Microbes drive global soil nitrogen mineralization and availability

Soil net nitrogen mineralization rate (N_min), which is critical for soil nitrogen availability and plant growth, is thought to be primarily controlled by climate and soil physical and/or chemical properties. However, the role of microbes on regulating soil N_min has not been evaluated on the global scale. By compiling 1565 observational data points of potential net N_min from 198 published studies across terrestrial ecosystems, we found that N_min significantly increased with soil microbial biomass, total nitrogen, and mean annual precipitation, but decreased with soil pH. The variation of N_min was ascribed predominantly to soil microbial biomass on global and biome scales. Mean annual precipitation, soil pH, and total soil nitrogen significantly influenced N_min through soil microbes. The structural equation models (SEM) showed that soil substrates were the main factors controlling N_min when microbial biomass was excluded. Microbe became the primary driver when it was included in SEM analysis. SEM with soil microbial biomass improved the N_min prediction by 19% in comparison with that devoid of soil microbial biomass. The changes in N_min contributed the most to global soil NH₄⁺‐N variations in contrast to climate and soil properties. This study reveals the complex interactions of climate, soil properties, and microbes on N_min and highlights the importance of soil microbial biomass in determining N_min and nitrogen availability across the globe. The findings necessitate accurate representation of microbes in Earth system models to better predict nitrogen cycle under global change.     

Prediction of nitrogen responses of corn by soil nitrogen mineralization indicators

Soil nitrogen mineralization potential (N min) has to be spatially quantified to enable farmers to vary N fertilizer rates, optimize crop yields, and minimize N transfer from soils to the environment. The study objectives were to assess the spatial variability in soil N min potential based on clay and organic matter (OM) contents and the impact of grouping soils using these criteria on corn grain (Zea mays L.) yield, N uptake response curves to N fertilizer, and soil residual N. Four indicators were used: OM content and three equations involving OM and clay content. The study was conducted on a 15-ha field near Montreal, Quebec, Canada. In the spring 2000, soil samples (n = 150) were collected on a 30- x 30-m grid and six rates of N fertilizer (0 to 250 kg N ha(-1)) were applied. Kriged maps of particle size showed areas of clay, clay loam, and fine sandy loam soils. The N min indicators were spatially structured but soil nitrate (NO3-) was not. The N fertilizer rate to reach maximum grain yield (N max), as estimated by a quadratic model, varied among textural classes and Nmin indicators, and ranged from 159 to 250 kg N ha(-1). The proportion of variability (R2) and the standard error of the estimate (SE) varied among textural groups and N min indicators. The R2 ranged from 0.53 to 0.91 and the SE from 0.13 to 1.62. Corn grain N uptake was significantly affected by N fertilizer and the pattern of response differed with soil texture. For the 50 kg N ha(-1) rate, the apparent N min potential (ANM) was significantly larger in the clay loam (122 kg ha(-1)) than in the fine sandy loam (80 kg ha(-1)) or clay (64 kg ha(-1)) soils. The fall soil residual N was not affected by N fertlizer inputs. Textural classes can be used to predict N max. The N min indicators may also assist the variable rate N fertilizer inputs for corn production.     

Inhibition of mineralization of urea nitrogen in soil

Summary The effects of anthraquinones and some other quinonoid and phenolic compounds on mineralization of urea N in soils were studied by estimating the influence on urease activity and nitrification. Anthraquinones did not affect the mineralization of urea N but 1,4-naphthoquinone; 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone; 2–3-dichlorohydroquinone; 4,6-di-tert.butyl-o-benzoquinone; 4-tert.butylpyrocatechol and 4,6-di-tert.butylpyrocatechol inhibited urease activity and nitrification. The hydrolysis of urea (100 ppm) was not prevented by partial reduction in urease activity. The effective substances also inhibited dehydrogenase activity.     

Effect of mild drying on the mineralization of soil nitrogen

Summary Drying soil to –100 kPa increased the subsequent mineralization of nitrogen under optimal moisture conditions. The effect was greater when the soils were dried to –1500 Pa. Mineralization was greater after four cycles of wetting and drying than after one. Depending on the drying conditions, the amount of nitrogen mineralized after drying to –1500 Pa was between 6.8 and 18.2% of that mineralized after chloroform fumigation. After drying the soils the average ratio of CO₂-C respired to min N was 21.1–22.3 depending on the drying conditions, whereas after chloroform treatment and autoclaving the ratio was 6.0 and 9.9 respectively. The effect of drying on nitrogen mineralization is attributed to two causes: the death and subsequent lysis of a small proportion of the soil organisms, and to the desorption of organic substances with a wide C/N ratio.Because of the stimulation of even mild drying conditions, marked differences in mineralization rates of soil nitrogen between cropping seasons must be expected.     

Effect of cultivation on the mineralization of nitrogen in soil

Summary The effect of cultivation (ploughing followed by rotavation) on the mineralization of soil nitrogen was measured at 2 sites on a silt loam soil. Both sites had a predominantly arable cropping history but one had been under grass for the previous 2 years and the other had carried wheat. Mineralization of N was slightly faster in cultivated soil but the difference was only significant at the site previously under grass. At this site cultivated soil contained 7 kg ha^–1 more mineral N than uncultivated soil 2 weeks after treatment, and 9 kg ha^–1 after 6 weeks. The corresponding figures for the site that had grown wheat were 4 and 6 kg N ha^–1.     

尕海湿地草甸土退化过程土壤氮矿化演变特征

氮矿化是生态系统循环的重要环节之一,影响着生态系统功能和氮素生物地球化学循环,因此研究高寒湿地退化过程中土壤氮矿化演变特征,对揭示气候变化和人为活动干扰背景下的湿地土壤氮素循环过程具有重要意义。以尕海湿地4种不同退化梯度(未退化、轻度退化、中度退化、重度退化)土壤为研究对象,采用野外树脂芯原位培养方法,通过对植物生长季不同生长阶段(生长初期、生长盛期、枯萎期)土壤氮素矿化作用研究,分析湿地退化演替过程中土壤氮矿化时空变化特征及其与土壤环境因子和酶活性之间的关系。结果表明：尕海湿地退化对土壤氮矿化过程有显著抑制作用,与未退化(0.143 mg kg^-1 d^-1)相比,轻度退化、中度退化、重度退化的土壤净氮矿化速率分别减小了0.018 mg kg^-1 d^-1、0.025 mg kg^-1 d^-1、0.020 mg kg^-1 d^-1;随着退化程度加剧,土壤净氨化速率逐渐减小或者不变,而净硝化速率却增大。随时间推移,各退化...     

氮硅添加对青藏高原高寒草甸土壤氮矿化的影响

为了解全球气候变化背景下氮沉降对土壤氮矿化的影响及硅添加对土壤氮矿化的促进作用, 该试验设置不同浓度的氮肥单独添加(0、20、40、60 g·m ^-2, 分别为对照CK、N20、N40、N60)以及与硅肥配施(硅酸4 g·m ^-2, Si4), 测定不同处理下0-20、20-40、40-60 cm土层土壤硝态氮含量、铵态氮含量、净硝化速率、净氨化速率以及净矿化速率。结果显示: (1)单独添加氮肥, 各土层土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量均随处理浓度的增加而增加, 0-20 cm土层N20、N40、N60处理下土壤硝态氮和铵态氮分别较CK增加63.48%、126.04%、247.03%和80.66%、152.52%、244.56%; 随着土层深度增加, 土壤硝态氮、铵态氮含量均有下降, 20-40、40-60 cm土层较0-20 cm土层硝态氮含量分别平均减少53.90%、76.05%, 铵态氮含量分别平均减少48.62%、68.23%。(2)土壤净硝化速率、净氨化速率及净矿化速率随着氮肥浓度增加均呈上升趋势。相同氮肥添加浓度下, 土壤净硝化速率、净氨化速率和净矿化速率随着土层深度增加逐渐下降(除CK外)。(3)与单独添加氮肥比较, 氮硅肥配施, 土壤氮含量有显著提高, 在0-20 cm土层硝态氮和铵态氮较CK分别增加98.78%、192.62%、330.16%和99.96%、195.82%、306.32%, 20-40、40-60 cm土层也有类似趋势。同时, 氮硅配施促进了土壤氮矿化行为, 在0-20 cm土层, N60Si4处理下的土壤净硝化速率、净氨化速率较单独施氮时分别增加35.88%、27.41%。以上结果表明, 与单独氮肥添加相比, 氮硅配施不但能提高土壤氮含量, 而且能促进土壤氮的矿化作用, 对大气氮沉降有一定的缓解作用。     

氮素添加和刈割对内蒙古弃耕草地土壤氮矿化的影响

以内蒙古多伦县恢复生态学试验示范研究站弃耕10余年的草地为研究对象,于2006年起分别设置对照、氮素添加、刈割和氮素添加+刈割4种处理,每种处理6次重复,研究弃耕草地氮素添加和刈割对土壤氮矿化的影响,结合土壤理化性质和植被地上生产力的动态变化,分析弃耕草地土壤氮矿化对植被恢复的响应,为当地草地恢复与重建提供理论依据和数据支持。实验结果表明:1氮素添加显著增加了植物地上净初级生产力(ANPP)和土壤无机氮库,与对照相比分别提高115%和196%,同时显著提高了土壤总硝化速率;但是氮素添加对总氨化速率、土壤微生物生物量碳(MBC)、微生物生物量氮(MBN)、微生物生物量碳氮比(MBC/MBN)、微生物呼吸(MR)以及呼吸熵(q CO2)均无显著影响;2总氨化速率和硝化速率对刈割处理的响应均不显著,但是刈割处理显著降低了土壤MR(P0.05);3氮素添加+刈割处理5—7a后,土壤总氨化和硝化速率均无显著变化;但是氮素添加+刈割处理显著增加了ANPP、土壤无机氮库和q CO2,同时显著降低了MBC和MBC/MBN。这说明在弃耕草地适应性管理中,氮素添加可以显著提高草地生产力,但是长期的氮添加对土壤微生物氮的转化是否有利还值得我们进一步研究。     

黄土高原不同土壤微生物量碳、氮与氮素矿化势的差异

以采自于黄土高原差异较大的25个农田石灰性耕层土壤为供试土样,对黄土高原主要类型土壤中微生物量碳(Bc)、微生物量氮(BN)和氮素矿化势(NO)的差异性进行了比较研究.结果表明,Bc、BN和NO在不同类型土壤间存在显著差异,由关中平原至陕北风沙区,BC、Bn和NO总体呈现下降趋势,其中以土垫旱耕人为土最高,简育干润均腐土最低,黄土正常新成土和干润砂质新成土居中:土垫旱耕人为土、简育干润均腐土、黄土正常新成土和干润砂质新成土等各土类平均BC分别为305.2μg·g-1,108.4μg·g-1,161.7μg·g-1和125.4μg·g-1,BN分别为43.8μg·g-1,20.3μg·g-1,26.0μg·g-1和30.6μg·g-1,NO分别为223μ·g-1,75μg·g-1,163μg·g-1和193μg·g-1.土壤氮素矿化速率(k)则以简育干润均腐土最大,干润砂质新成土最低,土垫旱耕人为土和黄土正常新成土居中:土垫旱耕人为土、简育干润均腐土、黄土正常新成土和干润砂质新成土的k分别为0.039w-1,0.044w-1,0.031w-1和0.019w-1.不同类型土壤BC、BN与NO的差异,主要与土壤形成过程、输入土壤的植物同化产物和土壤有机质的差异等有关,从较大尺度进一步证明了在黄土高原,土壤有机质是影响BC、BN的主要因子.研究结果对分析黄土高原土壤生产力形成过程具有一定参考价值.     

Temperature sensitivity of soil carbon and nitrogen mineralization: impacts of nitrogen species and land use type

Background and aims

Climate warming, nitrogen (N) deposition and land use change are some of the drivers affecting ecosystem processes such as soil carbon (C) and N dynamics, yet the interactive effects of those drivers on ecosystem processes are poorly understood. This study aimed to understand mechanisms of interactive effects of temperature, form of N deposition and land use type on soil C and N mineralization.

Methods

We studied, in a laboratory incubation experiment, the effects of temperature (15 vs. 25 °C) and species of N deposition (NH₄ ⁺-N vs. NO₃ ^?-N) on soil CO₂ efflux, dissolved organic C (DOC) and N (DON), NH₄ ⁺-N, and NO₃ ^?-N concentrations using intact soil columns collected from adjacent forest and grassland ecosystems in north-central Alberta.

Results

Temperature and land use type interacted to affect soil CO₂ efflux, concentrations of DON, NH₄ ⁺-N and NO₃ ^?-N in most measurement times, with the higher incubation temperature resulted in the higher CO₂ efflux and NH₄ ⁺-N concentrations in forest soils and higher DON and NO₃ ^?-N concentrations in grassland soils. Temperature and land use type affected the cumulative soil CO₂ efflux, and DOC, DON, NH₄ ⁺-N and NO₃ ^?-N concentrations. The form of N added or its interaction with the other two factors did not affect any of the C and N cycling parameters.

Conclusions

Temperature and land use type were dominant factors affecting soil C loss, with the soil C in grassland soils more stable and resistant to temperature changes. The lack of short-term effects of the deposition of different N species on soil C and N mineralization suggest that maybe there was a threshold for the N effect to kick in and long-term experiments should be conducted to further elucidate the species of N deposition effects on soil C and N cycling in the studied systems.     

石灰性土壤微生物量碳、氮与土壤颗粒组成和氮矿化势的关系

以黄土高原土壤类型和土壤肥力差异较大的25个农田石灰性耕层土壤为供试土样,研究了土壤微生物量碳（BC）、微生物量氮（BN）与土壤氮素矿化势（NO）、全氮（TN）、有机碳（OC）及土壤颗粒组成的关系．结果表明：BC、BN与TN、OC呈极显著正相关（P〈0．01）,表明BC、BN与土壤肥力关系密切,可作为评价土壤质量的生物学指标．BC、BN与NO均呈高度正相关,相关系数分别为0．665和0．741（P〈0．01）．BC、BN、TN、OC、NO与土壤物理性粘粒（〈0．01mm）呈显著或极显著正相关,而与物理性砂粒（〉0．01mm）呈显著或极显著负相关,与物理性粘粒和砂粒比值呈显著或极显著正相关,表明土壤有机质主要通过与土壤物理性粘粒复合而形成有机无机复合体．     

食真菌线虫与真菌的相互作用及其对土壤氮素矿化的影响

采用悉生培养微缩体系,探讨了食真菌线虫(燕麦真滑刃线虫)与两种真菌(真菌Ⅰ：外皮毛霉和真菌Ⅱ：丛梗孢科的一种)间的相互作用及其对土壤氮素矿化的影响．结果表明,燕麦真滑刃线虫在取食两种真菌时表现为在真菌Ⅱ上的生长优于真菌Ⅰ,两个处理的线虫数达到显著差异．食真菌线虫对真菌的取食活动促进了真菌的增殖：接种真菌Ⅱ加线虫处理中真菌Ⅱ的数量是仅接种真菌Ⅱ处理的2．5～3．5倍,增幅在整个培养期基本稳定;而接种真菌Ⅰ加线虫处理中真菌Ⅰ的数量在培养前期(10d)是仅接种真菌Ⅰ处理的1．1～2．0倍。之后增幅达5．0～5．7倍．线虫和真菌的生长及增殖基本保持同步．食真菌线虫与真菌的相互作用显著提高了土壤铵态氮和矿质态氮含量,促进了土壤氮的矿化,其中线虫与真菌Ⅰ的相互作用对提高矿质态氮含量的贡献显著大于线虫与真菌Ⅱ的相互作用。     

亚热带不同林分土壤矿质氮库及氮矿化速率的季节动态

以亚热带地区天然林、格氏栲人工林和杉木人工林为对象,采取PVC管原位培养连续取样法,对不同林分土壤净氨化速率、净硝化速率及净氮矿化速率进行为期一年(2014年9月—2015年8月)的研究,分析林分类型和季节动态对土壤矿质氮库和净氮矿化速率的影响.结果表明: 硝态氮是该地区土壤矿质氮库的主要存在形式,天然林和杉木人工林土壤硝态氮含量分别占总土壤矿质氮库的55.1%～87.5%和56.1%～79.1%,林分间土壤铵态氮含量差异不显著,硝态氮含量差异显著,其中格氏栲人工林土壤硝态氮含量显著低于天然林和杉木人工林.土壤硝态氮库和矿质氮库在不同月份间差异显著,在植物非生长季节(10月至次年2月)较大,在植物生长季节(3—9月)较小.各林分全年土壤净硝化速率均较低,净氨化速率是净氮矿化速率的主要存在形式,林分类型对土壤净氨化速率有显著影响,其中杉木人工林显著低于天然林和格氏栲人工林.月份对土壤净氨化速率有显著影响,各林分土壤净氨化速率变化规律不一致,但均在11月和2月达到一年中的最低值.重复测量方差分析显示,林分类型和季节动态对土壤矿质氮库及氮矿化速率均有显著影响.温度和水分是影响土壤矿质库及氮矿化速率的重要因素,凋落物对土壤氮矿化速率的影响主要是通过质量控制而非数量控制.     

四种温带森林土壤氮矿化与硝化时空格局

利用PVC管原位培养连续取样法测定了东北地区4种具有代表性的森林生态系统(硬阔叶林、蒙古栎林、红松林、落叶松林)土壤氮素矿化、硝化的时间动态及氮矿化的空间分布格局.结果表明:4种森林土壤氮素矿化存在明显的时空变异.蒙古栎和红松林土壤在6月份表现出强烈的氮矿化和硝化作用,而硬阔叶林及落叶松林7月份氮素矿化强烈.4种森林生态系统上层土壤的氮净矿(硝)化率显著高于下层土壤.4种林型土壤的硝化过程在氮矿化过程中占有重要地位,其NO-3-N在无机氮中的比例分别为:79.9%～91.1%(硬阔叶林)、50.7%～80.5%(蒙古栎林)、54.1%～92.0%(红松林)、63.7%～86.5%(落叶松林).生态系统构成决定了土壤氮素的矿化能力.阔叶林和针阔混交林生态系统矿化率大于纯针叶林生态系统.硬阔叶林、红松林、蒙古栎林、落叶松林的平均净矿化率分别为:(0.58±0.01) mg · kg-1 · d-1、(0.47±0.19) mg · kg-1 · d-1、(0.39±0.11) mg · kg-1 · d-1和(0.23±0.06) mg · kg-1 · d-1.4种林型氮素矿化作用与地下5 cm温度呈正相关,并受土壤表层 (0～10 cm)水分显著影响.土壤微生物量氮与土壤氮矿化呈显著正相关.     

森林生态系统土壤氮矿化影响因素研究进展

森林生态系统土壤氮矿化是生态系统中最重要的功能之一,综述了近10余年来森林生态系统土壤氮矿化影响因素的研究,在前人的基础上将其影响因素归成3类;（1）环境因子,（2）凋落物质量,（3）土壤动物和微生物,其中环境因子中的土壤温、湿度是影响土壤氮矿化的最重要因子,氮素可利用性、氮转化与群落演替、植物多样性间相互关系的研究正受到愈来愈多的重视,研究CO2倍增及其引起的全球变暖对土壤氮素转化的潜在影响也已成为当前全球变化问题研究的热点之一。     

Decomposition and nitrogen mineralization in natural and agroecosystems: the contribution of soil animals

The present article centres on the contribution of soil animals to organic. matter decomposition and nitrogen mineralization in natural and agro-ecosystems. Criteria are presented for the categorisation of the soil fauna in functional groups in order to be able to quantify the contribution of the soil fauna. Three types of classifications: size, habitat and food, are discussed. For various natural ecosystems, such as prairies and forests, and for agro-ecosystems a rather similar outcome of the faunal contribution to nitrogen mobilization of approximately 30% appears to exist. This value is dependent on various types of interactions among functional groups, changes in population density of microorganisms and soil fauna, seasonally changing abiotic factors and management, such as fertilization, harvesting and addition of harvest residues to the soil. Finally, to improve management of ecosystems as related to soil faunal activity in decomposition, lines are set out for further research such as the development of dynamic models, studies concerning the effects of perturbation in relation to microbial dominance and the integration of the study of below-ground food webs with ecological theories.     

Kinetic parameters of nitrogen mineralization rates of leguminous crops incorporated into soil

Summary Fresh leguminous plant residues were incorporated into soil columns and incubated at 23°C for up to 20 weeks. The N released from specific fractions (foliage, stems, and roots) of each residue were monitored at specific time intervals. Relationships between organic carbon, total nitrogen, CN ratio, lipids, and lignin content of the plant materials and the cumulative amount of N mineralized in soil were investigated. Statistical analyses indicated that the rates of N mineralized were not significantly correlated with the organic C nor lipid content of the residues. However, the cumulative amount of N released was significantly correlated with the total N content of the plant material (r=0.93^***). The percentage of organic N of the legumes mineralized in soil ranged from 15.9 to 76.0%. The relationship between the percentage of N released and the CN ratio of the plant material showed an inverse cuvilinear response (r= 0.88^***). It was also evident that the composition of lignin in the residue influenced N mine-ralization rates of the leguminous organs incorporated into soil.There was a curvilinear relationship between the cumulative amount of N released from the residues and time of incubation. Nitrogen mineralization rates were described by first-order kinetics to estimate the N mineralization potential (N₀), mineralization rate constant (k), and the time of incubation required to mineralize one-half of N₀ (t_1/2). The kinetic parameters were calculated by both the linear least squares (LLS) and nonlinear least squares (NLLS) transformations. The N₀ values among the crop residues varied from –35 to 510 g Ng^–1 soil. Statistical analyses revealed that the N₀ values obtained by both LLS and NLLS methods were significantly correlated (r=0.93^***). The mineralization rate constants (k) of the residues ranged from 0.045 to 0.325 week^–1. The time of incubation required to mineralize one-half the nitrogen mineralization potential (t_1/2) of the legumes incorporated into soil ranged from 2.1 to 15.4 weeks.