Wheat, canola and grain legume access to soil phosphorus fractions differs in soils with contrasting phosphorus dynamics

Despite the high phosphorus (P) mobilizing capacity of many legumes, recent studies have found that, at least in calcareous soils, wheat is also able to access insoluble P fractions through yet unknown mechanism(s). We hypothesized that insoluble P fractions may be more available to non-legume plants in alkaline soils due to increased dissolution of the dominant calcium(Ca)-P pool into depleted labile P pools, whereas non-legumes may have limited access to insoluble P fractions in iron(Fe)- and aluminium(Al)-P dominated acid soils. Four crop species (faba bean, chickpea, wheat and canola) were grown on two acid and one alkaline soil under glasshouse conditions to examine rhizosphere processes and soil P fractions accessed. While all species generally depleted the H₂O-soluble inorganic P (water Pi) pool in all soils, there was no net depletion of the labile NaHCO₃-extractable inorganic P fraction (NaHCO₃ Pi) by any species in any soil. The NaOH-extractable P fraction (NaOH Pi) in the alkaline soil was the only non-labile Pi fraction depleted by all crops (particularly canola), possibly due to increases in rhizosphere pH. Chickpea mobilized the insoluble HCl Pi and residual P fractions; however, rhizosphere pH and carboxylate exudation could not fully explain all of the observed Pi depletion in each soil. All organic P fractions appeared highly recalcitrant, with the exception of some depletion of the NaHCO₃ Po fraction by faba bean in the acid soils. Chickpea and faba bean did not show a higher capacity than wheat or canola to mobilize insoluble P pools across all soil types, and the availability of various P fractions to legume and non-legume crops differed in soils with contrasting P dynamics.     

Changes and availability of P fractions following 65 years of P application to a calcareous soil in a Mediterranean climate

The fate and availability of P derived from granular fertilisers in an alkaline Calcarosol soil were examined in a 65-year field trial in a semi-arid environment (annual rainfall 325 mm). Sequential P fractionation was conducted in the soils collected from the trial plots receiving 0–12 kg P ha⁻¹crop⁻¹, and the rhizosphere soil after growing wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Yitpi) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L. cv. Genesis 836) for one or two 60-day cycles in the glasshouse. Increasing long-term P application rate over 65 years significantly increased all inorganic P (Pi) fractions except HCl–Pi. By contrast, P application did not affect or tended to decrease organic P (Po) fractions. Increasing P application also increased Olsen-P and resin-P but decreased the P buffer capacity and sorption maxima. Residual P, Pi and Po fractions accounted for an average of 32, 16 and 52% of total P, respectively. All soil P fractions including residual P in the rhizosphere soil declined following 60-day growth of either wheat or chickpea. The decreases were greater in soils with a history of high P application than low P. An exception was water-extractable Po, which increased following plant growth. Changes in various P fractions in the rhizosphere followed the same pattern for both plant species. Biomass production and P uptake of the plants grown in the glasshouse correlated positively with the residual P and inorganic fractions (except HCl–Pi) but negatively with Po in the H₂O-, NaOH- and H₂SO₄-fractions of the original soils. The results suggest that the long-term application of fertiliser P to the calcareous sandy soil built up residual P and non-labile Pi fractions, but these P fractions are potentially available to crops.     

近自然化改造对马尾松人工林土壤团聚体有机磷组分含量变化的影响

有机磷(Po)是土壤磷库的重要组成部分。为探究马尾松人工林近自然化改造对土壤团聚体Po分布特征的影响,该研究以南亚热带的马尾松纯林(PP)和近自然化改造后的马尾松-阔叶树种混交林(CP)为对象,采集0～10 cm土样后利用干筛法将其筛分为>2 mm、0.25～2 mm和<0.25 mm三部分粒径团聚体,并测定原土及各粒径团聚体中各Po组分、微生物生物量磷(MBP)含量和酸性磷酸酶(ACP)活性。结果表明:(1)CP的土壤Po组分与PP相比发生了变化,高稳定性有机磷(HRO-P)和中度活性有机磷(MLO-P)在原土以及各团聚体径级中均显著高于PP(P<0.05),而活性有机磷(LO-P)和中度稳定性有机磷(MRO-P)在CP和PP中并无显著差异,PP和CP各组分Po在原土和各团聚体径级中无明显变化规律。(2)各形态Po在PP中占比大小为HRO-P>MRO-P>MLO-P>LO-P,而在CP中为HRO-P>MLO-P>MRO-P>LO-P。(3)CP中的MBP含量和ACP活性在原土及各团聚体径级中均显著高于PP,并且随着团聚体径级的减小,ACP活性上升。(4)冗余分析发现,土壤有效磷(AP)、土壤团聚体平均重量直径(MWD)、MBP和全氮(TN)为土壤Po组分的主要驱动因子。综上认为,近自然化改造有利于马尾松人工林土壤中磷的积累与转化,该研究结果为马尾松人工林土壤质量和生产力的提升提供了理论依据。     

Tracking C and N dynamics and stabilization in soil amended with wheat residue and its corresponding bioethanol by‐product: a 13C/15N study

Removing agricultural cellulosic residues from fields for the production of ‘second generation biofuels'has the potential to profoundly alter C and N cycling in soil, increasing the risk of soil organic matter depletion and favoring soil–atmosphere gaseous exchanges. However, these negative impacts could potentially be offset by amending the soil with the solid by‐product which is generated during bioethanol production. In a 100 days laboratory study, we investigated the fate of C and N after soil amendment with doubly labeled (¹³C, ¹⁵N) wheat residue (WR) and the corresponding bioethanol by‐product (i.e. nonfermentable wheat residue NFWR) with and without extra N addition. Substituting WR with the corresponding amount of recovered bioethanol by‐product partially compensated the C losses of full crop residue removal. When the equivalent amount of C was added as WR and NFWR, NFWR‐derived C was found in significantly higher proportion in macroaggregates in soil (17.0 vs. 8.9%) after 100 days. Addition of both WR and NFWR reduced soil organic C (SOC) mineralization, i.e. it caused a negative priming effect in soil. However, this pattern was reversed when extra N was added. Both WR and NFWR increased the proportion of soil water‐stable macroaggregates from 16% (in control) to 20–24% (in the different treatments). The results suggest that the more recalcitrant compounds derived from bioethanol production may stabilize more strongly and persist within the protected fractions of SOM pools. Our study demonstrates that NFWR, compared with WR application, neither increased N₂O emissions nor had a negative impact on aggregate formation in the midterm. This demonstrates that NFWR has potential for replenishing SOC stocks.     

不同磷源对磷高效利用野生大麦根际土壤磷组分的影响

在土培盆栽条件下,以野生大麦磷高效利用基因型IS-22-30、IS-22-25和低效基因型IS-07-07为材料,研究不施磷(CK)、无机磷(KH₂PO₄,Pi)、有机磷(phytate,Po)及二者混合(KH₂PO₄+phytate,Pi+Po)的方式施磷30 mg·kg^-1时,磷高效基因型野生大麦对磷素吸收利用能力及土壤磷组分特征.结果表明： Pi处理野生大麦干物质量和磷素积累量最大,Pi+Po处理其次,Po处理最小,均显著高于CK处理,且磷高效基因型物质生产和磷素吸收能力显著高于磷低效基因型.土壤有效磷在不同磷源处理间差异显著,Pi处理时含量最高,Pi+Po处理次之,且磷高效基因型野生大麦根际有效磷含量显著高于磷低效基因型.磷高效基因型野生大麦根际有效磷呈现亏缺现象,在Pi和Pi+Po处理时亏缺程度较大.根际与非根际土壤无机磷组分含量为Ca₁₀-P>O-P>Fe-P>Al-P>Ca₂-P>Ca₈-P,且其含量随着Pi的增加而增加.各磷源处理下,磷高效基因型野生大麦根际土壤Ca₂-P、Ca₈-P出现亏缺;Pi处理磷高效基因型野生大麦根际土壤Al-P、Fe-P出现富集.土壤中有机磷各组分含量为中活性有机磷>中稳性有机磷、高稳性有机磷>活性有机磷.野生大麦根际土壤活性有机磷和中活性有机磷呈现富集,其富集量在Pi处理时最大;中稳性有机磷和高稳性有机磷呈现亏缺.各磷源处理下,磷高效基因型野生大麦根际土壤活性有机磷含量显著高于磷低效基因型,中稳性有机磷和高稳性有机磷在基因型间差异不显著.Pi缺乏时,磷高效基因型野生大麦活化吸收Ca₂-P、Ca₈-P、Al-P和活性有机磷的能力较强.     

Bioavailability of slowly cycling soil phosphorus: major restructuring of soil P fractions over four decades in an aggrading forest

Although low solubility and slow cycling control P circulation in a wide range of ecosystems, most studies that evaluate bioavailability of soil P use only indices of short-term supply. The objective here is to quantify changes in P fractions in an Ultisol during the growth of an old-field pine forest from 1957 to 2005, specifically changes with organic P (Po) and with inorganic P (Pi) associated with Fe and Al oxides as well as Ca compounds. Changes in soil P were estimated from archived mineral soil samples collected in 1962 shortly after pine seedlings were planted, and on six subsequent occasions (1968, 1977, 1982, 1990, 1997, and 2005) from eight permanent plots and four mineral soil layers (0–7.5, 7.5–15, 15–35, and 35–60 cm). Despite the net transfer of 82.5 kg ha⁻¹ of P from mineral soil into tree biomass and O horizons, labile soil P was not diminished, as indexed by anion exchange resins, and NaHCO₃ and Mehlich III extractants. An absence of depletion in most labile P fractions masks major restructuring of soil P chemistry driven by ecosystem development. During 28 years of forest growth, decreases were significant and substantial in slowly cycling Po and Pi associated with Fe and Al oxides and Ca compounds, and these accounted for most of the P supplied to biomass and O horizons, and for buffering labile soil fractions as well. Changes in soil P are attributed to the P sink strength of the aggrading forest (at 2.9 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ over 28 years); legacies of fertilization, which enriched slowly cycling fractions of Po and Pi; and the changing biogeochemistry of the soil itself.     

长期施肥对黄土旱塬农田土壤有机磷组分及小麦产量的影响

研究长期施肥对黄土旱塬农田土壤有机磷组分及小麦产量的影响,可为提高磷素转化利用率及合理利用肥料提供理论支持。本研究依托长武旱塬农田生态系统长期(1984—2016年)定位试验站,选取不施肥(CK)、单施氮肥(N)、单施磷肥(P)、施氮磷肥(NP)、单施有机肥(M)、氮肥配施有机肥(MN)、磷肥配施有机肥(MP)、氮磷肥配施有机肥(MNP)8个处理,研究其对土壤有机磷组分、小麦产量和土壤性质的影响。结果表明: 长期施肥后土壤有机磷含量为244.7～429.1 mg·kg^-1,除N处理外,其余各处理有机磷含量比CK均显著增加了15.4%～47.9%。长期施用磷肥改变了黄土旱塬农田表层土壤(0～20 cm)各有机磷组分含量,MP、MNP处理显著提高了活性有机磷及中活性有机磷含量;N、P和NP处理显著降低了中稳性有机磷含量;N、P、NP、MN、MP、MNP处理均显著提高了高稳性有机磷含量。各处理土壤有机磷组分与总有机磷含量比值为:中活性有机磷>高稳性有机磷>活性有机磷>中稳性有机磷。长期施肥后,与CK相比,氮、磷肥配施,尤其是与有机肥配施,显著增加了小麦生物产量和籽粒产量。土壤指标中,有机质、速效磷和无机磷与小麦产量呈显著正相关。MP、M处理可以显著提高黄土旱塬黑垆土中的速效磷、总磷、总无机磷、活性有机磷和中活性有机磷含量,表明有机肥与磷肥配施可以提高该地区更容易被作物吸收的磷组分。总之,氮磷肥配施并配施有机肥可以提高该地区磷供给,对小麦增产有促进作用,对提高黄土旱塬地区土壤质量有重要意义。     

Soil Phosphorus Fractionation during Forest Development on Landslide Scars in the Luquillo Mountains,Puerto Rico1

Mineral soils from a chronosequence of landslide scars ranging in age from 1 to more than 55 years in a subtropical montane rain forest of eastern Puerto Rico were used to determine the rate at which labile P capital recovers during primary succession. Nine organic and inorganic soil P fractions were measured using the Hedley sequential extraction procedure. Deep soil cores (9 m) from a nearby site were also analyzed to determine the distribution of P fractions below the solum. Litterfall P was measured for two years in the landslide scars to estimate allochthonous litter P inputs, and published precipitation data were used to estimate annual atmospheric inputs of P to the recovering forests. In the upper solum (0–10 cm), organic matter increased with landslide age, as did resin‐Pi, labile P (defined here as resin‐Pi + HCO₃‐Pi + HCO₃‐Po) and total organic P. Occluded P decreased with increasing landslide age. No significant changes in P concentrations or pools were observed in 10 to 35 or in 35 to 60 cm depth intervals across the chronosequence. Labile soil P increased to approximately two‐thirds of the pre‐disturbance levels in the oldest landslide scar (>55 yr). Thus, plants, their associated microflora/fauna, and P inputs from off‐site substantially altered the distribution of soil P fractions during forest recovery. Across the chronosequence, the increase in labile P accumulated in soil and biomass appeared to be greater than the estimated allochthonous inputs from litter and precipitation, indicating that as the forest developed, some occluded P may have been released for use by soil biota. Resin‐Pi and labile P were correlated with soil organic matter content, suggesting, as in other highly weathered soils, organic matter accumulation and turnover are important in maintaining labile P pools. Primary mineral P (apatite) was scarce, even in deep soil cores.     

Long term fertilization effects on soil organic carbon pools in a sandy loam soil of the Indian sub-Himalayas

An understanding of the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) as affected by farming practices is imperative for maintaining soil productivity and mitigating global warming. Results of a long-term (32 years) experiment in the Indian Himalayas under rainfed soybean (Glycine max L.)- wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotation was analyzed to determine the effects of mineral fertilizer and farmyard manure (FYM) application at 10 Mg?ha^-1 on SOC stocks and depth distribution of the labile and recalcitrant pools of SOC. Results indicate all treatments increased SOC contents over the control. The annual application of NPK significantly (P?<?0.05) enhanced total SOC, oxidizable soil organic C and its fractions over the control plots. The increase in these SOC fractions was greater with the NPK + FYM treatment. Nearly 16% (mean of all treatments) of the estimated added C was stabilized into SOC both in the labile and recalcitrant pools, preferentially in the 0?C30 cm soil layer. However, the labile:recalcitrant SOC ratios of applied C stabilized was largest in the 15?C30 cm soil layer. About 62% of total SOC was present in the labile pool. Plots under the N + FYM and NPK + FYM treatments contained a larger proportion of total SOC in the recalcitrant pool than the plots with mineral or no fertilizer, indicating that FYM application promoted SOC stabilization.     

三江平原湿地土壤磷形态转化动态

采用Hedley连续浸提法对三江平原湿地小叶章草甸土壤磷形态的季节动态进行研究,分析生长季土壤磷形态之间的相互转化及其可能的驱动机制。结果表明:小叶章草甸土壤有机磷(TPo)总量高于无机磷(TPi),NaOH溶液浸提的无机磷(NaOH-Pi)和有机磷形态(NaOH-Po)分别占总无机磷(TPi)和总有机磷(TPo)比重最大。各无机磷形态均有明显的季节变化,Resin-P和Conc.HCl-Pi季节变异性大,生长结束后含量较初期降低,其他形态无机磷含量有不同程度的升高。有机磷组分中NaOH-Po的季节波动最明显,生长季末期较初期含量降低,其他有机磷形态和Residual-P生长季初、末期含量变化不大,波动也相对较小。TP、TPo季节变化整体趋势相似,二者含量变化达到极显著相关。各无机磷形态变化主要受植物生长节律影响;水分、热量等环境条件也是磷的形态转化的重要驱动因子,并可能间接通过影响土壤动物、微生物等的活性推动土壤磷的循环。小叶章草甸土壤有机磷矿化释放的无机磷通常都首先被土壤金属氧化物固定,再经过无机磷之间的转化过程为生物利用,因此三江平原湿地土壤磷大量释放的可能性很小。     

Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Fractions and Crop Yields Affected by Residue Placement and Crop Types

Soil labile C and N fractions can change rapidly in response to management practices compared to non-labile fractions. High variability in soil properties in the field, however, results in nonresponse to management practices on these parameters. We evaluated the effects of residue placement (surface application [or simulated no-tillage] and incorporation into the soil [or simulated conventional tillage]) and crop types (spring wheat [Triticum aestivum L.], pea [Pisum sativum L.], and fallow) on crop yields and soil C and N fractions at the 0–20 cm depth within a crop growing season in the greenhouse and the field. Soil C and N fractions were soil organic C (SOC), total N (STN), particulate organic C and N (POC and PON), microbial biomass C and N (MBC and MBN), potential C and N mineralization (PCM and PNM), NH₄-N, and NO₃-N concentrations. Yields of both wheat and pea varied with residue placement in the greenhouse as well as in the field. In the greenhouse, SOC, PCM, STN, MBN, and NH₄-N concentrations were greater in surface placement than incorporation of residue and greater under wheat than pea or fallow. In the field, MBN and NH₄-N concentrations were greater in no-tillage than conventional tillage, but the trend reversed for NO₃-N. The PNM was greater under pea or fallow than wheat in the greenhouse and the field. Average SOC, POC, MBC, PON, PNM, MBN, and NO₃-N concentrations across treatments were higher, but STN, PCM and NH₄-N concentrations were lower in the greenhouse than the field. The coefficient of variation for soil parameters ranged from 2.6 to 15.9% in the greenhouse and 8.0 to 36.7% in the field. Although crop yields varied, most soil C and N fractions were greater in surface placement than incorporation of residue and greater under wheat than pea or fallow in the greenhouse than the field within a crop growing season. Short-term management effect on soil C and N fractions were readily obtained with reduced variability under controlled soil and environmental conditions in the greenhouse compared to the field. Changes occurred more in soil labile than non-labile C and N fractions in the greenhouse than the field.     

Preferential utilization of organic and inorganic sources of phosphorus by wheat plant

On soils of low P supply organic P (Po) makes up a similar or even larger part in soil solution than inorganic P (Pi). The ability of wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Star) plants to hydrolyze and absorb this Po in comparison to similar concentrations of Pi was studied. Four concentration levels of Pi and Po were obtained by extracting two soils with deionized water in a ratio of 1:1 and concentrating the resulting filtrate by freeze drying to different degrees. The concentration of Pi varied between 5 and 36 μM and Po between 3 and 22 μM. Wheat seedlings were grown in these solutions for 12 and 24 h and acid and alkaline phosphatase activity determined. The reduction of Po concentration in solution expressed on a root length basis gave the rate of Po hydrolysis and the reduction in concentration of Pi and Po gave the P inflow into the roots. No alkaline phosphatase activity was detected. The activity of wheat root acid phosphatase increased with Po concentration in solution. Phosphorus uptake was 2 to 6 fold higher from Pi than from Po at similar concentrations of both. The rate of uptake from Pi, the inflow, as well as the rate of hydrolysis of Po increased linearly with concentration but at similar concentration the inflow was 2 to 4 times higher than the rate of Po hydrolysis. Results suggest that plants can utilize Po after hydrolysis by phosphatase, but Pi is more important and preferentially used by plants; Po may be essential for plant nutrition especially in high P-fixing soils.     

Changes in phosphorus fractions caused by increased microbial activity in forest soil in a short-term incubation study

The effects of adding larch (Larix kaempferi) leaf litter and nitrogen (N) on microbial activity and phosphorus (P) fractions in forest soil were examined in a short-term (28-d) laboratory incubation study. The soil was analyzed using a modified Hedley sequential extraction procedure and an acid phosphatase assay. The addition of larch litter and N increased the acid phosphatase activity and decreased the labile P (H₂O-P + NaHCO₃-P) concentration. Compared with addition of larch litter only, addition of both inputs decreased the proportion of inorganic P (Pi) and increased that of organic P (Po) in the NaOH fraction, bound to aluminum and iron oxides. The results of nutrient (carbon, N, or P) addition indicated that acid phosphatase was synthesized to acquire P. This study suggests that, in this forest soil, P in the H₂O-P + NaHCO₃-P and in the NaOH-Pi fractions was available for soil microorganisms to decompose leaf litter and that increase in microbial activity eventually translated in an increase in the proportion of Po found in the NaOH fraction in this forest soil.     

The broad impacts of corn stover and wheat straw removal for biofuel production on crop productivity,soil health and greenhouse gas emissions: A review

Biofuel production from crop residues is widely recognized as an essential component of developing a bioeconomy, but the removal of crop residues still raises many questions about the sustainability of the cropping system. Therefore, this study reviews the sustainability effects of crop residues removal for biofuel production in terms of crop production, soil health and greenhouse gas emissions. Most studies found little evidence that residue management had long‐term impacts on grain yield unless the available water is limited. In years when water was not limiting, corn and wheat removal rates ≥90% produced similar or greater grain yield than no removal in most studies. Conversely, when water was limiting, corn grain yield decreased up to 21% with stover removal ≥90% in some studies. Changes in soil organic fractions and nutrients depended largely on the amount of residue returned, soil depth and texture, slope and tillage. Reductions in organic fractions occurred primarily with complete stover removal, in the top 15–30 cm in fine‐textured soils. Soil erosion, water runoff and leaching of nutrients such as total nitrogen (N) and extractable soil potassium decreased when no more than 30% of crop residues were removed. Stover management effects on soil bulk density varied considerably depending on soil layer, and residue and tillage management, with removal rates of less than 50% helping to maintain the soil aggregate stability. Reductions in CO₂ and N₂O fluxes typically occurred following complete residue removal. The use of wheat straw typically increased CH₄ emissions, and above or equal to 8 Mg/ha wheat straw led to the largest CO₂ and N₂O emissions, regardless of N rates. Before using crop residues for biofuel production, it should therefore always be checked whether neutral to positive sustainability effects can be maintained under the site‐specific conditions.     

Changes of phosphorous fractions under continuous corn production in a temperate clay soil

Limited efficiency of fertilizer P may be improved through an understanding of soil P fraction changes with time. This study examined sequential changes in soil organic P (Po) and inorganic P (Pi) in a Ste. Rosalie clay (Humic Gleysol; fine, mixed, frigid, Typic Humaquept) under continuous corn with and without P fertilization. Soil P was fractionated into Bicarb-Pi and Po, NaOH-1-Pi and Po, HCl-Pi, NaOH-Pi and Po, and Residue-P. In the non-P fertilized plots, soil total extractable Po declined by 14% of the initial value over five years of corn production, whereas soil Pi fractions were unchanged. The losses of soil Po were mainly from NaOH-1-Po. Added fertilizer P increased NaHCO3-Pi and NaOH-1-Pi in plots receiving 44 and 132 kg P ha^-1 yr^-1 and increased Residue-P in plots receiving 132 kg P ha^-1 yr^-1. Although NaOH-1-Po decreased slightly in the plots receiving 44 kg ha^-1 yr^-1 P fertilizer, total soil extractable Po was maintained in P fertilized plots. Mineralization of from 16 to 29 kg P ha^-1 yr^-1 Po was needed to account for soil Po losses. Bicarb-Pi and NaOH-1-Pi appeared to be most important for assessment of soil P fertility changes in long-term fertilized soils.     

Effects of agricultural cropping systems on micronutrients transformation

Summary The effect of cropping systems of wheat-maize (WM), wheat-rice (WR), wheat-groundnut (WG), gram-bajra (GrB), potato-guara (PGu), and raya-mash (RaMa) in combination with treatments of dummy (uncultivated area) and applied Zn 0.0 (Zn₀), 2.8 (Zn₁), 5.6 (Zn₂) 11.2 (Zn₃) kg/ha was studied on the transformation of labile Zn fractions: exchangeable (Exch.), adsorbed (TAd) [weakly (WAd), moderately (MAd), strongly (SAd)], and organic matter (OM) in different layers of sandy loam soil. The added Zn stayed largely in the 0–30 cm layer and was associated with the WAd- and OM-Zn fractions. About 70% of the total labile Zn (PAv) remained in the WAd- and OM-Zn, that is, 33 and 39% in 0–15 cm layer, and 33–39% and 31–36% in 16–150 cm layer. All the Zn fractions in 0–15 cm layer, and only of WAd in 16–30 cm layer, significantly increased with rates of Zn addition. These were also significantly higher in Zn_1–3 than Zn₀ and dummy treatments because of the residual Zn. Diverse effects of cropping systems on soil properties, residual Zn, and labile Zn fractions were found. The influence was strong in 0–15 cm layer decreasing gradually with soil depth due largely to differences in Zn requirement, crop intake of various Zn fractions and the cultural practices of the systems. All the crops and rotations appreciabilly responded to Zn application. Uptake of Zn by crops markedly and successively increased with increasing rates of Zn application. The WR caused a significant increase in soil organic matter whereas WR and WM in CaCO₃. The WR, WM and GrB resulted in a decrease in pH while WG and GrB in CaCO₃. The RaMa and PGu maintained much higher residual Zn than other systems. The systems which caused the maximum decrease in Zn fractions were: cereal-cereal (WM) in Exch. legume-millet (GrB) in all the adsorbed, PAv and the Zn associated with CaCO₃, vegetable-legume (PGu) also in MAd and SAd; and cereal-legume (WG) in OM and PAv. Hence GrB, WG and WM in that order will cause the deficiency of Zn much earlier than the other systems due to greater use and or transformation of WAd- andOM-Zn. Such effects were least under RaMa because it increased the WAd-, MAd- and OM-Zn.     

Chemical and textural controls on phosphorus mobility in drylands of southeastern Utah

We investigated several forms of phosphorus (P) in dryland soils to examine the chemical and textural controls on P stabilization on a diverse set of substrates. We examined three P fractions including labile, moderately labile, and occluded as determined by a modified Hedley fractionation technique. The P fractions were compared to texture measurements and total elemental concentrations determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Labile P related to the absence of materials involved in P sorption. Moderately labile P was most strongly associated with high total Al & Fe content that we interpret to represent oxides and 1:1 clay minerals. The occluded P fraction was strongly associated with low total Al & Fe environments and interpreted to represent 2:1 clay minerals where ligand exchange tightly sequesters P. The results indicate that the controls on P fraction distribution are initially closely tied to the chemical and physical properties of the bedrock units that contribute to soil formation. Further, these results suggest that the progression of stabilized P forms in dryland areas differs from the progression observed in mesic environments. Soil development in dryland settings, such as the formation of pedogenic carbonates, may lead to differing controls on P availability and the proportional size of the moderately labile fraction.     

Spatial patterns of P fractions and chemical properties in soils of two native shrub communities in Senegal

Two shrub species (Piliostigma reticulatum (D.C.) Hochst (Caesalpinioideae) and Guiera senegalensis J.F. Gmel (Combretaceae) are commonly found in farmers’ fields at varying densities in semi-arid Senegal and throughout the Sahel where soils have chronically low phosphorus (P) availability. It seems plausible that shrub litter and the rhizospheres could influence P fractions and other chemical soil properties that affect crop productivity. Thus, a study was done at two sites, on the distribution of inorganic and organic soil P pools, organic C levels, and pH in soil beneath and outside the canopies of P. reticulatum and G. senegalensis (0-30 cm depth). Both sites had low total P ranging from 64 mg P kg^?1 to 135 mg P kg^-1, and low extractable PO₄ (resin Pi) (1–6 mg P kg^?1) with P fractions dominated by NaOH-P. Organic P (Po) made up about 50% of total P, and most of the organic P (>60%) was found in the NaOH-P fractions. The labile P, particularly bicarb-Po was higher in soil beneath shrub canopies (8.4 mg P kg ^?1), than outside the canopy (6.2 mg P kg ^?1). Similarly, C, N and P to a lesser extent, were more concentrated beneath shrub canopies. P. reticulatum soil was dominated by the NaOH-Po fraction, whereas G. senegalensis had higher bicarb-Po at one of the study sites. An index of biologically available organic P (Bicarb-Po) / (Bicarb-Po?+?Bicar-Pi?+?Resin Pi) was ?>?60% and indicates that biological processes represent an important part of P cycling in these shrub ecosystems. The differential ability of shrubs in modifying soil chemical properties under their canopies has major implications for biogeochemical cycling of nutrients and C in sandy soils of semi arid Sahelian ecosystems.     

Elevated CO2 temporally enhances phosphorus immobilization in the rhizosphere of wheat and chickpea

Aims

The efficient management of phosphorus (P) in cropping systems remains a challenge due to climate change. We tested how plant species access P pools in soils of varying P status (Olsen-P 3.2–17.6 mg?kg^?1), under elevated atmosphere CO₂ (eCO₂).

Methods

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants were grown in rhizo-boxes containing Vertosol or Calcarosol soil, with two contrasting P fertilizer histories for each soil, and exposed to ambient (380 ppm) or eCO₂ (700 ppm) for 6 weeks.

Results

The NaHCO₃-extractable inorganic P (Pi) in the rhizosphere was depleted by both wheat and chickpea in all soils, but was not significantly affected by CO₂ treatment. However, NaHCO₃-extractable organic P (Po) accumulated, especially under eCO₂ in soils with high P status. The NaOH-extractable Po under eCO₂ accumulated only in the Vertosol with high P status. Crop species did not exhibit different eCO₂-triggered capabilities to access any P pool in either soil, though wheat depleted NaHCO₃-Pi and NaOH-Pi in the rhizosphere more than chickpea. Elevated CO₂ increased microbial biomass C in the rhizosphere by an average of 21 %. Moreover, the size in Po fractions correlated with microbial C but not with rhizosphere pH or phosphatase activity.

Conclusion

Elevated CO₂ increased microbial biomass in the rhizosphere which in turn temporally immobilized P. This P immobilization was greater in soils with high than low P availability.     

中亚热带不同母质发育森林土壤磷组分特征及其影响因素

本研究以福建三明砂岩和花岗岩发育的米槠林土壤和杉木林土壤为对象,分析土壤磷组分、铁铝氧化物、微生物生物量以及磷酸酶活性等指标,研究母质和森林类型对土壤磷组分的影响程度和机制.结果表明:母质和森林类型显著影响土壤不同磷组分含量.总体上,砂岩发育土壤全磷含量、活性无机/有机磷、中等活性无机/有机磷以及惰性磷含量均显著高于花...