Greater humification of belowground than aboveground biomass carbon into particulate soil organic matter in no-till corn and soybean crops

Quantifying the amount of carbon (C) incorporated from decomposing residues into soil organic carbon (C_S) requires knowing the rate of C stabilization (humification rate) into different soil organic matter pools. However, the differential humification rates of C derived from belowground and aboveground biomass into C_S pools has been poorly quantified. We estimated the contribution of aboveground and belowground biomass to the formation of C_S in four agricultural treatments by measuring changes in δ¹³C natural abundance in particulate organic matter (C_POM) associated with manipulations of C₃ and C₄ biomass. The treatments were (1) continuous corn cropping (C₄ plant), (2) continuous soybean cropping (C₃), and two stubble exchange treatments (3 and 4) where the aboveground biomass left after the grain harvest was exchanged between corn and soybean plots, allowing the separation of aboveground and belowground C inputs to C_S based on the different δ¹³C signatures. After two growing seasons, C_POM was primarily derived from belowground C inputs, even though they represented only ∼10% of the total plant C inputs as residues. Belowground biomass contributed from 60% to almost 80% of the total new C present in the C_POM in the top 10 cm of soil. The humification rate of belowground C inputs into C_POM was 24% and 10%, while that of aboveground C inputs was only 0.5% and 1.0% for soybean and corn, respectively. Our results indicate that roots can play a disproportionately important role in the C_POM budget in soils. Keywords Particulate organic matter; root carbon inputs; carbon isotopes; humification rate; corn; soybean.     

Indicators and trade-offs of ecosystem services in agricultural soils along a landscape heterogeneity gradient

Soil functions can be classified as supporting (nutrient cycling) and provisioning (crop production) ecosystem services (ES). These services consist of multiple and dynamic functions and are typically assessed using indicators, e.g. microbial biomass as an indicator of supporting services. Agricultural intensification negatively affects indicators of soil functions and is therefore considered to deplete soil ES. It has been suggested that incorporating leys into crop rotations can enhance soil ES. We examined this by comparing indicators of supporting soil services – organic carbon, nitrogen, water holding capacity and available phosphorous (carbon storage and nutrient retention); net nitrogen mineralisation rate and microbial biomass (nutrient cycling and retention) – in barley fields, leys and permanent pastures along a landscape heterogeneity gradient (100, 500 and 1000 m radii). In addition, barley yields (provisioning service) were analysed against these indicators to identify trade-offs among soil services. Levels of most indicators did not differ between barley and ley fields and were consistently lower than in permanent pastures. Leys supported greater microbial biomass than barley fields. Landscape heterogeneity had no effect on the indicators or microbial community composition. However, landscape heterogeneity correlated negatively with yield and soil pH, suggesting that soils in heterogeneous landscapes are less fertile and therefore have lower yields. No trade-offs were found between increasing barley yield and the soil indicators. The results suggest that soil ES are determined at the field level, with little influence from the surrounding landscape, and that greater crop yields do not necessarily come at the expense of supporting soil services.     

Cross‐linked polyacrylates in post‐mining substrates: persistence and effects on plant growth

Application of hydrophilic polymers composed of cross‐linked polyacrylate can improve soil water‐holding capacity and accelerate the restoration of post‐mining substrates. In this work, we studied the persistence of a polyacrylate polymer incorporated into a soil and its impact on plant nutrients at a reclamation site of former lignite mining in Lusatia (Germany). In contrast to autumn application, the incorporation of the polymer enhanced the sequestration of plant‐derived carbon in the soil, which was reflected by a significant increase in the concentration of a lignin marker. Attenuated total reflexion–Fourier transform infrared spectra (ATR‐FTIR) and total elemental contents in the applied polymer suggested an intensive cation exchange between the polymer framework and the soil‐forming substrate. In addition, there was an enrichment of carbonaceous material, which seems to reduce the swelling and thus the water‐holding capacity of the cross‐linked polyacrylate. Conversely, this process protected the polymer structure from rapid decomposition.     

Nitrous oxide emission from a transplanted rice field in alluvial soil as influenced by management of nitrogen fertiliser

We investigated nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission from an irrigated rice field over two years to evaluate the management of nitrogenous fertiliser and its effect on reducing emissions. Four forms of nitrogenous fertilisers: NPK at the recommended application rate, starch–urea matrix (SUM) + PK, neem‐coated urea + PK and urea alone (urea without coating) were used. Gas samples were collected from the field at weekly intervals with the static chamber technique. N₂O emissions from different treatments ranged from 11.58 to 215.81 N₂O‐N μg/m²/h, and seasonal N₂O emissions from 2.83 to 3.89 kg N₂O‐N/ha. Compared with other fertilisers, N₂O emissions were greatest after the application of the conventional NPK fertiliser. Moreover, SUM + PK reduced total N₂O emissions by 22.33% (P < 0.05) compared with NPK during the rice‐growing period (P < 0.05). The results indicate a strong correlation between N₂O emissions and soil organic carbon, nitrate, ammonium, above‐ and below‐ground plant biomass and photosynthesis (P < 0.05). The application of SUM + PK in rice fields is suitable as a means of reducing N₂O emissions without affecting grain production.     

呼伦贝尔地区苜蓿人工草地CO_2通量变化特征

试验采用密闭箱技术对呼伦贝尔地区种植的苜蓿人工草地进行碳通量研究,采用反硝化-分解作用模型(DNDC)进行模拟。试验结果表明:对苜蓿人工草地CO2通量24h连续观测发现,CO2通量全天变化的平均值(238.15mg/(m2·h)与11∶00(245.32mg/(m2·h)的通量变化值接近,试验从早上9∶00~11∶00进行温室气体的采集方法合理、可行;在整个生长季变化表明,7、8月CO2通量变化较显著(P0.05),且受到降水的影响较大,伴随降水的发生,CO2通量会发生不同幅度的变化,土壤温度和含水量对CO2通量有一定的影响(r0.45,P0.05);通过DNDC模型的模拟,能较好的反映苜蓿人工草地CO2通量的变化情况,但模拟结果数值普遍有些偏高。     

Managing soil quality for humanity and the planet

Rather than a human-centric, the basic strategy of achieving Sustainable Development Goals must be focused on restoring and sustaining planetary processes. The urgency of meeting the demands of the humanity must be reconciled with the necessity of enhancing the environment. Increasing and restoring soil organic matter content of the degraded and depleted soils is critical to strengthening planetary processes.     

双季稻最佳磷肥和钾肥用量与密度组合研究

【目的】为明确磷肥、钾肥用量和移栽密度对双季稻的施用效果,在田间试验条件下研究了不同磷肥用量、钾肥用量和移栽密度组合对江西双季稻产量、产量构成要素及磷肥和钾肥利用率的影响。【方法】本研究采用裂区试验设计研究了不同施磷量和移栽密度、不同施钾量和移栽密度对双季稻产量、磷肥和钾肥利用率的影响。磷肥用量和移栽密度试验中,设4个施磷水平(P2O5 0、60、90、120 kg/hm2,以P0、P60、P90和P120表示)和4种移栽密度(21×104、27×104、33×104、39×104 穴/hm2,以D21、D27、D33和D39表示)组合。钾肥用量和移栽密度试验中,设4个施钾水平(K2O 0、90、120、150 kg/hm2,以K0、K90、K120和K150表示),密度设置同磷肥试验。在水稻成熟期对产量以及产量构成要素进行测定,并分析其磷素和钾素的吸收量和利用率等指标。【结果】磷肥与密度试验中,同一施磷水平下,早稻产量和地上部磷素吸收量随着移栽密度的增加而增加,当施磷量超过60 kg/hm2时,产量和磷素吸收量不再随密度增加而显著增加,磷素吸收利用率(REP)、磷素农学效率(AEP)和磷素偏生产力(PFPP)逐步降低,以P60D39处理组合的产量和磷素吸收利用率最高,分别为5303.9 kg/hm2和24.4%,AEP为29.4 kg/kg; 晚稻则以施磷量在60 kg/hm2和33×104 穴/hm2密度组合的产量和磷素吸收利用率最高,分别为7246.9 kg/hm2和42.4%,AEP为36.2 kg/kg。钾肥与密度试验中,早稻的钾素吸收量随着施钾量的增加而增加,施钾量在120 kg/hm2和39×104 穴/hm2密度组合的处理产量和钾素吸收利用率(REK)最高,分别为6376.3 kg/hm2和67.2%,此时钾素农学效率(AEK)为15.6 kg/kg; 晚稻则以施钾量在90 kg/hm2和33×104 穴/hm2密度组合的处理产量和REK最佳,分别为7025.6 kg/hm2和74.0%,AEK为21.7 kg/kg。【结论】合理的磷肥、钾肥用量和移栽密度可以显著增加水稻单位面积有效穗数和养分累积量,进而增加水稻产量和肥料利用率,但过高的磷肥和钾肥施用会抑制产量的进一步增加。建议本研究区域的早稻采用施磷量在60 kg/hm2、施钾量120 kg/hm2和39×104穴/hm2的密度组合,而晚稻采用施磷量60 kg/hm2、施钾量90 kg/hm2和33×104 穴/hm2的密度组合。     

天然杨桦用材林高效经营技术研究

选择不同林分类型和立地条件,按不同经营密度分别设立固定标准地,开展立地类型划分和最适密度选择。同时,在固定标准地内,对林分生长性状、形质指标、干物质积累量、枯枝落叶分解量及养分归还量进行连续定位观测。结果表明:经营密度对林分生长、干物质积累和枯枝落叶分解影响较大,且以中等经营密度(0.7)效果最理想。在立地类型划分、最适经营密度选择、密度效应分析、径级-株数分布规律研究的基础上,针对不同培育目标,分别提出不同立地条件下天然杨桦(胶合板材、普通建筑材、纸浆材)用材林高效经营技术,为科学经营存量种质资源,最大限度提高森林生产力奠定理论基础。     

密度泛函法研究金丝桃素的结构特性与光活性

采用密度泛函法（Density functional theory method,DFT）在6-31G＊基组水平上对金丝桃素（Hypericin,4,4′,5,5′,7,7′-六羟基-2,2′M甲基-中位-萘骈二蒽酮,化学式为C30H16O8）的分子结构、轨道能量、电荷布居、红外图谱等进行了研究,并对分子中的不同氢键类型以及光活性的本质特性进行了讨论;同时对部分计算结果与实验数据进行了对比分析.结果表明,金丝桃素易于与生物分子发生作用从而破坏病变分子;理论计算的数据与一些已知的实验数据具有较好的吻合性,说明计算结果有效.     

Effects of cover crop growth and decomposition on the distribution of aggregate size fractions and soil microbial carbon dynamics

Although the effects of cover crops (CC) on various soil parameters have been fully investigated, less is known about the impacts at different stages in CC cultivation. The objective of this study was to quantify the influence of CC cultivation stages and residue placement on aggregates and microbial carbon (C_mic). Additionally, the influence of residue location and crop species on CO₂ emissions and leached mineralized nitrogen (N_min) during the plant degradation period was also investigated. Within an incubation experiment, four CC species were sown in soil columns, with additional columns being kept plant‐free. After plant growth, the columns were frozen (as occurs in winter under field conditions) and then incubated with the plant material either incorporated or surface‐applied. With CC, concentrations of large and medium macroaggregates were twice that of the fallow, confirming positive effects of root growth. Freezing led to a decrease in these aggregate size classes. In the subsequent incubation, the large macroaggregates decreased far more in the samples with CC than in the fallow, leading to similar aggregate size distributions. No difference in C_mic concentration was found among the CC cultivation stages. CO₂ emissions were roughly equivalent to the carbon amounts added as plant residues. Comparison of columns with incorporated or surface‐applied residues indicated no consistent pattern of aggregate distribution, CO₂ emission or C_mic and N_min concentrations. Our results suggest that positive effects of CC cultivation are only short term and that a large amount of organic material in the soil could have a greater influence than CC cultivation.