武汉生物工程学院桃园土壤中腐殖质的测定

腐殖质是生物体在土壤中经微生物分解而形成的有机物质,是植物生长的必须营养元素。为了解武汉生物工程学院桃园土壤中腐殖质各主要组分的含量,采用焦磷酸钠浸提一重铬酸钾氧化法对该园土壤中腐殖质的组分和性质进行了研究。结果表明:腐殖质全碳量平均为18.92 g/kg,属于高肥力土壤;胡敏酸和富啡酸总碳量平均为15.35 g/kg,胡敏酸含碳量平均为9.74 g/kg,含碳量均较高,说明土样的腐殖化程度较高。     

川西亚高山森林凋落物去除对土壤腐殖质动态的影响

森林凋落物作为森林土壤腐殖质的主要来源, 在土壤腐殖质的形成中发挥着重要作用, 但不同森林类型凋落物因其含量、组成等的不同, 对土壤腐殖质的影响也不同。该研究以川西亚高山针叶林、阔叶林和针阔混交林3种不同森林类型为对象, 采用凋落物原位控制实验, 对比研究不同关键期凋落物去除对土壤可提取腐殖质、胡敏酸和富里酸含量及胡敏酸/富里酸、胡敏酸/可提取腐殖质的影响。主要结果: (1)土壤可提取腐殖质、胡敏酸和富里酸含量在不同森林类型中差异显著。土壤可提取腐殖质含量总体表现为针叶林>针阔混交林>阔叶林, 胡敏酸含量总体表现为针阔混交林>针叶林>阔叶林, 而富里酸含量则表现为针叶林>阔叶林>针阔混交林, 其中3种林型中土壤腐殖质的主要成分为富里酸, 总体均表现为富里酸型。不同采样时期也显著影响了土壤可提取腐殖质、胡敏酸和富里酸含量, 总体均表现为先升高后下降的趋势。除个别采样时期外, 凋落物去除总体降低了土壤可提取腐殖质、胡敏酸和富里酸的含量。(2)胡敏酸/富里酸和胡敏酸/可提取腐殖质的结果显示3种林型土壤总体腐殖化程度均较低, 整体表现为针阔混交林>阔叶林>针叶林, 凋落物去除在一定程度上有利于提高阔叶林与针阔混交林的腐殖质品质。(3)相关分析表明不同凋落物处理间土壤可提取腐殖质与土壤有机碳含量、全氮含量和土壤含水量呈显著正相关关系, 与温度呈显著负相关关系。综上所述, 短期的凋落物去除会降低土壤腐殖物质的含量, 但不同林型间由于凋落物类型差异会导致土壤腐殖质的不同变化, 说明土壤腐殖质的动态变化受凋落物类型以及环境因素的综合调控。因此, 关于凋落物变化对土壤腐殖质的影响还需进一步的长期研究。     

不同肥力条件下黑土及其有机无机复合体的腐殖质组成

采用Kumada法研究了不同肥力黑土及其复合体的腐殖质组成.结果表明,黑土培肥后,粉粒和细砂复合体含量增多;土壤及各级复合体游离态和结合态腐殖质含量得到不同程度提高,但游离态腐殖质的腐殖化度降低.这种作用在粉粒和细砂复合体中表现得更为明显.随复合体粒径增大,复合体有机碳含量、腐殖质提取率、游离态腐殖质含量及游离态胡敏酸的腐殖化度等均有降低趋势.胡敏酸分类结果表明,高肥土壤游离态胡敏酸均为R_p型,低肥则为R_p型和B型.随复合体粒径增大,游离态胡敏酸类型变化序列主要为:A型(粘粒)→B型(粉粒)→R_p型(细砂);无论粒径大小,结合态胡敏酸大多为A型.土壤培肥后,可使全土及各级复合体的游离态腐殖质的腐殖化度降低,进而会发生型变.在黑土中,游离态胡敏酸的型变主要体现在粉粒复合体中,结合态胡敏酸的型变主要体现在细砂复合体中.     

内蒙半干旱低山区不同纯林土壤腐殖质分异特征及其与其他生物化学性质的关系

纯林土壤腐殖质含量及其构成是否会因枯落叶组成的单一性和单优群落环境的特殊性而发生分异变化是关系到森林可持续经营的关键问题.本文以内蒙半干旱低山区的6种典型纯林为研究对象,研究了不同树种纯林土壤腐殖质分异特征及其与其他生物化学性质的关系.结果表明：云杉和白桦林地土壤的腐殖质含量、缩合程度和稳定性均较高,其次为小叶杨和落叶松林地,再次为白榆林地,而油松林地土壤的腐殖质含量和缩合程度均最低、稳定性最差.土壤微生物生物量和磷酸酶活性与腐殖质各组分的积累及其稳定性存在相互促进作用;过氧化氢酶和脱氢酶活性则与土壤腐殖质存在相互抑制作用,且脱氢酶活性的提高可能破坏腐殖质的稳定性.速效N含量与腐殖质积累及其稳定性呈正相关,而全量Cu、Fe、Zn含量与腐殖质呈负相关,全Cu、Fe的增加可能会破坏腐殖质的稳定性.纯林环境及其枯落叶性质的特殊性是造成腐殖质分异的重要原因,混交改造或增加林下植被是改善土壤腐殖质构成的根本措施.     

冻融环境下亚高山森林凋落叶添加对土壤腐殖质动态的影响

亚高山森林土壤形成过程中,胡敏酸、富里酸等腐殖物质的累积是维持土壤肥力及物质循环的重要途径,它受到土壤基质质量、凋落叶和环境因素的调控.本研究以川西亚高山典型的针叶林、针阔混交林和阔叶林土壤为对象,采用室内培养控制冻融环境和凋落叶添加的方法,研究冻融环境下凋落叶添加对土壤腐殖物质累积的影响.结果表明:冻融循环环境下针叶林土壤腐殖质含量升高,而针阔混交林和阔叶林土壤腐殖质含量降低,且凋落叶对土壤腐殖质含量无显著影响.培养前期冻融环境下3种林型土壤胡敏酸净累积,净累积量大小为针阔混交林>针叶林>阔叶林,富里酸含量下降,下降程度为阔叶林>针阔混交林>针叶林,且凋落叶对土壤胡敏酸和富里酸含量无显著影响.随培养时间的延长,3种林型土壤胡敏酸及富里酸含量均下降.这表明,凋落叶对土壤腐殖质含量的影响与土壤基质质量存在密切关系,且受到冬季土壤冻融时间长短的影响.     

川西亚高山两种树木不同径级根系腐殖化过程中胡敏酸和富里酸的累积特征

根系腐殖化过程中腐殖质的累积是土壤有机质形成和碳吸存的一个重要途径。该文采用凋落物袋法,研究了川西亚高山粗枝云杉(Picea asperata)和岷江冷杉(Abies faxoniana)两种优势林木3个径级根系(0–2、2–5和5–10 mm)在冬季和生长季胡敏酸和富里酸累积特征。结果表明:经过两年的腐殖化,粗枝云杉和岷江冷杉根系胡敏酸和富里酸含量受径级显著影响,并随径级增大而降低。不同径级间富里酸净累积量差异显著,而胡敏酸净累积量差异不显著;两个树种间胡敏酸和富里酸含量和净累积量差异不显著。胡敏酸在冬季降解而在生长季节累积,其中粗枝云杉0–2、2–5和5–10 mm根系净累积量分别为8.0、10.8和7.6 g·kg~(–1),岷江冷杉分别为15.2、8.0和7.8 g·kg~(–1)。富里酸总体表现为降解,其中粗枝云杉0–2、2–5和5–10 mm根系降解量为178.0、166.0和118.0 g·kg~(–1),岷江冷杉分别为170.0、160.0和128.0 g·kg~(–1)。根系径级对亚高山森林植物根系腐殖质累积有显著影响,而径级影响与分解时期有一定关联。     

南亚热带3种阔叶树种人工幼龄纯林及其混交林碳贮量比较

如何通过优化造林模式来提高人工林生态系统碳贮量已受到广泛关注。以南亚热带8年生格木(Erythrophleum fordii)纯林(PE)、红锥(Castanopsis hystrix)纯林(PC)、米老排(Mytilaria laosensis)纯林(PM)及格木×红锥×米老排混交林(MECM)生态系统为研究对象,对其碳贮量及其分配特征进行了比较研究。结果表明:格木、红锥和米老排不同器官平均碳含量分别为512.4—561.7 g/kg,474.2—553.4 g/kg和512.8—556.3 g/kg。相同树种不同器官之间碳含量差异显著(P0.05)。各器官碳含量的平均值大小顺序为格木(539.3 g/kg)米老排(532.7 g/kg)红锥(515.3 g/kg)。不同林分间,灌木层、草本层和凋落物层碳含量均以米老排纯林最高,混交林(MECM)居次,红锥纯林和格木纯林最低;不同林分之间的土壤碳含量差异显著(P0.05),0—10cm,10—30cm,30—50cm和50—100cm土壤碳含量均以米老排纯林最高,红锥纯林居次,格木纯林和混交林(MECM)土壤碳含量最低。生态系统碳贮量大小顺序为米老排(308.0 t/hm2)混交林(182.8 t/hm2)红锥纯林(180.2 t/hm2)格木纯林(135.2 t/hm2),相同组分不同林分间以及相同林分的不同组分间均存在显著差异(P0.05),但混交林与红锥纯林间碳贮量总量无显著差异(P0.05)。造林模式对人工林碳贮量及其分配有显著影响,营建混交林有利于红锥和格木地上碳的累积,不利于土壤碳的固定,而营建纯林既有利于米老排生物量碳的吸收,也有利于土壤碳的固定。因而,对碳汇林造林模式的选择,应根据树种固碳特性而定。     

重庆酸雨区种植香樟有效改善土壤酸化和土壤养分状况

马尾松是西南地区的主要造林树种之一,对酸沉降比较敏感,在生产实践中常常在受酸沉降影响严重的针叶林地进行林分改造来应对酸沉降。为了解酸雨区马尾松纯林改造对土壤性质的影响及科学指导经营管理,本研究以重庆铁山坪马尾松纯林及改造后的马尾松-香樟混交林以及香樟纯林为对象,分不同季节采集腐殖质层(Ah层)和淋溶层(E层)的样品进行分析,探讨林分改造对土壤酸化及养分的影响。结果表明：(1)林型对Ah层土壤性质影响显著(P<0.05),且Ah层土壤养分显著高于E层,季节对两个土层的土壤性质影响均显著(P<0.05)。(2)当马尾松纯林改造后,Ah层土壤各季节平均pH表现为马尾松纯林<马尾松-香樟混交林<香樟纯林;马尾松纯林改造后显著降低了土壤NH₄⁺∶NO₃^-,可缓解土壤酸化。(3)虽然马尾松林改造后显著降低了土壤有机碳和全氮含量,但明显增加了土壤全磷和全钾含量(P<0.05),可以为缺磷缺钾的铁山坪酸性土壤提供更多的磷和钾,从而缓解磷、钾限制对植物生长的抑制作用。(4)通过模糊综合法...     

腾格里沙漠不同组成生物结皮特征及其对土壤酶活性的影响

生物结皮在干旱半干旱地区生态系统中起着重要的作用。目前,有关生物结皮的存在对土壤酶活性的影响已有大量研究,而对生物结皮基本特征对土壤酶活性的研究较少。以流沙为对照,研究了不同组成生物结皮(藻结皮、地衣结皮、地衣-藓结皮、藓结皮)中以结皮厚度、叶绿素a含量、胞外多糖、胞外蛋白质及结皮中养分为特征的变化规律及其对结皮下土壤酶活性的影响。结果表明：(1)不同组成生物结皮的结皮厚度、叶绿素a、胞外多糖、胞外蛋白质、C、N、P、C/N、C/P、N/P的变化范围从藻结皮到藓结皮分别为：2.28—8.29 mm、1.79—8.05μg/cm~2、14.60—20.43 mg/kg、13.16—19.37 mg/kg、5.54—51.42 g/kg、0.44—3.36 g/kg、0.23—0.54 g/kg、9.62—15.32、24.07—94.98、1.92—6.23,且上述结皮特征均沿着藻结皮、地衣结皮、地衣-藓结皮、藓结皮方向显著增加(P<0.001),但胞外多糖和胞外蛋白质在地衣结皮、地衣-藓结皮和藓结皮间无显著差异(P>0.05);(2)相比于C和N,结皮的P含量具有较小的变异...     

南亚热带红锥、杉木纯林与混交林碳贮量比较

造林再造林作为新增碳汇的一种有效途径,受到国际社会的广泛关注。如何通过改变林分树种组成,优化造林模式提高人工林生态系统碳贮量已成为国内外学者关注的重点。通过样方调查和生物量实测相结合的方法,对南亚热带26年生红锥纯林(PCH)、杉木纯林(PCL)及红锥×杉木混交林(MCC)生态系统各组分碳含量、碳贮量及其分配特征进行了比较研究。结果表明:杉木、红锥各器官平均碳含量分别为492.1—545.7 g/kg和486.7—524.1 g/kg。相同树种不同器官以及不同树种的相同器官间碳含量差异显著(P0.05)。红锥各器官碳含量的平均值(521.3 g/kg)高于杉木(504.7 g/kg)。不同林分间地被物碳含量大小顺序为PCHMCCPCL;不同树种之间的土壤碳含量差异显著(P0.05),0—100 cm土壤平均碳含量为PCLMCCPCH。生态系统碳贮量大小顺序为PCL(169.49 t/hm2)MCC(141.18 t/hm2)PCL(129.20 t/hm2),相同组分不同林分以及相同林分的不同组分碳贮量均存在显著差异(P0.05)。造林模式对人工林碳贮量及其分配规律有显著影响,营建混交林有利于红锥生物量和土壤碳的累积,而营建纯林有利于杉木人工林生物量碳的吸收,也有利于土壤碳的固定。因而,混交林的固碳功能未必高于纯林,在选择碳汇林的造林模式时,应以充分考虑不同树种的固碳特性。     

Ecological and site historical aspects of N dynamics and current N status in temperate forests

Ecological developments during Holocene age and high atmospheric depositions since industrialization have changed the N dynamics of temperate forest ecosystems. A number of different parameters are used to indicate whether the forests are N‐saturated or not, most common among them is the occurrence of nitrates in the seepage water below the rooting zone. The use of different definitions to describe N saturation implies that the N status of ecosystems is not always appropriately assessed. Data on N dynamics from 53 different German forests were used to classify various development states of forest ecosystems according to the forest ecosystem theory proposed by Ulrich for which N balances of input – (output plus plant N increment) were used. Those systems where N output equals N input minus plant N increment are described as (quasi‐) Steady State Type. Those forests where N output does not equal N input minus plant N increment as in a ‘transient state.’ Forests of the transient state may lose nitrogen from the soil (Degradation Type) or gain nitrogen [e.g., from atmospheric depositions (Accumulation Type)]. Forest ecosystems may occur in four different N states: (a) (quasi‐) Steady State Type with mull type humus, (b) Degradation Type with mull type humus, (c) Accumulation Type with moder type humus, and (d) (quasi‐) Steady State Type with moder type humus. Forests with the (quasi‐) steady state with mull type humus in the forest floor (n= 8) have high‐soil pH values, high N retention by plant increment, high N contents in the mineral soils, and have not undergone large changes in the N status. Forests of the Degradation Type lose nitrogen from the mineral soil (currently degradation is occurring on one site). Most forests that have moder or mor type humus and low‐soil pH values, and low N contents in the mineral soil have gone through the transient state of organic matter loss in the mineral soils. They accumulate organic matter in the forest floor (accumulation phase, currently 21 sites are accumulating 6–21 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1) or have reached a new (quasi‐) steady state with moder/mor type humus (n= 15). N retention in the accumulation phase has significantly increased in soil with N deposition (r²= 0.38), soil acidity (considering thickness of the forest floor as indices of soil acidity, r²= 0.43) and acid deposition (sulfate deposition, r²= 0.39). Retention of N (4–20 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1) by trees decreased and of soils increased with a decrease in the availability of base cations indicating the important role of trees for N retention in less acid soils and those of soils in more acid soils. Ecosystem theory could be successfully applied on the current data to understand the dynamics of N in temperate forest ecosystems.     

三种不同类型亚高山森林凋落物输入对土壤腐殖化的影响

森林凋落物既是土壤腐殖质的主要来源,也可以通过新鲜凋落物中易降解组分的输入激发土壤原有腐殖质的降解,导致其相互关系并不明确。以王朗国家级自然保护区内的典型亚高山针叶林、针阔混交林以及阔叶林为研究对象,开展土壤原位培养试验,设置允许凋落物正常输入和去除凋落物两种处理,分析2017年-2019年期间不同凋落物处理下森林土壤可提取腐殖物质的光密度特征,研究土壤腐殖化程度与凋落物的关系。结果表明,在2年的试验过程中,3种森林土壤的腐殖化程度整体表现为针叶林>混交林>阔叶林,均展现出在冬季降低,生长季增加的动态规律;凋落物对3个森林的土壤腐殖化程度均无显著影响,但凋落物输入明显改变了土壤腐殖化程度的季节性变化趋势,且在冬季的阔叶林和混交林中表现更为突出。冬季凋落物的输入使得阔叶林和混交林土壤的腐殖化程度明显降低,而生长季凋落物输入对3种森林土壤腐殖化程度无显著影响。这些结果表明气候变暖情景下冬季温度的上升可能导致土壤的腐殖化程度增加,但凋落物的存在可以减缓增加的趋势。这些结果对于具有明显季节性冻融且对气候变化敏感的亚高山森林土壤肥力管理及可持续经营具有一定的科学意义。     

长期施肥条件下水稻土腐殖质组成及稳定性碳同位素特性

利用太湖地区26年水稻土长期定位施肥试验,分析了长期不同施肥处理对土壤剖面有机碳分布和稳定性碳同位素自然丰度(δ¹³C)的影响,以及土壤中不同结合态腐殖质组成的变化.结果表明：长期施肥使水稻土表层土壤有机碳含量显著升高,不同处理土壤剖面有机碳含量与土层深度呈极显著指数负相关(P<0.01);施化肥处理10～30 cm土层和施有机肥处理20～40 cm土层有机碳含量变化相对稳定;随土层深度增加,土壤δ¹³C值逐渐升高,其变化范围在-24‰～-28‰,不同处理土壤剖面有机碳含量与δ¹³C值呈显著线性负相关(P<0.05);0～20 cm土层,仅施有机肥处理(M0)、有机肥+氮+磷处理(MNP)、有机肥+氮+磷+钾处理(MNPK)、有机肥+秸秆+氮处理(MRN)以及秸秆+氮处理(CRN)的δ¹³C值明显降低;30～50 cm土层,除CRN外,有机肥和化肥处理土壤的δ¹³C值均明显升高;不同处理土壤中结合态腐殖质均以紧结合态腐殖质(胡敏素)为主,其含量在50%以上,其余部分为松结合态和稳结合态腐殖质;长期施肥使土壤松结合态腐殖质含量及富啡酸(FA)与胡敏酸(HA)比值(HA/FA)升高.     

秦岭天然林凋落物去除对土壤团聚体稳定性及细根分布的影响

研究凋落物去除对秦岭天然林土壤团聚体稳定性及细根分布特征的影响机制,为森林生态治理提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)凋落物去除导致云杉林10-40 cm土层土壤中粒径大于0.25 mm水稳性团聚体含量(WR_0.25)较对照显著降低(P<0.05);混交林10-40 cm土层的大于0.25 mm机械稳定性团聚体含量(DR_0.25)显著降低(P<0.05);红桦林表层0-10 cm土壤团聚体的平均质量直径(MWD)显著降低(P<0.05);(2)凋落物去除导致三种天然林0-20 cm土层的细根生物量密度(FRBD)较对照显著降低44.18%-57.24%,细根体积(FRV)显著降低24.64%-60.41%;三种天然林中红桦林0-40 cm各土层的FRV最高;(3)凋落物去除导致云杉林0-40 cm土层的土壤容重较对照显著增加5.24%-13.04%,三种天然林0-40 cm土层的土壤有机碳含量显著降低7.92%-25.21%,全氮含量显著降低10.17%-18.10%;(4)相关分析表明,云杉林土壤的团聚体破坏率(PAD)和土壤不稳定团粒指数(E_LT)与FRBD、细根根长密度(FRLD)和FRV均呈极显著负相关,混交林土壤的PAD与FRBD呈极显著负相关关系(r=-0.814),红桦林土壤团聚体MWD与FRBD、FRLD和细根比根长(FSRL)均呈显著负相关关系(r=-0.777、-0.771和-0.786)。综上,凋落物去除在总体上降低了天然林土壤团聚体的稳定性及有机碳和全氮含量,并且不利于林木细根的生长。     

蕨类植物碳氮磷化学计量特征及其与土壤养分的关系

为探讨蕨类植物碳氮磷化学计量特征与土壤养分的关系,对福建省亚热带森林林下芒萁和乌毛蕨地上部分和地下部分的碳、氮、磷(C、N、P)含量和0~10 cm和10~20 cm两个土层的养分含量进行了测定。结果表明,无论是芒萁还是乌毛蕨,地上部分的N、P含量均高于地下部分,而C含量则无显著差异,导致地上部分的C∶N和C∶P均低于地下部分。与乌毛蕨相比,芒萁地上部分的N、P含量更低,地上和地下部分的C含量、C∶N和C∶P以及N、P含量的变异系数和表型可塑性指数则更高,表明芒萁采取了较高的养分利用效率和"表现最大化"的策略,而乌毛蕨则选择了较低的养分利用效率和"表现维持"的方式。两种蕨类植物地上和地下部分的N含量与土壤N含量(0~20 cm)均无显著相关。芒萁两个部位的P含量则均与土壤P含量(0~10 cm和10~20 cm)呈显著正相关,乌毛蕨P含量总体上与土壤P含量的相关性不显著(除地下部分的P含量与10~20 cm土层的P含量呈弱的正相关外)。这表明芒萁具有作为亚热带森林土壤P库指示植物的潜力。     

The effect of afforestation with Scots pine (Pinus silvestris L.) of sandy post-arable soils on their selected properties. I. Physical and sorptive properties

Despite the extensive literature on the effect of afforestation of former arable land on soil properties, we still do not fully understand whether the changes proceed in the same direction and at the same rate or how long it takes to achieve a state of soil equilibrium typical of a natural forest ecosystem. Therefore, as part of a comparative study of post-arable sandy soils (Distric Arenosols) afforested with Scots pine (Pinus silvestris L.) with respect to arable soils and soils of continuous coniferous forests, a range and direction of the changes in some of their physical and sorptive properties were determined. The studies were carried out in SE Poland, 51°30′–51°37′N, 22°20′–22°35′E. Ten paired sites of the afforested soils (five with 14- to 17-year-old stands and five with 32- to 36-year-old stands) with adjacent cultivated fields and five sites of continuous forests with present stands of ca. 150 years were selected. For the physical properties, undisturbed soil cores were sampled from the upper part of each horizon while in the case of A horizon of the afforested soils, from two layers: 0–5 cm and 10–15 cm. For the remaining analyses, soil was taken from the whole thickness of the master horizons and in the case of A horizon of the afforested soils, from three layers: 0–5, 5–10 and 10–20 cm. The following properties were analysed: texture, bulk density (BD), total porosity (TP), water content at potential of −0.098, −9.81 and −49.03 kPa, hydrolytic acidity (Ha), base exchangeable cations: Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, total exchangeable bases (TEB), cation exchange capacity (CEC) and base saturation (BS). Afforestation caused a decrease in BD, an increase in TP and had no affect on water properties when compared with the cultivated soils. The changes referred to the A horizon, particularly to its 0–5 cm layer, and were related to the stand age. The CEC gradually rose in the former plough layer, beginning from the uppermost part, but during the first two decades its increase in the 0–5 cm layer was offset by a decline in the deeper layers. No substantial increase in CEC, in the whole A horizon, was recorded until three to four decades of afforestation. Afforestation also invoked an increase in Ha, a drop in TEB, particularly Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and K⁺, and reduction in BS. No differences between soils for all the studied properties for B and C horizons were observed. It was noted that more than 30 years after afforestation, the TEB and BS as well as Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and K⁺ content differed substantially, but in most cases not significantly, from their values in the cultivated soils and reached a level more similar to the soils of continuous coniferous forests. With respect to the water properties, Ha and CEC of the afforested soils still resembled arable soils, whereas regarding the TP and BD, they were somewhere in the middle. This implies that to understand changes in the soil properties resulting from afforestation and to predict future trends, long-term research is needed.     

Physico-chemical characteristics of humic substances of major soil associations of Bihar (India)

Humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) extracted from fourteen surface soil samples (0–20 cms) belonging to nine major Soil Association Groups scattered over different agro-climatic situations, were characterized by elemental and functional group analysis, E₄/E₆ ratios, coagulation behaviour and distribution of carbon in different soil humus fractions. The E₄/E₆ ratio of FA extracted from different soils was wider than that of HA. The coagulation behaviour of HA and FA fractions and also of cultivated and forest soils showed marked differences. The variations in the ratios of HAC:FAC (0.31 to 1.0) among different soils were indicative of the degree of humification under the influence of vegetation and agroclimatic conditions. The elemental composition of HA and FA, in general, indicated a higher carbon and nitrogen content and C/N ratio in the former than in the latter fraction. On the contrary, the oxygen content of FA was higher compared to that of HA. The carbon contents of HA extracted from the cultivated and forest soils of Hazaribagh were almost equal, as were also the carbon contents of HA from the cultivated and forest soils from Ranchi. Total acidity of FA of the soils selected in the present study was higher than that of HA. The functional groups such as carboxyl, phenolic hydroxyl and carbonyl were present in the two fractions in varying proportions.     

Degree of Humification in Fresh Litter from a Subtropical Mixed Plantation Forest in Southwest China

The humification degree of fresh litter directly controls the accumulation of soil humus derived from plant litter, but very little information on this process is available. Planted forests are well known to restrict soil fertility, which is often indicated by the soil humus level. In this study, fresh litter was collected during different plant phenological stages during 2016 and 2017 in a mixed plantation in Southwest China. The values of hue coefficient ΔlogK (absorbance ratio of 400 nm and 600 nm on a logarithmic scale), optical density E4/E6 (absorbance ratio of 400 nm and 600 nm) and A600/C (absorbance at 600 mm per mg of carbon per ml of extraction) and the concentration of extractable humus carbon (HC) were determined in four litter components (foliar, twigs, reproductive organs and miscellaneous) of the dominant species (Pterocarya stenoptera, Quercus acutissima, Cunninghamia lanceolata and Toxicodendron vernicifluum). All of the litter components exhibited obvious humification characteristics, and showed the highest concentration of extractable HC during the leaf maturation period. The miscellaneous and foliar litters showed greater humification than the other litter types. The components of Pterocarya stenoptera litter exhibited greater degrees of humification than those of the other species, with lower ΔlogK and E4/E6 values and higher A600/C values. The litter from coniferous and evergreen species showed lower humification than that from broad-leaf and deciduous species regardless of the litter component examined. The present results provide new insights into the management of plantations and theoretical data to accurately improve the quality of plantations and maintain soil fertility under a global change.     

Nitrogen dynamics in humus and soil beneath Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) planted in pure stands and in mixture with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)

Sitka spruce planted on nutrient-poor soils in mixture with pine or larch, unlike pure spruce, does not become N deficient and does not require N fertilizer. To test the hypothesis that N availability in the soil is enhanced beneath mixed species, the seasonal changes in different N forms were compared in humus (L+F+H) and soil beneath 15-year-old Sitka spruce (SS) and mixed Sitka spruce-Scots pine (SS and SP) planted on a gleyed heathland soil. Amounts of mineral and organic N extracted from humus in spring were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in SS and SP than in SS. Larger amounts were measured in the underlying soil, which favoured the deeper-rooting spruce and pine in SS and SP plots. Annual net N mineralization, measured by in-situ incubation, was 32 and 47 kg N ha^-1 in the surface 10 cm beneath SS and (SS and SP), respectively. In spring, readily mineralized organic N (waterlogged incubation at 30°C) was higher in humus and soil from (SS and SP) than from SS by 15 kg N ha^-1. The larger N pools beneath (SS and SP) were consistent with the higher total N content of the humus beneath (SS and SP), 446 compared with 255 kg N ha^-1 beneath SS. This indicated that beneath (SS and SP) N had been transferred from the underlying soil.