Nitrogen fertilization to optimize the greenhouse gas balance of hemp crops grown for biomass

Nitrogen trials were carried out on hemp crops grown in Ireland over a 3 year period to identify nitrogen fertilization strategies which optimize the greenhouse gas (GHG) and energy balances of hemp crops grown for biomass. Nitrogen rates up to 150 kg N ha^?1 were used in the study. Yield increased with nitrogen rate up to 120 kg N ha^?1 for early (Ferimon), mid (Felina 32) and late maturing (Futura 75) varieties. Variety had a significant effect on yield with yields increasing with maturation date. In 2 years of the study, certain application rates of nitrogen were applied either at sowing, at emergence, after emergence or split between these dates to determine if nitrogen rates could be reduced by delaying or splitting the applications. The application of nitrogen at times later than sowing or in splits during the early part of the growing season had no significant effect on biomass yield compared with the practice of applying nitrogen at the time of sowing. Late applications of nitrogen reduced leaf chlorophyll content and height early in the growing season. Later in the growing season, there was no difference in height between treatments although the highest concentrations of chlorophyll were found in the leaves of the late application treatment. Nitrogen rate and the timing of nitrogen application had no effect on plant density. Biomass yield, net energy and net GHG mitigation increased up to an application rate of 120 kg N ha^?1, this result was independent of soil type or soil nitrogen level. Net GHG and energy balance of hemp crops grown for biomass are optimized if late maturing varieties are used for biomass production and a nitrogen rate of 120 kg ha^?1 is applied at sowing.     

松嫩平原玉米带农田土壤氮密度时空格局

基于1980年吉林省第二次全国土壤普查剖面资料和2003—2006年的实测数据,估算了松嫩平原玉米带不同土壤类型农田表层(0—20 cm)土壤氮密度和储量,分析了该地区土壤氮密度的25a时空变化特征及其原因。结果表明,两个时期松嫩平原玉米带农田土壤氮密度的空间分布格局基本一致,中部高、边缘低,平均土壤氮密度变化不大,均为0.31 kg/m2,但25 a间不同土壤类型和土地利用方式的土壤氮密度变化趋势存在差异,暗棕壤、水稻土和沼泽土的氮密度上升,其它类型土壤的氮密度不变或下降,旱田的氮密度不变,水田的氮密度明显下降,25 a间研究区内的农田土壤总氮储量每年减少7.6×105kg。25 a间土壤氮密度的变化与1980年的初始值负相关,土壤氮密度的新稳定状态值为0.32 kg/m2。如保持1980年的土地利用方式和栽培耕作措施不变,该地区农田土壤总固氮潜力为5.18×106kg/a。但实际上,与固氮潜力相比,2005年该区农田土壤总氮储量偏低了1.20×108kg。因此,今后该区应多注重肥料的合理施用,加强农田管理,尤其是旱田改水田的管理。     

施氮对高产小麦群体动态、产量和土壤氮素变化的影响

选用多穗型小麦品种豫麦49-198和大穗型小麦品种兰考矮早八,以河南温县和兰考为试验地点,在0、90、180、270、360Nkg.hm-2水平下,通过田间试验对小麦群体动态、产量和土壤氮素变化进行了研究.结果表明:两个品种小麦都是从出苗开始群体数量不断增加,到拔节期达到最大,然后开始下降.在不同施氮水平和试验点间,豫麦49-198在越冬期和返青期群体数量没有显著差异,拔节以后不同氮水平间群体数量差异显著;而兰考矮早八在所有生育时期,不同施氮水平间群体数量都没有显著差异.随氮肥用量的增加,小麦产量增加,但过量施氮则使小麦产量下降,豫麦49-198以270Nkg.hm-2水平下产量最高,在温县和兰考点分别为9523和9867kg.hm-2,兰考矮早八以180Nkg.hm-2水平下产量最高,在温县和兰考点分别为9258和9832kg.hm-2.随着氮肥用量的增加,土壤硝态氮含量和氮素表观损失增加,豫麦49-198在温县和兰考点的氮素表观损失分别占氮肥用量的32.56%～51.84%和-16.70%～42.60%,兰考矮早八则分别占氮肥用量的18.58%～52.94%和-11.50%～45.80%.在本研究条件下,兼顾产量和环境效应,0～90cm土壤硝态氮累积量不应超过120～140kg.hm-2,小麦氮用量不能超过180kg.hm-2.     

施肥对落叶松和水曲柳人工林土壤呼吸的影响

 以落叶松（Larix gmelinii）和水曲柳（Fraxinus mandshurica）人工林为研究对象,采用动态气室法（LI-6400-09叶室连接到LI-6400便携式CO₂/H₂O分析系统）对两种林分的土壤呼吸速率进行了观测,探讨了细根生物量、根中氮含量与土壤呼吸速率的关系,以及施肥对细根生物量、根中氮含量和土壤呼吸速率的影响。结果表明：1）施肥导致落叶松和水曲柳林分的活细根生物量降低18.4％和27.4％, 死细根生物量分别降低了34.8％和127.4 ％;2）施肥使落叶松和水曲柳林地土壤呼吸速率与对照相比分别减少了34.9％和25.8％;3 ）施肥对根中氮含量没有显著影响;4）落叶松和水曲柳林地的土壤呼吸与土壤温度表现出相同的季节变化,两种林分的土壤呼吸速率与地下5和10 cm处的温度表现出明显的指数关系 ,其相关性R²=0.93～0.98。土壤呼吸温度系数Q₁₀的范围在2.45～3.29。 施肥处理对Q₁₀没有产生影响,施肥处理导致细根生物量减少可能是引起林地土壤呼吸速率下降的主要原因。     

模拟氮沉降对荆条灌木“肥岛”土壤养分的影响

氮沉降的增加,可能会对土壤养分造成更为显著的影响,目前关于大气氮沉降对植物"肥岛"效应中土壤养分的影响鲜有报道。于河南省太行山南麓地区,以NH_4NO_3为供施氮源,按土层深度采集土样,以模拟氮沉降方法(3个水平,无氮CK、低氮2g N m~(-2)a~(-1)处理、中氮12g N m~(-2)a~(-1)处理和高氮24g N m~(-2)a~(-1)处理),分析了氮沉降对太行山荆条灌木(Vitex negundo L.var.)"肥岛"土壤中有机质、全氮和速效磷含量的影响。结果表明:灌木"肥岛"中全氮和速效磷含量,总体表现出随氮沉降量增长而增加的趋势;氮沉降显著增加了土壤表层有机质、氮、磷的含量;高氮沉降与CK相比引起的各土层间养分差异更显著;随着氮沉降水平的增加,冠幅内外和土层间养分差异增大,土壤养分的增长率随之加大;氮沉降在一定程度内加剧了"肥岛"的富集效应,且氮沉降量越大,这种富集效应越显著。这些研究结果可为研究灌木"肥岛"对外源氮的响应机制及保育作用提供参考。     

Impact of cotton planting date and nitrogen fertilization on Bemisia argentifolii populations

The silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia argentifolii Bellows and Perring) is a widely distributed pest of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and the population levels may be affected by rates of nitrogen fertilization and planting date. Field experiments were conducted to investigate the impact of cotton planting date and nitrogen fertilization on silverleaf whitefly population dynamics. Cotton was planted on 26 April and 8 June, for the early and late plantings, respectively. Nitrogen treatments consisted of soil applications of 0, 112, 168 and 224 kg of nitrogen per hectare. The population levels of adult whiteflies were much higher on early-planted cotton than on late planting. Also, increased numbers of adult whiteflies on both early and late plantings occurred with increasing amounts of applied nitrogen.Applied nitrogen increased seed cotton yields of early plantings but had no effect on the yields of late plantings.     

Dynamics of biomass and N accumulation of alfalfa under three N fertilization rates

The dynamics of biomass and N accumulation following defoliation of alfalfa and the application of N fertilization has rarely been studied under field conditions, particularly in the seeding year. Our objectives were to determine the effect of N fertilization on the dynamics of biomass and N accumulation during the first regrowth of alfalfa in the seeding year, and to determine if a model describing critical N concentration developed for established stands could be used in the seeding year. In two separate experiments conducted in 1992 and 1993, the biomass and N accumulation of alfalfa grown with three N rates (0, 40 and 80 kg N ha^-1) were determined weekly. Maximum shoot growth was reached with 40 kg N ha^-1 in 1992, and maximum shoot growth was not reached with the highest N fertilization rate in 1993. Nitrogen fixation, root N reserves and soil inorganic N uptake when no N was applied were, therefore, not sufficient to ensure non-limiting N conditions, particularly when growth rates were the highest between 14 to 21 d after defoliation. Nitrogen fertilization increased shoot biomass accumulation in the first 21 d of regrowth, biomass partitioning to the shoots and shoot and taproot N concentrations. The model parameters of critical N concentration developed by Lemaire et al. (1985) for established stands of alfalfa were not adequate in the seeding year. The N requirements per unit of shoot biomass produced are greater in the seeding year than on established stands, and this was attributed to a greater proportion of leaves in the seeding year.     

氮肥对夏秋季茶树吸收根生物量和养分储量的影响

以12年生龙井43茶树为研究对象,在7月至翌年1月利用土钻法对连续5a施用不同氮肥处理后的茶树吸收根生物量和养分含量进行了研究。结果表明茶树吸收根生物量在0.34-0.72 mg/dm3之间,碳、氮、磷、钾和镁储量变异范围分别为12.6-25.2 mg/dm~3、4.55-11.2 mg/dm~3、0.47-1.19 mg/dm~3、1.31-4.05 mg/dm~3、0.30-1.19 mg/dm~3。茶树吸收根生物量和各养分含量随月份变化呈现双峰型,峰值分别在8月和翌年1月,而7月和11月生物量和养分储量均较低。与不施肥对照相比,施用氮肥影响茶树吸收根生物量,氮肥施用对茶树吸收根生物量的影响因氮肥施用时间而异。不同氮肥施用水平下茶树吸收根总碳浓度和总碳含量均不存在显著差异。受氮肥施用时间影响,施氮对茶树吸收根氮浓度的影响不同月份间存在差异,其中7月、8月和1月施氮处理下氮浓度较高,而9月、10月和11月不施氮处理下氮浓度较高。氮肥施用对各月份茶树吸收根氮养分储量均没有显著影响。氮肥施用降低了部分月份茶树吸收根磷、钾和镁的浓度和储量。施用中等用量的氮肥能缩小茶树吸收根夏秋季氮磷钾镁养分储量的月份间差异。     

长白山天然次生林土壤微生物量对氮沉降的响应

土壤微生物作为土壤养分的生物驱动因素,氮沉降会改变其活性和生物量,从而打破土壤养分循环动态平衡。氮沉降对热带、亚热带森林以及温带原始林生态系统土壤微生物量影响的研究较多,但对温带天然次生林影响的研究鲜有报道。于2016年5月(春)、7月(夏)和9月(秋)分别对长白山模拟10年氮沉降的控制试验样地——白桦山杨次生林进行了野外调查。控制试验分为3个氮添加处理,对照(CK 0 kg N hm~(-2)a~(-1))、低氮(LN 25 kg N hm~(-2)a~(-1))和高氮(HN 50 kg N hm~(-2)a~(-1)),按照土壤层(0—10 cm和10—20 cm)分别测试了不同处理的土壤微生物量碳(MBC)和氮(MBN)、土壤全碳(TC)、全氮(TN)和全磷(TP)、p H、土壤可溶性有机碳(DOC)和氮(DON)等指标。结果表明:1)土壤p H在氮沉降的作用下显著降低;上层土壤TC、TN在氮沉降下变化较小,下层土壤TC、TN的含量显著增加;氮沉降下春、夏两季土壤TP含量上升,LN处理在秋季对TP有抑制作用;氮沉降对DOC、DON的影响不显著。2)上层土壤MBC春季到秋季呈现递减的趋势,下层土壤呈现先升后降的趋势,HN对MBC有抑制作用,LN对下层土壤MBC有促进作用;土壤MBN由春季到秋季呈现递减的趋势,且上、下层土壤MBN差异显著;氮处理对春、秋两季MBN有促进作用,夏季有抑制作用;氮沉降使春、秋两季MBC/MBN降低,夏季土壤MBC/MBN升高。3)氮处理、季节变化和土层深度对MBC、MBN存在显著影响,其交互影响也显著。总之,长期氮沉降在生长季对土壤微生物量的影响具有季节性差异,且受到土层深度的影响。未来研究在重视年际变化的同时,也要注重时空动态对氮沉降作用表现出的差异性。     

华西雨屏区天然常绿阔叶林土壤可培养微生物数量对模拟氮沉降的响应

为了解氮沉降对华西雨屏区天然常绿阔叶林土壤微生物数量的影响,从2013年11月至2014年12月,通过野外模拟N(NH_4NO_3)沉降,氮沉降水平分别为对照(CK 0 kg N hm~(-2)a~(-1))、低氮沉降(L 50 kg N hm~(-2)a~(-1))、中氮沉降(M 150 kg N hm~(-2)a~(-1))和高氮沉降(H 300 kg N hm~(-2)a~(-1)),研究了氮沉降对天然常绿阔叶林0—10cm和10—20cm土层土壤可培养微生物数量的影响。结果表明:华西雨屏区天然常绿阔叶林0—10cm土层的细菌、真菌和放线菌数量均显著大于10—20cm土层,氮沉降未改变原有垂直分布格局。L处理对0—10cm和10—20 cm土层土壤微生物总量无显著影响,M和H处理则显著降低了土壤微生物总量。氮沉降降低了0—10cm和10—20cm土层的细菌数量,且抑制作用随氮沉降量的增加而增强。氮沉降降低了0—10cm土层的真菌数量,但下降幅度与氮沉降量之间无明显规律;在10—20cm土层,M和H处理在夏季显著增加了真菌数量,表明适量氮沉降能有效缓解夏季土壤真菌的氮限制状态。氮沉降对0—10cm土层放线菌数量的影响表现为先促进再抑制,L和M处理增加了放线菌数量,H处理降低了放线菌数量;氮沉降增加了10—20cm土层的放线菌数量,其中M处理的促进作用最大。氮沉降对土壤微生物数量的影响随土壤深度的增加而减弱。     

Feedback of carbon and nitrogen cycles enhances carbon sequestration in the terrestrial biosphere

The efforts to explain the ‘missing sink’ for anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂) have included in recent years the role of nitrogen as an important constraint for biospheric carbon fluxes. We used the Nitrogen Carbon Interaction Model (NCIM) to investigate patterns of carbon and nitrogen storage in different compartments of the terrestrial biosphere as a consequence of a rising atmospheric CO₂ concentration, in combination with varying levels of nitrogen availability. This model has separate but closely coupled carbon and nitrogen cycles with a focus on soil processes and soil–plant interactions, including an active compartment of soil microorganisms decomposing litter residues and competing with plants for available nitrogen. Biological nitrogen fixation is represented as a function of vegetation nitrogen demand. The model was validated against several global datasets of soil and vegetation carbon and nitrogen pools. Five model experiments were carried out for the modeling periods 1860–2002 and 2002–2100. In these experiments we varied the nitrogen availability using different combinations of biological nitrogen fixation, denitrification, leaching of soluble nitrogen compounds with constant or rising atmospheric CO₂ concentrations. Oversupply with nitrogen, in an experiment with nitrogen fixation, but no nitrogen losses, together with constant atmospheric CO₂, led to some carbon sequestration in organismic pools, which was nearly compensated by losses of C from soil organic carbon pools. Rising atmospheric CO₂ always led to carbon sequestration in the biosphere. Considering an open nitrogen cycle including dynamic nitrogen fixation, and nitrogen losses from denitrification and leaching, the carbon sequestration in the biosphere is of a magnitude comparable to current observation based estimates of the ‘missing sink.’ A fertilization feedback between the carbon and nitrogen cycles occurred in this experiment, which was much stronger than the sum of separate influences of high nitrogen supply and rising atmospheric CO₂. The demand‐driven biological nitrogen fixation was mainly responsible for this result. For the modeling period 2002–2100, NCIM predicts continued carbon sequestration in the low range of previously published estimates, combined with a plausible rate of CO₂‐driven biological nitrogen fixation and substantial redistribution of nitrogen from soil to plant pools.     

Influence of Tree Species on Forest Nitrogen Retention in the Catskill Mountains, New York, USA

This study examines the effect of four tree species on nitrogen (N) retention within forested catchments of the Catskill Mountains, New York (NY). We conducted a 300-day ¹⁵N field tracer experiment to determine how N moves through soil, microbial, and plant pools under different tree species and fertilization regimes. Samples were collected from single-species plots of American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.), eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis L.), red oak (Quercus rubra L.), and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh). Using paired plots we compared the effects of ambient levels of N inputs (11 kg N/ha/y) to additions of 50 kg N/ha/y that began 1.5 years prior to and continued throughout this experiment. Total plot ¹⁵N recovery (litter layer, organic and mineral soil to 12 cm, fine roots, and aboveground biomass) did not vary significantly among tree species, but the distribution of sinks for ¹⁵N within the forest ecosystem did vary. Recovery in the forest floor was significantly lower in sugar maple stands compared to the other species. ¹⁵Nitrogen recovery was 22% lower in the fertilized plots compared to the ambient plots and red oak stands had the largest drop in ¹⁵N recovery as a result of N fertilization. Aboveground biomass became a significantly greater ¹⁵N sink with fertilization, although it retained less than 1% of the tracer addition. These results indicate that different forest types vary in the amount of N retention in the forest floor, and that forest N retention may change depending upon N inputs.     

Nitrogen transformations in limed and nitrogen fertilized soil in Norway spruce stands

Nitrogen transformations in the soil, and the resulting changes in carbon and nitrogen compounds in soil percolate water, were studied in two stands of Norway spruce (Picea abies L.). Over the last 30 years the stands were repeatedly limed (total 6000 kg ha^–1), fertilized with nitrogen (total about 900 kg ha^–1), or both treatments together. Both aerobic incubations of soil samples in the laboratory, and intact soil core incubations in the field showed that in control plots ammonification widely predominated over nitrification. In both experiments nitrogen addition increased the formation of mineral-N. In one experiment separate lime and nitrogen treatments increased nitrification, in the other, only lime and nitrogen addition together had this effect. In one experiment immobilization of nitrogen to soil microbial biomass was lower in soil only treated with nitrogen. Soil percolate water was collected by means of lysimeters placed under the humus layer and 10 cm below in the mineral soil. Total N, NH₄-N and NO₃-N were measured, and dissolved organic nitrogen was fractioned according to molecular weight. NO₃-N concentrations in percolate water, collected under the humus layer, were higher in plots treated with N-fertilizer, especially when lime was also added. The treatments had no effect on the N concentrations in mineral soil. A considerable proportion of nitrogen was leached in organic form.     

Partitioning of nitrogen from biological fixation and fertilizer in Phaseolus vulgaris

Nitrogen uptake, distribution and remobilization in the vegetative and reproductive parts of the plant were studied in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars Negro Argel and Rio Tibagi inoculated with either Rhizobium strain C05 or 127 K-17. Greenhouse grown plants were supplied with 2.5 mg N (plant)⁻¹ day⁻¹ as KNO₃ or K¹⁵NO₃ and the relative contribution to total plant nitrogen of mineral and symbiotically fixed nitrogen was determined. Control plants included those entirely dependent on fixed nitrogen as well as uninoculated plants supplied with 10 mg N (plant)⁻¹ day⁻¹. No differences were observed between inoculated treatments in total nitrate reductase activity and in the amount of mineral nitrogen absorbed, but there were considerable differences in the contribution of fixed nitrogen. Nitrogen fixation supplied from 58 to 72% of the total nitrogen assimilated during the bean growth cycle and the symbiotic combinations fixed most of their nitrogen (66 to 78% of total nitrogen) after flowering. Maximum uptake of mineral nitrogen was in the 15-day-period between flowering and mid-podfill (47 to 58% of total mineral nitrogen). Nitrogen partitioning varied with Rhizobium strains, and inoculation with strain C05 increased the nitrogen harvest index of both cultivars. Applied mineral nitrogen had a variable effect and in cv. Negro Argel was more beneficial to vegetative growth, resulting in smaller nitrogen harvest indices. Seed yield was not increased by heavy nitrogen fertilization. In contrast, cv. Rio Tibagi always benefited from nitrogen applications. Among the various nitrogen sources supplying the grain, the most important one was the fixed nitrogen translocated directly from nodules or after a rapid transfer through leaves, representing from 60 to 64% of the total nitrogen incorporated into the seeds.     

Assessment of C:N Ratios and Water Potential for Nitrogen Optimization in Diesel Bioremediation

Sandy clay loam soil contaminated with 5000, 10,000 or 20,000 mg/kg of diesel fuel no. 2 was amended with 0 (ambient nitrogen only), 250, 500, or 1000 mg/kg nitrogen (NH₄Cl) to evaluate the role of C:N ratios and soil water potential on diesel biodegradation efficacy. The soil was incubated at 25°C for 41 days and microbial O₂ consumption measured respirometrically. Highest microbial respiration was observed in the 250 mg N/kg soil treatments regardless of diesel concentration. Higher levels of nitrogen fertilization decreased soil water potential and resulted in an extended lag phase and reduced respiration. Application of 1000 mg/kg nitrogen reduced maximum respiration by 20% to 52% depending on contaminant levels. Optimal C:N ratios among those tested were 17:1, 34:1, and 68:1 for the three diesel concentrations, respectively, and were dependent on contaminant concentration. Nitrogen fertilization on the basis of soil pore water nitrogen (mg N/kg soil H₂O) is independent of hydrocarbon concentration but takes into account soil moisture content. This method accounts for both the nutritional and osmotic aspects of nitrogen fertilization. In the soil studied the best nitrogen augmentation corresponded to a soil pore water nitrogen level of 1950 mg N/kg H₂O at all diesel concentrations.     

宁夏黄灌区稻田冬春休闲期硝态氮淋失量

对宁夏黄灌区稻田设置不同有机肥处理：常规施肥（CK）;常规施肥条件下分别施用4500 kg/hm2（T1）与9000 kg/hm2猪粪（T2）,采用树脂芯法测定了稻田冬春休闲期30 cm、60 cm、90 cm处的硝态氮流失量。结果表明,常规施肥条件下,90 cm处硝态氮淋失量最大,分别为T1、T2的1.10与1.13倍;在常规施肥基础上增施猪粪,硝态氮最大淋失量出现在60 cm土层,T1、T2的流失量分别为4.47 kg/hm2与4.21 kg/hm2,分别为该层CK淋失量的1.50与1.42倍。灌区稻田常规施肥基础上增施有机肥,能够减少硝态氮向深层淋失;但60 cm土层处硝态氮淋失量增加,为硝态氮的深层淋失提供了基础,但在灌区水旱轮作模式下,下季旱作灌水量明显减少,加之作物吸收,硝态氮淋失也将明显降低。     

森林土壤氮素的转化与循环

森林土壤氮素转化与循环在森林生态系统功能中占有极其重要的意义。本文综述了森林土壤氮素转化与循环的研究历程和现状 ;介绍了凋落物的归还、施肥、大气沉降、自生固氮、氨化、硝化、反硝化、植物吸收、NH3 的挥发、NO3 -淋溶等土壤氮素输入、转化和输出的途径和过程 ;最后从研究目标、研究方法、研究对象和研究内容 4个方面归纳了森林土壤氮素转化与循环的发展趋势。     

Assessment of C:N Ratios and Water Potential for Nitrogen Optimization in Diesel Bioremediation

Sandy clay loam soil contaminated with 5000, 10,000 or 20,000 mg/kg of diesel fuel no. 2 was amended with 0 (ambient nitrogen only), 250, 500, or 1000 mg/kg nitrogen (NH₄Cl) to evaluate the role of C:N ratios and soil water potential on diesel biodegradation efficacy. The soil was incubated at 25°C for 41 days and microbial O₂ consumption measured respirometrically. Highest microbial respiration was observed in the 250 mg N/kg soil treatments regardless of diesel concentration. Higher levels of nitrogen fertilization decreased soil water potential and resulted in an extended lag phase and reduced respiration. Application of 1000 mg/kg nitrogen reduced maximum respiration by 20% to 52% depending on contaminant levels. Optimal C:N ratios among those tested were 17:1, 34:1, and 68:1 for the three diesel concentrations, respectively, and were dependent on contaminant concentration. Nitrogen fertilization on the basis of soil pore water nitrogen (mg N/kg soil H₂O) is independent of hydrocarbon concentration but takes into account soil moisture content. This method accounts for both the nutritional and osmotic aspects of nitrogen fertilization. In the soil studied the best nitrogen augmentation corresponded to a soil pore water nitrogen level of 1950 mg N/kg H₂O at all diesel concentrations.     

Effects of plant diversity,N fertilization,and elevated carbon dioxide on grassland soil N cycling in a long‐term experiment

The effects of global environmental changes on soil nitrogen (N) pools and fluxes have consequences for ecosystem functions such as plant productivity and N retention. In a 13‐year grassland experiment, we evaluated how elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂), N fertilization, and plant species richness alter soil N cycling. We focused on soil inorganic N pools, including ammonium and nitrate, and two N fluxes, net N mineralization and net nitrification. In contrast with existing hypotheses, such as progressive N limitation, and with observations from other, often shorter, studies, elevated CO₂ had relatively static and small, or insignificant, effects on soil inorganic N pools and fluxes. Nitrogen fertilization had inconsistent effects on soil N transformations, but increased soil nitrate and ammonium concentrations. Plant species richness had increasingly positive effects on soil N transformations over time, likely because in diverse subplots the concentrations of N in roots increased over time. Species richness also had increasingly positive effects on concentrations of ammonium in soil, perhaps because more carbon accumulated in soils of diverse subplots, providing exchange sites for ammonium. By contrast, subplots planted with 16 species had lower soil nitrate concentrations than less diverse subplots, especially when fertilized, probably due to greater N uptake capacity of subplots with 16 species. Monocultures of different plant functional types had distinct effects on N transformations and nitrate concentrations, such that not all monocultures differed from diverse subplots in the same manner. The first few years of data would not have adequately forecast the effects of N fertilization and diversity on soil N cycling in later years; therefore, the dearth of long‐term manipulations of plant species richness and N inputs is a hindrance to forecasting the state of the soil N cycle and ecosystem functions in extant plant communities.     

Higher Abundance of Ammonia Oxidizing Archaea than Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria and Their Communities in Tibetan Alpine Meadow Soils under Long-term Nitrogen Fertilization

Increasing usage of nitrogen fertilizer for food production has resulted in severely environmental problems of nutrients enrichment. This study aimed to examine the response of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) to a long-term nitrogen fertilization in Tibetan alpine meadow. The abundance and composition of both AOB and AOA were assessed using quantitative real-time PCR, cloning and sequencing techniques based on amoA gene under different fertilization gradient (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 g m^?2 year^?1). Our results showed that, abundances of AOA amoA genes (ranging from 1.48 × 10⁹ to 2.00 × 10⁹ copies per gram of dry soil) were significantly higher than those of AOB amoA genes (1.25 × 10⁷ to 2.62 × 10⁸ copies per gram of dry soil) under fertilization scenario. The abundance of AOB amoA genes increased with increasing nitrogen fertilization, whereas fertilization had little effect on AOA abundance. Sequences of clone libraries of the different treatments revealed that AOB communities were dominated by representatives of Cluster 4, constituting 48.94–64.44% in each clone library. Sequences of Clusters 9, 1 and 2 were prevalent in soils under higher fertilization. All archaeal amoA sequences recovered were affiliated with the soil/sediment clade and marine sediment clade, and no significant difference was observed on the community structure among different fertilization treatments. Variations in the AOB community structure and abundance were linked to ammonium-N and soil pH induced by different fertilization treatments. These results showed that the abundance and structure of the AOB community respond to the fertilization gradient, not AOA.