scholarly journals Effect of Residue Type on Extractable Organic and Microbial Biomass Carbon Fractions Under Long-Term Soil Fertilization

Author(s):  
Ninghui Xie ◽  
Sean Michael Schaeffer ◽  
Tingting An ◽  
Yingde Xu ◽  
Shuangyi Li ◽  
...  

Abstract The labile organic carbon (C) pool plays a vital role in soil biogeochemical transformation and can be used as a sensitive indicator of the response of soil quality to agricultural practice. However, little is known about how residue type and soil fertilization affect the incorporation of residue C into labile organic C pools. A 360-day laboratory incubation was conducted with the addition of 13C-labeled maize residues (root, stem and leaf) to unfertilized and organic-fertilized soils. A greater contribution of residue C to extractable organic C (EOC, 7.2%) was observed in the unfertilized soil than that in the organic-fertilized soil (6.0%). The contribution of residue C to microbial biomass C (MBC) was 20%-50% in the organic-fertilized soil, but only 10%-30% in the unfertilized soil. This suggests that, in organic-fertilized soil, there is accelerated transformation of residue C into microbial biomass and a higher capacity for residue C stabilization through greater, or more efficient anabolism. Moreover, the distribution of leaf C into MBC was higher than that from root and stem in the unfertilized soil, whereas more root C entered to EOC and MBC than from stem and leaf in the organic-fertilized soil. This shows that maize root can also be involved in microbial assimilation, but it depends on the initial soil nutrition. Overall, these findings deepen our understanding of the mechanisms of microbe-mediated C transformation processes, and provide relevant insights into the capture and incorporation of plant residue C into labile organic C pools driven by residue type and soil fertilization.

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
V. O. Biederbeck ◽  
G. Wen ◽  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
J. Schoenau ◽  
...  

Measurements of seasonal changes in soil biochemical attributes can provide valuable information on how crop management and weather variables influence soil quality. We sampled soil from the 0- to 7.5-cm depth of two long-term crop rotations [continuous wheat (Cont W) and both phases of fallow-wheat (F–W)] at Swift Current, Saskatchewan, from early May to mid-October, 11 times in 1995 and 9 times in 1996. The soil is a silt loam, Orthic Brown Chernozem with pH 6.0, in dilute CaCl2. We monitored changes in organic C (OC) and total N (TN), microbial biomass C (MBC), light fraction C and N (LFC and LFN), mineralizable C (Cmin) and N (Nmin), and water-soluble organic C (WSOC). All biochemical attributes, except MBC, showed higher values for Cont W than for F–W, reflecting the historically higher crop residue inputs, less frequent tillage, and drier conditions of Cont W. Based on the seasonal mean values for 1996, we concluded that, after 29 yr, F–W has degraded soil organic C and total N by about 15% compared to Cont W. In the same period it has degraded the labile attributes, except MBC, much more. For example, WSOC is degraded by 22%, Cmin and Nmin by 45% and LFC and LFN by 60–75%. Organic C and TN were constant during the season because one year's C and N inputs are small compared to the total soil C or N. All the labile attributes varied markedly throughout the seasons. We explained most of the seasonal variability in soil biochemical attributes in terms of C and N inputs from crop residues and rhizodeposition, and the influences of soil moisture, precipitation and temperature. Using multiple regression, we related the biochemical attributes to soil moisture and the weather variables, accounting for 20% of the variability in MBC, 27% of that of Nmin, 29% for LFC, 52% for Cmin, and 66% for WSOC. In all cases the biochemical attributes were negatively related to precipitation, soil moisture, temperature and their interactions. We interpreted this to mean that conditions favouring decomposition of organic matter in situ result in decreases in these attributes when they are measured subsequently under laboratory conditions. We concluded that when assessing changes in OC or TN over years, measurements can be made at any time during a year. However, if assessing changes in the labile soil attributes, several measurements should be made during a season or, measurements be made near the same time each year. Key words: Microbial biomass, carbon, nitrogen, mineralization, water-soluble-C, light fraction, weather variables


2016 ◽  
pp. 33-39
Author(s):  
János Kátai ◽  
Zsolt Sándor ◽  
Magdolna Tállai ◽  
Ágnes Zsuposné Oáh

Some chemical and microbiological properties of the carbon cycle were investigated in three chernozem soil profiles. The soil profiles originated from a long term fertilization experiment (potato) of the University of Debrecen, Látókép, Kryvyi Rig Botanic Garden (grassland) and a large-scale farm (sunflower) of Ukraine. The results of the organic C-content, total number of bacteria, microscopical fungi, cellulose decomposing bacteria, CO2-production, microbial biomass carbon and saccharase and dehydrogenase activities were compared and evaluated with the help of correlation analyses. Close correlation was found between the organic carbon content and the number of microscopical fungi,, saccharase and dehydrogenase enzymes’ activities, as well as close correlation was found between the dehydrogenase activity and microbial biomass-C and saccharase activity.


1970 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-25
Author(s):  
SM Abdur Rahman ◽  
ARM Solaiman

Microbial biomass carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) and their contribution to soil organic carbon and total N contents were assessed in soils collected from Bilashchara Tea Estate under Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (BTRI), Srimangal of Moulavibazar district, and Sripur Tea Garden under Jaintapur of Sylhet district. Microbial biomass C and N in Bila shchara Tea Estate soils varied from 90.4-144.0 and 20.5-29.0 mg/kg soil, and that of Sripur Tea Garden soils varied from 120.7-362.0 and 26.6-59.5 mg/kg soil, respectively. Within the two tea growing areas biomass C/N ratios ranged from 3.35-6.12. Relationships between biomass C and organic carbon and biomass N and total N were positively correlated. The contribution of biomass C to soil organic C was 1.23%, ranging from 0.9-1.55% and the contribution of biomass N to total N content of the soils ranged from 1.19-2.89%. Keywords: Biomass carbon (C); Biomass nitrogen (N); Organic C; Total N; Tea soilDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjm.v25i1.4850 Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 25, Number 1, June 2008, pp 21-25


Soil Research ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Chen ◽  
Lu Lai ◽  
Xiaorong Zhao ◽  
Guitong Li ◽  
Qimei Lin

Drying and rewetting (DRW) events are very common in arable land. However, it is not clear how the frequency of DRW stress history influences soil carbon (C) and phosphorus (P) dynamics under field conditions. In this study, an arable loam calcareous soil was treated with simulated farming practices that included wheat straw and nitrogen incorporation and three DRW cycles at intervals of 14 days during a 90-day experimental period of incubation at 25°C. The DRW events significantly increased cumulative CO2-C evolution, but the increase rate of cumulative CO2-C evolution declined with increasing DRW cycles. Microbial biomass C (MBC) and P (MBP) decreased by 9–55% and 9–29%, respectively, following each DRW event, but recovered to the level before DRW treatment within 7 days. Frequent drying and rewetting caused significant increases in both extractable organic C and NaHCO3-extractable P, by 10–112% and 10–18%, respectively. The fluctuation of the tested parameters became less with increasing frequency of DRW cycles. Changes in microbial biomass, either MBC or MBP, were poorly correlated with those of extractable organic C and NaHCO3-extractable P. Overall, frequent DRW cycles had much stronger and longer lasting impact on soil biomass P dynamics than biomass C. These findings may imply certain links among soil moisture, microbial activity and nutrient bioavailability that are important in water and nutrient management.


1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Rochette ◽  
E. G. Gregorich

Application of manure and fertilizer affects the rate and extent of mineralization and sequestration of C in soil. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of 3 yr of application of N fertilizer and different manure amendments on CO2 evolution and the dynamics of soil microbial biomass and soluble C in the field. Soil respiration, soluble organic C and microbial biomass C were measured at intervals over the growing season in maize soils amended with stockpiled or rotted manure, N fertilizer (200 kg N ha−1) and with no amendments (control). Manure amendments increased soil respiration and levels of soluble organic C and microbial biomass C by a factor of 2 to 3 compared with the control, whereas the N fertilizer had little effect on any parameter. Soil temperature explained most of the variations in CO2 flux (78 to 95%) in each treatment, but data from all treatments could not be fitted to a unique relationship. Increases in CO2 emission and soluble C resulting from manure amendments were strongly correlated (r2 = 0.75) with soil temperature. This observation confirms that soluble C is an active C pool affected by biological activity. The positive correlation between soluble organic C and soil temperature also suggests that production of soluble C increases more than mineralization of soluble C as temperature increases. The total manure-derived CO2-C was equivalent to 52% of the applied stockpiled-manure C and 67% of the applied rotted-manure C. Estimates of average turnover rates of microbial biomass ranged between 0.72 and 1.22 yr−1 and were lowest in manured soils. Manured soils also had large quantities of soluble C with a slower turnover rate than that in either fertilized or unamended soils. Key words: Soil respiration, greenhouse gas, soil carbon


2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 399-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
M R Carter ◽  
C. Noronha

Intensive forms of soil management occur in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production systems, but little is known about the influence of such practices on soil biological properties. Microbial biomass C, phosphatase activity, and the abundance (number), richness (family groups), and diversity of soil micro-arthropods (Collembola and mites) were compared in conventional and adjacent integrated pest management (IPM) systems of 3-yr potato rotations, established on fine sandy loams in Prince Edward Island, Atlantic Canada. The study was conducted at two sites over a 2-yr period. Soil microbial parameters were generally similar between management systems. Management differences showed some effect on micro-arthropod abundance and richness in three of the eight comparisons. Under optimum soil-water conditions, both Collembola and mite communities increased over the growing season regardless of management system. Key words: Soil management for potato, Collembola, mites, soil microbial biomass carbon, acid phosphatase, integrated pest management


1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 463-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. V. S. R. GUPTA ◽  
J. R. LAWRENCE ◽  
J. J. GERMIDA

This study investigated the impact of repeated application of S° fertilizer on microbial and biochemical characteristics of two Grey Luvisolic soils. The Waitville pasture plots received Agri-Sul at a rate of 22 or 44 kg S° ha−1 yr−1 for 5 yr, whereas the Loon River canola-summerfallow plots received single or double applications of Flow-able Sulfur (50 kg S° ha−1) or Agri-Sul (100 kg S° ha−1). Application of S° fertilizer significantly decreased the pH in both soils. Organic C declined in S°-treated plots of the Waitville soil, and there was a narrowing of C:N:S ratios in both soils. Application of S° fertilizer significantly increased the total S, HI-S and sulfate sulfur levels of both soils. There was a 29–45% and 2–51% decline in microbial biomass carbon content due to S° fertilizer application in Waitville and Loon River soils, respectively. Repeated application of S° also resulted in a decline in respiration, dehydrogenase, urease, alkaline phosphatase and arylsulfatase activities, along with populations of protozoa, algae and nitrifiers in both soils. Significant correlations observed among related characteristics further emphasized the treatment effects. These results indicate that the impact of repeated application of S° fertilizer on microbial biomass and activity should be considered when recommending S° as a fertilizer for sulfur-deficient soils. Key words: Sulfur (elemental), microbial biomass, dehydrogenase, urea, phosphomonoesterases, arylsulfatase


Soil Research ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andong Shi ◽  
Petra Marschner

Decomposition of mixed residues is common in many ecosystems, with residues from different species or above- and below-ground residues from the same species. Although decomposition of litter mixtures has been extensively studied, little is known about the changes in microbial biomass carbon (C) and available nitrogen (N) in the early stages of decomposition of mixtures of shoots and roots. An incubation experiment was carried out in a sandy clay loam with shoot and root residues of two grasses, annual barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and perennial Stipa sp., added separately or as mixtures. Soil respiration was measured continuously, and soil microbial biomass C, extractable C and available N were measured by destructive sampling on days 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18. Cumulative respiration and microbial biomass C concentration were higher with barley shoots alone or in mixtures than with Stipa residues alone. In the mixture of Stipa shoots and roots, which had similar decomposition rates when incubated individually, the measured cumulative respiration was greater than the expected value (average of the cumulative respiration of the individual residues), but this did not result in greater microbial biomass or changes in available N concentration compared with the individual residues. Cumulative respiration of barley shoots alone was higher than of barley root and Stipa shoot incubated individually. In the mixtures of barley shoots with barley roots or Stipa shoots, the measured cumulative respiration was either lower than the expected value or similar. Compared with barley shoots alone, microbial biomass C concentrations in the mixtures were generally lower in the first 3 days. It is concluded that mixing of residues with similar decomposition rates can stimulate microbial activity (respiration) but has little effect on microbial growth or concentrations of available N. Further, our findings provide information about extractable C and N dynamics during the early stages of decomposition of individual residue and residue mixtures.


Soil Research ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joginder Kaur ◽  
O. P. Choudhary ◽  
Bijay-Singh

Long-term sodic-water irrigation may adversely affect the quality of soil organic carbon along with some soil properties. The extent to which the adverse effects can be ameliorated through the use of gypsum and amendments needs to be known. Soil properties and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) were studied after 14 years of sodic water (SW) irrigation and application of different levels of gypsum, farmyard manure (FYM), green manure (GM), and wheat straw (WS) to a sandy loam soil. Irrigation with SW increased pH, electrical conductivity, sodium adsorption ratio, exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), and bulk density, and decreased final infiltration rate of soil. Application of gypsum and organic amendments reversed these trends. Decrease in MBC due to SW irrigation was from 132.5 to 44.6 mg/kg soil in the 0–75 mm soil layer and from 49.0 to 17.3 mg/kg soil in the 75–150 mm soil layer. Application of gypsum and organic amendments significantly increased MBC; GM and FYM were more effective than WS. Changes in soil ESP explained 85 and 75% variation in MBC in the unamended and organically amended SW treatments, respectively. Soil pH as additional variable improved the predictability of MBC to 96% and 77%. Irrigation with SW reduced yield of rice plus wheat by 5 t/ha. Application of gypsum and organic amendments significantly increased the rice and wheat yield; it was significantly correlated with MBC (r = 0.56**, n = 60). It confirms that MBC rather than organic C is a more sensitive indicator of environmental stresses in soils caused by long-term sodic water irrigation.


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