Do combined applications of crop residues and inorganic fertilizer lower emission of N2O from soil?

Emissions of N₂O were measured following addition of ¹⁵N‐labelled residues of tropical plant species [Vigna unguiculata (cowpea), Mucuna pruriens and Leucaena leucocephala] to a Ferric Luvisol from Ghana at a rate of 100 mg N/kg soil under controlled environment conditions. Residues were also applied in different ratio combinations with inorganic N fertilizer, at a total rate of 100 mg N/kg soil. N₂O emissions were increased after addition of residues, and further increased with combined (ratio) applications of residues and inorganic N fertilizer. However, ¹⁵N‐N₂O production was low and short‐lived in all treatments, suggesting that most of the measured N₂O‐N was derived from the applied fertilizer or native soil mineral N pools. There was no consistent trend in magnitude of emissions with increasing proportion of inorganic fertilizer in the application. The positive interactive effect between residue‐ and fertilizer‐N sources was most pronounced in the 25:75 Leucaena:fertilizer and cowpea:fertilizer treatments where 1082 and 1130 mg N₂O‐N/g residue were emitted over 30 days. N₂O (log_e) emission from all residue amended treatments was positively correlated with the residue C:N ratio, and negatively correlated with residue polyphenol content, polyphenol:N ratio and (lignin + polyphenol):N ratio, indicating the role of residue chemical composition in regulating emissions even when combined with inorganic fertilizer. The positive interactive effect in our treatments suggests that it is unlikely that combined applications of residues and inorganic fertilizer can lower N₂O emissions unless the residue is of very low quality promoting strong immobilisation of soil mineral N.     

A review of the role of excess soil moisture conditions in constraining farm practices under Atlantic conditions

The Less Favoured Area (LFA) scheme is a major element of the EU Rural Development Policy, aimed at supporting farming in areas with natural handicaps or low soil productivity. It has been in place since 1975 and accounts for 14% of total Community funding. In 2003, the European Court of Auditors recommended that the socio‐economic criteria on which the current scheme is based be replaced by biophysical criteria. Reviews of the proposals suggest that in Atlantic climates of Northwest Europe, the new criteria do not delineate adequately areas where agricultural productivity is constrained by the biophysical environment and that such areas are instead demarcated by the occurrence of excess soil moisture conditions. In this paper, we review the impact of excess soil moisture conditions on the sustainability of farming systems and their role in constraining strategic and tactical farm management practices. In particular, we review the scientific evidence on the impact of excess soil moisture conditions on herbage growth, herbage utilization, farm operations and environmental sustainability. On the basis of this, we propose an additional biophysical criterion for the new delineation of LFAs, namely the length of time that soil water is in excess of field capacity (‘field capacity days’). While there is no clear threshold for field capacity days above which agricultural sustainability is acutely constrained, the evidence reviewed in this paper suggests that the sustainability of intensive livestock farming and tillage systems is particularly challenging in scenarios where the 80 percentile of field capacity days exceeds 220–230 days.     

Influence of Soil Particle Size on the Measurement of Sodium by Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy

This study evaluates the effect of soil particle size (SPS) on the measurement of exchangeable sodium (Na) (EXC-Na) by near-infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy. Three hundred thirty-two (n = 332) top soil samples (0–10 cm) were taken from different locations across Uruguay, analyzed by EXC-Na using emission spectrometry, and scanned in reflectance using a NIR spectrophotometer (1100–2500 nm). Partial least squares (PLS) and principal component regression (PCR) models between reference chemical data and NIR data were developed using cross validation (leaving one out). The coefficient of determination in calibration (R²) and the root mean square of the standard error of cross validation (RMSECV) for EXC-Na concentration were 0.44 (RMSECV: 0.12 mg kg^–1) for soil with small particle size (SPS-0.053) and 0.77 (RMSECV: 0.09 mg kg^–1) for soils with particle sizes greater than 0.212 mm (SPS-0.212), using the NIR region after second derivative as mathematical transformation. The R² and RMSECV for EXC-Na concentration using PCR were 0.54 (RMSECV: 0.07 mg kg^–1) and 0.80 (RMSECV: 0.03 mg kg^–1) for SPS-0.053 and SPS-0.212 samples, respectively.     

Soil Phosphorus Extracted by Bray 1 and Mehlich 3 Soil Tests as Affected by the Soil/Solution Ratio in Mollisols

Different relationships between soil-test methods results have been reported in several agricultural regions. Differences in the same soil-test procedure (e.g., soil/solution ratio) exist between soil-testing laboratories from different agricultural regions. Our objectives were to (1) determine the effect of soil/solution ratio on the amount of phosphorus removed by Bray 1 and Mehlich 3 methods, (2) compare the amounts of phosphorus removed by Bray 1 and Mehlich 3 in Mollisols from the Pampean region, and (3) determine whether soil/solution ratio affects the relationship between Bray 1 and Mehlich 3. Soil phosphorus availability was determined with two extractants (Bray 1 and Mehlich 3), using two soil/solution ratios (1:10 and 1:8, wt/v) in 72 soils (noncalcareous, loess-derived Molisolls) from the Pampean region. The amount of phosphorus removed was 20–24% greater when using 1:10 than 1:8 (wt/v) soil/solution ratio. This effect was significantly greater in Bray 1 than in Mehlich 3 (p = 0.04). When compared using the same soil/solution ratio, Mehlich 3 removed 4 to 8% more phosphorus than Bray 1. The soil/solution ratio used in the comparison affected the relationship between both extractants. The difference between extractants was slightly greater with a soil/solution ratio of 1:8 than of 1:10 (p = 0.03). Our results showed that even when using the same method, changes in the procedure (like soil/solution ratio) may cause different soil-test results and also differences in the relationship between two extracting solutions. Therefore, reported relationships between two methods are only valid for the soils and region where the relationship was developed and should not be extrapolated to other regions, even with similar soils.     

Changes in soil organic carbon and nitrogen in an area of Andisol following afforestation with Japanese cedar and Hinoki cypress

Abstract

To determine the rates of increase in C and N stocks in the soil and organic layers following afforestation in Andisols, we measured C and N densities in the organic and soil layers at depths of 0–5, 5–15 and 15–30?cm, together with a chronosequence analysis of 4-year-old, 14-year-old and 23-year-old Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) and 4-year-old, 12-year-old and 25-year-old Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) plantations. The short-term changes in C and N were confirmed by repeated sampling 5?years after the first sampling. Tree growth, biomass accumulation and organic layers were much greater in Japanese cedar than in Hinoki cypress plantations. Soil C density (kg?m^?3) increased and bulk density decreased with stand age in the surface layer (0–5?cm). The average soil C accumulation rate was 22.9?g?C?m^?2?year^?1 for Japanese cedar and 21.1?g?C?m^?2?year^?1 for Hinoki cypress. Repeated sampling showed that the rate of increase in C in the surface soil was relatively slow in young stands and that soil C density (kg?m^?3) in the subsurface soil did not change over a 5-year period. Although N accumulated in the tree biomass and organic layers, the soil N density (kg?m^?3) did not change after afforestation. Although the andic properties of the soil and differences in the planted species did not influence the rate of increase in soil C, soil C density was expected to increase to a concentration greater than 80?g?kg^?1, possibly because of the large C accumulation capacity of Andisols.     

干旱矿区不同干扰强度下土壤种子库特征

土壤种子库是矿区植被恢复的重要因素,其特征在一定程度上反映了区域的植被恢复潜力。本研究通过样地调查和室内萌发法对乌海新星煤矿区3种不同干扰条件下的土壤种子库及与其地表植被之间的关系进行分析。结果表明:1)新星矿区土壤种子库共有18种植物,隶属于7科16属,物种生活型以多年生草本植物为主;2)新星矿区土壤种子库平均储量较小(226.51~739.17粒·m^?2),并且随着土层深度增加而呈递减趋势,其90%以上的种子储藏在0?10 cm的表层土壤;3)研究区土壤种子库植物与地上植被的共有物种数少,土壤种子库与地上植被的植物群落相似性较低;4)随着干扰强度的增大,种子库的植被恢复潜力呈现先增大后减少的趋势:道路周边受到中度干扰的自然植被区朝着有利的方向发展,而采矿周边受重度干扰的自然植被区会受到较大负面影响,其多样性以及与其他分区植物群落的相似性较小,种子密度显著降低(P<0.05)。     

不同埋藏方式及杀菌剂处理对黄土高原3种植物种子存活的影响

为了探讨黄土高原典型草原植物病原真菌如何影响土壤种子存活,采用“种子袋埋藏与取回”的方法,对该地区3种常见植物胡枝子、长芒草和狗尾草种子进行杀菌剂处理、并且以不同方式（单种或者不同种混合）装入尼龙网袋后埋入土壤中,在田间分别埋藏1和3个月后取回种子袋,统计每袋种子的存活情况,并且进行萌发试验,检测种子生活力状况。结果表明：1）长芒草种子的田间发芽率最高,平均约为51.9%,显著高于胡枝子（14.6%）和狗尾草（26.1%）（P<0.05）;随着埋藏时间的增加,3种植物种子发芽率显著增加;然而杀菌剂处理以及不同埋藏方式对种子发芽率没有显著影响。2）胡枝子种子的田间死亡率最低,平均约为1%,长芒草和狗尾草种子的田间死亡率分别为5.1%和4.4%;埋藏1个月后,杀菌剂未处理和单种埋藏条件下长芒草和狗尾草种子的田间死亡率分别为12.5%和11.0%,显著高于其他处理组合下两种植物种子的死亡率（P<0.05）;胡枝子种子在埋藏1和3个月时,其种子死亡率在不同处理组合之间均无显著差异。3）长芒草种子的室内萌发率最高,平均约为64.3%,显著高于胡枝子（5.9%）和狗尾草（29.2%）（P<0.05）。随着埋藏时间的增加,胡枝子和狗尾草种子的室内萌发率显著下降,而长芒草种子的室内萌发率却显著增加。结果表明,病原真菌对土壤种子存活的影响因植物种而异;较单种埋藏相比,混合埋藏降低了种子的死亡率,可能是由于混合埋藏稀释了病原真菌的效应所致。     

培肥措施对旱地农田土壤CO2排放和碳库管理指数的影响

阐明长期有机物料施肥下土壤CO₂排放特征及其影响机制以及碳库管理指数对黄土高原旱作农业区固碳减排及施肥模式选择的影响尤为重要。基于2012年设置在陇中黄土高原旱作区的长期定位试验,通过不施肥（CK）、氮肥（NF）、有机肥（OM）、秸秆（ST）、有机肥结合无机肥（OMNF）5个处理,测定并计算了2018年不同施肥措施下全年土壤CO₂排放、作物碳排放效率和碳库管理指数的变化,并运用结构方程模型分析了0~30 cm土壤温度、水分、微生物量碳氮、易氧化有机碳、蔗糖酶、脲酶与土壤CO₂排放速率的关系。结果表明：1）与不施肥相比,秸秆、有机结合无机肥和有机肥处理使生育期土壤CO₂排放平均速率提高了42.72%、30.82%和29.79%,秸秆、有机肥处理分别使生育期土壤CO₂排放量显著提高36.35%、32.45%（P<0.05）,有机结合无机肥处理使碳排放效率显著降低41.10%（P<0.05）;2）有机物料处理均能显著提高0~5 cm土层易氧化有机碳、微生物量碳氮、蔗糖酶活性和碳库管理指数,相比不施肥和氮肥处理,有机结合无机肥处理分别使0~30 cm土壤碳库管理指数提高127.41%,99.33%（P<0.05）;3）结构方程模型表明,环境因子对土壤CO₂排放速率的总解释度为53%,对土壤CO₂排放速率总效应较大的影响因素包括土壤温度（2.36）、微生物量碳（1.59）和土壤水分（1.18）,且均间接地影响着土壤CO₂排放速率,土壤温度促进了微生物量碳和蔗糖酶活性的提高,微生物量碳促进了微生物量氮和易氧化有机碳的增加。综合来看,有机结合无机肥处理可以提升土壤碳库管理指数,保持微生物活性,增加作物产量,降低土壤碳排放效率,是陇中黄土高原旱作农业区比较适宜的农田培肥措施。     

祁连山不同类型草地土壤细菌群落特征研究

祁连山是我国西部重要的生态屏障,拥有大量的草地资源。研究草地土壤细菌群落组成及其与土壤环境因子间的关系,可对维持草地生态及了解祁连山土壤细菌群落组成提供一定的数据基础。采用高通量测序技术检测并分析了祁连山默勒镇3种类型草地 （高寒草甸、人工草地、沼泽化草甸）0~10 cm土壤细菌群落结构及多样性,并对上述土壤细菌群落与土壤理化因子的相关性进行了系统的研究。结果表明：1）沼泽化草甸土壤全氮、全磷、有机质碳、含水量和硝态氮显著高于高寒草甸和人工草地（P<0.05）。2）3地共测得有效序列1022446条,以97%的一致性将序列聚类,高寒草甸、人工草地、沼泽化草甸OTU聚类均值分别是4917、5233、5075条。3）Shannon和Simpson多样性指数3地间差异不显著,Chao1指数表现为人工草地>高寒草甸>沼泽化草甸（P<0.05）。4）在门水平上,3地均以变形菌门、酸杆菌门、放线菌门和浮霉菌门为主要类群;在属水平上,表现出不同类型草地细菌富集类型不同。5）有机质碳、全磷、土壤含水量与土壤细菌群落的组成表现出极显著相关（P<0.01）。综上,祁连山地区小生境内3种草地土壤微生物群落存在差异,有机质碳、全磷、土壤含水量是影响群落的主要驱动因子。     

藏北燕麦草地持续利用与撂荒对高寒草甸土壤特征的影响

为研究不同利用方式对藏北高寒草甸建植一年生燕麦（Avena sativa Linn.）人工草地的土壤理化性质及土壤细菌群落的影响,本试验于8月份植物生长旺季,在持续利用人工草地（AG）、撂荒人工草地（AC）和对照天然草地（NG）采集土壤样品,分析了土壤理化性质、土壤细菌群落组成和结构特征变化。结果表明,AG样地土壤有机质、全钾含量和pH与NG样地相比无显著性变化,土壤全氮、速效氮和速效钾含量显著降低;AC样地与NG样地相比土壤pH显著升高,土壤有机质、全氮、速效氮和速效钾含量显著降低。AG样地土壤细菌群落Chao1,Shannon和Pielou均匀度指数显著高于NG样地,AC样地酸杆菌门和变形菌门丰度显著升高。土壤理化性质是土壤细菌群落结构组成门、属相对丰度变化主要影响因子。综上所述,高寒草甸一年生燕麦人工草地长期利用应科学补充肥料,保持土壤肥力;草地撂荒需谨慎,应及时采取恢复措施避免草地发生退化。