氮沉降对杉木人工幼林土壤溶液可溶性有机物质浓度及光谱学特征的影响

为探究氮沉降对亚热带杉木人工幼林土壤溶液可溶性有机物质(DOM)浓度及光谱学特征的影响,采用负压法,对0～15和15～30 cm土层土壤溶液DOM进行了2年的动态监测及光谱学特征研究.结果表明:氮沉降显著减少了各土层土壤溶液可溶性有机碳(DOC)浓度,增加了芳香化指数(AI)及腐殖化指数(HIX),但对可溶性有机氮(DON)无显著影响.土壤溶液DOM浓度存在明显的季节变动,夏秋季显著高于春冬季.傅里叶红外光谱结果表明,森林土壤溶液DOM在6个区域的相似位置存在吸收峰,其中1145～1149 cm^-1的吸收峰最强.三维荧光光谱表明,DOM主要以类蛋白质物质(Ex/Em=230 nm/300 nm)和微生物降解产物(Ex/Em=275 nm/300 nm)为主,施氮使0～15 cm土层类蛋白质物质减少.氮沉降可能主要是通过降低土壤pH、抑制土壤碳矿化和刺激植物生长等途径显著抑制土壤溶液DOC浓度,而表层被抑制的DOC成分以类蛋白质物质和羧酸盐物质为主.氮沉降短期可能有利于土壤肥力的储存,但随着氮沉降量的积累,土壤中营养物质将难以得到有效利用.     

黄河三角洲盐碱地不同造林模式下的土壤碳氮分布特征

为了探讨不同造林模式对土壤碳氮影响的生态效应,以黄河三角洲盐碱地白蜡+棉花(FC)、香花槐+棉花(RC)、竹柳+棉花(SC)、白蜡林(F)、竹柳林(S)等5种造林模式为研究对象,分析比较各造林模式土壤的碳氮形态及分布特征,为重度退化刺槐林的经营改造和造林模式选择提供理论依据。结果显示:(1)不同造林模式下土壤的可溶性总碳和可溶性有机碳含量均高于裸地,农林间作高于纯林,其中SC模式含量最高,其次为FC和RC模式,而F和S纯林模式较低;5种造林模式不同土层可溶性有机碳含量均表现为0—20 cm高于20—40 cm。(2)农林间作模式0—40 cm土层的可溶性全氮和可溶性有机氮平均含量均高于纯林模式,其中SC模式的含量最高。FC、SC和S纯林模式0—20 cm土层可溶性有机氮含量显著高于20—40 cm土层,分别为其1.4、1.5和2.7倍;而RC模式20—40 cm土层可溶性有机氮含量显著高于0—20 cm土层。(3)5种造林模式中,除F纯林土壤硝态氮低于裸地外,其他造林模式下的土壤各种氮养分含量均显著高于裸地。土壤可溶性有机碳与全氮和铵态氮的相关性达到极显著水平(P0.01)。研究表明农林间作模式可显著提高重度退化刺槐林皆伐后土壤中有效态碳、氮含量,其中SC模式改良效果较好,而纯林模式较差。     

不同林龄刺槐林土壤团聚体化学计量特征及其与土壤养分的关系

土壤团聚体化学计量特征分析可以为土壤养分的评价提供依据,对陕北黄土丘陵区20 a、25 a、40 a、50 a刺槐林土壤团聚体有机碳、全氮、全磷化学计量比及其与土壤有机碳、全氮、全磷化学计量比的相关性采用逐步回归分析方法进行了分析。结果表明:随着林龄的增加,刺槐林各粒径土壤团聚体有机碳、全氮含量及其有机碳、全氮、全磷化学计量比显著增加(P0.05),均表现为在0—20 cm土层高于20—40 cm土层,而刺槐林土壤团聚体全磷含量变化较小;相同林龄刺槐林在0—20 cm和20—40cm土层中0.25—2 mm粒径土壤团聚体有机碳、全氮、全磷含量及其化学计量比最高。刺槐林0.25—2 mm粒径团聚体对土壤原土有机碳、全氮含量及其有机碳、全氮、全磷化学计量比有显著影响。营造刺槐林对各粒径土壤团聚体全效养分分配及其平衡关系存在积极的影响,主要体现在0.25—2 mm粒径土壤大团聚体中,通过影响0.25—2 mm粒径团聚体提高了土壤全效养分的供应和保持能力。     

降雨隔离和温度增加对杉木幼林土壤可溶性碳氮的影响

土壤可溶性碳氮在森林土壤碳循环和养分循环中起到重要作用,因其对气候变化高度敏感且可被微生物直接利用.本研究通过在2年生杉木人工林内设置隔离50%降雨处理(P)、增温5 ℃+隔离50%降雨处理(WP),利用张力测渗计野外原位收集土壤溶液,研究降雨和温度变化对不同深度土壤可溶性碳氮浓度的影响.结果表明: 降雨和温度变化没有改变土壤可溶性有机碳(DOC)浓度的季节变化,土壤溶液DOC浓度在10月最高.降雨和温度变化增加了不同土层土壤溶液DOC浓度,60 cm处增加量最大,与对照相比,P和WP处理土壤溶液DOC浓度的增加幅度分别为30.4%～88.7%和32.8%～137.6%,10 月的差异值最大,对照土壤溶液DOC浓度随土壤深度增加而降低,但降雨和温度变化后各土层间土壤溶液DOC浓度没有显著差异.WP处理土壤溶液NO₃^--N浓度大幅增加,增加幅度为221.1%～931.0%.在未来全球变化背景下,亚热带地区降雨减少将增加土壤通透性和细根向深层土壤的生长,促进土壤微生物活性和有机质分解,可能增加本地区土壤有机碳氮淋溶流失,而温度增高将加剧碳氮流失风险.     

高寒草原土壤交换性盐基离子对氮添加的响应:以紫花针茅草原为例

土壤交换性盐基离子(Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)、K~+、Na~+)在维持土壤养分与缓冲土壤酸化中起着重要作用,了解其对氮添加的响应有助于准确评估氮沉降背景下生态系统结构与功能的动态变化。然而,目前关于土壤交换性盐基离子对氮添加响应的相关研究主要集中在酸性土中。鉴于目前在碱性土中研究相对较少的现状,该研究以青藏高原高寒草原为研究对象,依托氮添加控制实验平台,通过连续3年(2014–2016)的测定,考察了8个不同施氮水平(0、1、2、4、8、16、24、32 g·m~(–2)·a~(–1))下土壤交换性盐基离子含量变化及其可能原因。结果显示:随着施氮量的增加,土壤交换性盐基离子,尤其是Mg~(2+)与Na~+含量显著降低。并且,盐基离子含量与植物地上生物量显著负相关(p0.05),说明氮添加通过促进植物生长,加速植物对盐基离子的吸收,进而导致土壤中盐基离子含量降低。此外,盐基离子含量也与土壤无机氮含量呈显著负相关(p0.05)关系,说明施氮还通过提高土壤中无机氮含量进而导致更多NH_4~+与土壤吸附的盐基离子交换,同时加剧NO_3~–淋溶,带走等电荷阳离子。需要指出的是,虽然连续施氮导致土壤pH值下降,但该土壤目前仍处于碳酸盐缓冲阶段,说明通常在酸性土中报道的"因缓冲土壤酸化引起的盐基离子损失机制"在碱性土中并不成立。这些结果意味着持续的氮输入会造成碱性土中盐基离子损失,进而影响土壤缓冲能力与植被生产力,未来草原生态系统管理中应重视这一问题。     

北方农牧交错带温性盐碱化草地土壤碳组分对模拟增温的响应机制

中国北方农牧交错带温性盐碱化草地土壤有机碳库对全球气候变暖的响应趋势存在较大不确定性。作为温性盐碱性草地的典型分布区，山西右玉农牧交错带是探索相关研究的理想生境。基于山西农业大学野外观测研究站开顶式气室模拟增温实验平台，通过采集生长旺季土壤样品，探索温性盐碱化草地不同土层有机碳、氮组分对模拟增温的响应与适应机制。结果表明：(1)不同增温处理对土壤有机碳(C)、总氮(N)、颗粒性有机碳(POM-C)和氮(POM-N)、矿物结合态有机碳(MAOM-C)和氮(MAOM-N)、可溶性有机碳(DOC)和氮(DON),以及微生物量碳(MBC)和氮(MBN)等组分无显著影响，但显著降低了MAOM-C/MBC的比值；(2)除土壤可溶性有机碳和微生物量碳外，土壤碳、氮各组分均随土层深度加深而呈现递减趋势，土壤碳、氮各组分之间的比值，除MAOM-N/N和MBC/C外，均随土层深度的增加而呈现显著上升趋势；(3)增温对POM-N/MBN和MAOM-N/MBN的影响与土层深度存在明显的交互效应；(4)不同土层氮组分比值对增温的响应与禾草丰度、杂类草丰度、凋落物量、土壤pH值及土壤含水量等因素有关。其中，凋落物...     

黄河三角洲柽柳植株周围土壤盐分离子的分布

为探讨柽柳的盐分富集效应及其对不同盐分离子分布的影响,以黄河三角洲盐碱地柽柳为研究对象,分析了离植株不同距离不同土层中的盐分离子组成、含量、离子比及不同离子之间的相关性。研究结果表明:各土层阳离子中Na~+含量最高,其次是Ca~(2+)和Mg~(2+),K~(+)最低,Cl~(-)在阴离子中的含量最高,SO_4~(2-)次之,HCO_3~-最低,而未检测到CO_3~(2-)。在柽柳植株周围,尤其是表层土壤中,离植株越近盐分含量越高,显示出柽柳对盐分的富集效应,其中对不同阳离子的富集程度表现为K~+Na~+Mg~(2+)Ca~(2+),而对阴离子的富集程度表现为HCO_3~-Cl~-SO_4~(2-)。冠层下凋落物中盐分的释放和树干径流可能是导致盐分在柽柳植株周围水平方向上存在差异的主要原因。土壤总可溶性盐含量随着土层的加深而升高。阳离子和阴离子向下迁移程度分别表现为Na~+Mg~(2+)Ca~(2+)K+和Cl~-SO_4~(2-)≈HCO_3~-,因而随土层加深而升高的Na~+、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)和Cl~-,显示出底聚特征,而K+、SO_4~(2-)和HCO_3~-含量则随着土层的加深而降低,具有表聚特征。降水淋溶、盐分离子迁移速率的差别和各土层中不同生物量根系对盐分吸收的差异可能是造成盐分在垂直方向上含量变化的主要因素。     

中亚热带杉木人工幼林林下植被生物量对短期增温和隔离降雨交互作用的响应

通过在野外条件下设置对照(CT)、土壤增温(W,+5℃)、隔离降雨(P,隔离50%降雨量)以及增温与隔离降雨协同作用(WP) 4种处理,研究增温与隔离降雨及其交互作用对中亚热带杉木人工林林下植被生物量的影响,结果表明:增温和隔离降雨及其交互作用显著影响杉木人工林林下植被生物量。W和WP处理显著提高地上、地下和总生物量,其中W处理地上、地下和总生物量增加比例均高于WP处理;隔离降雨导致地下部分生物量显著减少;增温、隔离降雨及其交互作用均导致林下植被根冠比值下降。土壤温度升高是导致植被地上、地下和总生物量以及根冠比值变化的根本原因,而土壤溶液中可溶性碳氮及矿质元素浓度的变化可能是导致植被地上、地下和总生物量变化的直接原因。其中,Al~(3+)、Fe~(3+)、Ca~(2+)浓度的降低可能是导致增温后杉木林林下植被地上、地下和总生物量显著增加的原因; Al~(3+)、Na~+浓度的增加可能是导致隔离降雨后林下植被地下部分生物量下降的原因。本研究从土壤溶液养分组成变化的角度,探讨增温、隔离降雨及其交互作用对中亚热带杉木幼林林下植被生物量的影响,研究结果可为全球气候变化背景下森林生态系统碳循环研究与森林经营提供重要理论依据。     

土壤增温降低亚热带森林土壤可溶性有机碳数量和质量

土壤可溶性有机碳(DOC)是森林土壤碳库中最活跃的部分,其对气候变暖的响应将深刻影响森林生态系统碳循环。本研究基于亚热带常绿阔叶林野外增温实验平台,原位收集土壤溶液,结合紫外可见光谱、红外光谱和三维荧光光谱分析,探究土壤剖面DOC通量及组成对增温(+4℃,1年)的响应。结果表明：土壤DOC通量在土层之间没有显著差异。土壤DOC主要由2个类腐殖酸组分和1个微生物代谢产物组分组成。与对照相比,增温显著降低了土壤DOC通量,降低了土壤溶液芳香化指数和疏水组分比例,增加了小分子碳水化合物的含量。此外,增温还提高了表层土壤(0～10 cm)类腐殖酸组分的相对贡献,增加了深层土壤(30～40 cm)微生物代谢产物组分的相对贡献,这在一定程度上表明变暖加速了深层土壤微生物周转。总体来说,土壤增温降低了亚热带常绿阔叶林土壤DOC数量,使DOC结构趋于简单。     

模拟氮沉降和降雨量改变对华西雨屏区常绿阔叶林土壤有机碳的影响

从2013年11月至2015年12月,通过原位试验,在华西雨屏区常绿阔叶林内设置了对照(CK)、氮沉降(N)、减雨(R)、增雨(A)、氮沉降+减雨(NR)、氮沉降+增雨(NA)6个处理水平,研究了模拟氮沉降和降雨量改变对常绿阔叶林土壤有机碳的影响。结果表明:华西雨屏区常绿阔叶林土壤各土层有机碳含量表现为夏季较高,春冬季较低,0—10 cm土层有机碳含量高于10—20 cm土层。从各处理土壤有机碳含量的平均值来看,0—10 cm土层土壤有机碳含量高低顺序表现为:RNRCKANNA;10—20 cm土层表现为:RNRACKNAN。模拟氮沉降和增雨处理促进了华西雨屏区常绿阔叶林土壤有机碳的累积,模拟减雨抑制了土壤有机碳的累积。常绿阔叶林0—10cm土层土壤C/N值显著高于10—20 cm,土壤C/N值随土层加深而呈现出增加的趋势,降雨使土壤C/N降低,增雨使土壤C/N增高。同一氮沉降条件下,增雨处理增加了土壤有机碳的含量,减雨处理减少了土壤有机碳的含量;同一降雨条件下,氮沉降增加土壤有机碳的含量。氮沉降和降雨对土壤可溶解性有机碳和微生物生物量碳含量产生显著影响(P0.05),对土壤活性碳含量影响不显著(P0.05);其交互作用对土壤有机碳、可溶解性有机碳、微生物生物量碳和活性碳含量影响不显著(P0.05)。     

Correlations between projection area of ectomycorrhizae and H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O extractable nutrients in organic soil layers

Most of the fine root tips of boreal and temperate forests are colonized by ectomycorrhizal fungi. Thus ectomycorrhizal (ECM) symbiosis is an important factor in supplying trees with water and a wide range of nutrients. ECM are frequently patchily distributed and often form dense systems in small areas. One of the reasons for this uneven distribution might be a heterogeneous and patchy distribution of nutrients. The present study compares the occurrence of ECM of Cortinarius obtusus, Lactarius decipiens, L. theiogalus, and Russula ochroleuca and soil nutrient concentrations at a micro-scale (1 cm²) in the O_F layer of a pure Norway spruce stand. In addition to the macronutrients K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, NO₃ ⁻, NH₄ ⁺, the concentrations of Na⁺, Fe³⁺+Mn²⁺, Al³⁺, Cl⁻, SO₄ ²⁻ are studied, as well as pH. Whereas Russula ochroleuca and Lactarius decipiens did not reveal any significant correlation with any of the tested nutrients or pH, the occurrence of L. theiogalus was significantly (p < 5 %) positively correlated with NH₄ ⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe³⁺+Mn²⁺, and pH. Cortinarius obtusus was positively correlated at the same significance level only with NH₄ ⁺ and Mg²⁺.     

Plant induced alteration in the rhizosphere and the utilisation of soil heterogeneity

Plant-soil interactions result in a special rhizosphere soil chemistry, differing from that of the bulk soil found only a few mm from the root. The aim of this study was to investigate adaptation mechanisms of herbs growing in acid soils through studying their rhizosphere chemistry in a greenhouse experiment and in a field study. Ten herbs were grown in acid soil (pH 4.2 in the soil solution) in the greenhouse. The concentrations of NO₃ ^-, SO₄ ^2-, phosphates, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄ ⁺ and pH were analysed in soil solutions obtained by centrifugation. The general pattern found was a depletion of nutrients in the rhizosphere compared with their concentrations in the bulk soil. The pH increase (up to 0.7 units) in the rhizosphere soil appeared to be caused by plant uptake of NO₃ ^- (r²=0.88). The ion concentrations in the soil solution of the rhizosphere were dependent on plant species and biomass increase. Although species with a larger biomass and higher growth rates showed a higher degree of ion depletion (except for Na⁺, SO₄ ^2-) in the rhizosphere, there were also species specific responses. A field study of five herbs at five oak forest sites in Southern Sweden (Scania) was also carried out. In addition to the soil solution concentrations, the loss on ignition (LOI) and the concentrations of 0.1 M BaCl₂ extractable K⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Al ions were measured. The amount of soil solution Al was determined as free ionic (quickly reacting) Al. For all species and sites, the LOI and the concentrations of exchangeable cations were higher in the rhizosphere than in the bulk soil, apparently due to the roots preferably growing at organic-rich microsites. The concentrations of the ions as measured in the centrifuged soil solution, were either higher in the rhizosphere than in the bulk soil or were the same in both, except for NO₃ ^- and quickly reacting Al. The lower concentrations of quickly reacting Al in the rhizosphere, compared with the bulk soil could indicate the uptake of Al by the plant or the exudation of complexing substances. The pH differences were only small and mostly non-significant. Plant-soil interactions and the ability of plants to utilise heterogeneity of the soil appear to be more important for plant growth in acid soils than recognised heretofore. Rhizosphere studies provide an important means of understanding plant strategies in acid soils. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Soil nutrient dynamics in response to irrigation of a Panamanian tropical moist forest

We measured concentrations of soil nutrients (0–15 and 30–35 cm depths) before and after the dry season in control and dry-season irrigated plots of mature tropical moist forest on Barro Colorado Island (BCI) in central Panama to determine how soil moisture affects availability of plant nutrients. Dry-season irrigation (January through April in 1986, 1987, and 1988) enhanced gravimetric soil water contents to wet-season levels (ca. 400 g kg^–1 but did not cause leaching beyond 0.8 m depth in the soil. Irrigation increased concentrations of exchangeable base cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺), but it had little effect on concentrations of inorganic N (NH₄ ^+C, NO₃ ^– and S (SO₄ ^2–). These BCI soils had particularly low concentrations of extractable P especially at the end of the dry season in April, and concentrations increased in response to irrigation and the onset of the rainy season. We also measured the response of soil processes (nitrification and S mineralization) to irrigation and found that they responded positively to increased soil moisture in laboratory incubations, but irrigation had little effect on rates in the field. Other processes (plant uptake, soil organic matter dynamics) must compensate in the field and keep soil nutrient concentrations at relatively low levels.     

Effects of Cation Levels of the Nutrient Medium on the Biochemistry of Chlorella: II. Factorial Experiment

A factorial experiment was designed to study the effects of Mg²⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺ on the growth and biochemistry of Chlorella sorokiniana. Raising Mg²⁺ or K⁺ concentration in the nutrient medium increased growth rates as well as total N levels and Mg²⁺ and K⁺ accumulation by the cells. The total N effect was Mg²⁺-dependent—if Mg²⁺ was below a certain level in the medium—increasing the K⁺ concentration did not raise the total N level of cells. Low nutrient levels of K⁺ decreased the levels of unsaturated fatty acids (especially 18:1 and 18:3), while increasing the levels of palmitic acid (16:0), total fatty acids, and total lipid. Increasing nutrient K⁺ concentrations were accompanied by increases in levels of some unsaturated fatty acids, with a concomitant reduction in 16:0, total fatty acids and total lipid. Low Mg²⁺ levels in the nutrient medium reduced the cellular levels of palmitic acid, total fatty acids, total lipid, and certain unsaturated fatty acids (though this last effect also depended on the nutrient level of K⁺). These relationships indicate that Mg²⁺ may be important in the initial steps of fatty acid synthesis, whereas K⁺ may be necessary for the formation of certain unsaturated fatty acids. Variations in Na⁺ concentration did not have any significant effect on the growth and biochemistry of C. sorokiniana.     

Impact of grazing around a watering point on soil status of a semi-arid rangeland in Ethiopia

The influence of long‐term livestock grazing on the soil status of a semi‐arid rangeland was studied along a grazing gradient from a watering point in southern Afar Region of Ethiopia for two seasons. The soil samples were analysed for organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), exchangeable cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺ and Na⁺), acidity (pH), cation exchange capacity, and particle size distribution (clay, silt and sand). No significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed for particle size distribution, OC, N, P and K contents along the grazing gradient further than 1500 m from the watering point. Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ were found to be dominant cations particularly in the severely degraded area contributing about 74% to the exchangeable cations. The study has also recognized high concentrations of Na⁺ and more than 11% exchangeable sodium percentage. Total exchangeable bases significantly declined (P < 0.05) along the grazing gradient and were indicative of the exchange complex of the soil being saturated with Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions. Thus this study concluded that there are soil differences in the grazing gradient caused by impact of grazing, particularly in the severely degraded area.     

Effects of CO2 and nitrogen fertilization on vegetation and soil nutrient content in juvenile ponderosa pine

This paper summarizes the data on nutrient uptake and soil responses in opentop chambers planted with ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws.) treated with both N and CO₂. Based upon the literature, we hypothesized that 1) elevated CO₂ would cause increased growth and yield of biomass per unit uptake of N even if N is limiting, and 2) elevated CO₂ would cause increased biomass yield per unit uptake of other nutrients only by growth dilution and only if they are non-limiting. Hypothesis 1 was supported only in part: there were greater yields of biomass per unit N uptake in the first two years of growth but not in the third year. Hypothesis 2 was supported in many cases: elevated CO₂ caused growth dilution (decreased concentrations but not decreased uptake) of P, S, and Mg. Effects of elevated CO₂ on K, Ca, and B concentrations were smaller and mostly non-significant. There was no evidence that N responded in a unique manner to elevated CO₂, despite its unique role in rubisco. Simple growth dilution seemed to explain nutrient responses in almost all cases.There were significant declines in soil exchangeable K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and extractable P over time which were attributed to disturbance effects associated with plowing. The only statistically significant treatment effects on soils were negative effects of elevated CO₂ on mineralizeable N and extractable P, and positive effects of both N fertilization and CO₂ on exchangeable Al³⁺. Soil exchangeable K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ pools remained much higher than vegetation pools, but extractable P pools were lower than vegetation pools in the third year of growth. There were also large losses of both native soil N and fertilizer N over time. These soil N losses could account for the observed losses in exchangeable K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ if N was nitrified and leached as NO ₃ ^– .     

Modelling nutrient mobilisation in intensively mixed peaty heathland soil

Laboratory incubations were used to investigate the influence of soil mixing intensity and waterlogged conditions on nutrient mobilisation from models of cultivated heathland soil. Fragmentation of the peaty surface horizon after different soil cultivation intensities was simulated using four different surface areas of peat organic matter. In well aerated conditions, increased mobilisation of C, NH ₄ ⁺ −N, PO ₄ ³⁻ , K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ was observed with increased mixing intensity and increased surface area of peat. For all nutrients apart from calcium, intensively mixed treatments showed higher mobilisation rates under waterlogging than under well aerated conditions. This was particularly clear for NH ₄ ⁻ −N and PO ₄ ³⁻ mobilisation. Simple linear regression analysis showed that, under aerated conditions, for four mixing intensities, rates of mobilisation of NH ₄ ⁺ −N, PO ₄ ³⁻ , K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ were approximately constant per unit of peat surface area exposed during soil mixing. Waterlogging was more important than soil mixing intensity in determining nitrogen mobilisation rates in saturated soil.     

Fire and soil-plant nutrient relations in a pine-wiregrass savanna on the coastal plain of North Carolina

Summary Changes in soil and plant nutrient conditions were evaluated following various burn and clip treatments in a longleaf pine-wiregrass savanna in Bladen Co., N.C., USA. Ground fires were found to add substantial quantities of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg to the soil, though not necessarily in forms immediately available to plants. Less than 1% of the total nitrogen in the charred residue (ash) is present as nitrate or ammonium. Considerable quantities of all nutrients examined were lost to the atmosphere during burning. Green leaf tissue in recently burned areas was consistently higher in N, P, K, Ca, and Mg compared to unburned areas. Howerver, when compared to similar tissues from clipped plots, burned area tissues were significantly higher in N, Ca, and Mg only. Data presented here suggest that tissue age significantly affects nutrient content and must be considered in any analysis of tissue nutrient content following burning. Within 4–6 months following fire, burned-area tissue nutrient content decreases to concentrations found in the unburned area. Burning resulted in initial enrichment of available soil nutrients including PO₄, K⁺, Ca⁺⁺, and Mg⁺⁺, however, NO₃ ^-, and NH₄ ⁺ concentrations in burned soil were not significantly different from unbruned soil. Soil and plant nutrient changes in an area burned two years in succession indicate that repeated burning may diminish nutrient availability. Plant response to various nutrient enrichment treatments of the soil indicated that nitrogen is limiting growth in both burned and unburned soils and that burning may alter some factors other than nutrients which may retard plant growth in unburned areas.     

Evidence that arbuscular mycorrhizal and phosphate-solubilizing fungi alleviate NaCl stress in the halophyte Kosteletzkya virginica: nutrient uptake and ion distribution within root tissues

The effects of an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, Glomus mosseae, and a phosphate-solubilizing microorganism (PSM), Mortierella sp., and their interactions, on nutrient (N, P and K) uptake and the ionic composition of different root tissues of the halophyte Kosteletzkya virginica (L.), cultured with or without NaCl, were evaluated. Plant biomass, AM colonization and PSM populations were also assessed. Salt stress adversely affected plant nutrient acquisition, especially root P and K, resulting in an important reduction in shoot dry biomass. Inoculation of the AM fungus or/and PSM strongly promoted AM colonization, PSM populations, plant dry biomass, root/shoot dry weight ratio and nutrient uptake by K. virginica, regardless of salinity level. Ion accumulation in root tissues was inhibited by salt stress. However, dual inoculation of the AM fungus and PSM significantly enhanced ion (e.g., Na⁺, Cl^?, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) accumulation in different root tissues, and maintained lower Na⁺/K⁺ and Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ ratios and a higher Na⁺/Ca²⁺ ratio, compared to non-inoculated plants under 100 mM NaCl conditions. Correlation coefficient analysis demonstrated that plant (shoot or root) dry biomass correlated positively with plant nutrient uptake and ion (e.g., Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺ and Cl^?) concentrations of different root tissues, and correlated negatively with Na⁺/K⁺ ratios in the epidermis and cortex. Simultaneously, root/shoot dry weight ratio correlated positively with Na⁺/Ca²⁺ ratios in most root tissues. These findings suggest that combined AM fungus and PSM inoculation alleviates the deleterious effects of salt on plant growth by enabling greater nutrient (e.g., P, N and K) absorption, higher accumulation of Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺ and Cl^? in different root tissues, and maintenance of lower root Na⁺/K⁺ and higher Na⁺/Ca²⁺ ratios when salinity is within acceptable limits.     

Effects of root-zone solutes on Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus bicostata seedlings: Responses to Na+, Mg2+ and Cl-

Specific-ion effects in salt-treated eucalypts were examined with two species known to differ in salt tolerance viz. E. camaldulensis (more tolerant) and E. bicostata (less tolerant). Sand-cultured plants were irrigated with different nutrient solutions designed to impose either osmotic stress (concentrated macronutrients with balanced cations and anions) or specific ion stress from either NaCl or MgCl₂, or from nutrient solutions rich in particular ions viz. Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and Cl^- (balancing counter ions were provided in all cases). Half-strength Hoagland nutrient solution served as control. All treatments were applied at osmotic pressures of approximately 0.52 MPa by appropriate concentrations of each solution. In general, salt-induced growth reductions were greater for E. camaldulensis than for E. bicostata, although E. camaldulensis showed strongest exclusion of Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and Cl^- from shoots. Application of NaCl and concentrated macronutrients resulted in similar growth reductions. E. bicostata seedlings exposed to high Cl^- concentrations in the presence of Mg²⁺ and concentrated cations suffered significantly more shoot and root reduction than those exposed to other salts. Treatment with solution rich in Cl^- resulted in extensive leaf damage, which suggested that Cl^- may have exerted a specific effect. No specific Na⁺ effect was observed for either species, even though shoot Na⁺ concentrations were considerably higher for E. bicostata than for E. camaldulensis. Root growth was considerably less for plants treated with Mg²⁺ salts and this effect was associated with low root Ca²⁺ concentrations.