Mid-Term Effects of Forest Thinning on N Mineralization in a Semi-Arid Aleppo Pine Forest

In order to assess the sustainability of silvicultural treatments in semiarid forests, it is necessary to know how they affect the nutrient dynamics in the forest. The objective of this paper is to study the effects of silvicultural treatments on the net N mineralization and the available mineral N content in the soil after 13 years following forest clearings. The treatments were carried out following a randomized block design, with four treatments and two blocks. The distance between the two blocks was less than 3 km; they were located in Chelva (CH) and Tuéjar (TU) in Valencia, Spain. Within each block, four experimental clearing treatments were carried out in 1998: T0 control; and T60, T75 and T100 where 60%, 75% and 100 of basal area was eliminated, respectively. Nitrogen dynamics were measured using the resin tube technique, with disturbed samples due to the high stoniness of the plots. Thirteen years after the experimental clearings, T100, T75 and T60 treatments showed a twofold increase in the net mineralization and nitrification rates with respect to T0 in both blocks (TU and CH). Within the plots, the highest mineralization was found in sites with no plant cover followed by those covered by undergrowth. These results can be explained in terms of the different litterfall qualities, which in turn are the result of the proportion of material originating from Pinus halepensis Mill. vs. more decomposable undergrowth residues.

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Factors controlling N mineralization, nitrification, and nitrogen losses in an Oxisol amended with sewage sludge

Soil Research ◽

10.1071/sr00026 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 39 (3) ◽

pp. 519 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

J. Sierra ◽

S. Fontaine ◽

L. Desfontaines

Keyword(s):

Sewage Sludge ◽

Field Experiment ◽

Water Content ◽

N Mineralization ◽

Initial Period ◽

Factorial Experiment ◽

Net N Mineralization ◽

N Losses ◽

Mineral N ◽

The Difference

Laboratory incubations and a field experiment were carried out to determine the factors controlling N mineralization and nitrification, and to estimate the N losses (leaching and volatilization) in a sewage-sludge-amended Oxisol. Aerobically digested sludge was applied at a rate equivalent to 625 kg N/ha. The incubations were conducted as a factorial experiment of temperature (20˚C, 30˚C, and 40˚C) soil water (–30 kPa and –1500 kPa) sludge type [fresh (FS) water content 6230 g/kg; dry (DS) water content 50 g/kg]. The amount of nitrifiers was determined at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. The incubation lasted 24 weeks. The field study was conducted using bare microplots (4 m) and consisted of a factorial experiment of sludge type (FS and DS) sludge placement (subsurface, I+; surface, I–). Ammonia volatilization and the profile (0–0.90 m) of mineral N concentration were measured during 6 and 29 weeks after sludge application, respectively. After 24 weeks of incubation at 40˚C and –30 kPa, net N mineralization represented 52% (FS) and 71% (DS) of the applied N. The difference between sludges was due to an initial period of N immobilization in FS. Nitrification was more sensitive than N mineralization to changes in water potential and it was fully inhibited at –1500 kPa. The introduction of a large amount of nitrifiers with FS did not modify the rate of nitrification, which was principally limited by soil acidity (pH 4.9). Although N mineralization was greatest at 30˚C, nitrification increased continuously with temperature. Nitrogen mineralization from DS was well described by the double-exponential equation. For FS, the equation was modified to take into account an immobilization-remineralization period. Sludge placement significantly affected the soil NO-3/NH+4 ratio in the field: 16 for I+ and 1.5 for I–, after 11 weeks. In the I– treatment, nitrification of the released NH+4 was limited by soil moisture because of the dry soil mulch formed a few hours after rain. At the end of the field experiment, the estimated losses of N by leaching were 432 kg N/ha for I+ and 356 kg N/ha for I–. Volatilization was not detectable in the I+ microplots and it represented only 0.5% of the applied N in the I– microplots. The results showed that placement of sludge may be a valuable tool to decrease NO-3 leaching by placing the sludge under unfavourable conditions for nitrification.

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The effect of Broussonetia papyrifera invasion on the regeneration of selected native timber species in a tropical moist forest in Uganda

10.21203/rs.3.rs-831520/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Davis Mark Ssemanda ◽

Enock Ssekuubwa

Keyword(s):

Tropical Forests ◽

Linear Models ◽

Block Design ◽

Basal Area ◽

Timber Production ◽

Timber Species ◽

Production Potential ◽

Broussonetia Papyrifera ◽

Randomized Block Design ◽

Moist Forest

Abstract Broussonetia papyrifera has been identified as one of the top invasive species in some African tropical forests with potentially devastating impacts on the conservation and timber production potential of the forests. This study determined the effect of B. papyrifera on the regeneration of selected native timber species in Mabira Forest Reserve, Uganda. The abundance, basal area and population structure of the timber species were compared between areas invaded and uninvaded by B. papyrifera. Employing a complete randomized block design, a total of forty plots (30 x 30 m each), and equally distributed between invaded and uninvaded areas with similar habitat conditions were surveyed. Counts of seedlings were recorded and diameter of saplings and trees measured. Generalized linear models were used to analyze the abundance, tree basal area and size class distributions of the selected species. The study revealed that the effects of B. papyrifera invasion vary depending on the growth stage and species studied. Overall, B. papyrifera invasion significantly reduced tree abundance and basal area, and suppressed the regeneration of some but not all the selected species. Our results demonstrate that if the spread of B. papyrifera is not abated, it will lower the conservation and timber production potential of tropical forests. Therefore, we call for interventions to control the spread of B. papyrifera to the uninvaded parts of the forests and halt its multiplication in invaded areas so as to enhance the regeneration and growth of timber species.

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EFICIÊNCIA DE DUAS VARIAÇÕES ESTRUTURAIS DO MÉTODO DE AMOSTRAGEM DE ÁREA FIXA EM PLANTAÇÕES DE Pinus taeda

FLORESTA ◽

10.5380/rf.v43i4.29928 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 43 (4) ◽

pp. 621

Author(s):

João Paulo Druszcz ◽

Nelson Yoshihiro Nakajima ◽

Sylvio Pellico Netto ◽

Sebastião do Amaral Machado ◽

Nelson Carlos Rosot ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pinus Taeda ◽

Relative Efficiency ◽

Block Design ◽

Basal Area ◽

Average Diameter ◽

Breast Height ◽

Variable Diameter ◽

Randomized Block Design ◽

Fixed Area ◽

Pinus Taeda L

Este estudo foi conduzido em três diferentes condições de plantações de Pinus taeda L., sem desbastes, com 10, 9 e 7 anos de idade, 2.000 árvores por hectare e diferentes inclinações no terreno, localizados no Estado do Paraná. O objetivo foi avaliar a eficiência do inventário florestal, utilizando-se a amostragem de área fixa com a estrutura de parcela circular (PC) e conglomerado em cruz (CC), através da análise do comportamento quanto às precisões e eficiências relativas nas estimativas das seguintes variáveis: diâmetro médio (cm), número de árvores por ha, área basal (m2/ha) e volume total (m3/ha). Para isso, utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados com 40 unidades amostrais para a PC e 10 unidades para o CC, sendo este composto por 4 subunidades circulares. Concluiu-se que, para as variáveis diâmetro médio (cm), número de árvores (N/ha), área basal (m2/ha) e volume total (m3/ha), indica-se a utilização do método de área fixa com PC, tendo em vista a maior eficiência no levantamento dessas variáveis.Palavras-chave: Eficiência relativa; precisão; reflorestamento. AbstractStructural efficiency of two variations of method of sampling of fixed area in plantations of Pinus taeda. This study was carried out in three different stands of Pinus taeda L., unthinned and aged 10, 9 and 7 years. The stands have 2.000 trees per hectare and are located in Parana State. The aim was to evaluate the efficiency of inventories using circular plot (PC) and cross cluster (CC) by analyses of behavior towards accuracies and relative efficiencies for estimation of the following variables: average diameter at breast height, number of trees, basal area and total volume per hectare. For this study, it was taken a sample of 40 units to the PC structure and 10 units for the CC structure, which is composed of four circular subunits, and it was used the randomized block design. It was concluded that for the variable diameter (cm), number of trees (ha), basal area (m2/ha) and total volume (m3/ha) it is indicated the use of PC, since its greater efficiency in the survey of these variables.Keywords: Relative efficiency; accuracy; reforestation.

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Nitrogen Availability in Biochar-Amended Soils with Excessive Compost Application

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10030444 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 444 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Chen-Chi Tsai ◽

Yu-Fang Chang

Keyword(s):

N Mineralization ◽

Nitrogen Availability ◽

Agricultural Soils ◽

Inorganic Nitrogen ◽

Clay Content ◽

N Availability ◽

Net N Mineralization ◽

Mineral N ◽

Mineralization Potential ◽

The Impact

Adding biochar to excessive compost amendments may affect compost mineralization rate and nitrogen (N) availability. The objective of this 371-day incubation study was to evaluate the effects of four proportions of woody biochar (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0%) from lead tree (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de. Wit) biochar produced at 750 °C through dynamic mineral N and N mineralization rates in three rural soils (one Oxisol and two Inceptisols). In each treatment, 5% poultry–livestock manure compost was added to serve as an excessive application. The results indicated that the biochar decreased available total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) (NO3−-N+NH4+-N) by on average 6%, 9% and 19% for 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0% treatments, respectively. The soil type strongly influenced the impact of the biochar addition on the soil nitrogen mineralization potential, especially the soil pH and clay content. This study showed that the co-application of biochar and excessive compost benefited the agricultural soils by improving NO3−-N retention in agroecosystems. The application of biochar to these soils to combine it with excessive compost appeared to be an effective method of utilizing these soil amendments, as it diminished the net N mineralization potential and reduced the nitrate loss of the excessive added compost.

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Spatial and temporal fluctuation in biomass, nitrogen mineralizing reactions and mineral nitrogen in a soil cropped to barley

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/cjss92-004 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 72 (1) ◽

pp. 31-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

D. L. Burton ◽

W. B. McGill

Keyword(s):

N Mineralization ◽

Indirect Evidence ◽

Single Step ◽

Model Systems ◽

Net N Mineralization ◽

Control Mechanisms ◽

Hordeum Vulgare L ◽

Mineral N ◽

Enzyme Content ◽

Text Content

We compared changes in components of the N-mineralization cascade ranging from the very specific, such as a deaminase, to the highly integrated, such as biomass in a Black Chernozemic seeded to barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under field conditions at Edmonton. Changes in enzyme content were related to soil [Formula: see text] to determine if the microbial environment changed sufficiently to exert feedback control on N mineralizing reactions and thereby to be detected. Histidase and protease were chosen as model systems for depolymerization and deamination respectively because information exists on their control in pure culture studies, on histidine content and control of histidase in soil, and assay procedures are available for soils. We observed an inverse relationship of labile histidase activity with [Formula: see text] in soils with high [Formula: see text] content and low [Formula: see text] ratio. This relationship provides indirect evidence for [Formula: see text] control of histidase content, but emphasizes that it is only one element of a complex control mechanism. Conversely, enzyme content was not rate limiting to net N mineralization, or sensitive to common control mechanisms. Biomass-C, an integrative measure of substrate supply, potential biological activity and enzymatic activity, describes net mineral-N production better than do indices of any single step. Regular spatial variability is exhibited by [Formula: see text] (and [Formula: see text]). [Formula: see text] is a product of mineralization; a substrate for immobilization, nitrification, plant uptake, and other reactions; and may also be a regulator of activity, or synthesis, of some enzymes. It is intriguing that none of the variables that influence mineral N, such as enzyme activity, biomass, or respiration, varied spatially in a statistically identifiable manner, yet [Formula: see text] did. Key words: Nitrogen mineralization, enzyme content, biomass, protease, histidase, ammonium regulation

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Nitrogen release kinetics of organic nutrient sources in two benchmark soils of Indo-Gangetic plains

Journal of Applied and Natural Science ◽

10.31018/jans.v9i2.1333 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 1123-1128

Author(s):

Manpreet S. Mavi ◽

B. S. Sekhon ◽

Jagdeep Singh ◽

O. P. Choudhary

Keyword(s):

N Mineralization ◽

Crop Residues ◽

Release Kinetics ◽

Farmyard Manure ◽

Early Period ◽

Organic Amendments ◽

Net N Mineralization ◽

Mineral N ◽

N Accumulation ◽

Mineralization Potential

An understanding of the mineralization process of organic amendments in soil is required to synchronize N release with crop demand and protect the environment from excess N accumulation. Therefore, we conducted a laboratory incubation experiment to assess nitrogen mineralization potential of crop residues (rice and wheat straw) and organic manures (poultry manure, farmyard manure, cowpea and sesbania) in two benchmark soils (Typic Haplustept and Typic Ustifluvents) of semi-arid region of Punjab, India, varying in textureat field capacity moisture level at a constant temperature of 331°C. Mineralization was faster during first 7 days of incubation in Typic Haplustept and upto 14 days in Typic Ustifluvents which subsequently declined over time. In both soils, net N mineralization continued to increase with increasing period of incubation (expect with crop residues) and was significantly higher in Typic Ustifluvents (54-231µg g-1) than Typic Haplustept (33-203 µg g-1). Compared to unamended soils, percent N mineralized was highest is sesbania (35-40 %) followed by cowpea (32-37 %) and least in wheat (10-11 %) after 42 days of incubation. Thus, sesbania and cowpea may preferably be used to meetthe large N demand during early period of plant growth. Further, mineralization rate constants (k) also indicated that availability of mineral N was significantly higher with application of organic amendments than unamended control treatments in both soils. Therefore, it may be concluded that considerable economy in the use of inorganic N fertilizer can be employed if N mineralization potential of organic inputs is taken into consideration.

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Effect of compaction on microbial activity and carbon and nitrogen transformations in two oxisols with different mineralogy

Revista Brasileira de Ciência do Solo ◽

10.1590/s0100-06832011000400007 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 1141-1149 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Sérgio Ricardo Silva ◽

Ivo Ribeiro da Silva ◽

Nairam Félix de Barros ◽

Eduardo de Sá Mendonça

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Microbial Activity ◽

Soil Compaction ◽

N Mineralization ◽

Organic N ◽

Net N Mineralization ◽

Mineral N ◽

Organic C ◽

Soil Microbial ◽

Controlled Conditions

The use of machinery in agricultural and forest management activities frequently increases soil compaction, resulting in greater soil density and microporosity, which in turn reduces hydraulic conductivity and O2 and CO2 diffusion rates, among other negative effects. Thus, soil compaction has the potential to affect soil microbial activity and the processes involved in organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling. This study was carried out under controlled conditions to evaluate the effect of soil compaction on microbial activity and carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) mineralization. Two Oxisols with different mineralogy were utilized: a clayey oxidic-gibbsitic Typic Acrustox and a clayey kaolinitic Xantic Haplustox (Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo ácrico - LVA, and Latossolo Amarelo distrófico - LA, respectively, in the Brazil Soil Classification System). Eight treatments (compaction levels) were assessed for each soil type in a complete block design, with six repetitions. The experimental unit consisted of PVC rings (height 6 cm, internal diameter 4.55 cm, volume 97.6 cm³). The PVC rings were filled with enough soil mass to reach a final density of 1.05 and 1.10 kg dm-3, respectively, in the LVA and LA. Then the soil samples were wetted (0.20 kg kg-1 = 80 % of field capacity) and compacted by a hydraulic press at pressures of 0, 60, 120, 240, 360, 540, 720 and 900 kPa. After soil compression the new bulk density was calculated according to the new volume occupied by the soil. Subsequently each PVC ring was placed within a 1 L plastic pot which was then tightly closed. The soils were incubated under aerobic conditions for 35 days and the basal respiration rate (CO2-C production) was estimated in the last two weeks. After the incubation period, the following soil chemical and microbiological properties were detremined: soil microbial biomass C (C MIC), total soil organic C (TOC), total N, and mineral N (NH4+-N and NO3--N). After that, mineral N, organic N and the rate of net N mineralization was calculated. Soil compaction increased NH4+-N and net N mineralization in both, LVA and LA, and NO3--N in the LVA; diminished the rate of TOC loss in both soils and the concentration of NO3--N in the LA and CO2-C in the LVA. It also decreased the C MIC at higher compaction levels in the LA. Thus, soil compaction decreases the TOC turnover probably due to increased physical protection of soil organic matter and lower aerobic microbial activity. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that under controlled conditions, the oxidic-gibbsitic Oxisol (LVA) was more susceptible to the effects of high compaction than the kaolinitic (LA) as far as organic matter cycling is concerned; and compaction pressures above 540 kPa reduced the total and organic nitrogen in the kaolinitic soil (LA), which was attributed to gaseous N losses.

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Effect of cutting intensity on microenvironmental conditions and regeneration dynamics in yellow birch – conifer stands

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x07-168 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

pp. 317-330 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Marcel Prévost

Keyword(s):

Seedling Recruitment ◽

Block Design ◽

Light Availability ◽

Abies Balsamea ◽

Basal Area ◽

Soil Disturbance ◽

Betula Alleghaniensis ◽

Yellow Birch ◽

Partial Cutting ◽

Randomized Block Design

This paper presents the 5 year results of different cutting intensities (removal of 0%, 40%, 50%, 60%, and 100% of the basal area) applied in two mixed yellow birch ( Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) – conifer stands of eastern Quebec, Canada. Two sites 90 km apart were used: Armagh and Duchesnay. Each site had four replicates of the treatments in a randomized block design. The effect on light availability was similar in the two sites: the 0%, 40%, 50%, 60%, and 100% cuts transmitting a mean of 5%, 21%, 26%, 30%, and 94% of full light, respectively, during the first summer. Soil temperature increased only in the 100% cut (4−5 °C, maximum daily temperature). Soil disturbance during harvest was higher at Duchesnay than at Armagh, which clearly improved seedbed receptivity, particularly to yellow birch. After 5 years, treated areas contained 21 000 to 48 300 seedlings/ha at Duchesnay compared with 5500 – 10 500 seedlings/ha at Armagh. Significant losses of coniferous advance growth were observed at both sites, but a subsequent seedling recruitment occurred only at Duchesnay. Red spruce ( Picea rubens Sarg.) showed superior establishment in the 60% cut (4400 seedlings/ha) than under other cutting intensities (1600–2100 seedlings/ha), whereas balsam fir ( Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) responded well to all partial cutting treatments. At both sites, pin cherry ( Prunus pensylvanica L.f.) was the main competing species in the 100% cut, whereas densities of the preestablished mountain maple ( Acer spicatum Lamb.) and striped maple ( Acer pensylvanicum L.) either remained the same or increased in the partial cuts.

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Nitrogen content, decay rates, and decompositional dynamics of hollow versus solid hardwood logs in hardwood forests of Minnesota, U.S.A.

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x98-097 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 28 (9) ◽

pp. 1276-1285 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Cindy M Hale ◽

John Pastor

Keyword(s):

Residence Time ◽

N Mineralization ◽

Nutrient Dynamics ◽

Hardwood Forests ◽

Decay Rates ◽

Net N Mineralization ◽

Residence Times ◽

Decay Class ◽

Class 1 ◽

Decay Parameters

Decay rates and nutrient dynamics of hardwood logs have been quantified in only a few studies over the last two decades. This study quantified and compared the nitrogen dynamics, residence times, and decay rates of hollow and solid maple and oak logs in decay classes 1 through 4. Decay parameters were not correlated with log age but did correlate with decay class. Hollow logs generally had lower percent original density and higher %N than did solid logs in each decay class. The point of maximum net immobilization of N and initial net N mineralization occurred late in decay class 1 or early in decay class 2. Residence time of logs in each decay class was low in decay class 1 (2 years), high in decay class 2 (17 years), and low in decay classes 3 and 4 (3 and 4 years, respectively). Decay rates varied by decay class, being low in decay classes 1 and 2 and high in decay classes 3 and 4.

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Soil resources and the growth and nutrition of tree seedlings near harvest gap – forest edges in interior cedar–hemlock forests of British Columbia

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x05-237 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 62-76 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Michael B Walters ◽

Cleo C Lajzerowicz ◽

K David Coates

Keyword(s):

Soil Water ◽

Seedling Growth ◽

N Mineralization ◽

Forest Edge ◽

Organic N ◽

Tree Seedlings ◽

Net N Mineralization ◽

Soil N ◽

Forest Edges ◽

Mineral N

Observations of tree seedlings with chlorotic foliage and stunted growth near harvest gap – forest edges in interior cedar–hemlock forests inspired a study addressing the following questions: (1) Do seedling foliar chemistry, foliar nitrogen (N) versus growth relationships, and fertilizer responses suggest N-limited seedling growth? (2) Are patterns in soil characteristics consistent with N limitation, and can interrelationships among these characteristics infer causality? Our results suggest that seedling growth near gap–forest edges was colimited by N and light availability. Soil mineral N and dissolved organic N (DON) concentrations, in situ net N mineralization, and water generally increased from forest to gap, whereas N mineralization from a laboratory incubation and total N and carbon did not vary with gap–forest position. Interrelations among variables and path analysis suggest that soil water and total soil N positively affect DON concentration and N mineralization, and proximity to mature gap–forest edge trees negatively impacts mineral N concentration and water. Collectively, our results suggest that soil N levels which limit seedling growth near gap edges can be partially explained by the direct negative impacts of gap–forest edge trees on mineral N concentrations and their indirect impacts on N cycling via soil water, and not via effects on substrate chemistry.

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