Effect of long-term NPK application on secondary and micro nutrient contents ofCoffea canephora Pierre

Summary The Ca, Mg, S, Mn and Cu contents in leaves ofCoffea canephora trees selected in 64 plots under a 4×4×2 NPK trial were determined after seven years of fertilizer application. It was observed that NPK applications increased Mn uptake, P application increased the uptake of Cu, Ca and S while application of N and K did not enhance the uptake of Cu, Mg, Ca and S. It was shown that as a result of NPK applications, Ca and Mg had become deficient in coffee leaves, which corroborates earlier findings based on soil analysis.     

Effect of crop and soil management practices on soil compatibility in maize and groundnut plots in a Paleustult in Southeastern Nigeria

Frequent occurrences of soil compaction damage resulting from high raindrop impact energy, and from human and animal trafficking during field operations pose a problem to farmers around the tropics. We studied the effect of some crop and soil management practices (manure, mulch, NPK applications, tillage and crop type) on some soil compactibility indices (dry bulk density, cone index, total soil porosity, gravimetric soil water content) in a Typic Paleustult in southeastern Nigeria. The study was carried out for three consecutive planting seasons using two tillage systems and four other soil management practices (poultry droppings + NPK, mulch + NPK, NPK alone and no amendment). These were laid out as split-plot in a RCB design replicated three times and using maize (Zea mays L.) and groundnut (Arachis hypogea) as test crops. Results indicate that the different soil management techniques adopted influenced dry bulk density, penetration resistance, total soil porosity and gravimetric soil water content at 44 and 66 days after planting (DAP) whereas only gravimetric soil water content was affected at 90 DAP. The dry bulk density of tilled maize and groundnut plots increased significantly (P<0.05) by between 2 and 14% relative to no-till plots at 44 and 66 DAP. In both maize and groundnut plots, dry bulk density decreased significantly (P<0.05) in plots amended with poultry droppings +NPK relative to the control plots by 3–10% at 44 and 66 DAP. Tilled maize and groundnut plots had 37–45% lower (P< 0.05) penetration resistance than their corresponding no-till plots at both 44 and 66 DAP. Penetration resistance measurements were lower by 16.5–25% in plots amended with poultry droppings + NPK relative to unamended plots at 44 and 66 DAP. Cumulative (1996, 1997, 1998) data indicate that gravimetric soil water content in maize and groundnut plots generally increased significantly (P<0.05) in no-till plots relative to tilled plots by 18–27% at both 44 and 66 DAP. Plots amended with poultry droppings + NPK had between 24 and 111% increase (P<0.05) in soil gravimetric soil water content at both 44 and 66 DAP. Results are indicative that all soil compactibility indices measured were not affected at 90 DAP except for soil gravimetric soil water content in 1996 and 1998. Results from this work demonstrate that some crop and soil management practices could be used to reduce soil compactibility problems thus increasing productivity of such soils.     

Total nitrogen and phosphorus balance sheet in a typic ustochrept soil under intensive cropping and fertilizer use

Summary Balance sheets were computed for total nitrogen and phosphorus in plough layer (0–15 cm) of a Typic Ustochrept soil under continuous multiple cropping for seven years (1971–72 to 1977–78) with a fixed rotation of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoideum L.) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (Vigna sinensis Savi.) The treatments considered of soil test-based rates of N, P and K, applied both singly and in combinations together with farm yard manure, sulphur and zinc superimposed over optimum rates (100%) of NPK. Heavy, losses of N (762–899 kg ha⁻¹) occurred in the plots which received high rates of Nviz. 150% of recommended NPK and 100% NPK plus FYM. Application of N alone accelerated N losses whereas addition of P, PK, PKS to N minimised such losses. Enrichment of P (66 to 198 kg ha⁻¹) occurred in all phosphate-treated plots. A marginal net decrease (29–54 kg ha⁻¹) in P levels was observed in control and N alone treatments.     

Variation in Yield Gap Induced by Nitrogen,Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilizer in North China Plain

A field experiment was conducted under a wheat-maize rotation system from 1990 to 2006 in North China Plain (NCP) to determine the effects of N, P and K on yield and yield gap. There were five treatments: NPK, PK, NK, NP and a control. Average wheat and maize yields were the highest in the NPK treatment, followed by those in the NP plots among all treatments. For wheat and maize yield, a significant increasing trend over time was found in the NPK-treated plots and a decreasing trend in the NK-treated plots. In the absence of N or P, wheat and maize yields were significantly lower than those in the NPK treatment. For both crops, the increasing rate of the yield gap was the highest in the P omission plots, i.e., 189.1 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ for wheat and 560.6 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ for maize. The cumulative omission of P fertilizer induced a deficit in the soil available N and extractable P concentrations for maize. The P fertilizer was more pivotal in long-term wheat and maize growth and soil fertility conservation in NCP, although the N fertilizer input was important for both crops growth. The crop response to K fertilizers was much lower than that to N or P fertilizers, but for maize, the cumulative omission of K fertilizer decreased the yield by 26% and increased the yield gap at a rate of 322.7 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. The soil indigenous K supply was not sufficiently high to meet maize K requirement over a long period. The proper application of K fertilizers is necessary for maize production in the region. Thus, the appropriate application of N and P fertilizers for the growth of both crops, while regularly combining K fertilizers for maize growth, is absolutely necessary for sustainable crop production in the NCP.     

Manipulating tropical fire ants to reduce the coffee berry borer

1. The coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) (Ferrari) is the most important pest of coffee production worldwide. 2. The hypothesis that the tropical fire ant, Solenopsis geminata Westwood, indirectly protects the coffee berry borer by suppressing other ant species that are the coffee berry borer's primary predators was tested. 3. It was found that removing S. geminata from coffee plots significantly increased the disappearance of adult coffee berry borer beetles from coffee berries compared with control plots. An average of 6% of beetles disappeared from plots with S. geminata whereas 23% of beetles disappeared from plots from which S. geminata was removed. This pattern was observed on two shade coffee farms with marked differences in ant species composition, one in the rainforest in central Costa Rica and one in the cloudforest in northwest Costa Rica. 4. If the results of this small‐scale study can be replicated on the farm level, then S. geminata suppression may represent a new management technique for the coffee berry borer throughout Central and South America.     

Phytoremediation potentials of cowpea (Vigina unguiculata) and maize (Zea mays) for hydrocarbon degradation in organic and inorganic manure-amended tropical typic paleustults

A field study on phytoremediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil was designed to assess the effects of organic manures (poultry droppings and cassava peels) and NPK fertilization on the potentials of cowpea (Vigina unguiculata) and maize (Zea mays) to stimulate hydrocarbon degradation in soil. Cowpea and maize crops were established on the hydrocarbon contaminated soil amended with three rates (0, 4, and 8 ton/ha) of the soil amendments, and arranged in 3 x 3 x 3 factorial in Randomized Complete Block Design. Hydrocarbon was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in plots treated with the combined forms of the soil amendments. While the treatment combinations of 8 t/ha Poultry Droppings (PD) + 8 t/ha Cassava Peels (CP) + 4 t/ha NPK fertilizer was optimal for hydrocarbon degradation in the cowpea plots, 4 t/ha PD + 8 t/ha CP + 8 t/ha NPK fertilizer was the most preferred in the maize plot. Cowpea showed greater potential for hydrocarbon degradation at the first year. The mean values of hydrocarbon concentrations at the cowpea and maize plots indicated no significant difference at the second year. Grain yield of cowpea increased by 87% at the second year, while maize was unable to grow to maturity in the first year.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus enhances P acquisition of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in a sandy loam soil with long-term inorganic fertilization regime

The P efficiency, crop yield, and response of wheat to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Glomus caledonium were tested in an experimental field with long-term (19 years) fertilizer management. The experiment included five fertilizer treatments: organic amendment (OA), half organic amendment plus half mineral fertilizer (1/2 OM), mineral fertilizer NPK, mineral fertilizer NK, and the control (without fertilization). AMF inoculation responsiveness (MIR) of wheat plants at acquiring P were estimated by comparing plants grown in unsterilized soil inoculated with G. caledonium and in untreated soil containing indigenous AMF. Without AMF inoculation, higher crop yields but lower colonization rates were observed in the NPK and two OA-inputted treatments, and NPK had significantly (P < 0.05) lower impacts on organic C and available P in soils and thereby P acquisition of wheat plants compared with OA and 1/2 OM. G. caledonium inoculation significantly (P < 0.05) increased colonization rates with the NPK and two P-deficient treatments but significantly (P < 0.05) increased vegetative biomass, crop yield, and P acquisition of wheat as well as soil alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, only with the NPK treatment. This gave an MIR of ca. 45% on total P acquisition of wheat plants. There were no other remarkable MIRs. It suggested that the MIR is determined by soil available P status, and rational combination of AMF with chemical NPK fertilizer can compensate for organic amendments by improving P-acquisition efficiency in arable soils.     

The Role of Soil Nutrients in Boundaries between Mangrove and Herbaceous Assemblages in a Tropical Estuary

We aimed to determine the role of soil nutrients in the herbaceous‐tree boundary in a tropical mangrove forest. We assembled plots in this boundary such that each was initially covered by ~50% of each life form. We added NPK to three of the plots monthly and monitored them, along with the control plots, for 18 mo. In plots with added NPK, mangrove branches grew over and shaded the herbaceous plants, resulting in the presence of mostly bare soil. The mangrove trees eventually covered ~80% of the experimental plots, but the proportion of cover in the control plots remained unaltered. We conclude that soil nutrient level modulates the mangrove‐herbaceous plant interaction in steps, and from a given level there is a shift in the dominant life form. This mechanism leads to a sharp transition over a smooth nutritional gradient.     

不同施肥处理对玉米秸秆碳氮比及其矿化特性的影响

以两个长期定位试验不同施肥处理玉米秸秆为对象,采用室内培养试验研究了其碳、氮养分在土壤中的矿化特性.结果表明：与未施肥处理相比,施用化肥（NPK）或化肥与有机肥配施（MNPK）处理明显增加了玉米秸秆的氮素含量,降低了其C/N.不同处理秸秆碳、氮矿化量和被微生物固持的碳、氮量因培养时期不同而异,NPK、MNPK和240 kg N·hm^-2处理秸秆在培养期间碳的矿化率显著高于相应不施肥处理;60 d培养期结束后,NPK处理秸秆的有机碳矿化量最大,占加入总有机碳的13.24%.各施肥处理玉米秸秆施入土壤后引起的土壤矿质氮固持量均较不施肥秸秆低,其中MNPK处理最低.施用秸秆增加了土壤微生物的代谢熵（qCO₂）,但不同处理间qCO₂的差异较小;各处理土壤微生物生物量碳、氮含量因培养时期不同而异.因此,生产中利用秸秆时应考虑不同施肥处理秸秆养分含量的差异.     

Effects of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation at different soil P availabilities on growth and nutrient uptake of in vitro propagated coffee (Coffea arabica L.) plants

 In a pot experiment, the growth and the nutrient status of in vitro propagated coffee (Coffea arabica L.) microcuttings were investigated for 5 months following vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) inoculation with either Acaulospora melleae or Glomus clarum at four soil P availabilities. Control plants remained P-deficient even at the highest soil P availability while mycorrhizal plants were P-sufficient at all soil P availabilities. Growth of control plants was only improved at the highest soil P availability. In P-deficient soil, neither of the two VAM species improved plant growth. Plant growth increased by 50% following inoculation with either A. melleae or G. clarum when P availability went from deficient to low. No further plant growth improvement was induced by either VAM species at intermediate and high soil P levels. Nevertheless, growth of plants inoculated with G. clarum was still significantly greater than that of non-mycorrhizal plants at the highest soil P availability. Root colonization by G. clarum increased with increasing soil P availability while root colonization by A. mellea decreased with soil P level increasing above low P availability. Soil P availability also affected Zn nutrition through its influence on VAM symbiosis. With increasing soil P availability, foliar Zn status increased with G. clarum or decreased with A. mellea in parallel to root colonization by VAM. This study demonstrates the beneficial effects of VAM inoculation on in vitro propagated Arabica coffee microcuttings, as shown previously for seedlings. This study also demonstrates differences in tolerance to soil P availability between VAM species, most likely resulting from their differing abilities to enhance coffee foliar P status. Accepted: 14 November 1996     

不同施肥处理对玉米秸秆碳氮比及其矿化特性的影响

以两个长期定位试验不同施肥处理玉米秸秆为对象,采用室内培养试验研究了其碳、氮养分在土壤中的矿化特性.结果表明：与未施肥处理相比,施用化肥（NPK）或化肥与有机肥配施（MNPK）处理明显增加了玉米秸秆的氮素含量,降低了其C/N.不同处理秸秆碳、氮矿化量和被微生物固持的碳、氮量因培养时期不同而异,NPK、MNPK和240 kg N·hm^-2处理秸秆在培养期间碳的矿化率显著高于相应不施肥处理;60 d培养期结束后,NPK处理秸秆的有机碳矿化量最大,占加入总有机碳的13.24%.各施肥处理玉米秸秆施入土壤后引起的土壤矿质氮固持量均较不施肥秸秆低,其中MNPK处理最低.施用秸秆增加了土壤微生物的代谢熵（qCO₂）,但不同处理间qCO₂的差异较小;各处理土壤微生物生物量碳、氮含量因培养时期不同而异.因此,生产中利用秸秆时应考虑不同施肥处理秸秆养分含量的差异.     

Effects of Exotic Earthworms on Soil Phosphorus Cycling in Two Broadleaf Temperate Forests

We compared the biogeochemical cycling of phosphorus (P) in northern hardwood forest plots invaded by exotic earthworms versus adjacent uninvaded reference plots. In three of the six pairs of plots, earthworm invasion resulted in significantly more total P in the upper 12 cm of soil. The finding of increased amounts of unavailable and occluded inorganic P forms in the invaded plots suggests that earthworm activity mobilized unweathered soil particles from deeper layers of the soil, increasing the stocks of total P in surface soils. In two pairs of plots, the earthworm-invaded soils had less total P than the reference soils. In these plots, earthworm activity resulted in augmented rates of P cycling and alteration of the physical structure of the soil that increased loss of P in leaching water, reducing the total amount of P. We hypothesize that the different effects of earthworm invasion on the soil P cycle result from unique characteristics of the ecological groups of earthworms dominating each site. The invaded plots with increased total P were dominated by the anecic species Lumbricus terrestris, a large earthworm that constructs deep, vertical burrows and is effective at moving soil materials from and to deeper layers of the profile. In contrast, the earthworm-invaded plots where the total P in the surface soil decreased were dominated by the epi-endogeic species L. rubellus, which feeds and lives in the upper organic layers of the soil. In these plots, earthworms significantly increased the amount of readily exchangeable P in the soil, increasing the loss of this element in leaching water.     

Long term effects of manure, charcoal and mineral fertilization on crop production and fertility on a highly weathered Central Amazonian upland soil

Application of organic fertilizers and charcoal increase nutrient stocks in the rooting zone of crops, reduce nutrient leaching and thus improve crop production on acid and highly weathered tropical soils. In a field trial near Manaus (Brazil) 15 different amendment combinations based on equal amounts of carbon (C) applied through chicken manure (CM), compost, charcoal, and forest litter were tested during four cropping cycles with rice (Oryza sativa L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) in five replicates. CM amendments resulted in the highest (P < 0.05) cumulative crop yield (12.4 Mg ha⁻¹) over four seasons. Most importantly, surface soil pH, phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) were significantly enhanced by CM. A single compost application produced fourfold more grain yield (P < 0.05) than plots mineral fertilized in split applications. Charcoal significantly improved plant growth and doubled grain production if fertilized with NPK in comparison to the NPK-fertilizer without charcoal (P < 0.05). The higher yields caused a significantly greater nutrient export in charcoal-amended fields, but available nutrients did not decrease to the same extent as on just mineral fertilized plots. Exchangeable soil aluminum (Al) was further reduced if mineral fertilizer was applied with charcoal (from 4.7 to 0 mg kg⁻¹). The resilience of soil organic matter (SOM) in charcoal amended plots (8 and 4% soil C loss, mineral fertilized or not fertilized, respectively) indicates the refractory nature of charcoal in comparison to SOM losses over 20 months in CM (27%), compost amended (27%), and control plots (25% loss).     

塔克拉玛干沙漠南缘荒漠绿洲过渡带不同土地利用影响下土壤化学计量特征

荒漠绿洲过渡带在维护绿洲生态安全和绿洲稳定上具有重要作用。垦荒等土地利用的增强使得荒漠绿洲过渡带的健康稳定受到了巨大的挑战。以塔克拉玛干沙漠南缘典型荒漠绿洲过渡带为研究对象,系统分析了不同土地利用方式(桑田、半自然柽柳林、瓜地、棉花-玉米地)对土壤养分化学计量特征的影响。土壤取样沿农田到荒漠方向进行,分5层进行。研究发现,土壤各养分指标均受土地利用方式(4种)、土层(5层)和与农田边缘垂直距离(4梯度)的显著影响,且存在一定的交互作用。土地利用方式显著影响土壤各养分元素含量。随土层由浅到深,有机碳(C)、有效氮(N)和有效磷(P)基本呈下降趋势,全N具有波动变化,而全P变化不显著。随与农田边缘垂直距离的增加,各养分含量基本呈递减趋势。对同一土层(共选择三层)不同土地利用方式下土壤养分具体分析表明,棉花-玉米地这一利用方式在农田内部具有最高的土壤有机C和全N含量,其次为桑田。随着与农田边缘垂直距离的增加,土壤C、N含量优势减弱。除农田内部样地(0 m)外,三层土壤全P含量基本呈桑田柽柳林棉花-玉米地趋势。表层有效N含量在农田内部样地(0 m)瓜地最高,其他距离处(大于等于20 m)棉花-玉米地高,下层土壤有效氮含量在农田内部各土地利用方式间无差异。在各距离样点处不同土地利用类型间土壤有效P含量的变化无明显规律,在农田内部以瓜地有效P含量最高。棉花-玉米地土壤全量N/P在农田内部和与农田边缘垂直距离20 m处含量最高。三土层土壤有效N/P在农田内部以柽柳林最高,随着与农田边缘垂直距离增加,土壤有效N/P显著改变。综合来看,土地利用对荒漠绿洲过渡带土壤营养含量的增加具有正向作用,由土壤养分变化带来的生态效应值得关注。     

The effects of mineral fertilizer and organic manure on soil microbial community and diversity

The effects of mineral fertilizer (NPK) and organic manure on phospholipid fatty acid profiles and microbial functional diversity were investigated in a long-term (21-year) fertilizer experiment. The experiment included nine treatments: organic manure (OM), organic manure plus fertilizer NPK (OM + NPK), fertilizer NPK (NPK), fertilizer NP (NP), fertilizer NK (NK), fertilizer N (N), fertilizer P (P), fertilizer K (K), and the control (CK, without fertilization). The original soil was extremely eroded, characterized by low pH and deficiencies of nutrients, particularly N and P. The application of OM and OM + NPK greatly increased crop yields, soil pH, organic C, total N, P and K, available N, P and K content. Crop yields, soil pH, organic C, total N and available N were also clearly increased by the application of mineral NPK fertilizer. The amounts of total PLFAs, bacterial, Gram-negative and actinobacterial PLFAs were highest in the OM + NPK treatment, followed by the OM treatment, whilst least in the N treatment. The amounts of Gram-positive and anaerobic PLFAs were highest in the OM treatment whilst least in the P treatment and the control, respectively. The amounts of aerobic and fungal PLFAs were highest in the NPK treatment whilst least in the N and P treatment, respectively. The average well color development (AWCD) was significantly increased by the application of OM and OM + NPK, and the functional diversity indices including Shannon index (H ^′ ), Simpson index (D) and McIntosh index (U) were also significantly increased by the application of OM and OM + NPK. Principal component analysis (PCA) of PLFA profiles and C source utilization patterns were used to describe changes in microbial biomass and metabolic fingerprints from nine fertilizer treatments. The PLFA profiles from OM, OM + NPK, NP and NPK were significantly different from that of CK, N, P, K and NK, and C source utilization patterns from OM and OM + NPK were clearly different from organic manure deficient treatments (CK, N, P, K, NP, NK 6 and NPK). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that total N, available P and soil pH significantly affected PLFA profiles and microbial functional diversity. Our results could provide a better understanding of the importance of organic manure plus balanced fertilization with N, P and K in promoting the soil microbial biomass, activity and diversity and thus enhancing crop growth and production.     

The effect of environmental heterogeneity on clonal behaviour of Prunella vulgaris L.

Melinis minutiflora Beauv. (Poaceae) is an African grass that is invading mid-elevation Trachypogon savannas in Venezuela. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of soil fertility, competition and soil disturbance in facilitating Melinis' invasion and growth in these savanna sites. We manipulated soil fertility by adding nitrogen (+N), phosphorus and potassium (+PK), or nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (+NPK). We simultaneously manipulated the competitive environment by clipping background vegetation. In a separate experiment, we mechanically disrupted the soil to simulate disturbance. We hypothesized that germination and growth were bottlenecks to early establishment in undisturbed savanna, but that disturbance would alleviate those bottlenecks. We measured Melinis seed germination and subsequent establishment by adding seeds to all plots. We examined Melinis growth by measuring biomass of Melinis seedling transplants, 11 months after they were placed into treatment plots. Germination and establishment of Melinis from seed was extremely low. Of the 80,000 seeds applied in the experiment, only 28 plants survived the first growing season. Mortality of Melinis seedling transplants was lowest in PK fertilized plots, but in the absence of PK mortality increased with N additions and clipping. By contrast, fertilization of the savanna with NPK greatly increased Melinis seedling biomass and this effect was greatly enhanced when competition was reduced (e.g. clipping). Melinis transplant growth responded strongly to soil disturbance- a response not fully explained by removal of competitors (clipping) or changes in soil nutrients and moisture. We suspect that disruption of the soil structure allowed for greater root proliferation and subsequent plant growth. We believe that native savanna is relatively resistant to Melinis invasion, since Melinis seedlings persisted in intact savanna but exhibited little or no growth during the first year. The significant enhancement of Melinis seedling growth with clipping and nutrient additions suggests that low soil nutrients and the presence of native savanna species are important factors in the ability of native savanna to resist Melinis establishment. However, the potential for Melinis growth increases enormously with soil disturbance.     

Long-term effect of mineral fertilizers and amendments on microbial dynamics in an alfisol of Western Himalayas

The microbial dynamics expressed in terms of culturable microbial populations i.e. bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and Azotobacter were measured after 33 years of continuous application of mineral fertilizers and amendments to an acid alfisol. The bacterial, fungal and Azotobacter populations were maximum in plots treated with mineral fertilizers and FYM (100%NPK+FYM) while actinomycetes population was maximum in mineral fertilizes and lime treated plots (100%NPK+Lime). The bacterial population decreased and fungal population increased with increasing levels of NPK i.e. from 50% to 150%NPK. Bacillus species of bacteria and Gliocladium, Aspergillus and Rhizopus species of fungi were the main dominating culturable microorganisms in all the treatments. The FYM and lime amended plots sustained crop productivity and microbial populations at higher levels than rest of the mineral fertilizer treatments. The nitrogenous fertilizers alone had the most deleterious effect on crop productivity and the biological soil environment.     

长期养分添加对贝加尔针茅草原土壤微生物群落的影响

土壤微生物是土壤生态系统的重要组成部分,是土壤生态系统物质循环和能量流动的主要参与者,在维持土壤生态系统过程和功能方面发挥着关键作用。以内蒙古贝加尔针茅草原为研究对象,采用磷脂脂肪酸(PLFA)技术,探讨连续12年氮(N)、磷(P)、钾(K)养分单一添加和复合添加条件下草地土壤理化性质、微生物群落结构特征的变化及其主要影响因素。结果表明,长期养分添加条件下,土壤有机碳和全氮均无显著变化,但磷(P、NP、PK、NPK)和钾(K、NK、PK、NPK)添加处理分别显著提高了土壤速效磷和速效钾含量(P < 0.05)。单一氮添加显著增加了土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量,并显著降低了土壤pH值(P < 0.05)。单一磷和钾添加均提高了土壤细菌、真菌、放线菌和总PLFA含量,而单一氮添加和复合养分添加(NP、NK、PK、NPK)均显著降低了以上指标的含量(P < 0.05)。此外,各养分添加处理均未显著改变革兰氏阳性细菌与革兰氏阴性细菌比(G⁺/G^-),但含氮的复合添加处理(NP、NK、NPK)均显著降低了真菌与细菌比 (F/B) (P < 0.05)。相关性分析结果表明,多种微生物PLFA含量与速效磷和铵态氮显著负相关,与土壤pH值显著正相关。基于冗余分析和随机森林模型分析发现土壤pH值和土壤磷含量是影响土壤微生物群落特征的主要驱动因素。综上,长期养分添加显著改变了土壤速效养分含量和土壤pH值,并显著影响了土壤微生物群落结构。     

Effects of below-ground insects, mycorrhizal fungi and soil fertility on the establishment of Vicia in grassland communities

 The effects of, and interactions between, insect root feeders, vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and soil fertility on the establishment, growth and reproduction of Vicia sativa and V. hirsuta (Fabaceae) were investigated in an early-successional grassland community. Seeds of both species were sown into plots where soil insecticide (Dursban 5G), soil fungicide (Rovral) and soil fertiliser (NPK) were applied in a factorial randomised block design. Fertiliser addition reduced growth, longevity and reproduction of both Vicia species, due to the commonly recorded increase in the competitive advantage of the non-nitrogen-fixing species when nitrogen is added to the plant community. However, in plots where fertiliser was not applied, a reduction in root feeders and mycorrhizal infection led to an increase in seedling establishment and fruit production of V. sativa, and to an increase in flower production for both Vicia species. The interaction between all three soil treatments explained much of the variation in growth and longevity of V. sativa. Plants grew larger and survived longer in plots where natural levels of mycorrhizal infection and root feeders were low compared with plots where all the treatments were applied. This suggests that, although soil nutrient availability was a strong determinant of the performance of these two leguminous species, at natural levels of soil fertility biotic factors acting in the soil, such as mycorrhizal fungi and soil-dwelling insects, were important in shaping the competitive interactions between the two Vicia species and the plant community. Our results indicate that non-additive interactions between ecological factors in the soil environment may strongly affect plant performance. Received: 18 July 1995 / Accepted: 14 August 1996     

Long‐term nitrogen fertilization decreases bacterial diversity and favors the growth of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria in agro‐ecosystems across the globe

Long‐term elevated nitrogen (N) input from anthropogenic sources may cause soil acidification and decrease crop yield, yet the response of the belowground microbial community to long‐term N input alone or in combination with phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) is poorly understood. We explored the effect of long‐term N and NPK fertilization on soil bacterial diversity and community composition using meta‐analysis of a global dataset. Nitrogen fertilization decreased soil pH, and increased soil organic carbon (C) and available N contents. Bacterial taxonomic diversity was decreased by N fertilization alone, but was increased by NPK fertilization. The effect of N fertilization on bacterial diversity varied with soil texture and water management, but was independent of crop type or N application rate. Changes in bacterial diversity were positively related to both soil pH and organic C content under N fertilization alone, but only to soil organic C under NPK fertilization. Microbial biomass C decreased with decreasing bacterial diversity under long‐term N fertilization. Nitrogen fertilization increased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, but reduced the abundance of Acidobacteria, consistent with the general life history strategy theory for bacteria. The positive correlation between N application rate and the relative abundance of Actinobacteria indicates that increased N availability favored the growth of Actinobacteria. This first global analysis of long‐term N and NPK fertilization that differentially affects bacterial diversity and community composition provides a reference for nutrient management strategies for maintaining belowground microbial diversity in agro‐ecosystems worldwide.