Nutrient distribution and cycling in a subtropical rainforest in New South Wales

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcia Lambert ◽  
John Turner
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Primary Productivity ◽  
Net Primary Productivity ◽  
New South ◽  
Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Nutrient Distribution ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Nutrient Use ◽  
Use Efficiency

Subtropical rainforests in New South Wales (NSW) are distributed on the more fertile forest soils and are nutritionally distinct from the Eucalyptus forests in the same areas. The distribution, cycling of organic matter and nutrients and nutrient use efficiency in an Australian subtropical rainforest were studied and aspects were compared with reported Eucalyptus studies. The available nutrients were greatly in excess of the stand uptake or requirement. A single undisturbed plot within a research trial in mature forest was selected for the study. At the beginning of the study, the aboveground forest biomass was ~334 t ha–1 of organic matter and, 22 years later, there was 357 t ha–1, giving a net accumulation rate of 1.03 t ha–1 year–1, and net primary productivity of 13.0–14.6 t ha–1 year–1. Litterfall and forest-floor analyses indicated a very rapid turnover of organic matter, with an estimated half-life of ~0.5 years. The quantity of nutrients in the stand was high relative to other forest types in the area, with 1109.2 kg N ha–1, 62 kg P ha–1, 1999 kg Ca ha–1, 591 kg Mg ha–1 and 901 kg K ha–1. Nutrient requirement estimated as nutrient content of the current tissue was estimated to be 107, 5.3, 99, 26 and 61 kg ha–1 year–1 for N, P, Ca, Mg and K, respectively, and uptake defined as removal from the soil was estimated to be 112, 4.7, 128, 37 and 49 kg ha–1 year–1 for the same nutrients, the difference between these being net nutrient redistribution. Nutrient use efficiency (NUE), defined as net primary productivity (NPP) per requirement (t kg–1), was calculated to be 0.12, 2.43, 0.13, 0.50 and 0.21 for N, P, Ca, Mg and K, respectively; these values were low, for example, compared with mature E. pilularis, for which NPP was 0.20, 6.5, 0.43, 1.04 and 0.52 t kg–1 for N, P, Ca, Mg and K, respectively. Using NUE defined as NPP per uptake provided comparable estimates. The rainforest represents a forest growing with basically no nutrient limitations, and, as such, is a benchmark for forest nutrient distribution, cycling and NUE.

Productivity and nutrient cycling in poplar stands in central Himalaya, India

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 1199-1209 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.S. Lodhiyal ◽  
R.P. Singh ◽  
S.P. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Primary Productivity ◽  
Net Primary Productivity ◽  
Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽  
High Density ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Central Himalaya ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Nutrient Use ◽  
Nutrient Retranslocation ◽  
Use Efficiency

Productivity and nutrient-use efficiency were investigated in plantations of similar age of poplar clone D121 (Populusdeltoides Marsh.) that differed mainly in plant density. The plantations were located in the Tarai belt (low-lying area with high water table) of the Indian Central Himalaya. The total net primary productivity of the high-density plantation (4 years old with 666 trees/ha) was conspicuously higher (32.4 tones•ha−1•year−1) than that of the low-density (20 tonnes•ha−1•year−1) plantation (5 years old with 400 trees/ha), while nutrient-use efficiency was similar in these plantations. The net primary productivity/leaf nutrient ratios and percent nutrient retranslocation from senescing leaves were higher in the high-density than in the low-density plantations. In these young plantations leaf litterfall accounted for most of the litterfall (96–97%). The amount of nutrients that returned through litterfall to the soil was distinctly greater in the high-density plantation than in the low-density plantation. The greater nutrient return was due to first, the greater dry weight of litterfall and the lower proportional nutrient retranslocation from leaves during senescence in the high-density plantation. The high-density plantation also showed greater nutrient extraction efficiency from soil. Compared with a Eucalyptustereticornis Sm. plantation, and with natural forests of the study region, the nutrient use efficiency of poplar, regardless of its density, was lower.

Persistence and water use efficiency of a tropical grass and lucerne on a solodic soil on the Far North-West Slopes of New South Wales

1993 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 245 ◽  
Author(s):  
PG Tow
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
North West ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Summer Temperatures ◽  
Spring Temperatures ◽  
Use Efficiency

The persistence and water use efficiency of Digitaria eriantha spp. eriantha and Hunter river lucerne were compared on red solodic soil with a hardsetting surface and poor internal drainage, on the North- West Slopes of New South Wales. After prolonged watering, the profile was wet to a depth of 48 � 1.5 cm, with an available moisture store of 90 mm. Over 3 years, persistence of digitaria was excellent. The population of lucerne was reduced following flooding at summer temperatures, Dry matter production of nitrogen (N) fertilised digitaria per mm warm season rainfall was similar to that of tropical grasses adapted to comparable rainfall environments in subtropical Queensland. Lucerne dry matter per mm rainfall was only about half that of digitaria (3.2 v. 6.3 kg). Lucerne grew well in mixture with digitaria except under prolonged wet soil conditions in summer. Artificial solodic profiles were constructed in the glasshouse to compare digitaria and lucerne in monoculture and mixture under varying temperature, moisture, and N regimes. Lucerne showed sensitivity to both high and low moisture levels at summer temperatures but performed very well at spring temperatures and moderate moisture levels where the mean evapotranspiration ratio was 400 g water per g dry matter. Water use efficiency was higher in digitaria than in lucerne, except at spring temperatures without added N. Water use efficiency of the mixture was always similar to that of the most efficient monoculture of the particular treatment.

Analysis of nutrient use efficiency (NUE) in Eucalyptus pilularis forests

2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (7) ◽  
pp. 558 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Turner ◽  
Marcia J. Lambert
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽  
Cost Index ◽  
Organic Matter Production ◽  
Nutrient Use ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Nutrient Utilisation ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Eucalyptus Pilularis

Alternative indices to use for nutrient use efficiency (NUE) were analysed for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur, using 17 Eucalyptus pilularis forest sites to test the hypothesis that NUE increases with decreasing nutrient availability. Reported indices represent different measures of nutrient use, including (1) efficiency of acquisition from soil, (2) quantities required for organic matter production, (3) organic matter production related to uptake, (4) ability to internally retranslocate nutrients and (5) physiological requirement of nutrients. Some indices are highly correlated but the highest correlations were according to age. Phosphorus, the main growth-limiting nutrient, on average, produced 6.5 and 10.9 t of organic matter per kilogram of phosphorus required and taken up from soil, respectively. Comparable estimates were made for other nutrients. NUEs of mobile nutrients increased with decreases in nutrient availability and this supported the hypotheses when age was taken into account. The NUEs of one nutrient are not independent of other nutrients. The inverse of foliage nutrient concentration is a valuable low-cost index of nutrient utilisation and correlates with net primary production/nutrient requirement, and is related to age. Resorption of nutrients, comparing new and abscised tissue, was of low value, but abscised-tissue nutrient correlations are related to a lower benchmark and are of value. The use of selected NUE indices for species comparison was discussed.

Spatial variability in pH and key soil nutrients: is this an opportunity to increase fertiliser and lime-use efficiency in grazing systems?

2014 ◽  
Vol 65 (8) ◽  
pp. 817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Trotter ◽  
Chris Guppy ◽  
Rebecca Haling ◽  
Tieneke Trotter ◽  
Clare Edwards ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variability ◽  
Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Critical Values ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Nutrient Use ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Fertiliser Use

Nutrient-use efficiency is a key issue for grazing systems in Australia. Spatial variability in soil pH and nutrients at the sub-paddock scale may affect the efficiency of utilisation of, and provide an opportunity for, site-specific management (SSM) of fertiliser and soil ameliorants. However, there has been little research exploring the potential for SSM in grazing systems. This study examines the spatial variability of soil test pH, phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulfur (S) in two typical pasture fields (a native and an improved) on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales and evaluates the potential for SSM based on a comparison with critical values. In both fields, the overall paddock mean from a grid survey containing >80 samples for pH, P, K and S (0–10 cm) exceeded the critical values, suggesting that the addition of fertiliser or lime was not required. However, considerable sub-paddock-scale variability was observed, with CV ranging from 35% to 66% for the key nutrients (P, K and S). The Sprengel–Liebig Law of the Minimum was applied to evaluate the proportion of each field constrained by one or more soil characteristics. Up to 55% of the improved paddock and 78% of the native pasture was potentially responsive to amendments. The results of this study suggest that SSM of fertilisers and ameliorants could provide substantial improvements in productivity and possibly reductions in fertiliser use. The development and application of appropriate systems and tools to effectively quantify this spatial variability remain a challenge, coupled with management strategies that optimise the placement of amendments and account for the variability in other production limiting factors.

Limnological studies of waterfowl habitat in south-western New South Wales. II. Aquatic macrophyte productivity

1985 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 707 ◽  
Author(s):  
SV Briggs ◽  
MT Maher
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Aquatic Macrophyte ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Waterfowl Habitat ◽  
Dry Out ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Wetland Flooding

Aquatic macrophyte productivity and soil organic matter were measured in two impermanent wetlands in south-western New South Wales. Macrophyte biomasses (≤463 g dry wt m-2) were similar to or higher than those in submerged communities elsewhere. Macrophyte productivities in both wetlands were greatest in the year following reflooding. But even in that year, macrophyte productivity in Lake Merrimajeel (the only wetland for which data are available) was considerably less than soil organic reserves before reflooding. It is suggested that these soil organic reserves directly contribute to the relationship between wetland flooding and waterfowl breeding, while macrophytes contribute indirectly by providing detritus for invertebrates. It is recommended that wetlands managed for waterfowl breeding should periodically dry out and reflood.

The intake and performance of cattle grazing irrigated pastures. 2. Effect of pasture length on growth of steers

1973 ◽  
Vol 13 (64) ◽  
pp. 477
Author(s):  
DW Hennessy
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Cattle Grazing ◽  
High Moisture ◽  
Moisture Contents ◽  
South Wales ◽  
And Performance

The organic matter intakes (OMI) and liveweight of twenty-four weaner steers grazing either short or long irrigated annual pastures were compared during May to November in 1964 and 1965 at Leeton, New South Wales. The OMI were estimated from determinations of faeces organic matter output using chromic oxide dilution, and of digestibility estimated from a faeces nitrogen-digestibility relationship for pen-fed cattle. Weaners that grazed the short or long pasture did not differ significantly in final liveweights (356 v.361 kg respectively, 1964; 357 v.361 kg, 1965) or OMI (4.99 v.5.42 kg day-1, 1964; 5.78 v.6.06 kg day-1, 1965) although available dry matter was less (P < 0.05) in short than in long pastures in both years. The OMI were commensurate with the 0.6 kg mean daily liveweight gains of weaners, which however were smaller than other reported growth rates, and an unsatisfactory production from the costly pastures. The reasons for the small liveweight gains are unknown but it is suggested that high moisture contents (85 per cent) of pastures restricted intake, or that high clover contents (58 per cent) caused bloating and rumen distension which thereby restricted intake.

scholarly journals Biochar: Agronomic and environmental potential in Brazilian savannah soils

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 761-768 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabiano A. Petter ◽  
Beata E. Madari
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Stable Form ◽  
Soil Conditioner ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Brazilian Savannah ◽  
Nutrient Use ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Physical And Chemical

Due to the high activity of microorganisms, the loss of soil organic matter is high in tropical regions. This loss becomes even greater if the soil is managed improperly or when there is no technology that leverages the permanence of the soil carbon by maintaining appropriate levels of organic matter, providing chemical, physical and biological soil improvements and contributing to reduce CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. Due to its aromatic structure, biochar is a highly stable form of carbon in the soil that may contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, such as CO2, N2O and CH4, and act as a soil conditioner, improving the physical and chemical properties of the soil. Biochar may also result in increased productivity due to the improvement of soil attributes or a possible electrophysiological effect. Research over the past decades has demonstrated the potential of biochar as a soil conditioner, improving fertility and nutrient-use efficiency, in addition to maximising the productivity of crops, such as soybean and rice.

Nutrient Cycling in a New South Wales Subtropical Rainforest: Organic Matter and Phosphorus

1989 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 635-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOHN TURNER ◽  
MARCIA J. LAMBERT ◽  
JOSEPH KELLY
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Nutrient Cycling ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Wales
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