根系温度对番茄的影响（Ⅱ）—根系温度对番茄光合作用和水分代谢的影响

３０℃根温时蕃茄光合速率最大,根温降低或升高时,光合速率均降低。不同根温影响光合作用的机制不同,１５℃根温影响了叶绿素 含量及ａ／ｂ比;４０℃根温影响叶片水导、叶内ＣＯ２分压并引起光合产物在叶片中的积累;２０－３０℃根温时叶肉阻力等因素可能是光合作用的限制因子。３０℃根温时蕃茄蒸腾速率最大,水分利用率最小,根温降低或升高,蒸腾速率均下降,水分利用率升高。低根温时,气孔部分关闭;高根温时,气孔关闭的     

温室有机土栽培CO2浓度变化规律及增施CO2对番茄生长发育的影响

实验分析了有机土栽培下温室内CO2浓度变化规律,研究了增施CO2对温室番茄植株生理效应、产量、果实品质的影响.结果表明有机土栽培条件下温室内CO2浓度变化存在明显的季节变化和日变化.温室内CO2浓度在11月和3月,最高浓度达到1 200 μL·L-1以上,在改善温光条件下,可不施或少施CO2;而7月温室内CO2日最高浓度在500 μL·L-1以下,每天应提早增施CO2.CO2空间分布为近地面层》畦面》植株内部》冠层》株顶上部.不同的栽培方式下,有机土壤栽培CO2浓度日变化范围为331～1 294 μL·L-1,而外界浓度与土壤无作物栽培方式日变化范围为327～556 μL·L-1,土壤栽培CO2变化范围为402～1 047 μL·L-1.光照强度是影响温室内CO2浓度和利用效率的主要因素.与对照相比,温室内增施CO2番茄株高增加18.29%,总干重增加18.69%,功能叶面积增加22.02%,光合速率提高48.92%,叶绿素含量增加33.00%,羧化效率提高87.50%,产量增加 26.48%,果实Vc增加33.27%,番茄红素增加30.98%,差异均达到显著水平.     

黄土高原生物结皮覆盖对风沙土和黄绵土溶质运移的影响

干旱和半干旱地区生物结皮的普遍发育显著改变了表层土壤的结构与养分富集特征,但其对土壤养分迁移和淋失的影响目前尚不明确。本研究针对黄土高原风沙土和黄绵土上发育的藓类生物结皮,以Ca²⁺和Cl^-为示踪离子开展溶质穿透试验,对有无生物结皮层及其覆盖下不同深度土壤的溶质运移特征进行了研究。结果表明:在0～5 cm土层,生物结皮覆盖延缓了风沙土和黄绵土的溶质穿透过程,其Cl^-的穿透时间比无结皮延长了3.83(风沙土)和2.09倍(黄绵土),而Ca²⁺则分别延长了2.50和2.73倍。生物结皮覆盖条件下,表层0～5 cm土壤溶质完全穿透所对应的孔隙体积数比下层5～10 cm土壤更高,且其穿透历时更长;其中,Cl^-的穿透时间分别增加了67.3%(风沙土)和51.8%(黄绵土),Ca²⁺的穿透时间分别增加了8.0%和33.7%。生物结皮覆盖降低了土壤孔隙水流速(37.5%～70.2%);除风沙土的5～10 cm土层外,生物结皮使溶质弥散系数提高了1.73～6.29倍,使溶...     

NaCl胁迫对醋栗番茄、樱桃番茄和番茄幼苗生长、叶片气体交换和离子平衡的影响

以醋栗番茄( Solanum pimpinellifolium Linn.)、樱桃番茄品种‘秦皇贵妃红’( S. lycopersicum var. cerasiforme‘Qinhuangguifeihong’)和番茄品种‘浙粉202’(S. lycopersicum‘Zhefen 202’)幼苗为材料,研究了0(对照)、100、200 mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫对其生长、叶片气体交换参数和离子平衡的影响。结果表明：在100和200 mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫下,‘秦皇贵妃红’和‘浙粉202’幼苗单株总干质量的降幅较大,醋栗番茄的降幅较小。 NaCl胁迫明显增加醋栗番茄幼苗的根冠比,但不同胁迫条件下‘秦皇贵妃红’和‘浙粉202’幼苗的根冠比差异不显著。与对照相比,在100 mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫下,醋栗番茄幼苗叶片的净光合速率( Pn)、胞间CO2浓度( Ci)和蒸腾速率( Tr)的降幅明显低于‘秦皇贵妃红’和‘浙粉202’,而醋栗番茄幼苗叶片气孔导度(Gs)的降幅明显高于后二者;在200 mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫下,三者叶片Pn、Gs、Ci和Tr值的降幅接近。在100和200 mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫下,醋栗番茄、‘秦皇贵妃红’和‘浙粉202’幼苗叶片的水分利用效率和气孔限制值均较各自对照显著升高,其中‘秦皇贵妃红’的增幅最大。在100和200 mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫下,醋栗番茄、‘秦皇贵妃红’和‘浙粉202’幼苗根、茎和叶中Na+含量均较各自对照显著升高,而K+含量和K+/Na+比总体上较各自对照显著降低。与对照相比,经不同浓度NaCl处理后醋栗番茄幼苗根、茎和叶的Na+含量增幅以及K+含量降幅在供试3种植物中均最小,而其不同部位的K+/ Na+比总体上较高。上述研究结果表明：醋栗番茄的耐盐性较强,‘秦皇贵妃红’次之,‘浙粉202’较弱。 NaCl胁迫显著抑制‘秦皇贵妃红’和‘浙粉202’幼苗根的生长,但显著促进醋栗番茄幼苗根的生长,使其维持较强的耐盐性,且NaCl胁迫下醋栗番茄对Na+的吸收和运输减少,以维持体内的离子平衡及较强的光合作用。     

模拟降雨条件下砾石含量对塿土工程堆积体坡面产流产沙的影响

为探究砾石含量对塿土堆积体坡面产流产沙的影响,采用室内人工模拟降雨试验,以土质坡面为对照,研究5种砾石含量(10%、20%、30%、40%、50%)堆积体坡面在不同降雨强度(1.0、1.5、2.0、2.5 mm·min^-1)下的产流产沙特征。结果表明:不同试验条件下的平均径流率在2.18～13.07 L·min^-1,不同雨强条件下平均径流率均在砾石含量10%(或20%)和50%时分别达到最大值与最小值;平均流速在0.06～0.22 m·s^-1,流速变化复杂,砾石含量越小,流速变幅越大,变异系数也越大,砾石含量10%时平均流速最大。砾石的存在可有效抑制产沙,最大减沙效益可达84.2%,雨强相较于砾石含量对平均产沙率的影响更大。偏相关分析表明,平均径流率、流速、产沙率均与砾石含量呈极显著负相关;平均产沙率与平均径流率、平均流速以及二者交互项均呈极显著线性函数关系,其中,与平均径流率的相关性最强。本研究可为塿土区工程堆积体水土流失治理和侵蚀模型的建立提供参考。     

温度和水分对草甸草原土壤氧化亚氮产生速率的调控

通过试验室模拟试验,研究了调控草甸草原黑钙土N₂O产生速率的因素.结果表明,土壤水分对草甸草原土壤N₂O产生速率有重要影响(F=6.149,P＜0.01).但相关性分析表明,草甸草原土壤含水量与N₂O的产生速率间线性相关不显著.就土壤N₂O的产生速率而言,温度的影响远低于土壤水分的影响(F=2.275,P=0.106).土壤水分和温度对不同生长阶段的草甸草原土壤N₂O产生速率的调控作用主要表现为阶段性的多阶多项式关系：y=ax³+bx²+cx+d,其中a、b、c、d是常数.     

温度对番茄潜叶蛾生长发育和繁殖的影响

【目的】番茄潜叶蛾Tuta absoluta是一种对番茄具有毁灭性危害的世界性入侵害虫,本研究旨在探索温度对入侵番茄潜叶蛾种群生长发育和繁殖的影响,为预测番茄潜叶蛾的分布区域、田间发生动态提供基础。【方法】在室内测定了番茄叶片上番茄潜叶蛾在15, 20, 25, 30和35℃ 5个恒定温度条件下各虫态的发育历期和存活率、繁殖力和种群增长参数,并应用不同模型分析发育速率、内禀增长率和净生殖率与温度的关系,估计发育起点温度、发育极限温度、发育最适温度、有效积温和年发生代数。【结果】在恒温15~30℃范围内,番茄潜叶蛾各虫态的发育历期随温度升高而逐渐缩短。25℃下幼虫期存活率、成虫前期存活率、雌虫总产卵量、净生殖率、内禀增长率和周限增长率均最大。在35℃下,卵的存活率骤降至11%,孵化的幼虫无法正常发育。卵期、幼虫期、蛹期、成虫前期、全世代的有效积温分别为104.17, 232.59, 129.87, 434.78和526.32日·度,该虫在新疆伊宁县和察布查尔锡伯自治县的理论发生代数为4~5代。基于发育速率与温度关系的模型与基于种群增长参数与温度关系的模型所计算的积温需求参数不同,基于内禀增长率求得的番茄潜叶蛾的发育起点温度、发育极限高温和发育最适温度分别为12.46, 30.40和27.36℃。【结论】入侵我国新疆地区的番茄潜叶蛾适温范围广泛,在我国大部分地区具有极高的扩散风险。     

樱桃番茄幼苗对硝酸盐胁迫的生长和生理响应

以樱桃番茄(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.var.cerasiforme Alef.)品种‘大红樱桃番茄’为材料,采用水培试验研究了外源施加0、50、100、150和200mmol·L-1硝酸盐(NO3-)对樱桃番茄幼苗生长和生理生化指标的影响。结果表明:硝酸盐处理6d后,番茄幼苗株高、鲜重、干重和相对含水量随着处理浓度的增加呈下降的趋势,而根冠比呈先增加后下降的趋势;番茄幼苗根系硫代巴比妥酸反应物(TBARS)、活性氧(ROS)、H2O2和蛋白羰基(PC)的含量均随着处理浓度的增加而增加;番茄幼苗根系SOD、POD、CAT和APX活性和基因表达均随着处理浓度的增加而降低,而其根系脯氨酸、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白的含量随着处理浓度的增加而增加。研究发现,樱桃番茄幼苗生长在硝酸盐浓度为50mmol·L-1时受到影响不大,但硝酸盐浓度达到100mmol·L-1时已对番茄生长产生显著胁迫,导致膜脂氧化损伤,降低抗氧化酶(SOD、POD、CAT和APX)活性,但番茄也能够通过调节渗透调节剂的合成代谢来抵御硝酸盐胁迫,从而表现出一定的硝酸盐耐受性。     

不同温度对黑翅土白蚁初建群体的影响

黑翅土白蚁Odontotermes formosanus(Shiraki)是经济害虫之一,它常筑巢于水库和河堤的土质内危害堤坝,引起渗漏,甚至酿成塌堤垮坝,造成人民生命则产的严重损失。 外界环境温度对巢位深、巢体结构复杂、调节温湿度能力强的黑翅土白蚁成年巢群影响较小,但对入土筑巢位置浅、巢体结构简单的黑翅土白蚁初建巢群的生长、发育、繁殖、巢内白蚁个体数量变动等则影响较大。到目前止,国内外这方面的研究不多。本试验研究不同温度条件对黑翅土白蚁初建群体生长、发育、繁殖等方面的影响,这对深入了解其初建群体的生长发育规律及其初建巢群的控制方面有一定意义。     

祁连山西段草地土壤温度、水分变化特征

研究土壤水热要素对合理预测祁连山气候变化特征及建立气候预警系统有重要意义。采用18套土壤温、湿度自动记录仪(HOBOU30)对祁连山西段草地进行3a连续定位监测,旨在探索分析该区土壤水热变化特征,阐明土壤水热互作效应及耦合机制。表明:1)冷期(1—3、11—12月)占全年的42%,暖期(4—10月)占58%;7月前土壤均温随月份增大而增大,月份增大1月土壤均温增大3.53℃,水分增大3.23%;7月后随月份增大而减小,月份增大1月土壤均温降低4.73℃,水分下降2.55%。2)日变化16:00前土壤均温为7.45℃,水分为16.26%,16:00后均温为9.1℃,水分为16.79%,16:00后比前均温高1.65℃,水分高0.54%。3)土温、水分与海拔均呈线性正相关,前者差异显著(P0.05),后者不显著(P0.05)。4)土温逐层(0—120 cm)平均递增0.07℃,水分递减0.58%;土温与土层深度呈显著线性正相关(P0.05,R2=0.99),水分呈显著线性负相关(P0.05,R2=0.97)。5)该区土温与水分呈显著线性负相关。因此,祁连山西段草地土温变幅较小,水分变幅大,两者在空间上变化均呈二次函数,时间上均呈一次函数。     

The effects of Woylie (Bettongia penicillata) foraging on soil water repellency and water infiltration in heavy textured soils in southwestern Australia

Abstract In the wheatbelt region of Western Australia, brush-tailed bettongs or woylies, Bettongia penicillata, occur in remnant woodlands that have highly water repellent soils. As these marsupials dig for the fruiting bodies of hypogeous fungi they disturb the soil surface. The effect of these diggings was evaluated by laboratory and in situ assessments of soil water repellency. The undisturbed woodland soil surface showed severe water repellence whereas diggings had low water repellence, and appear to act as preferential water infiltration paths after autumn rainfall events. This indicates that Bettongia penicillata has an impact on the non-wetting property of soils in this region.     

Environmental factors affect the response of microbial extracellular enzyme activity in soils when determined as a function of water availability and temperature

Microorganisms govern soil carbon cycling with critical effects at local and global scales. The activity of microbial extracellular enzymes is generally the limiting step for soil organic matter mineralization. Nevertheless, the influence of soil characteristics and climate parameters on microbial extracellular enzyme activity (EEA) performance at different water availabilities and temperatures remains to be detailed. Different soils from the Iberian Peninsula presenting distinctive climatic scenarios were sampled for these analyses. Results showed that microbial EEA in the mesophilic temperature range presents optimal rates under wet conditions (high water availability) while activity at the thermophilic temperature range (60°C) could present maximum EEA rates under dry conditions if the soil is frequently exposed to high temperatures. Optimum water availability conditions for maximum soil microbial EEA were influenced mainly by soil texture. Soil properties and climatic parameters are major environmental components ruling soil water availability and temperature which were decisive factors regulating soil microbial EEA. This study contributes decisively to the understanding of environmental factors on the microbial EEA in soils, specifically on the decisive influence of water availability and temperature on EEA. Unlike previous belief, optimum EEA in high temperature exposed soil upper layers can occur at low water availability (i.e., dryness) and high temperatures. This study shows the potential for a significant response by soil microbial EEA under conditions of high temperature and dryness due to a progressive environmental warming which will influence organic carbon decomposition at local and global scenarios.     

Release of inorganic N,P and K in peat soils; effect of temperature,water chemistry and water level

In the Netherlands, fens that are fed by polluted river water are often eutrophic, whereas fens fed by calcium-rich groundwater often are mesotrophic. Differences in trophic status can not always be attributed to differences in the nutrient load of the water. In this paper we try to determine if the inflow of river water in fens, in fact, accelerates the soil nutrient release, thereby creating more eutrophic conditions (‘internal eutrophication’). For this purpose, we compared nutrient release rates (N, P and K) in soil cores fromSphagnum peat andCarex peat saturated with different media, that were artificially created to mimic the three basic water sources: polluted river water, unpolluted calcium-rich groundwater and rainwater. In addition, we studied the effect of temperature and water level on nutrient release rates. The experiments proved thatSphagnum peat released much more P and ammonium thanCarex peat. The strong site effect proved consistent throughout the water chemistry treatments, which indicates that soil quality may be the most important agent determining nutrient release rates. Nevertheless, it was established that water chemistry and water level are of significant influence on nutrient release rates in peat soils. In particular, river water stimulated P release by the peat, most notably in theSphagnum peat. P-release in both soils was only minor when the soils were incubated in clean Ca-rich groundwater. It is suggested that P release is strongly associated with soil chemical processes, and that high P release rates after incubation in river water are due to the high sulphate content of the water. The net release from the soil of ammonium, potassium and phosphate increased with increasing temperature. A freezing treatment significantly increased nutrient availability. The results of the experiments are examined in the context of hydrologic management strategies for the conservation of fens in agricultural landscapes.     

长期施肥黄绵土有效磷含量演变及其与磷素平衡和作物产量的关系

土壤有效磷(Olsen-P)含量的变化过程及其与土壤磷素平衡和作物产量的关系是科学推荐施磷的基础.本文通过设置于黄土高原黄绵土区持续34年(1981—2015)的长期定位试验,研究了长期不同施肥处理对作物磷素携出量、土壤磷素平衡、土壤Olsen-P含量的影响及其演变过程,同时对土壤Olsen-P含量与磷素平衡和作物籽粒产量的相关关系进行了分析.试验采用裂区设计,主处理为施用有机肥(M)和不施用有机肥,副处理为不施化肥(CK)、单施氮肥(N)、氮磷肥配合施用(NP)和氮磷钾肥配合施用(NPK).结果表明: 不同施肥处理和作物类型对磷素携出量和磷素平衡都有显著影响.CK、N、NP、NPK、M、MN、MNP 和MNPK处理小麦的磷素携出量多年平均值为8.63、10.64、16.22、16.21、16.25、17.83、20.39、20.27 kg·hm^-2,而油菜为4.40、8.38、15.08、15.71、10.52、11.23、17.96、17.66 kg·hm^-2,小麦的携出量略高于油菜.土壤磷素盈亏量与磷素投入量呈显著正相关,土壤磷素盈余为零,种植小麦的最小土壤磷素投入量为10.47 kg·hm^-2,而油菜为6.97 kg·hm^-2.土壤磷素盈亏量显著影响土壤有效磷的变化过程.长期不施磷的CK和N处理,土壤有效磷含量随试验年限延长而逐渐降低,年均分别降低0.16和0.15 mg·kg^-1,而NP、NPK、M、MN、MNP和MNPK处理土壤有效磷含量随试验年限的延续而逐渐增加,年均增幅在0.02～0.33 mg·kg^-1.土壤磷素累积盈亏量与土壤有效磷含量间存在显著的正相关关系,不施用有机肥和施有机肥处理可分别用线性模型y=0.012x+9.33和y=0.009x+11.72显著拟合.不施有机肥处理小麦籽粒产量与土壤有效磷含量呈显著正相关,而施有机肥处理两者间的相关性不明显,两者的小麦籽粒产量和土壤有效磷含量可以用线性分段模型拟合.小麦土壤有效磷农学阈值为14.99 kg·hm^-2,油菜籽粒产量虽随土壤速效磷含量增加呈增加的趋势,但相关性不显著,表明在黄土高原黄绵土区,当土壤有效磷含量高于14.99 mg·kg^-1时,种植小麦应减少磷肥施用量或不施磷肥.     

Persistence of microbial extracellular enzymes in soils under different temperatures and water availabilities

Microbial extracellular enzyme activity (EEA) is critical for the decomposition of organic matter in soils. Generally, EEA represents the limiting step governing soil organic matter mineralization. The high complexity of soil microbial communities and the heterogeneity of soils suggest potentially complex interactions between microorganisms (and their extracellular enzymes), organic matter, and physicochemical factors. Previous studies have reported the existence of maximum soil EEA at high temperatures although microorganisms thriving at high temperature represent a minority of soil microbial communities. To solve this paradox, we attempt to evaluate if soil extracellular enzymes from thermophiles could accumulate in soils. Methodology at this respect is scarce and an adapted protocol is proposed. Herein, the approach is to analyze the persistence of soil microbial extracellular enzymes at different temperatures and under a broad range of water availability. Results suggest that soil high‐temperature EEA presented longer persistence than enzymes with optimum activity at moderate temperature. Water availability influenced enzyme persistence, generally preserving for longer time the extracellular enzymes. These results suggest that high‐temperature extracellular enzymes could be naturally accumulated in soils. Thus, soils could contain a reservoir of enzymes allowing a quick response by soil microorganisms to changing conditions. This study suggests the existence of novel mechanisms of interaction among microorganisms, their enzymes and the soil environment with relevance at local and global levels.     

黄绵土N2O排放的温度效应及其动力学特征

以室内试验为手段,以黄绵土为供试土壤,研究了不同水热条件下农田土壤中N2O的排放特征,并借助于化学反应动力学理论对N2O排放的热效应机理进行了探讨.结果表明:在适宜的温度范围内,表现为土壤N2O排放量随温度升高而增大.14.50%水分时,20～25℃温区N2O排放呈现"跃增"现象,即温度效应较强,而18.70%和22%水分时,N2O排放的"跃增区"分别出现在15～20℃温区和25～30℃温区,即水分条件影响着N2O排放的温度效应.土壤N2O累积排放量随时间t的变化均符合修正的Elovich方程y=a+blnt,并应用表观排放速率b从动力学角度验证了N2O排放"跃增"现象的存在.在一定的水分条件下,随着温度的增加,土壤N2O排放出现最大值(此时温度为T0),在T1～T0温区内,随温度升高土壤N2O排放量增加,在T0～T2温区内,随温度升高土壤N2O排放量降低,对于黄土性土壤而言,这一转折点(T0)在30℃左右.7.86%水分时干燥土壤存在吸收N2O的现象.     

不同有机物覆盖对冷凉地区苹果园土壤水温环境及速效养分的影响

为了探究不同有机物覆盖对冷凉地区果园土壤理化性质的影响,在‘寒富’苹果园设置了杂草、稻草、玉米秸秆、粉碎枝条4个覆盖处理,对比分析了各处理果园土壤水分、养分等指标的变化.结果表明: 有机物覆盖增加了土壤含水量,以干旱季节最为明显;减缓了春季土壤温度上升速度,不利于果树前期生长,但降低了夏季土壤的最高温,提高了秋冬季土壤的最低温;提高了土壤的pH值,以玉米秸秆覆盖处理最为明显,减轻了土壤酸化,使土壤pH接近中性;不同程度提高了土壤有机质含量,以杂草覆盖处理最为明显.覆盖还增加了土壤碱解氮、速效磷、速效钾含量,但稻草覆盖处理碱解氮含量低于对照.     

温度对不同粘粒含量稻田土壤有机碳矿化的影响

模拟了亚热带地区3种不同粘粒含量的水稻土(砂壤土、壤粘土、粉粘土)在5种温度(10、15、20、25和30℃)下的有机碳(SOC)矿化特征,分析SOC矿化对温度变化的响应.结果表明:在160d的培养期内,温度对3种水稻土SOC矿化量的影响有一定差异,30℃时砂壤土、壤粘土和粉粘土SOC矿化量分别是10℃时的3.5、5.2和4.7倍.在较低温度(≤20℃)下,SOC矿化速度较低且相对稳定;在较高温度(≥25℃)下,前期SOC矿化速度较高,随着培养时间的延长逐渐降低,并趋于稳定.3种水稻土SOC矿化的温度系数(Q10)随培养时间出现波动,砂壤土的Q10平均值最低,为1.92,壤粘土和粉粘土的Q10平均值较接近,分别为2.37和2.32;3种土壤矿化速率常数(k)与温度呈极显著的指数相关(P<0.01).3种水稻土有机碳矿化对温度变化的响应敏感度依次为壤粘土>粉粘土>砂壤土.     

Effects of soil moisture content and temperature on methane uptake by grasslands on sandy soils

Aerobic grasslands may consume significant amounts of atmospheric methane (CH4). We aimed (i) to assess the spatial and temporal variability of net CH4 fluxes from grasslands on aerobic sandy soils, and (ii) to explain the variability in net CH4 fluxes by differences in soil moisture content and temperature. Net CH4 fluxes were measured with vented closed flux chambers at two sites with low N input on sandy soils in the Netherlands: (i) Wolfheze, a heather grassland, and (ii) Bovenbuurtse Weilanden, a grassland which is mown twice a year. Spatial variability of net CH4 fluxes was analysed using geostatistics. In incubation experiments, the effects of soil moisture content and temperature on CH4 uptake capacity were assessed. Temporal variability of net CH4 fluxes at Wolfheze was related to differences in soil temperature (r2 of 0.57) and soil moisture content (r2 of 0.73). Atmospheric CH4 uptake was highest at high soil temperatures and intermediate soil moisture contents. Spatial variability of net CH4 fluxes was high, both at Wolfheze and at Bovenbuurtse Weilanden. Incubation experiments showed that, at soil moisture contents lower than 5% (w/w), CH4 uptake was completely inhibited, probably due to physiological water stress of methanotrophs. At soil moisture contents higher than 50% (w/w), CH4 uptake was greatly reduced, probably due to the slow down of diffusive CH4 and O2 transport in the soil, which may have resulted in reduced CH4 oxidation and possibly some CH4 production. Optimum soil moisture contents for CH4 uptake were in the range of 20 – 35% (w/w), as prevailing in the field. The sensitivity of CH4 uptake to soil moisture content may result in short-term variability of net atmospheric CH4 uptake in response to precipitation and evapotranspiration, as well as in long-term variability due to changing precipitation patterns as a result of climate change.