest, microbial C contents and microbial C:N ratios (in 10—27 cm depth only) decreased more strongly inside buried bags than in the bulk soil. Following harvest of winter wheat and ploughing, microbial biomass increased while in situ N_net decreased, presumably due to N immobilization. The N_net rates were not correlated with microbial N contents or changes in microbial N contents inside buried bags. At the end of the vegetation period of winter wheat, N_net rates were negatively correlated with microbial C:N ratios. Because these ratios concurrently decreased more inside buried bags than in the bulk soil, the N_net estimates of the buried bag method may differ from the N_net rates in the bulk soil at that time.     

Nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural land use in Germany— a synthesis of available annual field data

The nations that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol must set up an appropriate national inventory on N₂O emissions from agricultural land use, in order to report properly on the achievements made in reducing greenhouse‐gas emissions. The search for the appropriate method is a controversial topic as it is subject to high uncertainty in particular associated to the upscaling from site measurements. In this study, all available data from Germany on annual N₂O‐emission rates derived from field experiments of at least an entire year are summarized. From each study, only differences in soil properties on N input qualified as an individual data set. Under these premises, 101 treatments from 27 sites were found equally spread across Germany. The annual N application ranged from 0 to 400 kg N ha^–1 and the annual emission rates from 0.04 to 17.1 kg ha^–1. Annual emission factors (EFs), uncorrected for background emission, varied considerably from 0.18% to 15.54% of N applied. There was no nationwide correlation found for the relationship between N₂O losses and N application, soil C, soil N, soil texture, or soil pH. However, site‐specific trends in the relationship between emission factor and mean soil aeration status, as expressed by the soil type and/or mean climatic conditions, were revealed. Regularly water‐logged soils were characterized by low emission factors as were soils from the drier regions (<600 mm y^–1), whereas well‐aerated soils from the frost‐intensive regions showed exceptionally high emission factors. Since purely physical and chemical parameterization failed to describe N₂O emissions from agricultural land use on the national scale, there must be a biological adaptation to mean site conditions, i.e., different microbial communities react differently to similar actual conditions in terms of N₂O dynamics. Regardless of the point of view, the chapter on N₂O soil dynamics cannot be closed yet, and new additional model concepts, process studies, and field measurements are needed.     

Microbial biomass and N mineralization in relation to N supply of sugar beet under reduced tillage

Reduced tillage may affect N supply of plants by influencing soil microbial biomass and thereby N release. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in microbial biomass due to tillage in relation to N mineralization and to assess the contribution to the N supply of sugar beet. For this purpose, in a field trial near Göttingen in 1995 microbial biomass and net N mineralization were determined in an in situ incubation of ploughed and reduced tilled soil in plots which were not given application of mineral N fertilizer. In reduced tilled soil the increase in mineral N concentration in the upper 10 cm of soil was mainly attributed to an increase in microbial biomass. The organic matter was more easily decomposable, indicated by the increase in C_mic/C_org and N_mic/N_t ratios; this was further supported by the enhanced turnover of microbial biomass in reduced tillage plots. A regression function was used to relate seasonal fluctuations of microbial biomass, soil moisture and soil temperature to N mineralization rate. There was a good agreement between measured and calculated N mineralization rate. Reduced tillage affected N mineralization by affecting the quantity and quality of microbial biomass. In 0–30 cm soil depth 169 kg N/ha were mineralized, 30 kg more N than in ploughed soil. However, despite improved N availability, the N uptake of sugar beet was decreased in reduced tilled soil. Because the N concentration in plants did not differ, it was concluded that sugar beet growth in reduced tilled soil was impaired due to other factors than N supply.     

Microbial communities, biomass, and activities in soils as affected by freeze thaw cycles

Two Finnish agricultural soils (peat soil and loamy sand) were exposed to four freeze-thaw cycles (FTC), with a temperature change from −17.3±0.4 °C to +4.1±0.4 °C. Control cores from both soils were kept at constant temperature (+6.6±2.0 °C) without FTCs. Soil N₂O and CO₂ emissions were monitored during soil thawing, and the effects of FTCs on soil microbes were studied. N₂O emissions were extremely low in peat soil, possibly due to low soil water content. Loamy sand had high N₂O emission, with the highest emission after the second FTC. Soil freeze-thaw increased anaerobic respiration in both soil types during the first 3-4 FTCs, and this increase was higher in the peat soil. The microbial community structure and biomass analysed with lipid biomarkers (phospholipid fatty acids, 3- and 2- hydroxy fatty acids) were not affected by freezing-thawing cycles, nor was soil microbial biomass carbon (MIB-C). Molecular analysis of the microbial community structure with temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE) also showed no changes due the FTCs. These results show that freezing and thawing of boreal soils does not have a strong effect on microbial biomass or community structure.     

Time-lagged induction of N2O emission and its trade-off with NO emission from a nitrogen fertilized Andisol

Abstract

To understand the influence of basal application of N fertilizer on nitrification potential and N₂O and NO emissions, four soil samples were collected from an upland Andisol field just before (sample 1) and 4 (sample 2), 36 (sample 3) and 72 (sample 4) days after the basal application of N fertilizer during the Chinese cabbage growing season from 12 September to 30 November 2005. The potentials of N₂O production and nitrification of the soils were determined using a ¹⁵N tracer technique and the soils were incubated for 25 days at 25°C and 60% water-filled pore space (WFPS). The results revealed that as much as 84–97% N₂O and almost all NO were produced by nitrification. The ¹⁵N₂O emission peak occurred approximately 350 h after the beginning of incubation for samples 1 and 2, but just 48 h later in samples 3 and 4. Total ¹⁵N₂O emission during the 25-day incubation of samples 3 and 4 ranged from 190 to 198 µg N kg^?1 soil, which was significantly higher than the 99–108 µg N kg^?1 soil recorded in samples 1 and 2. Basal application of N fertilizer did not immediately increase the nitrification potential and the ratio of N₂O to N added, but did dramatically increase the nitrification potential and the ratio of N₂O to N added as (¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄ 36–72 days after the basal N fertilizer was added. In contrast, NO emission was negatively correlated with nitrification potential and total N₂O emission. As a result, a trade-off relationship between total NO and N₂O emissions was identified. The results indicated that there was a time-lagged induction of the change of N turnover in the soil, which was possibly caused by slow population growth of the nitrifiers and/or a slow shift in the microbial community in the soil.