Temperature sensitivity of soil carbon and nitrogen mineralization: impacts of nitrogen species and land use type

Background and aims

Climate warming, nitrogen (N) deposition and land use change are some of the drivers affecting ecosystem processes such as soil carbon (C) and N dynamics, yet the interactive effects of those drivers on ecosystem processes are poorly understood. This study aimed to understand mechanisms of interactive effects of temperature, form of N deposition and land use type on soil C and N mineralization.

Methods

We studied, in a laboratory incubation experiment, the effects of temperature (15 vs. 25 °C) and species of N deposition (NH₄ ⁺-N vs. NO₃ ^?-N) on soil CO₂ efflux, dissolved organic C (DOC) and N (DON), NH₄ ⁺-N, and NO₃ ^?-N concentrations using intact soil columns collected from adjacent forest and grassland ecosystems in north-central Alberta.

Results

Temperature and land use type interacted to affect soil CO₂ efflux, concentrations of DON, NH₄ ⁺-N and NO₃ ^?-N in most measurement times, with the higher incubation temperature resulted in the higher CO₂ efflux and NH₄ ⁺-N concentrations in forest soils and higher DON and NO₃ ^?-N concentrations in grassland soils. Temperature and land use type affected the cumulative soil CO₂ efflux, and DOC, DON, NH₄ ⁺-N and NO₃ ^?-N concentrations. The form of N added or its interaction with the other two factors did not affect any of the C and N cycling parameters.

Conclusions

Temperature and land use type were dominant factors affecting soil C loss, with the soil C in grassland soils more stable and resistant to temperature changes. The lack of short-term effects of the deposition of different N species on soil C and N mineralization suggest that maybe there was a threshold for the N effect to kick in and long-term experiments should be conducted to further elucidate the species of N deposition effects on soil C and N cycling in the studied systems.     

Soil acidification as caused by the nitrogen uptake pattern of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)

Three-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) trees were grown on a sandy forest soil in pots, with the objective to determine their NH₄/NO₃ uptake ratio and proton efflux. N was supplied in three NH₄-N/NO₃-N ratios, 3:1, 1:1 and 1:3, either as ¹⁵NH₄+¹⁴NO₃ or as ¹⁴NH₄+¹⁵NO₃. Total N and ¹⁵N acquisition of different plant parts were measured. Averaged over the whole tree, the NH₄/NO₃ uptake ratios throughout the growing season were found to be 4.2, 2.5, and 1.5 for the three application ratios, respectively. The excess cation-over-anion uptake value (C_a-A_a) appeared to be linearly related to the natural logarithm of the NH₄/NO₃ uptake ratio. Further, this uptake ratio was related to the NH₄/NO₃ ratio of the soil solution. From these relationship it was estimated that Scots pine exhibits an acidifying uptake pattern as long as the contribution of nitrate to the N nutrition is lower than 70%. Under field circumstances root uptake may cause soil acidification in the topsoil, containing the largest part of the root system, and soil alkalization in deeper soil layers.     

马尾松组培苗对氮素形态的生长响应

马尾松属高氮需求树种,然而在苗木培育中马尾松对氮素,尤其是不同形态氮素的需求尚不明确.该文以马尾松组培苗为试验材料,采用基质培养方法,针对硝态氮、铵态氮两种氮素形态均分别设置了2、4、8、16 mmol·L-14个处理,以不添加氮素为对照,对苗木的高径生长、根构型参数(总根长、总表面积、总体积、平均直径和根尖数)以及生...     

不同氮处理下速生柳对水体氮的吸收、分配及生理响应

采用水培法,研究了旱柳苗在外源添加不同氮水平(贫氮、中氮、富氮、过氮)的铵态氮(NH+4-N)和硝态氮(NO-3-N)的生长、氮吸收、分配和生理响应。结果表明:一定范围氮浓度的增加能够促进旱柳苗的生长,但过量氮会抑制其生长,且NH+4-N的抑制作用大于NO-3-N;两种氮处理下,旱柳表现出对NH+4-N的吸收偏好,在同一氮水平时,旱柳各部位氮原子百分含量Atom%15N(AT%)、15N吸收量和来自氮源的N%(Ndff%)均为NH+4-N处理大于NO-3-N处理,且随着氮浓度的增加,差异增大,且在旱柳各部位的分布为根﹥茎﹥叶;2种氮素过量和不足均会对旱柳根和叶生理指标产生不同的影响,其中在过氮水平时,NH+4-N和NO-3-N处理下根系活力比对照减少了50.61%和增加了19.53%;在过氮水平时,NH+4-N处理柳树苗根总长、根表面积、根平均直径、根体积和侧根数分别对照下降了30.92%、29.48%、19.44%、27.01%和36.41%,NO-3-N处理柳树苗相应的根系形态指标分别对对照下降了1.66%、5.65%、1.49%、5.06%和25.72%。可见,高浓度NH+4-N对旱柳苗的胁迫影响大于NO-3-N,在应用于水体氮污染修复时可通过改变水体无机氮的比例,削弱其对旱柳的影响,从而提高旱柳对水体氮污染的修复效果。     

Epidemiology of wheat take-all as influenced by soil pH and temporal changes in inorganic soil N

Summary Soil pH, NH ₄ ⁺ and NO ₃ ⁻ concentrations in soil, and take-all root rot of winter wheat grown in the field were measured concurrently from sowing to anthesis in order to relate disease development to liming and N fertilization practices. Experimental variables included soil pH (5.5 and 6.0) and three N sources (NH₄NO₃, (NH₄)₂SO₄, NH₄Cl) banded with the seed at sowing in factorial combination with the same three N sources topdressed in the spring. Take-all severity was increased by increasing soil pH and by fertilization with NO ₃ ⁻ . Disease severity on crown roots increased exponentially following spring N fertilization and was affected more by soil pH and N-form than was severity on seminal roots. Grain yield ranged from 4.70 Mgha⁻¹ with spring NH₄NO₃ at soil pH 6.0 to 7.65 Mgha⁻¹ with spring NH₄Cl at soil pH 5.5. Sixty-six percent of the variability in grain yield was explained by the number of take-all infected crown roots per tiller at anthesis. Oregon Agric. Exp. Stn. technical paper no. 7707.     

氮素类型和剂量对寒温带针叶林土壤N2O排放的影响

大气氮沉降输入会增加森林生态系统氮素有效性,进而改变土壤N_2O产生与排放,然而有关不同氮素离子(氧化态NO_3~--N与还原态NH_4~+-N)沉降对土壤N_2O排放的影响知之甚少。以大兴安岭寒温带针叶林为研究对象,构建了3种类型(NH_4Cl、KNO_3、NH_4NO_3)和4个施氮水平(0、10、20、40 kg N hm~(-2)a~(-1))的增氮控制试验,利用流动化学分析仪和静态箱-气相色谱法4次/月测定凋落物层和矿质层土壤无机氮含量、土壤-大气界面N_2O净交换通量以及相关环境因子,分析施氮类型和剂量对土壤氮素有效性、土壤N_2O通量的影响探讨氮素富集条件下土壤N_2O通量的环境驱动机制。结果表明:施氮类型和剂量均显著影响土壤无机氮含量,土壤NH_4~+-N的积累效应显著高于NO_3~--N。施氮一致增加寒温带针叶林土壤N_2O排放,NH_4NO_3促进效应最为明显,增幅为442%-677%,高于全球平均水平(134%)。土壤N_2O通量与土壤温度、凋落物层NH_4~+-N含量正相关,且随着施氮水平增加而增加。结果表明大气氮沉降短期内不会导致寒温带针叶林土壤NO_3~--N大量流失,但会显著促进土壤N_2O的排放。此外,外源性NH_4~+和NO_3~-输入对土壤N_2O排放的促进作用具有协同效应,在未来森林生态系统氮循环和氮平衡研究中应该区分对待。     

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.     

Occurrence and intensity of wild boar disturbances, effects on the physical and chemical soil properties of alpine grasslands

Background and aims

Physical and chemical soil properties determine local plant conditions and resources, affecting plants’ ability to respond to disturbances. In alpine grasslands, wild boar disturbances occur at different intensities, what may affect differently their soil properties. Alpine soils from five contrasted plant communities were explored within and outside disturbances, accounting for an overall and community scale effect. Additionally, we analysed the effect of disturbance intensity on soil NO₃ ^--N and NH₄ ⁺-N.

Methods

Soils were analyzed for physical (bulk density, moisture content and electrical conductivity), and chemical properties (pH, total N and C, oxidizable C, C:N ratio, available K, P, Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and Mg²⁺). Resin bags were used to compare the effect of the disturbance occurrence and intensity on soil NO₃ ^--N and NH₄ ⁺-N.

Results

Bulk density, total N and NO₃ ^--N concentration were significantly higher in disturbed areas, while soil moisture, C:N, NH₄ ⁺-N, Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ concentrations were significantly lower. However, low disturbance intensity reduced NO₃ ^--N and increased NH₄ ⁺-N concentrations.

Conclusions

Wild boar occurrence and intensity strongly alter physical and chemical conditions of alpine soils, increasing soil compaction, and altering the availability of N forms. These changes may affect most plant species, thus affecting the structure and dynamics of alpine plant communities.     

增氮对青藏高原东缘高寒草甸土壤甲烷吸收的早期影响

研究大气氮沉降对青藏高原高寒草甸土壤CH4吸收的影响,对于揭示氮素调节土壤CH4吸收的机制和评价氮沉降增加背景下大气CH4收支平衡至关重要.通过构建多形态、低剂量的增氮控制试验,测定土壤CH4净交换通量和相关土壤理化性质,分析高寒草甸土壤CH4通量变化特征及其主要驱动因子.研究结果表明:自然状态下高寒草甸土壤是大气CH4汇,CH4平均吸收量为(35.40±1.92) μg· m-2· h-1.土壤CH4吸收主要受水分驱动,其次为土壤NH4+-N和NO3-N含量.NH4+-N抑制CH4吸收,NO3--N促进CH4吸收;不同剂量氮素输入对土壤CH4吸收影响也不尽相同,低氮处理促进土壤CH4吸收,而中氮和高氮处理抑制土壤CH4吸收.结果显示青藏高原高寒草甸土壤是重要的大气CH4汇,在未来大气氮沉降加倍的情景下CH4汇功能增强,但当氮沉降量增加两倍以上时CH4汇功能将会减弱.     

Maize and pigweed response to nitrogen supply and form

As nitrogen management practices change to achieve economic and environmental goals, effects on weed-crop competition must be examined. Two greenhouse experiments investigated the influence of N amount and form on growth of maize and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.). In Experiment 1, maize and pigweed were grown together in a replacement series (maize: pigweed ratios of 0:4, 1:3, 2:2, 3:1, 4:0) under three NH₄NO₃-N supplies (0, 110, and 220 mg N kg^-1 soil). Maize was planted into established pigweed and plants were harvested 24 days after maize germination. Pigweed responded more to supplemental N than maize and accumulated 2.5 times as much N in shoots at the high N supply. Competition effects were not significant. Maize and pigweed were grown separately in Experiment 2 and supplied 220 mg N kg^-1 as either Ca(NO₃)₂ or (NH₄)₂SO₄ plus a nitrification inhibitor (enhanced ammonium supply, EAS). In maize, EAS treatment did not affect shoot growth and reduced root growth 25% relative to the NO₃-N treatment. In pigweed, shoot and root growth were restricted 23 and 86% by EAS treatment, respectively. Total plant N accumulation under EAS treatment was higher in maize, less in pigweed. Under EAS treatment, pigweed leaves were crinkled and chlorotic; leaf disks extracted in 70% ethanol, pH 3, contained less malate and oxalate but more NH₄ ⁺ compared to the NO₃-N treatment. Maize leaf disk malate levels were generally higher compared to pigweed but were less due to EAS treatment. Ammonium level in maize leaf disks was unaffected by N form and EAS treatment increased oxalate levels. Final bulk soil pH was generally lower in pots where pigweed were grown and tended to be lower due to EAS. Leaf disk malate levels and soil pH were positively associated. Results indicate that pigweed is more likely to compete with maize when high levels of NO₃-N are provided. Enhancing the proportion of N supplied as NH₄ ⁺ should restrict the growth of NH₄ ⁺-sensitive pigweed.     

氮肥配施生化抑制剂组合对黄泥田土壤氮素淋溶特征的影响

揭示尿素类肥料添加生化抑制剂组合后,在黄泥田土壤中硝态氮(NO~-_3-N)和铵态氮(NH~+_4-N)的淋溶损失规律。采用室内土柱淋溶培养试验,研究脲酶抑制剂N-丁基硫代磷酰三胺(NBPT)和硝化抑制剂2-氯-6-(三氯甲基)吡啶(CP)单独添加及配合施用对尿素和尿素硝铵(300 kg N/hm~2)中氮(N)素在土体中淋溶损失的影响。结果表明:尿素和尿素硝铵处理淋溶液中NH~+_4-N和NO~-_3-N浓度均呈先升后降的变化趋势,而出峰时间不一。NH~+_4-N和NO~-_3-N淋失量随着时间的延长,处理间差异逐渐变大。NBPT处理可以减缓尿素水解,有效抑制NH~+_4-N生成,延缓其出峰时间,减少NH~+_4-N流失;CP处理可以有效抑制NH~+_4-N向NO~-_3-N转化,减少NO~-_3-N流失。与单独添加NBPT和CP处理相比,两者配施对N素淋溶损失有明显的协同抑制效果在黄泥田土壤中,既能减缓尿素水解,保持土壤中较高NH~+_4-N含量,又能降低淋溶液中NO~-_3-N浓度。培养结束时(第72天),UAN处理中NO~-_3-N、NH~+_4-N、矿质态N淋失总量及硝化率较U处理高34.39%、5.32%、31.72%和15.71%。U+NBPT、U+CP和U+NBPT+CP处理较U处理分别显著降低NO~-_3-N淋失总量达15.58%、114.77%和73.45%;UAN+NBPT、UAN+CP和UAN+NBPT+CP处理较UAN处理分别显著降低达15.88%、54.87%和37.46%。不同处理NO~-_3-N淋失总量大小表现为:UAN UAN+NBPT U UAN+NBPT+CP U+NBPT UAN+CP U+NBPT+CP U+CP CK。在一定施肥量条件下,NBPT和CP单独施用或配施均可降低黄泥田土壤中NO~-_3-N累积淋失量。对各处理淋溶液中NO~-_3-N淋失量(y)随时间(x)的变化进行拟合,其中以线性方程(y=ax+b)的拟合度较高,且各抑制剂处理a、b值均存在明显差异。总体认为,在黄泥田土壤中施用CP及其与NBPT配施可以显著降低土壤NO~-_3-N淋溶损失,减少N素淋失风险,提高肥料利用率。     

Rapid immobilization of applied nitrogen in saline–alkaline soils

The dynamics of inorganic N are important in soil, and this applies particularly to the saline–alkaline soils of the former lake Texcoco in Mexico with high pH and salinity where a forestation program was started in the 1970s. In soils of lake Texcoco, in Mexico, more than 50% of applied N could not be accounted for one day after application of 200 mg kg^–1 soil along with glucose amendment. It was not clear whether this was due to abiotic or biotic processes, the form of inorganic N applied or the result of applying an easily decomposable substrate. We investigated this by adding glucose and 200 mg kg^–1 soil as (NH₄)₂SO₄-N or KNO₃-N to sterilized and unsterilized soil. The changes in inorganic and ninhydrin N, microbial biomass C and production of CO₂ were then monitored. Between the time of applying N and extraction with 0.5 M K₂SO₄, i.e., after ca 2 h, approximately 110 mg NH₄ ⁺-N kg^–1 dry soil could not be accounted for in the unsterilized and sterilized soil and that remained so for the entire incubation in the sterilized soil. After 1 day this increased to 140 mg NH₄ ⁺-N kg^–1 dry soil in the unsterilized control and 170 mg NH₄ ⁺-N kg^–1 dry soil in C amended soil. Volatilization of NH₃ accounted for 56 mg NH₄ ⁺-N kg^–1 so the rest appeared to be adsorbed on the soil matrix. The NH₃ volatilization and NH₄ ⁺ fixed in the soil matrix remained constant over time and no oxidation to NO₂ ^– or NO₃ ^– had occurred, so unaccounted N in unsterilized soil was probably incorporated into the microbial biomass in excess of what was required for metabolic activity. The unaccounted N was ca 70 mg NO₃ ^––N in nitrate amended soil after 3 days and 138 NO₃ ^––N when glucose was additionally added. Losses through abiotic processes were absent as inferred from changes in sterilized soil and the aerobic incubation inhibited possible losses through denitrification. It was inferred that NO₃ ^– that could not be accounted for was taken up by micro-organisms in excess of what was required for metabolic activity.     

Foliar N application reduces soil NO<Stack><Subscript>3</Subscript><Superscript>−</Superscript></Stack>-N leaching loss in apple orchards

A comparison of the effects of foliar and soil N application was made in field-grown mature fruiting Gala/M9 apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh) in 2001 and 2002 growing seasons under Pacific Northwest growing conditions in southern British Columbia, Canada. The trees, six years old at the start of the experiment, were treated: (1) with 5 g/l urea sprays supplied every two weeks (7 times) from mid May to mid August (total about 50 g N/tree/year), (2) with the same amount of N applied to the soil with the same timing and quantity as for the foliar treatment, and (3) with no N (control). Leaf color (as SPAD readings) and N concentrations (mg/g), and soil NH₄⁺-N and NO₃^–-N were measured periodically throughout the two seasons. Leached NO₃^–-N was monitored monthly via an anion exchange probe from June to October in 2001 and from May to November in 2002. Shoot length was measured in October and N concentration of one-year-old wood and roots was determined in December of each growing s eason. Soil N application significantly increased shoot length relative to control or foliar N application. Leaf color, leaf N, and N concentration of one-year-old wood and roots were similarly increased relative to control by both soil and foliar N application. These treatments also increased fruit yield relative to control. There was no significant difference in yield and fruit quality between soil and foliar N applications. Soil N application increased soil NH₄⁺-N and NO₃^–-N content in the root zone, and also increased the NO₃^– leaching loss below the root zone especially late in the growing season. Our results suggested that tree N status and yield and fruit quality could be maintained by multiple urea sprays during the growing season in apple orchards, and foliar N application will reduce the risk of soil NO₃^–-N leaching.     

The influence of nitrogen concentration and ammonium/nitrate ratio on N-uptake,mineral composition and yield of citrus

In short-term water culture experiments with different ¹⁵N labeled ammonium or nitrate concentrations, citrus seedlings absorbed NH₄ ⁺ at a higher rate than NO₃ ^–. Maximum NO₃ ^– uptake by the whole plant occurred at 120 mg L^–1 NO₃ ^–-N, whereas NH₄ ⁺ absorption was saturated at 240 mg L^–1 NH₄ ⁺-N. ¹⁵NH₄ ⁺ accumulated in roots and to a lesser degree in both leaves and stems. However, ¹⁵NO₃ ^– was mostly partitioned between leaves and roots.Adding increasing amounts of unlabeled NH₄ ⁺ (15–60 mg L^–1 N) to nutrient solutions containing 120 mg L^–1 N as ¹⁵N labeled nitrate reduced ¹⁵NO₃ ^– uptake. Maximum inhibition of ¹⁵NO₃ ^– uptake was about 55% at 2.14 mM NH₄ ⁺ (30 mg L^–1 NH₄ ⁺-N) and it did not increase any further at higher NH₄ ⁺ proportions.In a long-term experiment, the effects of concentration and source of added N (NO₃ ^– or NH₄ ⁺) on nutrient concentrations in leaves from plants grown in sand were evaluated. Leaf concentration of N, P, Mg, Fe and Cu were increased by NH₄ ⁺ versus NO₃ ^– nutrition, whereas the reverse was true for Ca, K, Zn and Mn.The effects of different NO₃ ^–-N:NH₄ ⁺-N ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100) at 120 mg L^–1 total N on leaf nutrient concentrations, fruit yield and fruit characteristics were investigated in another long-term experiment with plants grown in sand cultures. Nitrogen concentrations in leaves were highest when plants were provided with either NO₃ ^– or NH₄ ⁺ as a sole source of N. Lowest N concentration in leaves was found with a 75:25 NO₃ ^–-N/NH₄ ⁺-N ratio. With increasing proportions of NH₄ ⁺ in the N supply, leaf nutrients such as P, Mg, Fe and Cu increased, whereas Ca, K, Mn and Zn decreased. Yield in number of fruits per tree was increased significantly by supplying all N as NH₄ ⁺, although fruit weight was reduced. The number of fruits per tree was lowest with the 75:25 NO₃ ^–-N:NH₄ ⁺-N ratio, but in this treatment fruits reached their highest weight. Rind thickness, juice acidity, and colour index of fruits decreased with increasing NH₄ ⁺ in the N supply, whereas the % pulp and maturity index increased. Percent of juice in fruits and total soluble solids were only slightly affected by NO₃ ^–:NH₄ ⁺ ratio.     

Spatial changes of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in peach and their correlation with soil properties

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi have beneficial effects on host plants, but their growth is influenced by various factors. This study was carried out to analyze the variation of AM fungi in soils and roots of peach (Prunus persica L. var. Golden Honey 3, a yellow-flesh variety) trees in different soil layers (0–40 cm) and their correlation with soil properties. The peach tree could be colonized by indigenous AM fungi (2.2–8.7 spores/g soil and 1.63–3.57 cm hyphal length/g soil), achieving 79.50–93.55% of root AM fungal colonization degree. The mycorrhizal growth, root sugars, soil three glomalins, NH₄⁺-N, NO₃⁻-N, available P and K, and soil organic matter (SOM) had spatial heterogeneity. Soil spores, but not soil hyphae contributed to soil glomalin, and soil glomalin also contributed to SOM. There was a significant correlation of soil hyphae with spore density, soil NO₃⁻-N, and SOM. Root mycorrhiza was positively correlated with spore density, NH₄⁺-N, NO₃⁻-N, and easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein. Notably, spore density positively correlated with NO₃⁻-N, available K, SOM, and root fructose and glucose, while negatively correlated with available P and root sucrose. These findings concluded that mycorrhiza of peach showed spatial distribution, and soil properties mainly affected/altered based on the soil spore density.     

The effects of ammonium sulphate deposition and root sinks on soil solution chemistry in coniferous forest soils

The effects of enhanced (NH_{4 2}SO₄deposition on soil solution cation and anion concentrations and annualionic fluxes were followed using a standardised experimental protocolin six European coniferous forests with contrasting soil types, pollutioninputs and climate. Native soil cores containing a ceramic suction cupwere installed in the field, roofed and watered every two weeks withlocal throughfall or local throughfall with added(NH₄)₂SO₄ at 75 kgNH₄ ⁺-N ha^-1 a^-1. Livingroot systems were established in half of the lysimeters.Untreated throughfall NH₄ ⁺-N deposition at thesites ranged from 3.7 to 29 kg ha^-1 a^-1Soil leachates were collected at two weekly intervalsover 12 months and analysed for volume, andconcentrations of major anions and cations. Increasesin soil solution NO₃ ^- concentrations inresponse to N additions were observed after 4–9months at three sites, whilst one sandy soil with highC:N ratio failed to nitrify under any of thetreatments. Changes in NO₃ ^- concentrationsin soil solution controlled soil solution cationconcentrations in the five nitrifying soils, withAl³⁺ being the dominant cation in the more acidsoils with low base saturation. The acidification responses ofthe soils to the (NH_{4 2}SO₄additions were primarily related to the ability of thesoils to nitrify the added NH₄ ⁺. pH and soiltexture seemed important in controllingNH₄ ⁺ leaching in response to the treatments,with two less acidic, clay/clay loam sites showingalmost total retention of added NH₄ ⁺, whilstnearly 75% of the added N was leached asNH₄ ⁺ at the acid sandy soils. The presenceof living roots significantly reduced soil solutionNO₃ ^- and associated cation concentrations attwo of the six sites. The very different responses of the sixsoils to increased (NH₄)₂SO₄deposition emphasise that the establishment of N critical loadsfor forest soils need to allow for differences in N storagecapacity and nitrification potential.     

The significance of Cognettia sphagnetorum(Enchytraeidae) on nitrogen availability and plant growth in wood ash-treated humus soil

A laboratory microcosm experiment was established to study whether the role of Cognettia sphagnetorum (Enchytraeidae) in affecting Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) seedling growth is influenced by wood ash-amendment, i.e., neutralisation of the raw humus soil. Coniferous forest soil, inoculated with soil microbes and nematodes, was either treated with wood ash or left as ash-free control. Wood ash (corresponding to an amount of 5000 kg ha^–1) was either spread on the soil surface or mixed into the soil. Enchytraeid and pine seedling biomass, abundance of nematodes, and water leachable NH₄ ⁺-N and NO₃ ^–-N were measured 26 and 51 weeks after initiation of the experiment and root length and N concentration of needles were measured 51 weeks after initiation of the experiment. Wood ash when mixed into the soil, reduced the biomass of C. sphagnetorum. Nematodes were unaffected by the treatments. In the ash-free soils C. sphagnetorum had little influence on pine growth, but it did decrease root length and root to shoot ratio. In the absence of enchytraeids wood ash decreased pine biomass production and root length. However, the presence of enchytraeids in the ash-treated soil compensated the ash-induced negative effects on the pine performance. Enchytraeids increased and wood ash decreased water leachable NH₄ ⁺-N in the presence but not in the absence of enchytraeids, while water leachable NO₃ ^–-N was not affected by the treatments. It was concluded that C. sphagnetorum can be important in ensuring nutrient cycling and plant growth in situations when an ecosystem encounters disturbances.     

The role of monoterpenes in soil nitrogen cycling processes in ponderosa pine

The effects of select monoterpenes on nitrogen (N) mineralization and nitrification potentials were determined in four separate laboratory bioassays. The effect of increasing monoterpene addition was an initial reduction in NO₃ ^–-N production (nitrification inhibition), followed by a reduction in the sum of NH₄ ⁺-N and NO₃ ^–-N (inhibition of net N mineralization and net immobilization at high monoterpene additions. Monoterpenes could produce this pattern by inhibiting nitrification, reducing net N mineralization, enhancing immobilization of NO₃ ^–-N relative to NH₄ ⁺-N, and/or stimulating overall net immobilization of N by carbon-rich material.Initial monoterpene concentrations in the assay soils were about 5% of the added amount and were below detection after incubation in most samples.Potential N mineralization-immobilization, nitrification, and soil monoterpene concentrations were determined by soil horizon for four collections from a ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) stand in New Mexico. Concentrations of monoterpenes declined exponentially with soil depth and varied greatly within a horizon. Monoterpene content of the forest floor was not correlated with forest floor biomass. Net N mineralization was inversely correlated with total monoterpene content of all sampled horizons. Nitrification was greatest in the mineral soil, intermediate in the F-H horizon, and never occurred in the L horizon. Nitrification in the mineral soil was inversely correlated with the amount of monoterpenes in the L horizon that contain terminal unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds (r ² = 0.37, P 0.01). This pattern in the field corresponded to the pattern shown in the laboratory assays with increasing monoterpene additions.     

Effects of different nitrogen forms and combination with foliar spraying with 6-benzylaminopurine on growth,transpiration, and water and potassium uptake and flow in tobacco

NH₄ ⁺-N can have inhibitory effects on plant growth. However, the mechanisms of these inhibitory effects are still poorly understood. In this study, effects of different N forms and a combination of ammonium + 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA, a synthetic cytokinin) on growth, transpiration, uptake and flow of water and potassium in 88-days-old tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. K 326) plants were studied over a period of 12 days. Plants were supplied with equal amounts of N in different forms: NO₃ ^–, NH₄NO₃, NH₄ ⁺ or NH₄ ⁺+6-BA (foliar spraying every 2 days after onset of the treatments). For determining flows and partitioning upper, middle and lower strata of three leaves each were analysed. During the 12 days study period, 50% replacement of NO₃ ^–-N by NH₄ ⁺-N (NH₄NO₃) did not change growth, transpiration, uptake and flow of water and K⁺ compared with the NO₃ ^–-N treatment. However, NH₄ ⁺-N as the sole N-source caused: (i) a substantial decrease in dry weight gain to 42% and 46% of the NO₃ ^–-N and NH₄NO₃ treatments, respectively; (ii) a marked reduction in transpiration rate, due to reduced stomatal conductance, illustrated by more negative leaf carbon-isotope discrimination (¹³C) compared with the NO₃ ^– treatment, especially in upper leaves; (iii) a strong reduction both in total water uptake, and in the rate of water uptake by roots, likely due to a decrease in root hydraulic conductivity; (iv) a marked reduction of K⁺ uptake to 10%. Under NH₄ ⁺ nutrition the middle leaves accumulated 143%, and together with upper leaves 206% and the stem 227% of the K⁺ currently taken up, indicating massive mobilisation of K⁺ from lower leaves and even the roots. Phloem retranslocation of K⁺ from the shoot and cycling through the root contributed 67% to the xylem transport of K⁺, and this was 2.2 times more than concurrent uptake. Foliar 6-BA application could not suppress or reverse the inhibitory effects on growth, transpiration, uptake and flow of water and ions (K⁺) caused by NH₄ ⁺-N treatment, although positive effects by 6-BA application were observed, even when 6-BA (10^–8 M) was supplied in nutrient solution daily with watering. Possible roles of cytokinin to regulate growth and development of NH₄ ⁺-fed plants are discussed.