Soil Nutrient Dynamics and Nitrogen Fixation Rate Changes over Plant Growth in Temperate Soil

Research on the use of soil enhancer materials such as biochar from soil chemical perspective still provide differing results; therefore, investigations focusing on soil-biochar-plant interactions are still necessary to constrain our understanding of complex biochar effects. The present study investigated the changes in biological nitrogen fixation rates (BNF) and overall nutrient dynamics (NO3−, NH4+, total N, K2O, and P2O5) during the growth of Capsicum annuum (pepper) in pot experiments amended with biochar made of paper fiber sludge and grain husk. Four treatments were studied with 0, 0.5%, 2.5%, and 5.0% (by weight) added biochar (BC) amount to temperate silt loam soil. Peppers were planted at 2–4 leave stages and grown for the duration of 12.5 weeks. Our results showed that total nitrogen had relatively small changes in all treatments over time compared to the dynamic changes observed in the case of inorganic nutrients. NO3−-N and NH4+-N abundances presented a continuous decrease during the course of the study after an initial increase. The pepper plant facilitated the BNF rates to triple in the control soils, while plants were in the growing phase (weeks 1–6), which further increased an additional 61% by harvesting (week 12). A high amount of biochar addition suppressed potential BNF rates of the investigated soil, indicating its potentially negative effects on soil indigenous microbial communities if added in excess. We also found a plateau in plant biomass production that after reaching an optimal (2.5%) biochar amendment in the soils, and excess biochar addition did not result in significant changes in the soils’ pH to achieve better nutrient (potassium, nitrogen, phosphorous) use or crop growth.

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The effect of genotype on biomass and nutrient content in 11-year-old loblolly pine plantations

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x79-039 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 224-230 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

P. E. Pope

Keyword(s):

Loblolly Pine ◽

Plant Biomass ◽

Soil Nutrient ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Nutrient Content ◽

Seed Source ◽

Elemental Content ◽

Total N ◽

Seed Sources ◽

Hilly Region

Dry weights and nutrient contents of all aboveground biomass components were estimated for four seed sources of 11-year-old loblolly pine (Pinustaeda L.) grown in plantations of the same spacing on an old-field site of high quality in the hilly region of north-central Arkansas, U.S.A. Soil nutrient content was estimated to a depth of 0.61 m. Stand data averaged over all seeds sources are in agreement with published reports for dry weight and nutrient accumulation for loblolly pine if differences associated with seasonal variation are considered. Seed source significantly affected total dry matter and nutrient accumulations. Estimated total aboveground mean annual accumulation of biomass for the four seed sources ranged from 5.99 × 103 to 11.17 × 103 kg/ha per year. Elemental accumulation (kilograms per hectare per year) ranged from 14.06 to 23.66 for N, 1.54 to 3.45 for P, and 6.96 to 18.43 for K. On the average, trees comprise 84% of the aboveground plant biomass and contain 76% of the N, 77% of the P, and 90%, of the K associated with plant tissue. The significant influence of seed source on these stand values can affect the potential impact of short rotation, total tree harvesting on long-term site productivity. The elemental content of the tree biomass ranged from 7 to 11% of the total N, 20 to 35% of the P, and 14 to 30% of the K in the soil–litter–plant system.

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Soil Nutrient Dynamics under Old and Young Cocoa, Coffee and Cashew Plantations at Uhonmora, Edo State, Nigeria

Journal of Tropical Soils ◽

10.5400/jts.2014.v19i2.75-80 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 75 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rotimi Rufus Ipinmoroti ◽

Joseph Sunday Ogeh

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Nutrient Dynamics ◽

Management Practices ◽

Soil Nutrient ◽

Soil Fertility Management ◽

Total N ◽

Nutrient Contents ◽

Fertility Management ◽

Edo State

A study was conducted to assess nutrient dynamics of soils under old and young cocoa, coffee and cashew plantations and the leaf nutrient contents of the crops at Uhonmora, Edo State, Nigeria for proper cultural and soil fertility management of the plantations. Soil and crop leaf samples were collected from each plantation using a random sampling technique. The samples were analyzed using standard procedures for sand, silt, clay, pH (H2O), electrical conductivity (EC), total N, available P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, and Effective Cation Exchange Capacity (ECEC). Leaf samples were analyzed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Na. Data were compared with the corresponding soil and foliar critical nutrient values for each crop. Results indicated that the soils were texturally sandy clay loam and acidic. The soils varied in their nutrient contents, with soil P for the old cocoa, young coffee and cashew plantations far below critical values. The young cashew plot was low in N content but adequate for other plots. However, the soil ECEC increased with the increasing of calcium contents. Leaf N was below critical for all the crops. Leaf K was low for cocoa and coffee plants, leaf Ca was low for the young cashew plants, while leaf Mg was low for the young cocoa and old cashew. The high soil Mg/K ratio of 8.7- 22.3 as against the established value of 2.0 might have resulted in gross nutrient imbalance which must have affected the absorption and utilization of other nutrients. Hence, adequate soil N did not translate the same availability to the crops. The ECEC showed that the soil needs to be improved upon for sustainable productivity. Soil nutrient content variation across the plantations with age of establishment will necessitate the need for consistent routine soil nutrient assessment for proper and balanced soil nutrient supply to the crops, for healthy crop growth and optimum yield. Management practices of soil surface mulching using organic wastes and cover crops under compatible cropping systems are needed for successful plot establishment and better growth performance of the young seedlings.Key words: Nutrient dynamics, plantation crops, rehabilitation, soil fertility management [How to Cite: Rotimi RI and JS Ogeh. 2014. Soil Nutrient Dynamics under Old and Young Cocoa, Coffee and Cashew Plantations at Uhonmora, Edo State, Nigeria. J Trop Soils 19(2): 85-90. Doi: 10.5400/jts.2014.19.2.85] [Permalink/DOI: www.dx.doi.org/10.5400/jts.2014.19.2.85]

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Growth rate and nutritional status of an organic coffee cropping system

Scientia Agricola ◽

10.1590/s0103-90162005000200008 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 62 (2) ◽

pp. 138-144 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Marta dos Santos Freire Ricci ◽

Bruno José Rodrigues Alves ◽

Simone Cordeiro de Miranda ◽

Fabio Freire de Oliveira

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Fixation ◽

Nutritional Status ◽

Biological Nitrogen Fixation ◽

Plant Biomass ◽

Dry Mass ◽

Organic Fertilizers ◽

Total N ◽

Sunn Hemp ◽

Biological Nitrogen ◽

Organic Coffee

In view of the low N concentration in organic fertilizers, it is necessary to use high rates of such fertilizers to attend coffee crop requirements. Hence, N is the most limiting nutrient for organic coffee production. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) organic fertilization on the growth and nutritional status of coffee cultivars, as well as to quantify plant biomass and N input derived from biological nitrogen fixation, and their effect on soil chemical characteristics. The experiment consisted of six coffee (Coffea arabica) cultivars intercropped with and without sunn hemp sown in November 2001 and pruned at mid-height 76 days later. At 175 days, the standing biomass of the legume was cut, measuring dry mass, total N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and 15N natural abundance, resulting 16 t ha-1 of dry mass and the recycling of 444, 21, 241, 191, and 44 kg ha-1 of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg, respectively. Cultivars 'Obatã' and 'Catuaí Vermelho' presented the highest growth rates in terms of plant height, while cultivars 'Icatu' and 'Oeiras' presented the lowest rates. Biological nitrogen fixation associated to the legume introduced more than 200 kg ha-1 of N, which is a demonstration that N fertilization in organic cropping systems is a valuable alternative. Intercropping lead to a constant coffee leaf N content during the entire cropping cycle, contrary to what was observed in plots grown without sunn hemp.

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Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) Invasion and Eradication: Implications for Soil Nutrient Dynamics in a Longleaf Pine Sandhill Ecosystem

Invasive Plant Science and Management ◽

10.1614/ipsm-d-12-00089.1 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 433-443 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Donald L. Hagan ◽

Shibu Jose ◽

Kimberly Bohn ◽

Francisco Escobedo

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Nutrient Dynamics ◽

Longleaf Pine ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Soil Nutrient ◽

Matter Content ◽

Imperata Cylindrica ◽

Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽

Total N ◽

Available N

AbstractWe assessed pre- and posteradication nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics in longleaf pine sandhill stands severely affected by cogongrass. Across a 7-yr posteradication (glyphosate + imazapyr) “recovery chronosequence,” which included untreated cogongrass, uninvaded reference, and treated plots, we analyzed soils for total N, potentially available P (Mehlich-1 [M1]), pH, and organic matter content. We also used resin bags to assess fluxes of plant available N and P in the soil solution. Additionally, we used litterbags to monitor the decomposition and nutrient mineralization patterns of dead rhizome and foliage tissue. Our results indicate similar total N and M1-P contents in both cogongrass-invaded and uninvaded reference plots, with levels of M1-P being lower than in cogongrass plots for 5 yr after eradication. Soil organic matter did not differ between treatments. Resin bag analyses suggest that cogongrass invasion did not affect soil nitrate availability, although a pulse of NO2+ NO3occurred in the first 3 yr after eradication. No such trends were observed for ammonium. Resin-adsorbed PO4was lowest 3 yr after eradication, and pH was highest 5 yr after eradication. Our litterbag study showed that approximately 55% of foliar biomass and 23% of rhizome tissue biomass remained 18 mo after herbicide treatment. Substantial N immobilization was observed in rhizomes for the first 12 mo, with slow mineralization occurring thereafter. Rapid P mineralization occurred, with 15.4 and 20.5% of initial P remaining after 18 mo in rhizomes and foliage, respectively. Overall, our findings indicate that cogongrass invasion has little to no effect on soil nutrient cycling processes, although some significant—but ephemeral—alterations develop after eradication.

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Effects of Detritivores on Nutrient Dynamics and Corn Biomass in Mesocosms

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects10120453 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 453

Author(s):

Josephine Lindsey-Robbins ◽

Angélica Vázquez-Ortega ◽

Kevin McCluney ◽

Shannon Pelini

Keyword(s):

Nutrient Cycling ◽

Soil Solution ◽

Nutrient Dynamics ◽

Nutrient Management ◽

Soil Health ◽

Soil Nutrient ◽

Freshwater Ecosystems ◽

Significant Interaction Effect ◽

Total N ◽

Soil Nutrient Cycling

(1) Background: Strategies aimed at managing freshwater eutrophication should be based on practices that consider cropland invertebrates, climatic change, and soil nutrient cycling. Specifically, detritivores play a crucial role in the biogeochemical processes of soil through their consumptive and burrowing activities. Here, we evaluated the effectiveness of increasing detritivore abundance as a strategy for nutrient management under varied rainfall. (2) Methods: We manipulated soil macroinvertebrate abundance and rainfall amount in an agricultural mesocosms. We then measured the phosphorus, nitrogen, and carbon levels within the soil, corn, invertebrates, and soil solution. (3) Results: Increasing detritivore abundance in our soil significantly increased corn biomass by 2.49 g (p < 0.001), reduced weed growth by 18.2% (p < 0.001), and decreased soil solution nitrogen and total organic carbon (p < 0.05) and volume by 31.03 mL (p < 0.001). Detritivore abundance also displayed a significant interaction effect with rainfall treatment to influence soil total P (p = 0.0019), total N (p < 0.001), and total C (p = 0.0146). (4) Conclusions: Soil detritivores play an important role in soil nutrient cycling and soil health. Incorporating soil macroinvertebrate abundance into management strategies for agricultural soil may increase soil health of agroecosystems, preserve freshwater ecosystems, and protect the valuable services they both provide for humans.

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Effects of two wood-based biochars on the fate of added fertilizer nitrogen—a 15N tracing study

Biology and Fertility of Soils ◽

10.1007/s00374-020-01534-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Subin Kalu ◽

Gboyega Nathaniel Oyekoya ◽

Per Ambus ◽

Priit Tammeorg ◽

Asko Simojoki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Uptake ◽

Plant Biomass ◽

Application Rate ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Organic N ◽

N Leaching ◽

Soil N ◽

Mineral N ◽

Total N ◽

Application Rates

AbstractA 15N tracing pot experiment was conducted using two types of wood-based biochars: a regular biochar and a Kon-Tiki-produced nutrient-enriched biochar, at two application rates (1% and 5% (w/w)), in addition to a fertilizer only and a control treatment. Ryegrass was sown in pots, all of which except controls received 15N-labelled fertilizer as either 15NH4NO3 or NH415NO3. We quantified the effect of biochar application on soil N2O emissions, as well as the fate of fertilizer-derived ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3−) in terms of their leaching from the soil, uptake into plant biomass, and recovery in the soil. We found that application of biochars reduced soil mineral N leaching and N2O emissions. Similarly, the higher biochar application rate of 5% significantly increased aboveground ryegrass biomass yield. However, no differences in N2O emissions and ryegrass biomass yields were observed between regular and nutrient-enriched biochar treatments, although mineral N leaching tended to be lower in the nutrient-enriched biochar treatment than in the regular biochar treatment. The 15N analysis revealed that biochar application increased the plant uptake of added nitrate, but reduced the plant uptake of added ammonium compared to the fertilizer only treatment. Thus, the uptake of total N derived from added NH4NO3 fertilizer was not affected by the biochar addition, and cannot explain the increase in plant biomass in biochar treatments. Instead, the increased plant biomass at the higher biochar application rate was attributed to the enhanced uptake of N derived from soil. This suggests that the interactions between biochar and native soil organic N may be important determinants of the availability of soil N to plant growth.

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Aboveground Biomass of Reaumuria soongorica Shrub Effect on Soil Moisture and Nutrient Spatial Distribution in Arid and Semi-Arid Region

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.726-731.3803 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 726-731 ◽

pp. 3803-3806

Author(s):

Bing Ru Liu ◽

Jun Long Yang

Keyword(s):

Spatial Distribution ◽

Soil Moisture ◽

Moisture Content ◽

Aboveground Biomass ◽

Soil Moisture Content ◽

Plant Biomass ◽

Soil Layer ◽

Soil Nutrient ◽

Desert Plant ◽

Important Species

In order to revel aboveground biomass of R. soongorica shrub effect on soil moisture and nutrients spatial distribution, and explore mechanism of the changes of soil moisture and nutrients, soil moisture content, pH, soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) at three soil layers (0-10cm,10-20cm, and 20-40cm) along five plant biomass gradients of R. soongorica were investigated. The results showed that soil moisture content increased with depth under the same plant biomass, and increased with plant biomass. Soil nutrient properties were evidently influenced with plant biomass, while decreased with depth. SOC and TN were highest in the top soil layer (0-10 cm), but TN of 10-20cm layer has no significant differences (P < 0.05). Moreover, soil nutrient contents were accumulated very slowly. These suggests that the requirement to soil organic matter is not so high and could be adapted well to the desert and barren soil, and the desert plant R. soongorica could be acted as an important species to restore vegetation and ameliorate the eco-environment.

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Differential responses of the sunn4 and rdn1-1 super-nodulation mutants of Medicago truncatula to elevated atmospheric CO2

Annals of Botany ◽

10.1093/aob/mcab098 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yunfa Qiao ◽

Shujie Miao ◽

Jian Jin ◽

Ulrike Mathesius ◽

Caixian Tang

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Fixation ◽

Elevated Co2 ◽

Medicago Truncatula ◽

N2 Fixation ◽

Sink Strength ◽

Wild Type ◽

Total N ◽

Autoregulation Of Nodulation ◽

Nodulation Mutants ◽

Fixation Capacity

Abstract Background and Aims Nitrogen fixation in legumes requires tight control of carbon and nitrogen balance. Thus, legumes control nodule numbers via an autoregulation mechanism. ‘Autoregulation of nodulation’ mutants super-nodulate and are thought to be carbon-limited due to the high carbon-sink strength of excessive nodules. This study aimed to examine the effect of increasing carbon supply on the performance of super-nodulation mutants. Methods We compared the responses of Medicago truncatula super-nodulation mutants (sunn-4 and rdn1-1) and wild type to five CO2 levels (300-850 μmol mol -1). Nodule formation and N2 fixation were assessed in soil-grown plants at 18 and 42 days after sowing. Key results Shoot and root biomass, nodule number and biomass, nitrogenase activity and fixed-N per plant of all genotypes increased with increasing CO2 concentration and reached the maximum around 700 μmol mol -1. While the sunn-4 mutant showed strong growth-retardation compared to wild-type plants, elevated CO2 increased shoot biomass and total N content of rdn1-1 mutant up to two-fold. This was accompanied by a four-fold increase in nitrogen fixation capacity in the rdn1-1 mutant. Conclusions These results suggest that the super-nodulation phenotype per se did not limit growth. The additional nitrogen fixation capacity of the rdn1-1 mutant may enhance the benefit of elevated CO2 on plant growth and N2 fixation.

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