Multiannual soil mulching in agriculture: analysis of biogeochemical soil processes under plastic and straw mulches in a 3-year field study in strawberry cultivation

Abstract Purpose The application of plastic mulching differs globally as well as climate, soils, crops, and agricultural practices, making it difficult to generalize the reported impacts on soil. Because literature is scarce about the influence of plastic mulching on soil under temperate, humid climate, the objective of this study was to understand how multiannual plastic mulching influences central soil parameters and processes under Central European cultivation conditions to evaluate its impact on soil quality in the long term. Materials and methods Central soil parameters and processes like leaching, aggregation, soil organic matter (SOM), and microbial biomass were investigated in a strawberry cultivation in Southwestern Germany. The field experiment compared a plastic-covered ridge–furrow system with subsurface drip irrigation (PC) to the same system with straw coverage (SC) in three soil layers (0–10, 10–30, and 30–60 cm) at seven dates within a 3-year period. Soil analyses comprised soil temperature and moisture, pH, bulk density, water-stable aggregates, soil organic carbon, dissolved organic carbon, and microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen. Results Rainfall infiltration impeded by PC reduces soil moisture but neither reduces leaching nor promotes (macro-)aggregate formation or stability; however, it maintains a loose and friable soil structure in surface soil (0–5 cm), compared to SC. PC promotes SOM accumulation and shifted SOM composition to a more hardly degradable SOM, especially below the topsoil (10–60 cm). Furthermore, PC revealed no indications of an increased microbial biomass or activity accompanied with an enhanced SOM decomposition due to the shifted microclimate. The seasonal, time- and depth-dependent effects, observed in some parameters, emphasize the importance to include them in future studies for a more holistic process understanding. Conclusion Our study showed no indications that multiannual plastic mulching influences soil quality within the 3 years of this study. Further research is advisable to support our findings on a larger scale and longer time periods and across various soil and crop types.

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Influence of Plastic Mulching on Soil Moisture, Nutrient and Microbial Biomass in Pineapple Cultivation on Undulating Hilly Areas of Nagaland

Agropedology ◽

10.47114/j.agroped.2019.j8 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Christy Sangma ◽

◽

A. Thirugnanavel ◽

Ph. Romen Sharma ◽

G. Rajesha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Moisture ◽

Microbial Biomass ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Organic Carbon ◽

Moisture Content ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Fertility Level ◽

Biomass Carbon ◽

Available N ◽

Plastic Mulching

The pineapple var. Kew was planted on black polythene film mulching with double hedgerow planting to find out the influence of mulches on soil and plant. The soil samples were collected twice (kharif and rabi) at two different depths (0-15 and 15-30 cm), and the pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, basal respiration and soil microbial biomass carbon were analysed. The data revealed that soil organic carbon and available N, P, and K content were slightly higher in the bottom hill than the top hill. The mulched field had higher nutrients than the non-mulched field. The fertility level varied slightly between the seasons. The biological parameters (microbial biomass carbon) were observed to be significantly higher (P≤0.05) in the bottom hill in both the seasons than the non-mulched field. The soil moisture content ranged from 5.9 % in March to 24.24 % August in the bottom hill (15-30 cm depth). The moisture content in the non-mulched field was lower than the mulched field.

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Alteration of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus stoichiometry and their related enzymes as affected by increased soil coarseness

10.5194/bg-2016-483 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Ruzhen Wang ◽

Linyou Lü ◽

Courtney A. Creamer ◽

Heyong Liu ◽

Xue Feng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Organic Carbon ◽

Total Nitrogen ◽

Enzyme Activities ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Soil Parameters ◽

Available Phosphorus ◽

Carbon And Nitrogen ◽

Acid Phosphomonoesterase

Abstract. Soil coarseness decreases ecosystem productivity, ecosystem carbon and nitrogen stocks, and soil nutrient contents in sandy grasslands. To gain insight into changes in soil carbon and nitrogen pools, microbial biomass, and enzyme activities in response to soil coarseness, a field experiment of sand addition was conducted to coarsen soil with different intensities: 0 % sand addition, 10 %, 30 %, 50 %, and 70 %. Soil organic carbon and total nitrogen decreased with the intensification of soil coarseness across three depths (0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, and 20–40 cm) by up to 43.9 % and 53.7 %, respectively. At 0–10 cm, soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN) declined with soil coarseness by up to 44.1 % and 51.9 %, respectively, while microbial biomass phosphorus (MBP) increased by as much as 73.9 %. Soil coarseness significantly decreased the activities of β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase, and acid phosphomonoesterase by 20.2 %–57.5 %, 24.5 %–53.0 %, and 22.2 %–88.7 %, respectively. Soil coarseness enhanced microbial C and N limitation relative to P, indicated by the ratios of β-glucosidase and N-acetyl-glucosaminidase to acid phosphomonoesterase (and MBC:MBP and MBN:MBP ratios). As compared to laboratory measurement, values of soil parameters from theoretical sand dilution was significantly lower for soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, dissolved organic carbon, total dissolved nitrogen, available phosphorus, MBC, MBN, and MBP. Phosphorus immobilization in microbial biomass might aggravate plant P limitation in nutrient-poor grassland ecosystems as affected by soil coarseness. We conclude that microbial C:N:P and enzyme activities might be good indicators for nutrient limitation of microorganisms and plants.

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Carbon cycle related indicators better describe soil quality compared to total organic carbon content

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-2013 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mauro De Feudis ◽

Gloria Falsone ◽

Gian Marco Salani ◽

Enrico Mistri ◽

Valentina Brombin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Quality ◽

Quality Evaluation ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Stress Conditions ◽

Soil Microbiome ◽

Ecosystem Functions ◽

Lower Percentage ◽

Soil Processes

<p>Soil organic carbon (SOC) content is the major indicator used for soil quality evaluation because provides several ecosystem functions. However, SOC content does not allow to understand the soil potential to deliver the key ecosystem functions because most of soil processes are linked to soil biota. This research aimed to demonstrate the importance of soil indicators related to the SOC cycle rather than SOC content for soil quality evaluation. To reach this goal, three farms characterized by diverse soil types (Fluvisol and Cambisol) were selected in the Po plain of Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy. Moreover, different agricultural practices were performed: three-year-old pear trees using conventional management for Maccanti farm (MAC), 10-year pear orchard with integrated management for Zani (ZAN) and 10-year peach orchard with organic management for Biondi (BIO). MAC is located in ancient reclamation area, where Fluvisols are enriched of peat and organic matter. In each farm, soil samples from 0&#8211;15 (hereafter called topsoil) and 15&#8211;30 cm (hereafter called subsoil) depth were collected and analysed for the contents of SOC, labile organic carbon (Clab), fulvic acids, humic acids, humin and microbial biomass&#8211;C (Cmic), and for microbial respiration (Resp). In order to evaluate the soil processes related to C cycle, the humification rate (HR), metabolic quotient (qMET) and microbial quotient (qMIC) were calculated. MAC soil showed the highest SOC content without differences between topsoil and subsoil, due to ancient reclamation and agricultural management. BIO and ZAN showed similar SOC contents and it was higher in the topsoil than in subsoil due to grassy turf. Compared to BIO and ZAN, MAC soil showed a higher amount of Clab, and SOC was composed by a lower percentage of stable organic carbon (humin). Despite the higher Clab concentration, which is an easily available C source for microbes, no differences of Resp were observed among the sites, and MAC showed the lowest Cmic content. These data would indicate the presence in MAC of stress conditions which do not allow the growth of microbial biomass. The occurrence of stress conditions is clearly showed by the lowest qMET indicating how the conventional agricultural practices in peaty Fluvisol negatively affect the carbon use efficiency of microbial biomass. As a consequence, these stress conditions do not allow the C stabilization as suggested by the lowest qMIC. Further, the low C stabilization processes are highlighted by the highest HR. Conversely, despite the lowest content of Clab, BIO soil showed the lowest qMET and the highest qMIC suggesting how organic managements tend to improve the soil quality. Hence, the present study highlighted the importance of indicators linked to soil microbiome for soil quality evaluation in order to preserve its ecosystem functions. Indeed, organic carbon rich soils as those of MAC would indicate high quality soils but, because of the highly impacting practices, they showed stress conditions when the indicators linked to soil microbiome are taken in account. Therefore, if these indicators are not considered for soil quality evaluation, several fields used for agricultural purposes could become degraded.</p>

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Effects of pumice mining on soil quality

Solid Earth Discussions ◽

10.5194/sed-7-1375-2015 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 1375-1398 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. Cruz-Ruíz ◽

E. Cruz-Ruíz ◽

R. Vaca ◽

P. Del Aguila ◽

J. Lugo

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Quality ◽

Total Nitrogen ◽

Agricultural Soils ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Biomass Carbon ◽

Study Sites ◽

Representative Area

Abstract. México is the worl's fourth most important maize producer; hence, there is a need to maintain soil quality for a sustainable production in the upcoming years. Pumice mining, a superficial operation, modifies large areas in Central Mexico. The main aim was to assess the present state of agricultural soils differing in elapsed-time since pumice mining (0–15 years), in a representative area of the Calimaya region in the State of Mexico. The study sites in 0, 1, 4, 10 and 15 year-old reclaimed soils were compared with adjacent undisturbed site. Our results indicate that soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, microbial biomass carbon and microbial quotients were greatly impacted by disturbance. A general trend of recovery towards the undisturbed condition with reclamation age was found after disturbance. Recovery of soil total nitrogen was faster than soil organic carbon. Principal components analysis was applied. The first three components together explain 71.72 % of the total variability. First factor reveals strong associations between total nitrogen, microbial biomass carbon and pH. The second factor reveals high loading of urease and catalase. The obtained results revealed that the most appropriate indicators to diagnose the quality of the soils were: total nitrogen, microbial biomass carbon and soil organic carbon.

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Influence of Plastic Mulching on Soil Moisture, Nutrient and Microbial Biomass in Pineapple Cultivation on Undulating Hilly Areas of Nagaland

10.47114/j.agroped.2019.jun8 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Christy Sangma ◽

◽

A. Thirugnanavel ◽

Ph. Romen Sharma ◽

G. Rajesha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Moisture ◽

Microbial Biomass ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Organic Carbon ◽

Moisture Content ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Fertility Level ◽

Biomass Carbon ◽

Available N ◽

Plastic Mulching

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Impact of Corn Cob-Derived Biochar in Altering Soil Quality, Biochemical Status and Improving Maize Growth under Drought Stress

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11112300 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 2300

Author(s):

Liaqat Ali ◽

Natasha Manzoor ◽

Xuqing Li ◽

Muhammad Naveed ◽

Sajid Mahmood Nadeem ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drought Stress ◽

Microbial Biomass ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Quality ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Aggregate Stability ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Biomass Carbon ◽

Corn Cob ◽

Maize Growth

Biochar enhances soil fertility by improving the soil physical, chemical and microbiological properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of corn cob-derived biochar on soil enzymatic activity, organic carbon, aggregate stability and soil microbial biomass carbon under drought stress. Biochar was prepared from crushed corn cobs pyrolyzed at 300 °C and 400 °C and applied at a ratio of 1% (w/w) and 3% (w/w) filled in pots. In each pot, three field capacity (FC) levels, i.e., 100, 70 and 40%, were maintained gravimetrically. Results showed that biochar application improved the growth (plant height and root length) and relative water content in maize leaves under drought stress, while it reduced electrolyte leakage compared to a control treatment. Aggregate stability was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher in biochar amended soil. Moreover, microbial biomass carbon and soil water also increased under drought stress at 70% FC and 40% FC, respectively, where 3% w/w (400 °C) biochar was applied. Among enzymes, β-glucosidase and alkaline phosphatase activity were improved with biochar application. The maximum organic carbon (240%, 246% and 249%, 254% more than control) was calculated in soils where 3% biochar pyrolyzed at 400 °C and 300 °C was mixed with soil, respectively. Similarly, the carbon pool index (CPI) and carbon management index (CMI) were also higher in biochar-amended soil as compared to control treatment. Conclusively, biochar amendment could effectively improve soil quality and maize growth under drought stress.

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Soil Aggregation and Organic Carbon Dynamics in Poplar Plantations

Forests ◽

10.3390/f9090508 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. 508 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Zhiwei Ge ◽

Shuiyuan Fang ◽

Han Chen ◽

Rongwei Zhu ◽

Sili Peng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Microbial Biomass ◽

Fine Root ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Critical Role ◽

Stand Age ◽

Biomass Carbon ◽

Soil Microbial ◽

Soil Microbial Biomass Carbon

Soil resident water-stable macroaggregates (diameter (Ø) > 0.25 mm) play a critical role in organic carbon conservation and fertility. However, limited studies have investigated the direct effects of stand development on soil aggregation and its associated mechanisms. Here, we examined the dynamics of soil organic carbon, water-stable macroaggregates, litterfall production, fine-root (Ø < 1 mm) biomass, and soil microbial biomass carbon with stand development in poplar plantations (Populus deltoides L. ‘35’) in Eastern Coastal China, using an age sequence (i.e., five, nine, and 16 years since plantation establishment). We found that the quantity of water-stable macroaggregates and organic carbon content in topsoil (0–10 cm depth) increased significantly with stand age. With increasing stand age, annual aboveground litterfall production did not differ, while fine-root biomass sampled in June, August, and October increased. Further, microbial biomass carbon in the soil increased in June but decreased when sampled in October. Ridge regression analysis revealed that the weighted percentage of small (0.25 mm ≤ Ø < 2 mm) increased with soil microbial biomass carbon, while that of large aggregates (Ø ≥ 2 mm) increased with fine-root biomass as well as microbial biomass carbon. Our results reveal that soil microbial biomass carbon plays a critical role in the formation of both small and large aggregates, while fine roots enhance the formation of large aggregates.

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The sensitivity of microbial processes in Icelandic soils to increasing temperatures

Biogeosciences Discussions ◽

10.5194/bgd-6-6749-2009 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 6749-6780 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

R. Guicharnaud ◽

O. Arnalds ◽

G. I. Paton

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Dissolved Organic Carbon ◽

Elevated Temperatures ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Biomass Carbon ◽

Labile Carbon ◽

Soil Microbial ◽

Arctic Soils ◽

Temperature Regimes

Abstract. Temperature change is acknowledged to have a significance effect on soil biological processes and the corresponding sequestration of carbon and the cycling of key nutrients. Soils at high latitudes are likely to be particularly impacted by increases in temperature. In this study, the response of a range of soil microbial parameters (respiration, nutrient availability, microbial biomass carbon, arylphosphatase and dehydrogenase activity) to temperature changes was measured in sub-arctic soils collected from across Iceland. Sample sites reflected two soil temperature regimes (cryic and frigid) and two land uses (pasture and arable). The soils were sampled from the field frozen, equilibrated at −20°C and then incubated for two weeks at −10°C, −2°C, +2°C and +10°C. Respiration and enzymatic activity were temperature dependent. Microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen mineralisation did not change with temperature. The main factor controlling soil respiration at −10°C was the concentration of dissolved organic carbon. At −10°C, dissolved organic carbon accounted for 88% of the fraction of labile carbon which was significantly greater than that recorded at +10°C when dissolved organic carbon accounted for as low as 42% of the labile carbon fraction. Heterotrophic microbial activity is governed by both substrate availability and the temperature and this has been described by the Q10 factor. Elevated temperatures in the short term may have little effect on the size of the microbial biomass but will have significant impacts on the release of carbon through respiration. These results demonstrate that gradual changes in temperature across large areas at higher latitudes will have considerable impacts in relation to global soil carbon dynamics.

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Differences of soil enzyme activities and its influencing factors under different flooding conditions in Ili Valley, Xinjiang

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.8531 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. e8531 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yulu Zhang ◽

Dong Cui ◽

Haijun Yang ◽

Nijat Kasim

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Organic Carbon ◽

Total Phosphorus ◽

Enzyme Activities ◽

Catalase Activity ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Soil Enzyme ◽

Biomass Carbon

Background A wetland is a special ecosystem formed by the interaction of land and water. The moisture content variation will greatly affect the function and structure of the wetland internal system. Method In this paper, three kinds of wetlands with different flooding levels (Phragmites australis wetland (long-term flooding), Calamagrostis epigeios wetland(seasonal flooding) and Ditch millet wetland (rarely flooded)) in Ili Valley of Xinjiang China were selected as research areas. The changes of microbial biomass carbon, soil physical and chemical properties in wetlands were compared, and redundancy analysis was used to analyze the correlation between soil physical and chemical properties, microbial biomass carbon and enzyme activities (soil sucrase, catalase, amylase and urease). The differences of soil enzyme activities and its influencing factors under different flooding conditions in Ili Valley were studied and discussed. Result The results of this study were the following: (1) The activities of sucrase and amylase in rarely flooded wetlands and seasonally flooded wetlands were significantly higher than those in long-term flooded wetlands; the difference of catalase activity in seasonal flooded wetland was significant and the highest. (2) Redundancy analysis showed that soil organic carbon, dissolved organic carbon, total phosphorus and soil microbial biomass carbon had significant effects on soil enzyme activity (p < 0.05). (3) The correlation between soil organic carbon and the sucrase activity, total phosphorus and the catalase activity was the strongest; while soil organic carbon has a significant positive correlation with invertase, urease and amylase activity, with a slight influence on catalase activity. The results of this study showed that the content of organic carbon, total phosphorus and other soil fertility factors in the soil would be increased and the enzyme activity would be enhanced if the flooding degree was changed properly.

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Ratio of soil microbial biomass carbon to soil organic carbon in Himalayan rangeland

Himalayan Journal of Science and Technology ◽

10.3126/hijost.v2i0.25852 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

pp. 96-101

Author(s):

Dil Kumar Limbu ◽

Madan Koirala

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Microbial Biomass ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Microbial Biomass ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Biomass Carbon ◽

Soil Microbial ◽

Soil Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Microbial Carbon

The soil microbial biomass carbon to soil organic carbon ratio is a useful measure to monitor soil organic matter and serves as a sensitive index than soil organic carbon alone. Thus, the objective of this study is to identify and quantify the present status of ratio of soil microbial biomass carbon to soil organic carbon in Himalayan rangeland and to make recommendations for enhancing balance between microbial carbon and organic carbon of the soil. To meet the aforementioned objective, a field study was conducted from 2011 to 2013 following the Walkley-Black, Chromic acid wet oxidation method, and chloroform fumigation method for analysis of microbial carbon and organic carbon respectively. The study showed that the heavily grazed plot had significantly less value of ratio than occasionally grazed and ungrazed plots. The ratio was significantly high on legume seeding plot compared to nonlegume plot, but the ratio was independent of soil depth. Soil microbial biomass appeared to be more responsive than soil organic matter.

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