Soil organic and inorganic carbon sequestration by consecutive biochar application: Results from a decade field experiment

Biochar addition can expand soil organic carbon (SOC) stock and has potential ability in mitigating climate change. Also, some incubation experiments have shown that biochar can increase soil inorganic carbon (SIC) contents. However, there is no direct evidence for this from the field experiment. In order to make up the sparseness of available data resulting from the long‐term effect of biochar amendment on soil carbon fractions, here we detected the contents and stocks of the bulk SIC and SOC fractions based on a 10‐year field experiment of consecutive biochar application in Shandong Province, China. There are three biochar treatments as no‐biochar (control), and biochar application at 4.5 Mg ha^?1 year^?1 (B4.5) and 9.0 Mg ha^?1 year^?1 (B9.0), respectively. The results showed that biochar application significantly enhanced SIC content (3.2%–24.3%), >53 μm particulate organic carbon content (POC, 38.2%–166.2%) and total soil organic carbon content (15.8%–82.2%), compared with the no‐biochar control. However, <53 μm silt–clay‐associated organic carbon (SCOC) content was significantly decreased (14%–27%) under the B9.0 treatment. Our study provides the direct field evidence that SIC contributed to carbon sequestration after the biochar application, and indicates that the applied biochar was allocated mainly in POC fraction. Further, the decreased SCOC and increased microbial biomass carbon contents observed in field suggest that the biochar application might exert a positive priming effect on native soil organic carbon.     

Responses of soil nematode community structure to soil carbon changes due to different tillage and cover crop management practices over a nine-year period in Kanto,Japan

The response of the soil food web structure to soil quality changes during long-term anthropogenic disturbance due to farming practices has not been well studied. We evaluated the effects of three tillage systems: moldboard plow/rotary harrow (MP), rotary cultivator (RC), and no-tillage (NT), three winter cover-crop types (fallow, FL; rye, RY; and hairy vetch, HV), and two nitrogen fertilization rates (0 and 100 kg N ha⁻¹ for upland rice, and 0 and 20 kg N ha⁻¹ for soybean production) on changes in nematode community structure. Sixty-nine taxa were counted, total nematode abundance (ALL), bacterial feeders (BAC), predators (PRD), omnivores (OMN), and obligatory root feeders (ORF) were more abundant in NT than in MP and RC, but fungal feeders and facultative root feeders (FFR) were more abundant in RC than in NT and MP. Cover crop also influenced nematode community structure; rye and hairy vetch were always higher in ALL, BAC, FFR, ORF, and OMN than fallow. Seasonal changes in nematode community structure were also significant; in particular, as soil carbon increased, nematode abundance also increased. The relationship between nematode indices and soil carbon was significant only in NT, but not in MP and RC. In NT, with increasing soil carbon, enrichment index and structure index (SI) were positive and significant and channel index was negative. Bulk density was significantly negatively correlated with FFR and ORF. Seasonal difference in nematode community between summer and autumn was larger in an upland rice rotation than in a soybean rotation. Over the nine-year experiment, SI increased not only in NT but also in MP and RC, suggesting that repeated similar tillage inversions in agroecosystems may develop nematode community structures adapted to specific soil environmental conditions. Because NT showed the highest values of both SI and soil carbon, the increase of soil carbon in NT is expected to have a great impact on developing a more diverse nematode community structure.     

Sugar beet rotation effects on soil organic matter and calculated humus balance in Central Germany

In order to quantify the influence of land use systems on the level of soil organic matter (SOM) to develop recommendations, long-term field studies are essential. Based on a crop rotation experiment which commenced in 1970, this paper investigated the impact of crop rotations involving increased proportions of sugar beet on SOM content. To this end, soil samples were taken in 2010 and 2012 from the following crop rotation sequences: sugar beet–sugar beet–winter wheat–winter wheat (SB–SB–WW–WW = 50%), sugar beet–sugar beet–sugar beet–winter wheat (SB–SB–SB–WW = 75%), sugar beet–grain maize (SB–GM = 50%) and sugar beet-monoculture (SB = 100%); these were analysed in terms of total organic carbon (TOC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) content, MBC/TOC ratio and the TOC stocks per hectare. In addition, humus balances were created (using the software REPRO, reference period 12 years) in order to calculate how well the soil was supplied with organic matter. In the field experiment, harvest by-products (WW and GM straw as well as SB leaves) were removed. After 41 years, no statistically significant differences were measured between the crop rotations for the parameters TOC, MBC, MBC/TOC ratio and the TOC stock per hectare. However, the calculated humus balance was significantly affected by the crop rotation. The calculated humus balance became increasingly negative in the order SB–SB–WW–WW, SB–SB–SB–WW, SB monoculture and SB–GM, and correlated with the soil parameters. The calculated humus balances for the reference period did not reflect the actual demand for organic matter by the crop rotations, but instead overestimated it.     

藏北高原退化高寒草甸土壤团聚体有机碳变化特征

采用湿筛法对藏北高原退化高寒草甸表层(0~10cm)、亚表层(10~20cm)土壤团聚体有机碳及其变化进行了研究。结果表明,高原冷湿环境中退化草地表层、亚表层SAOC的下降幅度随草地退化加剧均趋于显著提高,轻度、严重退化草地表层各粒级SAOC降幅均明显高于亚表层;草地退化缩小了不同土层间SAOC含量的差异,草地退化程度越高则表层、亚表层间SAOC含量的差异越小,退化草地大团聚体(0.25mm)SOC、微团聚体(0.25mm)SOC含量的土层分布亦呈相同趋势。轻度退化草地不同土层大团聚体SOC降幅均较高,严重退化草地不同土层微团聚体SOC降幅则较高;正常草地、轻度退化草地、严重退化草地表层大团聚体SOC/微团聚体SOC比值分别为0.95,0.87,1.55,亚表层分别为0.96,0.72,2.33,表明轻度、严重退化草地中大团聚体SOC含量随土层加深分别更趋下降、更趋提高。退化草地表层、亚表层SAOC贡献率在总体上亦均按2~0.25 mm,2 mm,0.25~0.053mm,0.053mm的顺序依次大幅降低,表明不同土层大团聚体SOC贡献率均较高。土壤团聚体与SAOC、SOC与SAOC间的关系受草地退化程度的影响。     

An experimental study of charcoal degradation in a boreal forest

Degradation rates of pyrogenic carbon (PyC) under natural environmental conditions are largely unknown. Here we present results from a field experiment monitoring the change in mass, C- and N concentrations of a variety of charcoal types in a Norwegian boreal forest over a period of 20 months. The charcoal types represent different feedstock tree species, production temperature regimes, and placements in the forest, i.e. above ground, in the humus layer or in contact with the mineral subsoil. The types of charcoal had different initial C concentrations mainly depending on their production temperature. Nevertheless, all types of charcoal at all placements in the forest showed an initial drop in their C concentrations, which subsequently rose back to reach near initial values in part of the charcoal types. In part of the charcoal types, N concentrations decreased throughout the experiment, exhibiting considerable variation among feedstock species, production temperature regime, and placements in the forest. C/N ratios rose especially in charcoal made from wood of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), and charcoal that had been stored in contact with the mineral subsoil showed the most rapid mass gain. Our results confirm the important influence of production temperature and feedstock type on the degradation of charcoal, but they also show that microbial activity and environmental conditions play significant roles in charcoal degradation and thus for the fate of pyrogenic carbon under natural conditions.     

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.     

Nutritional significance of amino acids,vitamins and minerals as nutraceuticals in poultry production and health – a comprehensive review

Nutraceuticals have gained immense importance in poultry science recently considering the nutritional and beneficial health effects of their constituents. Besides providing nutritional requirements to birds, nutraceuticals have beneficial pharmacological effects, for example, they help in establishing normal physiological health status, prevent diseases and thereby improve production performance. Nutraceuticals include amino acids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, etc. which are important for preventing oxidative stress, regulating the immune response and maintaining normal physiological, biochemical and homeostatic mechanisms. Nutraceuticals help in supplying nutrients in balanced amounts for supporting the optimal growth performance in modern poultry flocks, and as a dietary supplement can reduce the use of antibiotics. The application of antibiotic growth enhancers in poultry leads to the propagation of antibiotic-resistant microbes and drug residues; therefore, they have been restricted in many countries. Thus, there is a demand for natural feed additives that lead to the same growth enhancement without affecting the health. Nutraceuticals substances have an essential role in the development of the animals’ normal physiological functions and in protecting them against infectious diseases. In this review, the uses of amino acids, vitamins and minerals as well as their mode of action in growth promotion and elevation of immune system are discussed.     

祁连山南麓高寒灌丛GPP变化特征及对生长季积温的响应

全球气候变化背景下气温逐渐升高,将会对陆地生态系统碳循环产生重要影响。研究利用2003?2016年的涡度相关系统观测资料,研究了祁连山南麓高寒灌丛生长季(5月?9月)总初级生产力(gross primary productivity,GPP)在不同时间尺度上对生长季有效积温(growing season degree days,GDD)的响应,对于研究气候变暖对高寒生态系统碳循环的影响有重要意义。结果表明:高寒灌丛生态系统在生长季的月GPP、GDD都表现为先增大后减小的单峰变化趋势,都在7月或8月达到峰值,在5月达到最小值。在整个生长季尺度上,GPP与GDD具有较高变异性,但整体上表现为逐渐增加的趋势(P<0.05)。2003?2016年整个生长季GPP与GDD的均值分别为507.11 g·m^?2和975.93℃。在月尺度和生长季尺度上,GPP与GDD都呈显著正相关关系(P<0.05)。但是,通过比较生长季每个月GPP与GDD的关系发现,5、9月的GPP与GDD没有显著相关性(P>0.05),而在7月相关性最为显著(P<0.01)。整体上看,高寒灌丛生态系统植被的总初级生产力与热量条件表现为正相关关系,由此说明在全球气候变暖的背景下,青藏高原高寒灌丛生态系统植被的光合生产能力将会提高。     

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。     

磷对铝胁迫紫花苜蓿幼苗根系生长和生理特征的影响

为了探究磷对铝胁迫下紫花苜蓿幼苗生长和生理特征的影响,分别用不含和含200 μmol·L^-1磷（P）、100 μmol·L^-1铝（Al）、200 μmol·L^-1 P+100 μmol·L^-1 Al的简易 ［Ca（NO₃）₂］营养液（pH=4.5）处理铝敏感紫花苜蓿品种‘Wl440’幼苗。结果表明,在铝处理中添加磷后,苜蓿幼苗根系和叶片中的铝含量分别比铝处理降低81.53%和61.47%,苜蓿幼苗的根长和根系活力显著提高,叶片电导率和丙二醛（MDA）含量显著下降;光合生理得到明显改善,与铝处理相比,磷添加处理幼苗叶片的叶绿素含量、蒸腾速率、气孔导度和光合速率明显提高,光系统Ⅱ和光系统I的电子传递速率增加;磷添加处理明显提高了铝胁迫苜蓿根系的草酸和苹果酸含量,体内有机酸螯合铝离子的能力增强,光合能力提高。因此,磷能够通过增加根系有机酸含量,改善铝胁迫苜蓿光合系统,从而缓解苜蓿铝毒害。