Effect of growth and subsequent decomposition of blue-green algae on the transformation of iron and manganese in submerged soils

N₂-fixing blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria), besides enriching soils with N and organic carbon, may modify a number of chemical and electro-chemical properties of the soils resulting in a change in availability of some micronutrient elements. Keeping this in view, an experiment was conducted to study the effects of growth and subsequent decomposition of blue-green algae on changes in the different forms of Fe and Mn in four soils under submerged condition. A mixed algal culture containing Anabaena, Nostoc, Cylindrospermum, and Tolypothrix was used as inoculum. It was allowed to grow for 2 months, after which the soils were sequentially extracted with (i) M NH₄OAc (pH 7.0), (ii) M K₄P₂O₇, (iii) 0.1 M NH₂OH.HCl (pH 2.0), (iv) 0.2 M (NH₄)₂C₂O₄ (pH 3.0) and (v) 0.1 M ascorbic acid to obtain water-soluble plus exchangeable, organically bound, easily reducible, amorphous oxides-and crystalline oxides-bound forms of Fe and Mn, respectively, both during the growth as well as the subsequent in-situ decomposition of the algal biomass in soils. Iron and Mn in the extracts were estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.The results showed that growth of blue-green algae in submerged rice soils caused a decrease in the NH₄OAc-extractable forms of Fe and Mn with concomitant increases in all the other four determined forms of the elements. Such decreases and/or increases in different forms of Fe and Mn in soils were explained as being due to release of O₂, addition of organic matter and liberation of extracellular organic compounds by the blue-green algae during their growth. The decomposition of algal biomass resulted in an increase in the NH₄OAc-, K₄P₂O₇- and (NH₄)₂C₂O₄-extractable forms of Fe and Mn with a simultaneous decrease in the NH₂OH · HCl- and ascorbic acid-extractable forms. Development of strong reducing conditions and formation of organic acids with chelating properties were suggested as being the cause of the above changes. The implication of these changes in the forms of Fe and Mn for the Fe and Mn nutrition of rice plants were discussed.     

衰亡期沉水植物对水和沉积物磷迁移的影响

通过室内模拟的方式,分别研究了秋季黑藻、苦草和春季菹草的衰亡过程,分析了沉水植物在衰亡期间水、沉积物中磷与环境因子[pH、氧化还原电位(Eh)和溶解氧(DO)]的相互作用.结果表明:沉水植物黑藻和菹草在衰亡期间能显著提高水中总磷(TP)、溶解性总磷(DTP)、颗粒磷(PP)、溶解性活性磷(SRP)和溶解性有机磷(DOP)的含量;苦草在衰亡期对水体各形态磷含量影响不显著,且各形态磷含量的变化相对较小(TP,0.04-0.06 mg/L);环境因子的变化对水中磷含量影响显著,黑藻和菹草水体中TP的含量和环境因子pH、DO和Eh均呈负相关,而苦草组水中各形态磷的含量受环境因子影响不显著.实验期间不同植物组沉积物中总磷(TP)、NaOH提取磷(NaOH-P)、HCl提取磷(HCl-P)、无机磷(IP)和有机磷(OP)的含量均呈上升趋势.沉积物IP的含量主要受NaOH-P的影响,OP对TP的影响要大于IP,沉积物OP与OM(有机质)的含量存在显著正相关.     

The effect of lime on phosphorus adsorption and barley growth in three acid soils

For three acid soils from Santa Catarina, Brazil, lime application and time of incubation with lime had little effect on the adsorption of added phosphorus. In two soils with high contents of exchangeable aluminium, solution P and isotopically exchangeable P were decreased by incubating with lime for 1 month: phosphorus was probably adsorbing on freshly precipitated aluminium hydrous oxides. In one soil with less exchangeable aluminium, P in solution was increased by liming. After 23 months lime increased solution and exchangeable P possibly due to crystallization of aluminium hydrous oxides reducing the number of sites for P adsorption. All these changes were however small. In a pot experiment, lime and phosphorus markedly increased barley shoot and root dry matter and P uptake. Although liming reduced P availability measured by solution P, isotopically exchangeable P and resin extractable P, it increased phosphorus uptake by reducing aluminium toxicity and promoting better root growth. The soil aluminium saturation was reduced by liming, but the concentration of aluminium in roots changed only slightly. The roots accumulated aluminium without apparently being damaged.     

Distribution of zinc fractions and their transformation in submerged rice soils

Distribution of different forms of Zn in 16 acid alluvial rice growing soils of West Bengal (India) and their transformation on submergence were studied. The results showed that more than 84% of total Zn occurred in the relatively inactive clay lattice-bound form while a smaller fractionviz. 1.1, 1.6, 11.1 and 2.0 per cent of the total occurred as water-soluble plus exchangeable, organic complexed, amorphous sesquioxide-bound and crystalline sesquioxide bound forms, respectively. All these four Zn forms showed significant negative correlations with soil pH (r=−0.48^**, −0.39^*, −0.61^** and −0.67^**, respectively), while the latter two Zn forms showed significant positive correlations with Fe₂O₃ (0.68^** and 0.88^***) and Al₂O₃ (0.89^*** and 0.75^***) content of the soils. The different Zn forms were found to have positive and significant correlations amongst each other, suggesting the existence of a dynamic equilibrium of these forms in soil. Submergence caused an increase in the amorphous sesquioxide-bound form of Zn and a decrease in each of the other three forms. The magnitude of such decreases in water-soluble plus exchangeable and crystalline sesquioxide-bound forms was found to be correlated negatively with initial pH values of the soils and positively with the increase in the amorphous sesquioxide-bound form, indicating their adsorption on the surface of the freshly formed hydrated oxides of Fe, which view was supported by the existence of significant positive correlation between the increase in the amorphous sesquioxide-bound form of Zn and that in AlCl₃-extractable iron. The existence of a positive correlation between the decrease in crystalline sesquioxide-bound Zn and that in Fe₂O₃ content in soil suggested that on waterlogging the soil Zn occluded in the cry talline sesquioxide was released as a result of reduction of Fe₂O₃.     

Effect of algal growth on the availability of phosphorus,iron and manganese in rice soils

Summary Laboratory experiments were conducted to study the effect of algal growth on the change of (I) pH, (II) available phosphorus and (III) solubility of iron and manganese content in five waterlogged alluvial rice soils of West Bengal, India. The results showed that the algal growth initially caused an increase in the soil pH, which later declined to the original value in some of the soils. The available phosphorus content decreased upto 90 days of their growth and began to increase towards the later period of incubation. The drastic fall of water soluble plus exchaneable manganese content of the soils due to algal growth was accompanied by similar increase in reducible manganese content. No appreciable change in water soluble plus exchangeable ferrous iron content was encountered but theN-NH₄OAC(pH 3) extractable iron due to algal growth progressively decreased with the progress of the incubation period.     

A new method for estimating gross phosphorus mineralization and immobilization rates in soils

Phosphorus availability in soils is controlled by both the sizes of P pools and the transformation rates among these pools. Rates of gross P mineralization and immobilization are poorly known due to the limitations of available analytical techniques. We developed a new method to estimate P transformation rates in three forest soils and one grassland soil representing an Alfisol, an Ultisol, and Andisol, and a Mollisol. Three treatments were applied to each soil in order to separate the processes of mineral P solubilization, organic P mineralization, and solution P immobilization. One set of soils was retained as control, a second set was irradiated with -rays to stop microbial immobilization, and a third was irradiated and then autoclaved, also stop phosphatase activity. All three sets of samples were then incubated with anion exchange resin bags under aerobic conditions. Differences in resin P among the three treatments were used to estimate gross P mineralization and immobilization rates. Autoclaving did not affect resin-extractable P in any of the soils. Radiation did not alter resin-extractable P in the forest soils but increased resin-extractable P in the grassland soil. This increase was corrected in the calculation of potential P transformation rates. Effects of radiation on phosphatase activity varied with soils but was within 30% of the original values. Rates of P gross mineralization and immobilization ranged from 0.6–3.8 and 0–4.3 mg kg-soil^-1 d^-1, respectively, for the four soils. The net rates of solubilization of mineral P in the grassland soil were 7–10 times higher than the rates in forest soils. Mineralization of organic P contributed from 20–60% of total available P in the acid forest soils compared with 6% in the grassland soil, suggesting that the P mineralization processes are more important in controlling P availability in these forest ecosystems. This new method does not require an assumption of equilibrium among P pools, and is safer and simpler in operation than isotopic techniques.     

Biological and geochemical controls on phosphorus fractions in semiarid soils

This study examined the concentration of organic and inorganicphosphorus in surface soils of a Boutelouagracilis-Bouteloua eriopoda grassland, and a Larreatridentata shrubland, in the northern Chihuahuan Desert, NewMexico, U.S.A. In this desert where the grassland vegetation has auniform spatial distribution and individual shrubs have a patchy spatialdistribution across the landscape, vegetation strongly influences thedistribution of soil nutrients. Most studies of soil phosphorusfractions in desert soils have focused primarily on inorganic Pfractions and have demonstrated the importance of geochemical controlson soil P cycling. The research presented here addressed the question ofwhether organic phosphorus, determined by the presence of differentvegetation types, also contributes to soil P cycling. Within soils ofsimilar age, topography, parent material, and climatic regime, sampleswere collected under and between vegetation and analyzed for P fractionsfollowing a modified sequential fractionation scheme. Most soilinorganic P was found in the HCl- and cHCl-extractable forms in both thegrassland and shrubland soils, indicating CaCO₃ control overphosphorus availability. In contrast, most soil organic P was bound toAl and Fe minerals. Labile, plant-available P fractions summed to9.5% of total P in the grassland and 6.1% in theshrubland. Organic P comprised 13.3% of the total phosphorus poolin the grassland and 12.0% in the shrubland. Our results showthat the organic P pool may represent an important, yet oftenoverlooked, source of P in semiarid ecosystems.     

有机酸对菜地土壤磷素活化的影响

实验室模拟研究两种有机酸(柠檬酸、草酸)对菜地土壤磷素活化的影响。结果表明:有机酸对菜地土壤磷的活化效果较明显,且随有机酸浓度的增加,土壤磷活化效果越显著。两种有机酸的活化效果为草酸>柠檬酸。有机酸对磷的活化效果与土壤Olsen- P含量、有机质含量呈显著正相关关系。土壤中有效磷的释放随着有机酸浸提时间的延长而逐渐增加。     

Recovery of adsorbed zinc in acid soils as influenced by prior phosphorus applications

Summary Five acid soils of Hawaii, having histories of heavy P applications were equilibrated with graded quantities of Zn. Amounts of adsorbed Zn were extracted with a single extraction of 0.005M DTPA. The data indicated that most of the added Zn was in available form. Prior P applications either had no effect on recovery or slightly increased it. The results substantiated the earlier findings that P-induced Zn deficiency could not be due to precipitation of Zn as insoluble Zn–P compounds in the soils.     

Effect of silicon on the growth and phosphorus uptake of rice

A pot experiment was conducted to measure the effect of silicon on phosphorus uptake and on the growth of rice at different P levels. Rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Akebono) was cultured in Kimura B nutrient solution without and with silicon (1.66 mM Si) and with three phosphorus levels (0.014 mM P, low; 0.21 mM, medium; and 0.70 mM, high).Shoot dry weight with Si (+Si) in solution increased with increasing P level, while shoot weight without Si (–Si) was maximum at 0.21 mM P, suggesting that +Si raised the optimum P level for rice. +Si increased shoot weight more when P was low or high than when P was medium.The concentration and amount of inorganic P in shoots increased with increasing P level. +Si did not significantly decrease P uptake by rice at 0.014 mM P, however, uptake at 0.21 and 0.70 mM P was 27 and 30 percent less than uptake with –Si, respectively. In –Si with 0.21 and 0.70 mM P, inorganic P in shoots was more than double the concentration in shoots grown in +Si solutions.The Si concentration in shoots decreased slightly with increasing P level, although Si uptake was not significantly affected by P. +Si decreased the uptake of Fe and Mn by an average of 20 and 50 percent, respectively, thus P/Mn and P/Fe ratios increased in the shoot when P was low.From the results above, the beneficial effect of Si on the growth of rice was clearly shown when P was low or high. This effect may have resulted from decreased Mn and Fe uptake, and thus increased P availability within P deficient plants, or from reduced P uptake when P was high.     

Effect of phosphorus fertilizer on A values for soils cropped with winter wheat

The effect of successive annual fertilizer P applications (30 kg P ha⁻¹yr⁻¹) on A values (plant availability) for four soils cropped with winter wheat, was investigated over a four-year period under field conditions in the Southern Plains, USA, using P-32 as a tracer. With successive annual fertilizer P applications, winter wheat dry matter yield and A value increased. This increase was linear for wheat yield on each soil (r²=0.77 to 0.97). For A value, the increase was a positive linear function of residual Bray-I P (r²=0.99 to 1.00) and a negative linear function of P-sorption index of the soil (r²=0.94 to 0.98). This was attributed to the fact that continued fertilizer P applications, by decreasing P-sorption index, increased amounts of available P. Consequently, utilization of fertilizer P decreased with successive applications and A value, thus, represents total soil P availability, including native and residual (carry over) fertilizer P. These results confirm earlier suggestions that the A value may be used as a quantitative measurement of environmental and soil factors influencing P availability.     

两种沉水植物对间隙水磷浓度的影响

为研究两种根系特征的沉水植物在生长过程中对间隙水中磷浓度的影响,选取根系较多的沉水植物苦草和根系相对较少的沉水植物黑藻作为实验材料,监测底泥中间隙水各形态磷含量及环境因子的变化,探讨不同根系特征沉水植物对间隙水中磷的影响。结果表明:黑藻和苦草实验组沉积物间隙水中各形态磷的浓度均呈不同程度的降低,黑藻和苦草对于稳定水质,减少底泥中磷向水中转移具有明显的效果;沉水植物不同,底泥间隙水中溶解性总磷(DTP)和溶解性活性磷(SRP)存在明显差异。实验结束时黑藻组和苦草组间隙水中DTP的浓度分别为0.24,0.01 mg/L,SRP的浓度分别为0.22 mg/L,0.004 mg/L。间隙水中磷的形态主要以DTP和SRP为主,溶解性有机磷(DOP)的含量相对较低。沉水植物对间隙水中磷的吸收是降低间隙水中磷含量的重要原因,苦草的吸收能力大于黑藻。沉水植物根系通过降低底泥p H值,提高氧化还原电位(Eh)的方式抑制了底泥中磷的释放。     

氮、磷养分有效性对森林凋落物分解的影响研究进展

通过对相关研究文献的综述结果表明,氮(N)和磷(P)是构成蛋白质和遗传物质的两种重要组成元素,限制森林生产力和其他生态系统过程,对凋落物分解产生深刻影响。大量的凋落物分解试验发现在土壤N有效性较低的温带和北方森林,凋落物分解速率常与底物初始N浓度、木质素/N比等有很好的相关关系,也受外源N输入的影响;而在土壤高度风化的热带亚热带森林生态系统中,P可能是比N更为重要的分解限制因子。然而控制试验表明,N、P添加对凋落物分解速率的影响并不一致,既有促进效应也有抑制效应。为了深入揭示N、P养分有效性对凋落物分解的调控机制,"底物的C、N化学计量学"假说、"微生物的N开采"假说以及养分平衡的理论都常被用于解释凋落物分解速率的变化。由于微生物分解者具有较为稳定的C、N、P等养分需求比例,在不同的养分供应的周围环境中会体现出不同的活性,某种最缺乏的养分可能就是分解的最重要限制因子。未来的凋落物分解研究,应延长实验时间、加强室内和野外不同条件下的N、P等养分添加控制试验,探讨驱动分解进程的微生物群落结构和酶活性的变化。     

太湖蓝藻死亡腐烂产物对狐尾藻和水质的影响

为揭示富营养化造成淡水生态系统中沉水植物消亡的机制,本文就太湖蓝藻大规模死亡腐烂后的产物对水体水质以及沉水植物造成的影响进行了研究。本文以沉水植物穗花狐尾藻为研究对象,测定了水质参数（pH值,浊度（NTU）,温度,溶解氧（DO）,电导率（Ec）,盐度,磷酸根（PO43-））以及狐尾藻Fv/Fm指标。将采自太湖梅梁湾的蓝藻水华,降解一个星期左右。随后在处理组中加入该蓝藻降解物,对照组中不加入。结果表明,加入蓝藻死亡腐解液后,水体的溶解氧、pH值均比对照组显著降低,浊度则显著升高。对照组中穗花狐尾藻生长良好,其Fv/Fm约为0.8,而经蓝藻腐烂液处理的实验组,穗花狐尾藻在两天之内便接近死亡状态,其Fv/Fm值降至0.3左右。以上结果表明蓝藻死亡腐烂后形成的腐解液确实能在很短时间内给沉水植被带来灭顶之灾。而在短时间内并不能形成大量附着生物,故本实验可排除其对水生植物的影响。本文证实了蓝藻死亡腐烂后的降解液极有可能是导致沉水植物消亡的主要原因。至于是由于蓝藻腐解液引起的哪种因素起主导作用,还有待进一步研究。     

City refuse compost as a phosphorus source to overcome the P-fixation capacity of sesquioxide-rich soils

In sesquioxide-rich soils of tropical and subtropical areas and volcanic-ash soils with high levels of active Al(Fe), large amounts of phosphate fertilizers are needed to overcome their high P-fixation capacity (quenching strategy). A greenhouse pot experiment has been used to evaluate the effectiveness of city refuse compost (CRC) as a P-source for these variable-charge soils, compared to inorganic P. Mature CRC and K₂HPO₄ were applied at rates equivalent to 125, 250, 375, 500 and 625 kg P ha^–1 to a ferrallitic soils from Tenerife Island (Andeptic Paleudult) with a high content in active Al+Fe (4.82%) and a high P-fixation capacity (87%). Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) was grown in pots and plants were harvested at regular intervals after seedling emergence. CRC increases plant P concentration and soil labile-P proportional to the applied rate. The best results were obtained from a compost application of 30 t ha^–1 equivalent-rate, after a residence time of at least three months. An important residual effect in the supply capacity of P in relation to the phosphate fertilizer was also observed. The relative agronomic effectiveness (RAE) in comparison to K₂HPO₄ was 66% after 6 months, considering P uptake + soil labile-P. The soil P-fixation capacity was significantly reduced from a compost application of 40 t ha^–1 equivalent-rate. Competition in adsorption between organic ligands and phosphate, in combination with net mineralization of organic P in compost, might account for the high RAE value obtained. The main conclusion is that the city refuse compost could be a suitable P-amendment for resquioxic soils due to its high RAE, and the residual effect on P-supply. ei]H. Lambers     

水华蓝藻生物质对沉水植物五刺金鱼藻生长的影响

本文研究了蓝藻水华不同的生物质形式对金鱼藻生长和光合活性的影响,结果表明:蓝藻水华的不同生物质形式均不同程度地促进了金鱼藻的生长。在促进金鱼藻植株的长度增长方面,干燥蓝藻的作用最强,新鲜蓝藻次之,腐烂蓝藻作用最弱,但都比对照增长显著。而在促进金鱼藻植株鲜重增长上,干燥蓝藻和新鲜蓝藻的作用几乎相同,为最为明显的;腐烂蓝藻次之;而对照植株的鲜重先增加后下降。在促进金鱼藻分枝上,新鲜蓝藻的作用最强,干燥蓝藻和腐烂蓝藻次之,对照的分枝随时间也逐渐增加,但是要比经过蓝藻处理的试验组少。测定的叶绿素荧光参数表明,干燥蓝藻处理的金鱼藻的光合活性最高,新鲜蓝藻处理组次之,腐烂蓝藻和对照组最低。实验结果表明,不同水华蓝藻生物质在为金鱼藻提供生长所需的营养(或生长促进物质)之时,也产生了一些抑制因素,抑制了金鱼藻的生长。促进因素和抑制因素的协同作用,最终表现在不同生物质对金鱼藻的生长促进作用的差异性上。     

Influence of phenolic acids on phosphorus mobilisation in acidic and calcareous soils

Phenolic acids and phenols are abundant in soils. However, little information is available on the role of these compounds in mobilisation of soil phosphorus (P). The present study examined the effects of three phenolics on P mobilisation in comparison with citric acid in three soils differing in chemical properties. The soils were incubated with organic compounds at concentrations of 0 to 100 mol g^–1 soil for 30 min. While the addition of phenolic acid anions and phenol decreased soil pH, citrate either increased or did not affect soil pH depending on the soil type. All the organic compounds increased the amounts of easily-mobilised P fractions in the order of catechol citric acid proto-catechuic acid caffeic acid for the acid soils and citric acid > catechol = proto-catechuic acid > caffeic acid for the calcareous soil. Phosphorus mobilisation did not correspond to the amounts of Ca, Fe or Al ions released from the soils. These results suggest that organic acids and phenols altered the P fractions from stable, sparingly-soluble forms to easily dissolvable forms, and that chelation or precipitation of cations with organic ligands occur before biodegradation of the ligands.     

Effect of soil salinity on the electro-chemical and chemical kinetics of some plant nutrients in submerged soils

Summary The electro-chemical and chemical kinetics of six California rice soils were significantly influenced by the presence of salts up to an EC of 9 mmhos/cm in saturation extract (EC_e). Subsamples of each soil salinity treatment were incubated for periods up to 10 weeks after flooding. Most of the changes in Eh and pH values took place in the first 3–4 weeks after submergence. Salinity decreased pH values, but slightly increased the redox-potential. Both ammonification and nitrate reduction were significantly decreased, by increasing soil salinity. Salinity up to 9 mmhos/cm did not affect levels of Bray and Kurtz extractable P, but increased the water extractable Ca, Mg, K and Mn. In DTPA extract, salinity in incubated soils had no effect on Zn in 4 soils, but it decreased Fe in acid and neutral soils. Possible explanations for the electro-chemical and chemical kinetic changes due to flooding and salinity are discussed.     

Effect of plant growth on transformation of mineral nitrogen in soils

Summary The effects of plants on NH₄- and NO₃-N transformations were studied on a clay loam soil pH 7.7, organic carbon 2.4%, and total N 0.25%. Without plants 80% of the extractable NH₄-N from a 0.3 ppm addition was nitrified in one hour, and 100% in one day. The disappearance of NH₄-N was increased from 20%, where plants were not grown, to 50% where barley plants were grown for two weeks. Only 5% of the NO₃-N added to soil disappeared in the absence of plant growth, but 40% disappeared with plants. N also disappeared when added to soil from which growing plants had recently been removed. Several hypotheses, including transformation to gaseous forms, are advanced to explain the disappearance.     

The biological transformation of P in soil

Summary Organic forms of soil phosphorus (P_o) are an important source of available P for plants following mineralisation. The rates and pathways of P through soil organic matter are, however, poorly understood when compared to physco-chemical aspects of the P cycle. The essential role of soil microorganisms as a labile resercoir of P, confirmed experimentally and in modelling studies, has recently led to the development of methods for measuring thier P content. Incorporation in a new P fractionation scheme of these measurements with estimates of P_i and P_o fractions that vary in the exten toftheir availability to plants has enabled the dynamics of short-term soil P transformations to be investigated in relation to long-term changes observed in the field.Different types of soil P compounds that minearlise at different rates can now be measured directly in extracts by³¹P-nuclear magnetic resonance. Orthophosphate diesters, including phospholipids and nucleic acids, are the most readily mineralised group of these compounds. However, mineralisation rates rather than the amounts of types of P_o in soil ultimately control P availability to plants. These rates are influenced by a number of soil and site factors, as a sensitive new technique using [³²P] RNA has recently shown.These recent developments reflect a more holistic approach to investigation of the soil P cycle than in the past, which should lead to improved fertilizer management practices.Introductory lecture