不同氮效率水稻生育后期根表和根际土壤硝化特征

通过田间试验研究了不同氮效率粳稻品种4007(氮高效)和Elio(氮低效)生育后期在N0(0 kgN hm-2)、N180(180 kgN hm-2)和N300(300 kgN hm-2)水平下根表、根际和土体土壤pH值、铵态氮(NH+4-N)和硝态氮(NO-3-N)含量、硝化强度和氨氧化细菌(AOB)数量.结果表明无论是齐穗期、灌浆期还是成熟期,根表土壤pH值均显著低于根际和土体土壤.土壤pH值范围在5.95至6.84之间变化.土壤NH+4-N含量随水稻生长显著下降,且随施氮量增加而显著增加.根表土壤NH+4-N有明显亏缺区,且随距水稻根表距离增加,NH+4-N含量逐渐升高.土壤NO-3-N含量随水稻生长显著增加,施氮处理均显著高于不施氮处理,但N180和N300处理差异不显著.NO-3-N含量表现为根际>土体>根表.水稻根表和根际土壤硝化强度随水稻生长显著下降,而土体土壤硝化强度随时间延长小幅增加.施氮显著提高4007水稻根表土壤在齐穗和收获期硝化强度以及Elio在齐穗期根际硝化强度,但在施氮处理N180和N300中无显著差异.在整个采样期间,土壤硝化强度均表现为根际>根表>土体.水稻根表和根际AOB数量随水稻生长而显著降低,而土体土壤AOB数量无显著变化.例如,根表土壤AOB数量在齐穗期、灌浆期和收获期分别为16.7×105、8.77×105个g-1 dry soil和8.01×105个g-1 dry soil.根表和根际土壤AOB数量无显著差异,但二者显著高于土体土壤AOB数量.就两个氮效率水稻品种而言,土壤pH值基本无差异.4007土壤NH+4-N含量均显著高于Elio.在齐穗期水稻根表、根际和土体土壤NO-3-N含量在N180水平下均表现为Elio显著高于4007.而在灌浆期和收获期,水稻根表、根际和土体土壤则表现为4007显著高于Elio.在所有采样期,两个水稻品种土体土壤硝化强度和AOB数量在3个施氮量下均无显著差异.Elio根表和根际土壤硝化强度和AOB数量在水稻灌浆期之前一直显著高于4007,而在灌浆期之后则显著低于4007,且最终产量和氮素利用率(NUE)显著低于4007,这可能是由于4007灌浆期后硝化作用强,根际产生的NO-3-N含量高,从而4007根吸收NO-3-N的量也高造成的.因此水稻灌浆期和收获期根表和根际硝化作用以及AOB与水稻高产及氮素高效利用密切相关.     

水稻根系通气组织与根系泌氧及根际硝化作用的关系

通过根箱土培试验研究了不同产量籼稻品种中旱22(ZH,高产品种)及禾盛10号(HS,低产品种)苗期根系生长、通气组织发育、根系径向泌氧量(radial oxygen loss,ROL)以及根表和根际土壤硝化强度差异。结果表明,除水稻播种40 d时二者根数量和根干重无显著差异外,ZH根直径、根数量和根干重均显著高于HS,二者差异尤其表现在根系生物量差异。两个水稻品种在距根尖20 mm处均可见辐射状通气组织,ZH皮层薄壁细胞已经完全崩溃形成连接中柱和外皮层的纵向气腔,而HS皮层薄壁细胞未发生完全离解,但仍能观察到明显的连接中柱和外皮层的纵向气腔的形成。同时ZH外皮层厚壁细胞体积较小,排列紧密,细胞壁增厚程度大;而HS外皮层厚壁细胞体积相对较大,排列疏松,细胞壁增厚程度相对较小。表明高产品种通气组织发育比低产品种更加完善,表现为ZH根孔隙度(porosity of root,POR)显著高于HS,且高产品种对水稻根系ROL的屏蔽作用较低产品种更强,为根系提供更充足的氧气供应,促进根系生长。除了水稻播种后40 d时ZH和HS单根ROL无显著差异外(P<0.05),ZH单株、单位重量以及单根ROL均显著高于HS(P<0.01)。两个水稻品种硝化强度均表现为根际土壤显著高于根表土壤 (P<0.01),前者大约是后者的3-6倍。两个品种根表土壤硝化强度无显著差异,而ZH根际土壤硝化强度均显著高于HS。相关性分析结果表明水稻根际土壤硝化强度和整株水稻ROL呈极显著正相关关系(r=0.803,P<0.01),和水稻POR也呈现极显著正相关关系(r=0.808,P<0.01),同时和根系直径、数量和干重均呈极显著正相关关系(P<0.01)。而根表土壤硝化强度和以上指标均无相关关系。由于硝化作用是好氧过程,因此高产品种由于根系发达,通气组织发育好,相应ROL也较大,造成根际土壤氧气含量高,从而可能导致根际土壤硝化强度显著高于低产品种。     

淹水条件下籼稻与粳稻苗期根际土壤硝化作用的时空变异

由于硝态氮（NO3^--N）对于水稻的生长起到非常重要的作用,所以发生在水稻根际的硝化作用越来越受到人们的重视.试验采用根盒（3室）--速冻切片技术研究了常规籼稻（扬稻6号）和常规粳稻（农垦57）苗期根际土壤矿质态氮、硝化作用和氨氧化细菌数量的时空变异.结果表明,在淹水条件下,土壤矿质态氮主要为铵态氮（NH4^＋-N）,NH4^＋含量随水稻生育期的推进变化不大,但随着距根区的距离增加其含量随之增加,两个水稻品种之间差异不显著;而NO3-的变化趋势与NH4^＋不一致,NO3^-含量随水稻生育期的延长而显著下降,在培养58d时其平均含量约为0.05 mg kg^-1,同时在整个土体内呈均匀分布,两个水稻品种之间差异显著.土壤的硝化强度随水稻的生长而增强,且两种水稻的硝化强度均为根际土壤最高,然后依次为土体土壤和根区土壤.扬稻6号和农垦57硝化强度最大值分别出现在距根6 mm和2 mm处,最大值分别为0.88 mg kg^-1h^-1和0.73 mg kg^-1h^-1.土壤氨氧化细菌（AOB）数量随水稻生长时间的增加而增加,且其水平变异趋势与土壤的硝化强度一致,根际土壤AOB数量最多,土体土壤次之,根区土壤最少.相关分析结果表明,硝化强度和AOB数量呈显著正相关关系（r=0.86,p＜0.01）.种植扬稻6号的土壤NO3^-浓度、硝化强度以及AOB数量总是高于农垦57.     

水稻分蘖期和孕穗期根际反硝化菌群落结构及功能变化

通过水稻盆栽试验,分别于水稻分蘖期和孕穗期采集根际与非根际土壤,利用末端限制性片段长度多态技术(T-RFLP)和实时荧光定量PCR(qPCR)技术探究水稻生长对根际反硝化作用和反硝化微生物的影响.结果表明: 分蘖期根际土壤的反硝化势显著低于非根际土壤,而孕穗期根际与非根际土壤的反硝化势没有显著性差异.但分蘖期和孕穗期根际土壤中含narG和nosZ基因的微生物数量均显著高于非根际土壤,其中含nosZ基因的反硝化微生物的群落组成结构和多样性对根际环境响应更敏感.说明虽然水稻根系生长会刺激反硝化微生物的生长繁殖,但抑制了根际土壤中一些反硝化微生物的活性,从而降低了根际土壤的反硝化潜势.     

施N对不同水稻品种N肥利用率及根际硝化作用和硝化微生物的影响

发生在水稻根际的硝化作用对水稻的氮素（N）营养受到人们越来越大的关注。在田间条件下研究了不同N效率粳稻品种（4007、武运粳7号和Elio）在无肥（0kgN/hm^2）、中肥（180kgN/hm^2）和高肥（300kgN/hm^2）水平下籽粒产量、吸N量、N肥利用率、根际土壤铵态氮（NH4^＋-N）和硝态氮（NO3^--N）含量、硝化强度和氨氧化细菌（AOB）数量。结果表明不同水稻品种的籽粒产量在3个N处理中差异极显著,4007在中肥处理中获得最高产量11117kg/hm^2,而Eilo在所有处理中籽粒产量均最低。各品种地上部吸N量随施N量增加而增加,但各品种之间差异不显著。不同水稻品种N肥利用率差异显著,4007显著高于武运粳7号和Elio。本试验根据不同品种水稻在不施N肥水平下的籽粒产量与N肥利用率的大小,将3个品种分为N肥高效敏感型（4007）、N肥高效不敏感型（武运粳7号）和N肥低效不敏感型（Elio）。在水稻中后期干湿交替的水分管理条件下,无肥和中肥区的水稻根际土壤以NO3^--N为主;而在高肥区则以NH4^＋-N为主。随着施N量增加,水稻根际土壤铵、硝态N含量也随之增加。NH4^＋-N含量在无肥、中肥和高肥水平下分别为0.88、0.94mg/kg和13.5mg/kg,而NO3^--N含量分别为1.61、1.73mg/kg和2.33mg/kg。不同水稻品种根际土壤硝化强度之间差异极显著,在3个施N水平下均表现为4007〉武运粳7号〉Elio。其平均值分别为6.94、5.46μg/（kg·h）和2.42μg/（kg·h）。在3个施N水平下,Elio根际土壤AOB数量均显著低于4007和武运粳7号。4007根际土壤AOB数量在高肥水平下达最大值2.02×106个/g土,而最小值为中肥水平下Elio的根际土壤（1.89×105个/g土）。相关性分析表明,水稻根际土壤硝化强度在无肥、中肥和高肥条件下与产量呈极显著正相关关系（r=0.799,0.877,0.934）,而且在中肥条件下与水稻N肥利用率显著相关（r=0.735）。水稻根际土壤AOB数量分别和硝化强度以及水稻籽粒产量呈极显著正相关关系。试验结果表明,水稻根际的硝化作用较大程度上决定着水稻籽粒产量或水稻N肥利用率。     

基于根际与凋落物际评价转Bt水稻对土壤线虫群落的影响

转基因作物在商业化推广前,有必要评价其对非靶标土壤生物的生态影响。根系和凋落物与土壤的界面是代表植物直接影响土壤的两个典型活性微域,即根际和凋落物际。基于室内盆栽实验构建水稻根际和凋落物际,比较了这两个高活性微域中转Bt水稻克螟稻(KMD)与亲本水稻秀水11(XSD)对土壤可利用资源、微生物学性质和线虫群落的影响。结果表明:转Bt水稻对土壤性质的影响依赖于水稻生育期和微域的变化。与XSD相比,KMD在苗期和拔节期显著提高了凋落物际土壤可溶性有机氮含量(P0.05);在苗期显著降低了凋落物际土壤铵态氮含量,但在成熟期显著提高了凋落物际与交互微域土壤的铵态氮含量(P0.05)。与亲本水稻相比,转Bt水稻分别在苗期和成熟期显著提高了凋落物际土壤微生物生物量碳和活性,而在拔节期和成熟期显著降低了根际土壤微生物生物量氮含量(P0.05)。微域间的交互作用显著影响土壤微生物生物量、可溶性有机碳和氮、线虫总数和各食性线虫的数量(P0.05)。转Bt水稻总体上降低了土壤线虫总数,尤其在苗期和拔节期的凋落物际土壤中达到显著水平。重复测量方差分析表明转Bt水稻显著影响土壤食细菌(P0.01)和食真菌(P0.05)线虫数量,及线虫群落的通道指数和富集指数。水稻收获后KMD秸秆的Bt蛋白含量显著高于亲本,全部KMD处理的土壤样品中Bt蛋白含量无显著变化,因而转Bt水稻对土壤生物学性质的影响可能并非来源于Bt蛋白的作用,而更可能来自于水稻生长性状和凋落物性质的差异。     

混交对亚热带针叶树根际土壤氮矿化和微生物特性的影响

混交阔叶树是退化红壤区针叶林改造的重要措施之一，土壤养分供应和转化是评价混交效应的重要参数，但混交后针叶树根际土壤氮矿化特征及其影响因素还不清楚。选取退化红壤区马尾松（Pinus massoniana Lamb.）纯林、湿地松（Pinus elliottii Engelmann）纯林及其补植木荷（Schima superba Gardn.et Champ.）形成的马-木混交林和湿-木混交林为研究对象，采集4种林分下针叶树根际土壤，测定速效养分含量、氮矿化速率、氮水解酶活性和微生物磷脂脂肪酸含量，探究混交对针叶树根际土壤氮供应及微生物特性的影响，分析土壤氮矿化和微生物特性间的相关性。结果表明：混交显著增加了针叶树根际土壤铵态氮，矿质氮和有效磷含量，而对硝态氮影响不显著。根际土壤氮矿化以硝化作用为主，混交后针叶树根际土壤氨化速率降低了27.0%，硝化速率增加了55.4%，而最终净氮矿化速率增加了24.1%。两个树种间，马尾松根际土壤矿质氮含量和净氮矿化速率显著高于湿地松。针叶树根际土壤真菌、丛枝菌根真菌，总微生物生物量及真菌/细菌比在混交后显著增加，且马尾松根际土壤总微生物和真菌生物量分别比湿地松高18.9%和27.0%。同时，针叶树根际土壤β-N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶活性在混交后显著增强，且根际土壤硝化速率和净氮矿化速率与微生物指标和酶活性正相关。总的来说，混交阔叶树显著提高了针叶树根际土壤氮供应，以此应对阔叶树混交后带来的养分竞争压力，而马尾松倾向于积极性的应对策略，通过增加土壤氮矿化以适应外界环境改变。     

丘陵红壤茶园根际氮磷转化对不同强度酸雨胁迫的响应

南方丘陵红壤茶园长期受到酸沉降的胁迫,但茶树根际氮(N)、磷(P)转化过程对酸雨的响应及其机制尚不清楚.以江西典型丘陵红壤25年茶园为对象,开展pH 4.5、pH 3.5、pH 2.5及对照4种不同强度酸雨处理的原位模拟试验,于试验第3年测定根际和非根际土壤矿质N、速效P和相关酶的活性,并估测土壤N、P矿化速率,计算各变量的根际效应.结果表明: 与对照相比,pH 4.5、pH 3.5和pH 2.5处理根际土壤NO₃^--N含量分别降低了7.1%、42.1%和49.9%,矿质N分别降低了6.4%、35.9%和40.3%,速效P分别降低了10.5%、41.1%和46.9%;根际氨化速率分别降低了18.7%、30.1%和44.7%,N净矿化速率分别降低了3.6%、12.7%和38.8%,P矿化速率分别降低了31.5%、41.8%和63.0%,但不同处理之间根际硝化速率差异不显著;根际土壤脲酶和酸性磷酸酶活性均表现为随酸雨加重呈增强的趋势(P<0.05).非根际土壤除NH₄⁺-N外,其他有效N和P含量未随酸雨加重而改变;不同酸雨处理对非根际土壤氨化、硝化、N净矿化速率和P矿化速率的影响差异均不显著.根际NH₄⁺-N、NO₃^--N、矿质N、氨化和净矿化速率均随着酸雨强度加重由正效应转变为负效应,而脲酶和酸性磷酸酶活性由负效应转变为正效应,但速效P和P矿化速率始终表现为负效应,硝化速率始终为正效应.综上所述,连续酸雨加重总体上抑制了根际N、P转化,降低其有效性,且不同程度改变其根际效应,从而影响茶园养分循环.     

转Bt基因水稻根际土壤微生物多样性的磷脂脂肪酸(PLFAs)表征

以亲本水稻为对照,应用13C脉冲标记和磷脂脂肪酸技术,分析转Bt基因对水稻根际微生物多样性的影响.结果表明:转Bt基因水稻与亲本水稻根际均以饱和脂肪酸和支链脂肪酸为主,单不饱和脂肪酸次之,多不饱和脂肪酸最少.苗期、拔节期和抽穗期,转成基因水稻根际革兰氏阳性菌(G+)代表性磷脂脂肪酸含量显著低于亲本水稻;革兰氏阴性菌(G-)代表性磷脂脂肪酸含量显著高于亲本水稻.水稻各生育期,转Bt基因未对水稻根际土壤真菌、放线菌磷脂脂肪酸含量造成显著影响,且转Bt基因水稻与亲本水稻根际微生物磷脂脂肪酸13C含量无显著性差异.表明外源Bt基因插入仅对水稻根际微生物多样性造成短暂影响,不具有持续性.     

秸秆还田对玉米根际氨氧化微生物群落及红壤硝化潜势的影响

为探讨酸性红壤根际氨氧化微生物群落以及硝化作用对不同秸秆还田处理的响应,基于中国科学院鹰潭红壤生态实验站设置的秸秆还田长期试验平台(9年),采用荧光定量PCR和高通量测序技术,研究不同秸秆还田处理(不施肥(CK);氮磷钾肥(NPK);氮磷钾肥+秸秆(NPKS);氮磷钾肥+秸秆猪粪配施(NPKSM);氮磷钾肥+秸秆生物炭(NPKB))下玉米根际土壤氨氧化古菌(ammonia-oxidizing archaea, AOA)和细菌(ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, AOB)丰度和群落结构的变化,揭示了秸秆还田对根际氨氧化微生物群落结构和硝化潜势(potential nitrification activity, PNA)的影响机制。结果发现：相比CK和NPK处理,秸秆还田显著提高了土壤养分含量和硝化潜势,其中有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)、速效磷(AP)、速效钾(AK)、硝态氮(NO~-₃-N)和铵态氮(NH~+₄-N)含量显著增加,NPKSM处理对土壤肥力提升效果最佳。AOA的硝化潜势显著高于AOB,表明AOA...     

Root-induced changes in radial oxygen loss, rhizosphere oxygen profile, and nitrification of two rice cultivars in Chinese red soil regions

Aims

To evaluate the external and internal morphological differences of roots that might influence rice root radial oxygen loss (ROL) and the corresponding rhizosphere nitrification activity, growth characteristics and nitrogen nutrition of rice.

Methods

The root ROL and rhizosphere oxygen profile were determined using a miniaturised Clark-type oxygen microelectrode system, and the rhizosphere nitrification activity was studied with a short-term nitrification activity assay.

Results

The rice biomass, nitrogen accumulation and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of ZH (high yield) were significantly higher than those of HS (low yield). The root biomass, number, diameter and porosity of ZH were also much greater than those of HS. The inner and surface oxygen concentrations of the root of ZH were significantly higher than those of HS. The order of paddy soil oxygen penetration depth was ZH?>?HS?>?CK, and the order of the oxygen concentrations detected in the water layer and rhizosphere soil was the same. The rhizosphere nitrification activity and nitrate concentration of ZH were significantly higher than those of HS.

Conclusions

More porous and thicker roots improved the individual root ROL, and more adventitious root numbers enhanced the entire plant ROL and correspondingly improved the rhizosphere nitrification activity, which might influence the growth and nitrogen nutrition of rice.     

The relationship between rhizosphere nitrification and nitrogen-use efficiency in rice plants

Two different rice cultivars, Yangdao 6 [Indica rice cultivar with high nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE)] and Nongken 57 (Japonica rice cultivar with low NUE) were used to study the relationship between NUE and nitrification activity in the rice seedling rhizosphere soil using a rhizobox with three compartments, and a soil-slicing method. The roots of both rice cultivars developed aerenchyma tissue [expressed as percentage porosity of root (POR)], but Yangdao 6 showed better development than Nongken 57. This root morphology change results in more radial oxygen loss (ROL) into the rhizosphere. Leaf glutamine synthetase activity (GSA) and nitrate (NO3-) reductase activity (NRA) of Yangdao 6 were significantly higher than those of Nongken 57, while there was no significant difference in root NRA between the cultivars. The nitrification activities were maximal in rhizosphere soil, followed by those in the bulk soil and the root surface for both cultivars. The rhizosphere nitrification activity, NO3- concentration and abundance of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) associated with Yangdao 6 were always higher than those of Nongken 57. Therefore, we conclude that the greater N uptake by Yangdao 6 when compared to Nongken 57 can be mainly attributed to the bigger capacity for nitrification in Yangdao 6.     

New Insights into How Increases in Fertility Improve the Growth of Rice at the Seedling Stage in Red Soil Regions of Subtropical China

The differences in rhizosphere nitrification activities between high- and low- fertility soils appear to be related to differences in dissolved oxygen concentrations in the soil, implying a relationship to differences in the radial oxygen loss (ROL) of rice roots in these soils. A miniaturised Clark-type oxygen microelectrode system was used to determine rice root ROL and the rhizosphere oxygen profile, and rhizosphere nitrification activity was studied using a short-term nitrification activity assay. Rice planting significantly altered the oxygen cycling in the water-soil system due to rice root ROL. Although the oxygen content in control high-fertility soil (without rice plants) was lower than that in control low-fertility soil, high rice root ROL significantly improved the rhizosphere oxygen concentration in the high-fertility soil. High soil fertility improved the rice root growth and root porosity as well as rice root ROL, resulting in enhanced rhizosphere nitrification. High fertility also increased the content of nitrification-induced nitrate in the rhizosphere, resulting in enhanced ammonium uptake and assimilation in the rice. Although high ammonium pools in the high-fertility soil increased rhizosphere nitrification, rice root ROL might also contribute to rhizosphere nitrification improvement. This study provides new insights into the reasons that an increase in soil fertility may enhance the growth of rice. Our results suggest that an amendment of the fertiliser used in nutrient- and nitrification-poor paddy soils in the red soil regions of China may significantly promote rice growth and rice N nutrition.     

不同氮效率水稻全生育期内对增硝营养的响应及其生理机制

通过添加硝化抑制剂（二氰胺,DCD）来控制硝化作用的水培试验方法,研究了氮高效水稻品种南光和氮低效水稻品种ELIO的籽粒产量对增硝营养（NH4＋∶NO3-比例为100∶0和75∶25）的响应,同时从产量构成、不同生育时期水稻生长、氮素吸收和同化4个方面研究了造成其产量差异的生理机制。结果表明：增NO3-营养可以显著促进氮高效水稻品种南光的生长,从而使其籽粒产量水平提高21%,而对氮低效水稻品种ELIO的籽粒产量没有显著影响。进一步分析表明：在增NO3-营养条件下,南光的穗粒数增加了25%,结实率增加了16%,而氮低效水稻品种ELIO的结实率和穗粒数在两种营养条件下没有显著变化;增NO3-营养可以促进南光对氮素的吸收,使其在苗期、分蘖盛期、齐穗期和成熟期对氮素的吸收量平均增加了36%,进而促进了其生长,干物质积累量在四个生育时期平均增加了30%;南光叶片硝酸还原酶和根系谷氨酰胺合成酶的活力在增硝营养条件下分别增加了100%和95%,说明增硝营养促进了南光对NH4＋和NO3-的同化利用。与氮低效水稻品种（ELIO）相比,氮高效水稻品种（南光）对增硝营养表现出较强的生理响应。     

脲酶抑制剂/硝化抑制剂对植稻土壤中尿素N行为的影响

采用自制根盒试验,主要研究了脲酶抑制剂氢醌（HQ）,硝化抑制剂双氰胺（DCD）及二者组合对离水稻根际不同距离处NH4^--N和NO3^-N分布的影响,结果表明,DCD及其与HQ组合均能显著促进稻株地上部分生长,始终显著降低水稻根际与近根际土中NH4^ -N含量直至施肥后60d,施肥后20d时,DCD及其与HQ组合可使非根际土中NH4^ -N含量显著增加,随后,却出现相反现象,施肥后20d时,距根际不同距离的土壤中,配施DCD或DCD＋HQ处理均能显著降低NO3^-N含量,随后,近根际和非根际仍保持上述现象直至施肥后40d;同未施DCD处理相比,根际土壤却较早出现NO3^--N含量高峰,正好与水稻N营养需求时期相一致,因此,DCD及其与HQ组合可减少水稻根际环境下尿素N损失潜势,通过不种稻土壤和距根际3cm处的土壤中尿素无机氮形态分布的差异,充分显示了研究水稻根际土壤氮素转化及相关抑制剂对其影响时,以取离根际3cm外的土壤作为非根际明显优于不种稻土壤。     

The potential for nitrification and nitrate uptake in the rhizosphere of wetland plants: a modelling study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: It has recently found that lowland rice grown hydroponically is exceptionally efficient in absorbing NO3-, raising the possibility that rice and other wetland plants growing in flooded soil may absorb significant amounts of NO3- formed by nitrification of NH4+ in the rhizosphere. This is important because (a) this NO3- is otherwise lost through denitrification in the soil bulk; and (b) plant growth and yield are generally improved when plants absorb their nitrogen as a mixture of NO3- and NH4+ compared with growth on either N source on its own. A mathematical model is developed here with which to assess the extent of NO3- absorption from the rhizosphere by wetland plants growing in flooded soil, considering the important plant and soil processes operating. METHODS: The model considers rates of O2 transport away from an individual root and simultaneous O2 consumption in microbial and non-microbial processes; transport of NH4+ towards the root and its consumption in nitrification and uptake at the root surface; and transport of NO3- formed from NH4+ towards the root and its consumption in denitrification and uptake by the root. The sensitivity of the model's predictions to its input parameters is tested over the range of conditions in which wetland plants grow. KEY RESULTS: The model calculations show that substantial quantities of NO3- can be produced in the rhizosphere of wetland plants through nitrification and taken up by the roots under field conditions. The rates of NO3- uptake can be comparable with those of NH4+. The model also shows that rates of denitrification and subsequent loss of N from the soil remain small even where NO3- production and uptake are considerable. CONCLUSIONS: Nitrate uptake by wetland plants may be far more important than thought hitherto. This has implications for managing wetland soils and water, as discussed in this paper.     

Influence of Biochar on Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Root Morphology of Rice-Seedling in Two Contrasting Paddy Soils

Biochar may affect the root morphology and nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE) of rice at seedling stage, which has not been clearly verified until now. To clarify it, we conducted a pot experiment regarding to two soil types (Hydragric Anthrosol and Haplic Acrisol), two biochar application rates (0.5 wt% and 1.5 wt %) and two rice varieties (common rice var. Xiushui134 and hybrid super rice var. Zhongkejiayou12-6) meanwhile. Seedling NUE of common rice Xiuhui134 was significantly increased (p < 0.05) by 78.2% in Hydragric Anthrosol and by 91.4% in Haplic Acrisol following biochar addition with 1.5 wt%. However, biochar addition exerted no influence on seedling NUE of super rice Zhongkejiayou12-6 in both soils. Overall, 0.09–0.10 units higher soil pH and 105– 116% higher soil NH₄⁺ -N were observed in Xiushui134 growing two soils with 1.5 wt% biochar. In addition, improved root morphology (including longer root length, larger root surface area, bigger root volume, and more root tips) contributed to the higher seedling NUE of Xiushui134 in two soils. The soil pH and NH₄⁺ -N content, also the root morphology were influenced by biochar, which though could not thoroughly explained the NUE of Zhongkejiayou12-6. In conclusion, biochar application to paddy soil changed soil pH and NH₄⁺ -N content, root growth, and the consequent seedling NUE of rice, which effects are relative with rice cultivar, biochar addition rate, and soil type.     

Ammonia‐oxidizing archaea: important players in paddy rhizosphere soil?

The diversity (richness and community composition) of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) in paddy soil with different nitrogen (N) fertilizer amendments for 5 weeks were investigated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) jand clone library analysis based on the ammonia monooxygenase α-subunit ( amoA ) gene. Ammonia-oxidizing archaea predominated among ammonia-oxidizing prokaryotes in the paddy soil, and the AOA:AOB DNA-targeted amoA gene ratios ranged from 1.2 to 69.3. Ammonia-oxidizing archaea were more abundant in the rhizosphere than in bulk soil. Rice cultivation led to greater abundance of AOA than AOB amoA gene copies and to differences in AOA and AOB community composition. These results show that AOA is dominant in the rhizosphere paddy soil in this study, and we assume that AOA were influenced more by exudation from rice root (e.g. oxygen, carbon dioxide) than AOB.