Nutrient supply and fertilizer experiments in view of N saturation

New types of forest damage associated with Mg (and K) deficiency can be corrected by proper fertilization using fast release Mg (and K) fertilizers or Mg limestone. Sufficient Mg and K supply provided by former fertilizer applications inhibited the appearance of typical deficiency symptoms in areas where unfertilized control trees are now characterized by yellowing. In these areas N input rates vary appreciably. Addition of N fertilizers, particularly in the form of NH₄-N, can induce nutrient imbalances as was demonstrated for Mg and K. From these disorders relative growth reductions may result. However, sustained negative effects will probably only occur when large doses are applied or when atmospheric N input rates are high. Increased N uptake due to N fertilization indicated that the investigated sites were not saturated with N.Needle analysis is a very simple as well as valuable tool to characterize the nutritional status of forest tress and stands when it is carried out correctly. Nutrient ratios should receive the attention they deserve, rather than concentrate exclusively on the evaluation of absolute nutrient contents.     

An attempt to predict long-term effects of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on the yield of Norway spruce stands (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) in southwestern Sweden

Long-term field experiments in Norway spruce stands on fertile sites (site indices 27–35 m) in southwestern Sweden were analysed with respect to volume increment. Three treatments were included (0=No fertilization, N = Fertilization with N, NP = Fertilization with N and P).Volume growth was monitored for 18 years in 10 blocks. No significant differences in annual volume increment between the treatments were detected. Volume increments in the N treatment were 97%, 99% and 107% as high as those in the 0 treatment for the periods 1–5, 6–10 and 11–15 years after the first fertilization. Corresponding values for the NP treatment were 104%, 108% and 110%, indicating that P has a small positive effect.The amount of N-fertilization would correspond to an annual N deposition of 20 kg ha^-1 during the next 30 years in southwestern Sweden. For this period, the results imply that this N deposition would not affect the growth of Norway spruce stands on fertile sites.     

Remarks on the effects of nitrogen deposition to forest ecosystems

The effects of increased deposition of nitrogen compounds on forest sites are discussed based on literature data and own results from both earlier fertilization experiments and the ARINUS study area in the Black Forest. The influence on mycorrhiza is stated suppressive as well as stimulating so that no general conclusion can be drawn. The nitrogen nutrition status of coniferous forests is still sub-optimal over wide areas with a yearly deposition of 10–20 kg N ha^-1. Under considerable higher input rates the insufficient supply of other nutrients and imbalances in the nutritional status of trees are possible. When discussing nitrogen saturation of ecosystems, the nitrogen storage capacity of soils has to be considered as a decisive factor which varies from site to site. Any actual input/output balance is strongly influenced by the internal turnover processes resulting from former land use.     

长期施肥对潮棕壤有机氮组分的影响

依托长期定位试验(从1990年开始)的4个施肥处理(CK,不施肥;M,循环猪圈肥;NPK,单施化肥;NPK+M,化肥配施循环猪圈肥),探讨了长期施肥对潮棕壤有机氮各组分的影响并揭示了其年际变化特征.结果表明: 从试验开始至2015年,不同施肥模式下各有机氮组分呈现不同的变化趋势,其中酸解有机氮基本上表现为逐年增加的趋势;M和NPK+M处理氨基酸态氮也逐年上升,而CK和NPK处理氨基酸态氮持续下降,这可能与微生物对土壤中氨基酸的利用有关.在整个试验过程中(1990—2015年的平均值),NPK处理酸解铵态氮大幅度增加,比CK增加31.1%;在施加有机肥的2个处理中(M和NPK+M)有机氮各组分均有所提高.与M相比,NPK+M处理各有机氮组分增加的幅度更加明显,这表明有机无机肥配施能有效增加土壤有机氮,进而增强土壤供氮能力,提高土壤肥力水平.     

Variations in 15N abundance in a forest fertilization trial: Critical loads of N,N saturation,contamination and effects of revitalization fertilization

¹⁵N abundances of current needles of Norway spruce collected during 23 yrs of a forest fertilization experiment were studied in order to follow ecosystem gains and losses of N. Unlabelled ammonium nitrate at four rates (N0–N3), phosphorus at three rates (P0–P2), and potassium plus other elements including micronutrients at two rates (K0–K1), had been applied to plots in a complete factorial design. Nitrogen had been applied annually at average rates of 0, 34, 68 and 102 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1. Tree growth had responded positively to additions of N, but the response was remarkably more positive to the N2P2K1 treatment. In N1 treatments, δ¹⁵N (‰) declined over time. This was consistent with an earlier study, and should reflect a change in ¹⁵N abundance towards that of fertilizer N (minus discrimination during uptake), which in turn means accretion of most of the N added. As in the earlier study, in which N3 plots lost most of the N added, the present N3 plots showed an increasing δ¹⁵N (‰). This pattern was not significantly affected by additions of P and K plus other elements, although a weak negative effect of P on N accretion was indicated, i.e. there was a tendency δ¹⁵N (‰) to be higher when P was added. This, and another recent result based on an N budget, shows that so-called revitalization fertilization may well increase growth of trees, but also promotes losses of N from the ecosystem. As in the previous study, a decline in δ¹⁵N (‰) on control plots provided evidence of contamination. Given a removal of 100 kg N ha^-1 at stem harvest and a leaching of 2 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1, our data on ¹⁵N suggest that a load of 9 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1 would saturate the ecosystem after 100 years. This load is only about twice the annual deposition at the site.     

Symptoms of nitrogen saturation in an aggrading forested watershed in western Maryland

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nitrogen (N) biogeochemistry of an 18–22 year old forested watershed in western Maryland. We hypothesized that this watershed should not exhibit symptoms of N saturation. This watershed was a strong source of nitrate (NO₃ ⁻) to the stream in all years, with a mean annual export of 9.5 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ and a range of 4.4–18.4 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. During the 2001 and 2002 water years, wet deposition of inorganic N was 9.0 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ and 6.3 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, respectively. Watershed N export rates in 2001 and 2002 water years were 4.2 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ and 5.3 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, respectively. During the wetter water years of 2003 and 2004, the watershed exported 15.0 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ and 18.4 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, rates that exceeded annual wet deposition of N by a factor of two (7.5 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in 2003) and three (5.5 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in 2004). Consistent with the high rates of N export, were high concentrations (2.1–3.3%) of N in foliage, wood (0.3%) and fine roots, low C:N ratios in the forest floor (17–24) and mineral soil (14), high percentages (83–96%) of the amount of mineralized N that was nitrified and elevated N concentrations (up to 3 mg N l⁻¹) in soil solution. Although this watershed contained a young aggrading forest, it exhibited several symptoms of N saturation commonly observed in more mature forests.     

半湿润农田生态系统长期施肥对土壤团聚体中有机氮组分的影响

通过对黄土高原半湿润农田生态系统25年的田间肥料定位试验,研究了长期不同施肥模式对土壤有机氮组分及其在各级团聚体中分布的影响.结果表明:长期施肥对水解氨态氮、水解未知氮在土壤各级团聚体中分布的影响最大,对氨基酸态氮的分布有一定影响,而对氨基糖态氮分布的影响较小.长期施用化肥和有机肥能有效地影响水解氨态氮和水解未知氮与团聚体的结合作用,而氨基糖态氮在土壤氮循环转化过程中具有较强的稳定性.长期施肥条件下土壤水解全氮与有机碳、全氮以及团聚体分形维数均呈极显著正相关,其r分别为0.942,0.981,0.910(P<0.001),说明土壤有机氮组分对土壤团聚体的形成和性质具有显著影响.相关分析表明,土壤全氮或有机质对1～2mm和0.25～1mm土壤团聚体中各有机氮组分的影响较大.     

Immediate and long-term nitrogen oxide emissions from tropical forest soils exposed to elevated nitrogen input

Tropical nitrogen (N) deposition is projected to increase substantially within the coming decades. Increases in soil emissions of the climate‐relevant trace gases NO and N₂O are expected, but few studies address this possibility. We used N addition experiments to achieve N‐enriched conditions in contrasting montane and lowland forests and assessed changes in the timing and magnitude of soil N‐oxide emissions. We evaluated transitory effects, which occurred immediately after N addition, and long‐term effects measured at least 6 weeks after N addition. In the montane forest where stem growth was N limited, the first‐time N additions caused rapid increases in soil N‐oxide emissions. During the first 2 years of N addition, annual N‐oxide emissions were five times (transitory effect) and two times (long‐term effect) larger than controls. This contradicts the current assumption that N‐limited tropical montane forests will respond to N additions with only small and delayed increases in soil N‐oxide emissions. We attribute this fast and large response of soil N‐oxide emissions to the presence of an organic layer (a characteristic feature of this forest type) in which nitrification increased substantially following N addition. In the lowland forest where stem growth was neither N nor phosphorus (P) limited, the first‐time N additions caused only gradual and minimal increases in soil N‐oxide emissions. These first N additions were completed at the beginning of the wet season, and low soil water content may have limited nitrification. In contrast, the 9‐ and 10‐year N‐addition plots displayed instantaneous and large soil N‐oxide emissions. Annual N‐oxide emissions under chronic N addition were seven times (transitory effect) and four times (long‐term effect) larger than controls. Seasonal changes in soil water content also caused seasonal changes in soil N‐oxide emissions from the 9‐ and 10‐year N‐addition plots. This suggests that climate change scenarios, where rainfall quantity and seasonality change, will alter the relative importance of soil NO and N₂O emissions from tropical forests exposed to elevated N deposition.     

长期施肥对黄土高原黄绵土氮肥利用率的影响

氮肥利用率是确定推荐施氮量和施氮效果评价的关键参数.本文通过黄土高原黄绵土区持续34年(1981—2015年)的长期定位试验,研究了长期不同施肥处理对氮肥当季利用率和累积利用率的影响及氮肥当季利用率与累积利用率的关系.结果表明: 除试验起始年(1982)外,不同施肥处理对小麦、油菜和胡麻3种作物氮肥的当季利用率和累积利用率都有显著影响,其中小麦以氮磷钾配施(NPK)处理平均氮肥当季利用率最高,其次为氮磷配施(NP)处理,分别较单施氮肥(N)处理提高了77.7%和62.0%;油菜也以氮磷钾配施(NPK)处理平均氮肥当季利用率最高,其次为有机肥与氮磷钾配施(MNPK)处理,分别较单施氮肥处理提高了93.7%和65.6%.有机肥与氮肥配施(MN)处理氮肥当季利用率较单施氮肥(N)处理显著增加,而有机肥与氮磷配施(MNP)和氮磷钾配施(MNPK)处理氮肥当季利用率较相应氮磷配施(NP)和氮磷钾配施(NPK)处理明显降低.氮肥当季利用率与作物籽粒产量存在显著的线性正相关关系,而累积利用率与作物籽粒产量的相关关系不明显.表明与氮肥累积利用率相比,当季利用率能较及时地反映特定土壤肥力、作物种类、品种和环境条件下的肥料利用率特征.     

长期氮添加对草甸草原生态系统氮库的影响

大气氮沉降增加深刻影响生态系统物种多样性、生产力及其稳定性,研究草原生态系统N库如何响应不断增加的大气氮沉降至关重要.本研究在内蒙古额尔古纳草甸草原开展刈割和不同水平外源氮添加试验,设置6个氮添加水平:0、2、5、10、20和50 g·m-2·a-1,同时设置刈割处理,分为刈割和不刈割2个水平.在连续处理的第7年,采集...     

Effects of forest fertilization on nitrogen leaching and soil microbial properties in the Northern Calcareous Alps of Austria

Several boreal and alpine forests are depleted in nutrients due to acidification. Fertilization may be a remedy, but rapidly-soluble salts (N, P, K, Mg) may pose nitrate problems for the groundwater or decrease microbial activity.With the aim to investigate potential nitrogen leaching after fertilization we set up an experiment employing intact soil cores (11 cm diameter, 20–40 cm long) from a mixed forest and a Picea abies stand (soil type Rendsina) in the Northern Calcareous Alps of Austria. The cores were fertilized with a commercial NPK fertilizer or a methylene-urea-apatite-biotite (MuAB) fertilizer at a rate corresponding to 300 kg N ha^-1 and incubated for 28 weeks together with unfertilized controls. Both soil water (retrieved 5 cm below the soil surface) and leachate were analyzed for nitrate and ammonium in regular intervals. After the incubation, soil microbial biomass and basal repiration were determined and a nitrogen mineralization assay was performed.For the control, in the soil water and leachate maximum NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^- concentrations of 5 and 11 mg N L^-1, respectively, were found. Compared to that, MuAB fertilizer resulted in a slow increase of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^- in the soil water (up to 11 and 35 mg N L^-1 respectively) and in the leachate (4 mg NH₄ ⁺-N L^-1 and 44 mg NO₃ ^--N L^-1). Highest nitrogen loads were found for the fast release NPK fertilizer, with NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^- concentrations up to 170 and 270 mg N L^-1, respectively, in the soil water. NH₄ ⁺-N levels in the leachate remained below 5, while NO₃-N levels were up to 190 mg L^-1. Fast- release NPK caused a significant decrease of microbial biomass and basal respiration. These parameters were not affected by MuAB fertilizer.The results suggest that the MuAB fertilizer may be an ecologically appropriate alternative to fast-release mineral fertilizers for improving forest soils.     

长期不同施肥模式对双季稻田土壤酸解有机氮组分的影响

为明确南方双季稻区长期不同施肥模式对稻田不同耕层(0～10和10～20 cm)土壤酸解有机氮组分及其含量的影响,本研究以长期(36年)定位施肥试验田为平台,系统分析了单独施用化肥(CF)、秸秆还田+化肥(RF)、30%有机肥+70%化肥(OM)和不施肥对照(CK)下双季稻田0～10和10～20 cm土壤酸解有机氮及其组分氨基酸氮、氨基糖氮、铵态氮和酸解未知氮含量的变化特征及其与土壤全氮、有机碳含量的关系。结果表明: 与CK相比,OM和RF处理均显著增加了双季稻田0～10和10～20 cm土壤全氮、碱解氮和有机碳含量。OM、RF和CF处理双季稻田0～10和10～20 cm土壤酸解有机氮含量均显著高于CK,分别比CK增加10.7%～42.6%和12.2%～51.5%。与CF和CK相比,OM和RF处理显著提高了双季稻田0～10和10～20 cm土壤氨基酸氮、铵态氮、酸解未知氮和氨基糖氮含量。不同施肥处理稻田0～10和10～20 cm土壤酸解有机氮和非酸解性氮含量大小顺序均表现为OM>RF>CF>CK。各施肥处理稻田0～10 cm土壤氨基酸氮、铵态氮、氨基糖氮和非酸解性氮含量均高于10～20 cm土壤。土壤酸解有机氮含量与土壤全氮、有机碳含量均存在极显著的正相关关系。综上,RF和OM处理有利于增加双季稻田0～10和10～20 cm土壤有机氮含量,增强稻田土壤供氮能力,提高土壤肥力。     

模拟氮沉降对温带阔叶红松林地土壤氮素净矿化的影响

以长白山阔叶红松混交林为研究对象,于2006—2008年原位模拟不同形态氮((NH4)2SO4、NH4Cl和KNO3)沉降水平(22.5和45kgN·hm-2·a-1),利用树脂芯法技术(resin-core incubation technique)测定了表层(有机层0～7cm)和土层(0～15cm)土壤氮素净矿化、净氨化和净硝化通量的季节和年际变化规律。同时,结合前人报道的有关林地碳、氮过程及其环境变化影响的结果,力求有效预估森林生态系统中氮素年矿化通量对大气氮沉降量和水热条件等因子变化的响应。结果表明,长白山阔叶红松林地土壤氮素年净矿化通量为1.2～19.8kgN·hm-2·a-1,2008年不同深度的土壤氮素年净矿化通量均显著高于2006和2007年(P<0.05)。随着模拟氮沉降量增加,土壤氮素净矿化通量也随之增加,尤其外源NH4+-N输入对净矿化通量的促进作用更为明显(P<0.05),但随着施肥年限的延长,这种促进作用逐渐减弱。与林地0～15cm土壤相比,氮沉降增加对0～7cm有机层氮素净氨化和净矿化通量的促进作用更为明显,尤其NH4Cl处理的促进作用更大。结合前人报道的野外原位观测结果,土壤氮素年净矿化通量随氮素沉降量的增加而增大,氮沉降量对不同区域森林土壤氮素净矿化通量的贡献率约为52%;氮沉降量(x1)和pH值(x2)可以解释区域森林土壤氮素年净矿化通量(y)变化的70%(y=0.54x1-18.38x2-109.55,R2=0.70,P<0.0001)。前人研究结果仅提供区域年均温度,未考虑积温的影响,这可能是造成年净矿化通量与温度无关的原因。今后的研究工作应该加强区域森林土壤积温观测,进而更加准确地预估森林土壤氮素的年净矿化通量。     

Winter nitrogen fertilization of loblolly pine seedlings

Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedlings were nitrogen fertilized during winter in a bare root forest tree nursery located in the coastal plain of the southeastern United States. Total application rates were 0, 50, 100, and 200 kg/N/ha applied in split applications 4 weeks apart in January and February. Seedlings were lifted and outplanted in March, 4 weeks after the second fertilization and measured at 3 and 6 months after outplanting. No seedling morphological differences were encountered at the time of lifting and outplanting although seedling shoot nitrogen content was 28% greater in the highest fertilization treatment compared to the check. Shoot nitrogen concentrations fell after outplanting regardless of treatment, decreasing from an average of 1.51% across all treatments at the time of planting to 0.64% at 6 months after planting. When measured at 6 months after outplanting, seedling dry weight and height growth after planting was shown to increase by 12% and 24%, respectively, for the high nitrogen treatment. This and other studies across a variety of sites have found positive post-outplanting seedling growth response after nutrient loading in the nursery.     

氮肥运筹对稻茬冬小麦土壤无机氮时空分布及氮肥利用的影响

以宁麦9号和豫麦34号为材料,研究了氮肥基追比对土壤无机氮时空变化、氮素表观盈亏和氮肥利用率的影响。结果表明,施用基肥提高了越冬期0-60 cm土层NO3--N和NH4+-N含量,拔节期追肥对孕穗期各土层无机氮含量无显著影响,追施孕穗肥显著提高了开花期0-60 cm土层硝态氮含量和0-20 cm土层铵态氮含量。不施氮处理各生育阶段均表现为氮素亏缺,施氮处理氮素盈亏呈明显的阶段性,播种至孕穗阶段出现氮素盈余,孕穗至成熟阶段出现氮素亏缺;全生育期氮素表观盈余量两品种平均以5∶5处理最低,7∶3处理最高。两品种氮肥农学效率、氮肥表观回收率和产量均随基肥比例的增加呈先增后降的趋势,均以5∶5处理最高。因此,在小麦生产中应适当减少基施氮肥用量,在小麦拔节孕穗期适当增加追肥比例有利于提高产量和氮肥利用效率,并降低土壤氮素损失。     

长期不同施肥下水稻产量及土壤有机质和氮素养分的变化特征

利用开始于1982年的湖南祁阳官山坪水稻长期(1982-2010年)定位试验,研究不同施肥条件下水稻产量及土壤有机质、氮素养分的动态变化特征,试验设置NPK、NPKM(M为牛粪)、 NPM、NKM、PKM、M和CK等7个处理.28年长期不同施肥处理结果表明：肥料的施用均能提高土壤有机质、全氮、碱解氮含量和水稻产量.氮、磷、钾化肥+有机肥(NPKM)处理的水稻产量一直保持最高水平,氮、磷、钾化肥(NPK)处理随着试验年限的延长呈下降趋势,其水稻产量逐渐低于其他施肥处理.单施有机肥或有机无机肥配施各处理土壤有机质含量在试验开始后的前16年有一个快速增加的过程,之后略有下降,然后仍保持增长趋势;NPK化肥处理土壤有机质含量仅在试验开始后的前8年增加较快,之后在一个相对稳定的范围内波动.各施肥处理在试验开始后的前8年内土壤全氮含量均呈快速积累趋势,以NPKM处理增幅最大.各施肥处理土壤碱解氮含量在试验开始后的前12年增加较慢,平均每年增加0.66～2.25 mg·kg^-1,1994-1998年增加较快,平均每年增加6.45～32.45 mg·kg^-1;1998年之后,各施肥处理土壤碱解氮含量均略有下降,其中,有机无机肥配施处理增加较快,单施化肥处理增加较慢.表明有机肥的施用是红壤性水稻土有机质和氮素营养水平稳定提升的关键措施,是红壤稻田土壤可持续利用的重要保障.     

Implications of pre- and post-fertilizing changes in growth and nitrogen pools following multiple applications of nitrogen fertilizer to a Pinus radiata stand over 12 years

Around the world large tracts of forest, previously available for production, have been reserved for nature conservation. This means that wood supply must be met from a reduced land base, including land of low productivity. In addition there are likely to be increasing demands on the use of managed forests for sequestering C as one means of reducing the build up of atmospheric CO2. One way for the forest industry to meet the demands of increased production would be through the use of fertilizers. Substantially increased growth from fertilizer N application has been measured in many cases while, in the northern hemisphere, atmospheric N deposition has been associated with increased growth in some forests.The possibility of using fertilizer N to increase growth, and the effect on the forest and soil, was studied in a research trial area in north-east Tasmania, Australia. Nitrogen was applied for 12 years to a 16 year old P. radiata stand in a low rainfall zone. Growth and foliar nutrient concentrations were measured to age 34 years, to determine change after attainment of steady state growth at age 25 years, and following cessation of fertilizing at age 29 years. Biomass sampling was carried out at ages 25 years, 29 years, and 34 years.Growth at the steady peak rate achieved in the fertilizer plots, of 31 m3 ha-1 periodic annual increment, was accompanied by changes in the N nutrient pools. Surface applied N built up in the surface litter layer while this layer was increasing, from 15 t ha-1 to nearly 50 t ha-1, and fertilizer was being applied between ages 25 and 29 years. Decline of total N in the soil, between ages 25 and 29 years, indicated continued uptake from that source even though fertilizer was being applied. Subsequent increases in soil N, through leaching from the litter layer, followed cessation of fertilizing.Following cessation of annual applications of N fertilizer, growth rates declined by less than 15% and remained substantially (>150%) above the control growth rates for 4 years. Over a 3 year period foliar N concentrations declined steadily, to the same as control plots, although mass of needles was not reduced 5 years after cessation of fertilizer applications and remained significantly above that of the control plots.Without fertilizers, N for new foliage must be supplied from internal recycling and from mineralization of litter and soil organic matter. There were net losses of N from the foliage and the wood, estimated at around 12 kg N ha-1 yr-1, for the fertilized trees for the 5 years following cessation of fertilizing. This indicated retention and recycling within the tree of a considerable proportion of the 104 kg N ha-1 in the foliage, at age 29 years. As rates of mineralization of soil N were likely to be low, this retention of N within the tree was important in maintaining growth rates.In the forest ecosystems investigated, with low initial content of soil organic matter and N, fertilizer N produced improved tree health and substantially increased growth, thus providing the opportunity to manage this forest for increased wood production or C sequestration. Although there was a substantial build up of N and C in the litter on the fertilized treatment, incorporation of N and C into the mineral soil was slow. Over 12 years 1.34 t N ha-1 had been applied, comparable to 40 years of atmospheric deposition at 30 kg N ha-1. There were no signs of detrimental effects from this application.