Assessing the Impact of Afforestation on Soil Organic C Sequestration by Means of Sequential Density Fractionation

Afforestation is a prevalent practice carried out for soil recovery and carbon sequestration. Improved understanding of the effects of afforestation on soil organic carbon (SOC) content and dynamics is necessary to identify the particular processes of soil organic matter (SOM) formation and/or decomposition that result from afforestation. To elucidate these mechanisms, we have used a sequential density fractionation technique to identify the transfer mechanisms of forest derived C to soil fractions and investigate the impact of afforestation on SOC sequestration. Surface soil samples from continuous maize crop land (C4) and forest land (C3), which had been established 5, 12 and 25 yr, respectively, on the Northeast China Plain were separated into five density fractions. SOC, nitrogen (N) concentration and δ13C data from the three forests and adjacent cropland were compared. Afforestation decreased SOC concentration in the < 2.5 g cm-3 fractions from 5 yr forest sites, but increased SOC content in the < 2.0 g cm-3 fractions from 25 yr forest sites. Afforestation did not affect soil mass distribution, SOC and N proportional weight distributions across the density fractions. The < 1.8 g cm-3 fractions from 12 and 25 yr forests showed higher C/N and lower δ13C as compared to other fractions. Incorporation of forest litter-derived C occurred from low density (< 1.8 g cm-3) fractions to aggregates of higher density (1.8-2.5 g cm-3) through aggregate recombination and C transport in the pore system of the aggregates. Some forest litter-derived C could transfer from the light fractions or directly diffuse and adsorb onto mineral particles. Results from this study indicate that microaggregate protection and association between organic material and minerals provide major contribution to the SOC sequestration in the afforested soil system.     

Bacterial Density and Community Structure Associated with Aggregate Size Fractions of Soil-Feeding Termite Mounds

The building and foraging activities of termites are known to modify soil characteristics such as the heterogeneity. In tropical savannas the impact of the activity of soil-feeding termites (Cubitermes niokoloensis) has been shown to affect the properties of the soil at the aggregate level by creating new soil microenvironments (aggregate size fractions) [13]. These changes were investigated in greater depth by looking at the microbial density (AODC) and the genetic structure (automated rRNA intergenic spacer analysis: ARISA) of the communities in the different aggregate size fractions (i.e., coarse sand, fine sand, coarse silt, fine silt, and dispersible clays) separated from compartments (internal and external wall) of three Cubitermes niokoloensis mounds. The bacterial density of the mounds was significantly higher (1.5 to 3 times) than that of the surrounding soil. Within the aggregate size fractions, the termite building activity resulted in a significant increase in bacterial density within the coarser fractions (>20 m). Multivariate analysis of the ARISA profiles revealed that the bacterial genetic structures of unfractionated soil and soil aggregate size fractions of the three mounds was noticeably different from the savanna soil used as a reference. Moreover, the microbial community associated with the different microenvironments in the three termite mounds revealed three distinct clusters formed by the aggregate size fractions of each mound. Except for the 2–20 m fraction, these results suggest that the mound microbial genetic structure is more dependent upon microbial pool affiliation (the termite mound) than on the soil location (aggregate size fraction). The causes of the specificity of the microbial community structure of termite mound aggregate size fractions are discussed.This revised version was published online in November 2004 with corrections to Volume 48.     

天山高寒草原土壤团聚体结构与养分含量对模拟氮磷沉降的响应

为更好地理解高寒草原土壤团聚体结构及其养分含量对氮(N)、磷(P)沉降增加的响应,于2018年开始依托全球营养网络(Nutrient Network)在巴音布鲁克草原生态系统研究站开展模拟氮磷沉降的短期(<5年)氮磷添加控制实验,设置对照(CK)、N添加、P添加、NP交互添加4个处理。N、P添加量均为10 g m^-2 a^-1。于2021年8月采集植物与土壤样品,采用湿筛法分析土壤水稳定性团聚体组成,测定全土和各粒级团聚体有机碳(SOC)、总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)、速效氮(AN)和速效磷(AP)含量。研究结果表明：(1)巴音布鲁克高寒草原各粒级土壤团聚体比例从低到高依次为：0.053—0.25 mm、<0.053 mm、0.25—2 mm、和>2 mm,以>2 mm团聚体占主导,其比例在45.48%—71.81%之间。(2)N添加显著降低了0—10 cm土壤层>2 mm团聚体比例和团聚体稳定性,而P添加则显著降低了10—20 cm土壤层>2 mm团聚体比例和团聚体稳定性。(3)0—10 cm土壤层各粒级团聚...     

杉木林分类型对表层土壤团聚体有机碳及养分变化的影响

探讨不同杉木林分表层土壤有机碳及养分在团聚体尺度下的微观表征,可为促进杉木人工林土壤资源可持续利用奠定理论基础,从而保障和提升土壤健康及肥力。本研究以杉木-火力楠混交林(Ⅰ)、杉木-米老排混交林(Ⅱ)和杉木纯林(Ⅲ)的土壤为对象,在0～10和10～20 cm土层采集土样,通过干筛法将土样分为>2、0.25～2和<0.25 mm粒径团聚体,测定各粒径团聚体的有机碳、全氮、碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾等养分的含量。结果表明: 不同林分表层土壤团聚体的有机碳和养分含量均随粒径减小而增加,不同粒径团聚体对有机碳和养分储量的贡献率在0～10 cm土层表现为: (>2 mm粒径)>(0.25～2 mm粒径)>(<0.25 mm粒径),在10～20 cm土层为(>2 mm粒径)>(<0.25 mm粒径)>(0.25～2 mm粒径)。不同林分类型表层土壤团聚体稳定性指标的平均重量直径,有机碳、全氮、碱解氮和有效磷含量及储量均为林型Ⅰ>Ⅱ>Ⅲ(10～20 cm土层的有效磷除外),而速效钾含量和储量的排序为林型Ⅲ>Ⅰ>Ⅱ。相较于杉木纯林,杉木与火力楠、米老排混交林的表层土壤具有更稳定的团聚体结构,而未受到人为因素干扰的杉木-火力楠混交林的表层土壤具有更多的大团聚体(>0.25 mm),土壤结构优于受到人为干扰的杉木-米老排混交林。杉木-火力楠混交林能够有效促进土壤团聚体的形成和稳定,缓解人工林土壤有机质分解及养分流失。     

Nutrient dynamics and plant assemblages of Macrotermes falciger mounds in a savanna ecosystem

Termites through mound construction and foraging activities contribute significantly to carbon and nutrient fluxes in nutrient-poor savannas. Despite this recognition, studies on the influence of termite mounds on carbon and nitrogen dynamics in sub-tropical savannas are limited. In this regard, we examined soil nutrient concentrations, organic carbon and nitrogen mineralization in incubation experiments in mounds of Macrotermes falciger and surrounding soils of sub-tropical savanna, northeast Zimbabwe. We also addressed whether termite mounds altered the plant community and if effects were similar across functional groups i.e. grasses, forbs or woody plants. Mound soils had significantly higher silt and clay content, pH and concentrations of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), organic carbon (C), ammonium (NH₄⁺) and nitrate (NO₃⁻) than surrounding soils, with marginal differences in phosphorus (P) and sodium (Na) between mounds and matrix soils. Nutrient enrichment increased by a factor ranging from 1.5 for C, 4.9 for Mg up to 10.3 for Ca. Although C mineralization, nitrification and nitrification fraction were similar between mounds and matrix soils, nitrogen mineralization was elevated on mounds relative to surrounding matrix soils. As a result, termite mounds supported unique plant communities rich and abundant in woody species but less diverse in grasses and forbs than the surrounding savanna matrix in response to mound-induced shifts in soil parameters specifically increased clay content, drainage and water availability, nutrient status and base cation (mainly Ca, Mg and Na) concentration. In conclusion, by altering soil properties such as texture, moisture content and nutrient status, termite mounds can alter the structure and composition of sub-tropical savanna plant communities, and these results are consistent with findings in other savanna systems suggesting that increase in soil clay content, nutrient status and associated changes in the plant community assemblage may be a general property of mound building termites.     

不同施肥条件下秸秆碳在表层和深层土壤团聚体中的分配与固存

长期施肥引起表层和深层土壤水、热、养分和微生物活性的分异,进而影响秸秆碳在土壤中的分解和周转过程。本研究基于沈阳农业大学长期定位实验站,分别将不同施肥处理表层(0～20 cm)和深层(40～60 cm)土壤与¹³C标记秸秆混合进行田间试验,通过分析团聚体中有机碳含量和δ¹³C值,对比秸秆碳在表层和深层土壤团聚体中分配的差异,探讨施肥对秸秆碳在土壤团聚体中固定的影响。结果表明: 与施肥(包括单施氮肥和有机肥配施氮肥)处理相比,不施肥处理分别使表层土壤<0.053 mm和深层土壤>0.25 mm团聚体中秸秆碳含量增加了106.7%和34.2%;秸秆碳对深层土壤>0.053 mm团聚体有机碳的贡献率约为表层土壤的2.0倍;秸秆碳分配到表层土壤>0.25 mm和<0.25 mm团聚体的比例平均分别为22.6%和11.4%,分配到深层土壤的相应比例分别为29.4%和8.8%。总之,秸秆添加促进了深层土壤大团聚体碳源的更新和固存,提高了深层土壤的固碳潜力。     

宁南山区植被恢复对土壤团聚体水稳定及有机碳粒径分布的影响

土壤团聚作用和土壤有机碳固定之间密切相关.对宁南山区不同植被恢复措施和年限下土壤团聚体粒径分布及稳定性、土壤团聚体中有机碳及其组分分布进行了研究,探讨了有机碳及其组分对植被恢复的响应.结果表明,不同植被恢复措施下,土壤团聚体粒径分布表现为“V”字分布:＞5 mm和＜0.25 mm这两个粒径的团聚体含量最多,5-2 mm、1-0.25 mm团聚体的含量次之,2-1 mm粒径的团聚体含量最少.坡耕地的平均重量直径(MWD)最低,为1.4,其他植被恢复措施下土壤的平均重量直径MWD在1.9-3.1之间.不同的植被恢复措施下,0-20 cm土层和20-40 cm土层全土有机碳含量在7.4-17.7 g/kg之间、微生物碳含量分布在50.3-664.7 mg/kg之间、腐殖质碳含量在0.9-2.5g/kg之间.胡敏酸碳含量分布在0.2-0.6 g/kg,富里酸碳含量在0.6-1.9 g/kg之间.全土有机碳、微生物碳、腐殖质碳、富里酸碳均为坡耕地最低,其他植被恢复措施的有机碳、微生物碳、腐殖质碳、富里酸碳含量分别是坡耕地的1.1-2.3倍、2.0-8.4倍、1.0-2.0倍、1.2-2.4倍.不同粒径团聚体有机碳相比较,大多呈现中间高两边低的变化趋势,最大值出现在中间粒径,即5-2 mm、2-1 mm、1-0.25 mm这3个粒径.逐步回归表明,5-2 mm团聚体和1-0.25 mm团聚体有机碳含量的提高有助于土壤水稳性团聚体的形成.研究结果表明,植被恢复提高了土壤团聚体有机碳含量,在碳形态上,富里酸碳和微生物生物量碳对不同植被恢复措施的敏感度较高,胡敏酸碳含量则相对稳定.     

耕层调控与有机肥处理下麦田土壤和小麦冠层结构特性及其相互关系

本研究基于5年的耕作定位试验,设置深耕(DT)、深耕有机肥(DTF)、浅耕(ST)、浅耕有机肥(STF)、免耕(NT)和免耕有机肥(NTF)处理,以期通过改良耕层土壤结构,优化小麦冠层结构特性.结果表明: 同一耕作处理下,增施有机肥可降低土壤容重、提高土壤孔隙度,提高20～40 cm土层2～5和0.25～2 mm粒级土壤团聚体含量,降低>5 mm粒级团聚体含量、>0.25 mm粒级团聚体的平均质量直径(MWD)和几何平均直径(GMD).与其他处理相比,NTF处理改善了0～20 cm土层土壤容重、增加土壤孔隙度;DTF处理降低了40～60 cm土壤容重和>0.25 mm粒级机械团聚体的稳定性,增加了土壤透气性.花后各时期,有机肥处理的叶片角度指数降低,叶面积指数(LAI)和旗叶净光合速率(P_n)提高.STF处理的角度指数最低,DTF处理的P_n最高,显著大于其他处理.通径分析表明,自变量容重、孔隙度、>0.25 mm粒级团聚体的数量(R_0.25)和MWD对因变量角度指数、LAI和P_n的直接通径系数均达到极显著水平.0～20 cm土层,MWD值增大有利于P_n和LAI的提高;20～40 cm土层,土壤容重在一定范围内的增加可优化叶夹角,提高冠层透光率;40～60 cm土层,高的土壤容重和低的孔隙度限制了LAI和P_n的增加.综上,豫中补灌区增施有机肥下的深耕或浅耕处理有利于改良土壤结构、增加土壤通透性,优化冠层结构,提高冠层受光率、叶面积指数和光合速率.     

黄土高原天然次生林植被演替过程中土壤团聚体有机碳动态变化

土壤团聚体物理保护是促进有机碳积累主要机制之一。以黄土高原子午岭林区天然次生林植被演替群落为对象,研究从农田、草地（白羊草,Bothriochloa ischaemum）、灌木林（沙棘,Hippophae rhamnoides）、先锋林（山杨,Populus davidiana）到顶级林（辽东栎,Quercus liaotungensis）5个植被演替阶段0-20 cm土壤团聚体稳定性和团聚体有机碳的动态变化,并分析团聚体有机碳的影响因素。结果表明：土壤团聚体稳定性随着植被演替显著提高（P<0.05）,顶级林的团聚体稳定性最高;土壤有机碳含量和各粒径土壤团聚体（> 2 mm、2-0.25 mm、0.25-0.053 mm、<0.053 mm）有机碳含量均随着植被演替而增加。除草地0.25-0.053 mm团聚体有机碳含量最高外,其他演替阶段均为0.25-2 mm粒径最高。根系生物量、凋落物生物量、微生物生物量碳、团聚体稳定性均与团聚体有机碳含量呈显著正相关关系（P<0.05）。总体而言,长期植被演替有助于团聚体稳定性和团聚体有机碳累积。     

Termite mound formation reduces the abundance and diversity of soil resistomes

Termites are pivotal ecosystem engineers in tropical and subtropical habitats, where they construct massive nests (‘mounds’) that substantially modify soil properties and promote nutrient cycling. Yet, little is known about the roles of termite nesting activity in regulating the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), one of the major Global Health challenges. Here, we conducted a large-scale (> 1500 km) investigation in northern Australia and found distinct resistome profiles in termite mounds and bulk soils. By profiling a wide spectrum of ARGs, we found that the abundance and diversity of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were significantly lower in termite mounds than in bulk soils (P < 0.001). The proportion of efflux pump ARGs was significantly lower in termite mound resistome than in bulk soil resistome (P < 0.001). The differences in resistome profiles between termite mounds and bulk soils may result from the changes in microbial interactions owing to the substantial increase in pH and nutrient availability induced by termite nesting activities. These findings advance our understanding of the profile of ARGs in termite mounds, which is a crucial step to evaluate the roles of soil faunal activity in regulating soil resistome under global environmental change.     

长期不同植被覆盖对黑土团聚体内有机碳组分的影响

为探究黑土团聚体内土壤有机碳(SOC)的“分馏”特征, 揭示不同植被覆盖下土壤团聚体的固碳机制, 该文以中国科学院海伦农业生态系统国家野外综合研究站内不同植被覆盖(草地、农田和裸地)长期定位实验的土样为研究对象, 利用团聚体湿筛分组、有机碳物理和化学分组相结合的方法, 研究了黑土团聚体及其内部的碳密度和腐殖质组分的碳分配特征。研究发现, 黑土经过不同植被覆盖31年后, 长期草地覆盖使土壤表层SOC、全氮(TN)含量显著增加, 农田和无植被覆盖的裸地SOC含量减少, 且在裸地显著降低。3种处理中, 2-0.25 mm (含2 mm, 下同)粒级团聚体均为优粒级。土壤团聚体的稳定性顺序为草地>农田>裸地。草地覆盖使土壤大团聚体的比例和有机碳库增加, 微团聚体和粉黏粒所占比例和碳库均减少, 说明草地覆盖促进了土壤大团聚体形成, 土壤固碳能力显著增强。而农田和裸地因外源碳投入少, 有机碳含量均是微团聚体>大团聚体>粉黏粒, SOC主要分布在微团聚体中。不同植被覆盖处理对土壤团聚体内密度组分和腐殖质各组分碳的富集“分馏”作用很明显, 与农田和裸地相比, 长期草地植被覆盖处理>2 mm和2-0.25 mm粒级团聚体中轻组碳含量富集的较多, 2-0.25 mm粒级团聚体中富里酸、胡敏酸和胡敏素的碳富集均最高, 而农田和裸地促进了微团聚体内腐殖质碳的富集。草地覆盖显著增加了大团聚体内活性有机碳组分, 来源于植物的碳首先进入到大粒径的团聚体中, 使土壤团聚结构显著改善, 农田和无植被覆盖的裸地土壤中轻组碳含量显著降低, 团聚体内有机碳以重组碳和胡敏素为主, 稳定化程度更高。     

膜下滴灌不同灌水控制下限对设施土壤团聚体养分、酶活性和球囊霉素含量的影响

灌溉是设施土壤水分的主要来源,但膜下滴灌条件下设施土壤团聚体养分、酶活性和球囊霉素的分布特征等缺乏系统的研究.本文以连续6年不同灌水下限20 kPa(D₂₀)、30 kPa(D₃₀)和40 kPa(D₄₀)下的膜下滴灌设施土壤为研究对象,分析了灌水下限对土壤团聚体稳定性及其脲酶、蔗糖酶、有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)和球囊霉素(GRSP)含量的差异.结果表明:不同灌水下限显著影响各粒级团聚体的分布,其中与D₂₀和D₄₀相比,D₃₀显著减少了微团聚体(<0.25 mm)含量,促进了大团聚体(>0.25 mm)的形成;且在D₃₀处理下土壤团聚体的稳定性也显著提高,表现为水稳性团聚体平均质量直径(MWD)分别比D₂₀和D₄₀提高了26.4%和13.4%.不同团聚体中的碳、氮、磷及GRSP含量也显著不同,SOC、TN、TP、GRSP含量在2～1 mm、1～0.25 mm、< 0.053 mm粒径中含量较高.总体来说,1～0.25 mm粒径团聚体SOC、TN、TP对全土的贡献率最高,分别达46.5%、53.3%、37.7%.不同团聚体中脲酶和蔗糖酶活性随粒径减少而逐渐增加,其中D₃₀和D₄₀处理显著增加了土壤团聚体酶活性,且1～0.25 mm粒径团聚体对全土酶活性的贡献率最高,分别达38.7%、41.2%.相关分析结果表明,土壤团聚体MWD与GRSP、SOC和脲酶活性之间呈显著正相关,且GRSP含量与SOC和脲酶活性也呈极显著正相关.综上,将土壤水吸力30 kPa设为灌水下限,有利于提高设施土壤团聚体稳定性,并增强团聚体对其中养分、酶活性和球囊霉素的保护作用.     

Carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in aggregates of organic waste-amended soils

This study was undertaken to evaluate the long-term effects of organic wastes on dry aggregate size distribution and on the C, N and available-P concentrations within the different aggregate fractions of some agricultural soils in North-Central Italy. Topsoils (0–20 cm) which had been amended for several years with either pig slurry (PS), cattle slurry (CS) or sewage sludge (SS) were separated into four macro-aggregate classes (4-2, 2-1, 1-0·5, 0·5-0·25 mm) and three micro-aggregate classes (0·25-0·125, 0·125-0·05 and < 0·05 mm) by dry sieving. Compared with the unamended soils, there was generally a slight increase in the proportion of the 4-2 mm macro-aggregate class following waste application. Irrespective of treatment, macro-aggregates (>0·25 mm) constituted > 70% of the total aggregate fractions.Average increases of 17, 13 and 67% (organic C), 18, 13 and 57% (total N) and 430, 372 and 642% (available P) were obtained from additions of PS, CS and SS, respectively, and increases were found in all aggregate fractions following waste application. There was a close positive correlation between the concentrations of C, N and to a lesser extent P, in the aggregates and their silt-plus-clay contents. In terms of total contents, these elements were preferentially concentrated in the macro-aggregates. Only slight differences in the C/N ratios of the aggregates were observed but their C/P and N/P ratios decreased significantly (P ≤ 0·05) following waste application.     

川南坡地不同退耕模式对土壤团粒结构分形特征的影响

运用分形模型,研究了川南坡地及其退耕成慈竹林、杂交竹林、桤木+慈竹混交林和弃耕地5年后土壤团粒结构分形维数,探讨了分形维数与土壤理化性质之间的关系.结果表明：退耕后,不同退耕模式样地＞0.25 mm的土壤团聚体和水稳性团聚体含量均显著增加,团粒结构分形维数介于1.377～2.826,为慈竹林＜杂交竹林＜桤木+慈竹混交林＜弃耕地＜农耕地,并随＞0.25 mm的土壤团聚体及水稳性团聚体含量的增加而降低;土壤自然含水量、毛管孔隙、有机质、全氮、碱解氮、全磷和全钾含量增加,而土壤容重、非毛管孔隙和通气度降低.退耕后的慈竹林、杂交竹林、桤木+慈竹混交林和弃耕地的土壤团粒结构分形维数与土壤理化性质相关性较好.农耕地退耕对增加＞0.25 mm的土壤团聚体及水稳性团聚体含量和提高土壤结构稳定性具有较好的作用;土壤团粒结构分形维数可以作为坡地退耕后土壤肥力变化的理想指标,在研究区坡地退耕种植慈竹具有较好的培肥改土效益.     

放牧对短花针茅荒漠草原土壤团聚体组成及稳定性的影响

放牧作为草地的主要利用方式,对草地生态系统的结构和功能具有显著影响。目前长期放牧对草地土壤团聚体组成及其稳定性的影响还知之甚少。本研究依托2004年建立的内蒙古短花针茅荒漠草原长期放牧试验平台,设置围封禁牧(对照)、轻度、中度和重度放牧强度,研究不同放牧强度下土壤团聚体组成和稳定性的变化,并结合相关土壤理化指标探究影响土壤团聚体稳定性的主要因素。结果表明: 放牧显著改变了不同粒径土壤团聚体的组成。与对照相比,大团聚体(0.25～2 mm)含量在轻度放牧下保持不变,而在中度和重度放牧下显著下降;重度放牧显著降低了小团聚体(0.053～0.25 mm)含量,而中度和重度放牧显著增加了微团聚体(<0.053 mm)含量。土壤团聚体稳定性在轻度放牧下维持较高水平,但在中度和重度放牧下显著降低。土壤团聚体稳定性与大团聚体含量呈显著正相关,与微团聚体含量呈显著负相关。土壤pH值、容重、有机碳及其他理化性质共同作用于土壤团聚体组成进而对其稳定性产生影响。综上,对于荒漠草原而言,适度放牧可以维持较高的土壤团聚体稳定性。     

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。     

Formation of aggregates by plant roots in homogenised soils

The influence of root growth and water regime on the formation of aggregates was studied in modified minirhizotrons under controlled conditions. Two soils, a black earth (67% clay) and a red-brown earth (19% clay) were ground and forced through a 0.5 mm sieve. Ryegrass, pea and wheat were grown for fifteen wetting and drying (wd) cycles for 5 months. Another set of minirhizotrons was not planted and served as a control. Measurements of aggregate size distribution (ASD), aggregate tensile strength (ATS), aggregate stability (AS), aggregate bulk density (ABD) and organic carbon (OC) were made on single aggregates of the 2–4 mm fraction. The results showed that aggregates of the black earth which has a high clay content and shrink/swell properties had more smaller aggregates with higher ATS, AS and ABD than those from the red-brown earth. It was also found that for both soils: (1) w/d cycles and higher root length density (RLD) increased the proportions of smaller aggregates and aggregate strength; (2) differences in the ability of the plant species to influence aggregation was evident and seemed to be related to the RLD. The RLD was in the order ryegrass > wheat > pea. Mechanisms likely to be involved in processes of aggregate formation and stabilization are discussed. They include cracking of soil due to tensile stresses generated during drying of a shrinking soil; changes in pore water pressure within the soil mass caused by water uptake by plant roots generating effective stresses; and biological processes associated with plant roots and root exudates.     

Termite mounds reduce soil microbial diversity by filtering rare microbial taxa

Termites are ubiquitous insects in tropical and subtropical habitats, and some of them construct massive nests (‘mounds’), which substantially promote substrate heterogeneity by altering soil properties. Yet, the role of termite nesting process in regulating the distribution and diversity of soil microbial communities remains poorly understood, which introduces uncertainty in predictions of ecosystem functions of termite mounds in a changing environment. Here, by using amplicon sequencing, we conducted a survey of 134 termite mounds across >1500 km in northern Australia and found that termite mounds significantly differed from bulk soils in the microbial diversity and community compositions. Compared with bulk soils, termite nesting process decreased the microbial diversity and the relative abundance of rare taxa. Rare taxa had a narrower habitat niche breadth than dominant taxa and might be easier to be filtered by the potential intensive microbial competition during the nesting processes. We further demonstrated that the shift in pH induced by termite nesting process was a major driver shaping the microbial community profiles in termite mounds. Together, our work provides novel evidence that termite nesting is an important process in regulating soil microbial diversity, which advances our understanding of the functioning of termite mounds.     

种植模式和施肥对黄土旱塬农田土壤团聚体及其碳分布的影响

本研究以长武黄土高原农业生态试验站33年长期定位试验处理为研究对象,选取撂荒(R)、小麦连作(CK/W)、小麦玉米轮作(L),小麦连作选取单施氮肥(N)、单施磷肥(P)、施氮磷肥(NP)、单施有机肥(M)、氮肥配施有机肥(NM)、磷肥配施有机肥(PM)、氮磷肥配施有机肥(NPM)共10种不同种植模式和施肥田间处理,运用...     

自然风化过程对赤泥团聚体有机碳组分的影响

以华中地区某氧化铝企业赤泥堆场为研究对象,采集不同时间赤泥堆场(1a,10a,20a)0—20 cm样品,采用物理分组方法,研究自然风化过程对赤泥团聚体有机碳组分的影响。结果发现,赤泥轻组有机碳分配比例随堆存时间的延长呈上升趋势。重组有机碳约占赤泥总有机碳的97.24%—99.11%,以粗颗粒有机碳和矿物结合态颗粒有机碳为主。3种堆存时间(1a,10a,20a)赤泥团聚体颗粒有机碳含量变化范围分别为1.21—1.85、2.62—2.95、3.52—4.15 g/kg。颗粒有机碳含量在2—1 mm粒级赤泥团聚体中最高,随赤泥粒级减小而降低,其中矿物结合态颗粒有机碳分配比例最高,游离态颗粒有机碳分配比例最低。这表明自然风化过程增加了赤泥有机碳组分含量,提高了赤泥中有机碳库的稳定性。