scholarly journals Increased winter soil temperature variability enhances nitrogen cycling and soil biotic activity in temperate heathland and grassland mesocosms

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (23) ◽  
pp. 7051-7060 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Schuerings ◽  
A. Jentsch ◽  
V. Hammerl ◽  
K. Lenz ◽  
H. A. L. Henry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Cycling ◽  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Nitrogen Cycling ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Snow Accumulation ◽  
Temperature Variability ◽  
Temperate Zone ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Winter Warming

Abstract. Winter air temperatures are projected to increase in the temperate zone, whereas snow cover is projected to decrease, leading to increased soil temperature variability, and potentially to changes in nutrient cycling. Here, we experimentally evaluated the effects of increased winter soil temperature variability on selected aspects of the N-cycle in mesocosms containing different plant community compositions. The experiment was replicated at two sites, a colder mountainous upland site with high snow accumulation and a warmer and drier lowland site. Increased soil temperature variability enhanced soil biotic activity for both sites during winter, as indicated by 35% higher nitrogen (N) availability in the soil solution, 40% higher belowground decomposition and a 25% increase in the potential activity of the enzyme cellobiohydrolase. The mobilization of N differed between sites, and the 15N signal in leaves was reduced by 31% in response to winter warming pulses, but only at the cold site, with significant reductions occurring for three of four tested plant species at this site. Furthermore, there was a trend of increased N leaching in response to the recurrent winter warming pulses. Overall, projected winter climate change in the temperate zone, with less snow and more variable soil temperatures, appears important for shifts in ecosystem functioning (i.e. nutrient cycling). While the effects of warming pulses on plant N mobilization did not differ among sites, reduced plant 15N incorporation at the colder temperate site suggests that frost damage may reduce plant N uptake in a warmer world, with important implications for nitrogen cycling and nitrogen losses from ecosystems.

scholarly journals Recurrent winter warming pulses enhance nitrogen cycling and soil biotic activity in temperate heathland and grassland mesocosms

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 7797-7822
Author(s):  
J. Schuerings ◽  
A. Jentsch ◽  
V. Hammerl ◽  
K. Lenz ◽  
H. A. L. Henry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Cycling ◽  
Nitrogen Cycling ◽  
Frost Damage ◽  
Snow Accumulation ◽  
Temperate Zone ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Winter Climate ◽  
Winter Warming

Abstract. Winter air temperatures are projected to increase in the temperate zone, whereas snow cover is projected to decrease, leading to more extreme soil temperature variability, and potentially to changes in nutrient cycling. Therefore, we applied six winter warming pulses by infra-red heating lamps and surface heating wires in a field experiment over one winter in temperate heathland and grassland mesocosms. The experiment was replicated at two sites, a colder mountainous upland site with high snow accumulation and a warmer and dryer lowland site. Winter warming pulses enhanced soil biotic activity for both sites during winter, as indicated by 35% higher nitrogen (N) availability in the soil solution, 40% higher belowground decomposition and a 25% increase in the activity of the enzyme cellobiohydrolase. The mobilization of N differed between sites, and the incorporation of 15N into leaves was reduced by 31% in response to winter warming pulses, but only at the cold site, with significant reductions occurring for three of four tested plant species at this site. Furthermore, there was a trend of increased N leaching in response to the recurrent winter warming pulses. Overall, projected winter climate change in the temperate zone, with less snow and more variable soil temperatures, appears important for shifts in ecosystem functioning (i.e. nutrient cycling). While the effects of warming pulses on plant N mobilization did not differ among sites, reduced plant 15N incorporation at the colder temperate site suggests that frost damage may reduce plant performance in a warmer world, with important implications for nitrogen cycling and nitrogen losses from ecosystems.

scholarly journals Root-Associated Mycobiomes of Common Temperate Plants (Calluna vulgaris and Holcus lanatus) Are Strongly Affected by Winter Climate Conditions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathilde Borg Dahl ◽  
Derek Peršoh ◽  
Anke Jentsch ◽  
Jürgen Kreyling
Keyword(s):  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Calluna Vulgaris ◽  
Absolute Temperature ◽  
Snow Accumulation ◽  
Temperature Variability ◽  
Holcus Lanatus ◽  
Soil Frost ◽  
Winter Climate

AbstractWinter temperatures are projected to increase in Central Europe. Subsequently, snow cover will decrease, leading to increased soil temperature variability, with potentially different consequences for soil frost depending on e.g. altitude. Here, we experimentally evaluated the effects of increased winter soil temperature variability on the root associated mycobiome of two plant species (Calluna vulgaris and Holcus lanatus) at two sites in Germany; a colder and wetter upland site with high snow accumulation and a warmer and drier lowland site, with low snow accumulation. Mesocosm monocultures were set-up in spring 2010 at both sites (with soil and plants originating from the lowland site). In the following winter, an experimental warming pulse treatment was initiated by overhead infrared heaters and warming wires at the soil surface for half of the mesocosms at both sites. At the lowland site, the warming treatment resulted in a reduced number of days with soil frost as well as increased the average daily temperature amplitude. Contrary, the treatment caused no changes in these parameters at the upland site, which was in general a much more frost affected site. Soil and plant roots were sampled before and after the following growing season (spring and autumn 2011). High-throughput sequencing was used for profiling of the root-associated fungal (ITS marker) community (mycobiome). Site was found to have a profound effect on the composition of the mycobiome, which at the upland site was dominated by fast growing saprotrophs (Mortierellomycota), and at the lowland site by plant species-specific symbionts (e.g. Rhizoscyphus ericae and Microdochium bolleyi for C. vulgaris and H. lanatus respectively). The transplantation to the colder upland site and the temperature treatment at the warmer lowland site had comparable consequences for the mycobiome, implying that winter climate change resulting in higher temperature variability has large consequences for mycobiome structures regardless of absolute temperature of a given site.

scholarly journals Potato Yield Response and Seasonal Nitrate Leaching as Influenced by Nitrogen Management

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2055
Author(s):  
Chedzer-Clarc Clément ◽  
Athyna N. Cambouris ◽  
Noura Ziadi ◽  
Bernie J. Zebarth ◽  
Antoine Karam
Keyword(s):  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Potato Yield ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Residual Soil ◽  
Calcium Ammonium Nitrate

Nitrate leaching is of great environmental concern, particularly with potatoes grown on sandy soils. This 3-year study evaluated the effect of three N rates (100, 150, and 200 kg ha−1) of single applications of polymer-coated urea (PCU) and a 75% PCU + 25% urea mixture, plus a conventional split application of 200 kg N ha−1 of a 50% ammonium sulfate + 50% calcium ammonium nitrate mixture (CONV) on NO3−-N leaching, potato yield, and N uptake under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions on a sandy soil in Quebec (Canada). Fertilizer N application increased growing season NO3−-N leaching only under irrigation. On average, irrigation increased seasonal NO3−-N leaching by 52%. Under irrigated conditions, PCU reduced NO3−-N leaching compared to PCU + urea. However, both PCU and PCU + urea significantly increased NO3−-N leaching compared to the CONV at the equivalent N rate of 200 kg N ha−1. This was attributed to the timing of soil N availability and deep-water percolation. Total (TY) and marketable (MY) yields in the CONV were similar to those in the PCU applied at the equivalent N rate of 200 kg N ha−1. Despite lower plant N uptake, PCU resulted in greater TY and MY compared to PCU + urea. Residual soil inorganic N was greater for PCU and PCU + urea compared to the CONV, providing evidence that PCU products have the potential to increase NO3−-N leaching after the growing season. In this study, PCU was an agronomically and environmentally better choice than PCU + urea. The results also showed that the efficiency of PCU to reduce seasonal NO3−-N leaching may vary according to the timing of precipitation and irrigation.

NLEAP Computer Model and Multiple Linear Regression Prediction of Nitrate Leaching in Vegetable Systems

2002 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 250-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hudson Minshew ◽  
John Selker ◽  
Delbert Hemphill ◽  
Richard P. Dick
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression ◽  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Residual Soil ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Crop N Uptake ◽  
Mlr Model

Predicting leaching of residual soil nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) in wet climates is important for reducing risks of groundwater contamination and conserving soil N. The goal of this research was to determine the potential to use easily measurable or readily available soilclimatic-plant data that could be put into simple computer models and used to predict NO3 leaching under various management systems. Two computer programs were compared for their potential to predict monthly NO3-N leaching losses in western Oregon vegetable systems with or without cover crops. The models were a statistical multiple linear regression (MLR) model and the commercially available Nitrate Leaching and Economical Analysis Package model (NLEAP 1.13). The best MLR model found using stepwise regression to predict annual leachate NO3-N had four independent variables (log transformed fall soil NO3-N, leachate volume, summer crop N uptake, and N fertilizer rate) (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.57). Comparisons were made between NLEAP and field data for mass of NO3-N leached between the months of September and May from 1992 to 1997. Predictions with NLEAP showed greater correlation to observed data during high-rainfall years compared to dry or averagerainfall years. The model was found to be sensitive to yield estimates, but vegetation management choices were limiting for vegetable crops and for systems that included a cover crop.

scholarly journals Development of an Online Tool for Tracking Soil Nitrogen to Improve the Environmental Performance of Maize Production

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 5649
Author(s):  
Giovani Preza-Fontes ◽  
Junming Wang ◽  
Muhammad Umar ◽  
Meilan Qi ◽  
Kamaljit Banger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Soil N ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Online Tool ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Soil N Availability

Freshwater nitrogen (N) pollution is a significant sustainability concern in agriculture. In the U.S. Midwest, large precipitation events during winter and spring are a major driver of N losses. Uncertainty about the fate of applied N early in the growing season can prompt farmers to make additional N applications, increasing the risk of environmental N losses. New tools are needed to provide real-time estimates of soil inorganic N status for corn (Zea mays L.) production, especially considering projected increases in precipitation and N losses due to climate change. In this study, we describe the initial stages of developing an online tool for tracking soil N, which included, (i) implementing a network of field trials to monitor changes in soil N concentration during the winter and early growing season, (ii) calibrating and validating a process-based model for soil and crop N cycling, and (iii) developing a user-friendly and publicly available online decision support tool that could potentially assist N fertilizer management. The online tool can estimate real-time soil N availability by simulating corn growth, crop N uptake, soil organic matter mineralization, and N losses from assimilated soil data (from USDA gSSURGO soil database), hourly weather data (from National Weather Service Real-Time Mesoscale Analysis), and user-entered crop management information that is readily available for farmers. The assimilated data have a resolution of 2.5 km. Given limitations in prediction accuracy, however, we acknowledge that further work is needed to improve model performance, which is also critical for enabling adoption by potential users, such as agricultural producers, fertilizer industry, and researchers. We discuss the strengths and limitations of attempting to provide rapid and cost-effective estimates of soil N availability to support in-season N management decisions, specifically related to the need for supplemental N application. If barriers to adoption are overcome to facilitate broader use by farmers, such tools could balance the need for ensuring sufficient soil N supply while decreasing the risk of N losses, and helping increase N use efficiency, reduce pollution, and increase profits.

scholarly journals Morphological and Physiological Root Traits and Their Relationship with Nitrogen Uptake in Wheat Varieties Released from 1915 to 2013

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1149
Author(s):  
Guglielmo Puccio ◽  
Rosolino Ingraffia ◽  
Dario Giambalvo ◽  
Gaetano Amato ◽  
Alfonso S. Frenda
Keyword(s):  
Durum Wheat ◽  
Root System ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Specific Root Length ◽  
Root Traits ◽  
Wheat Breeding ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Wheat Varieties ◽  
Uptake Efficiency ◽  
Positive Effects

Identifying genotypes with a greater ability to absorb nitrogen (N) may be important to reducing N loss in the environment and improving the sustainability of agricultural systems. This study extends the knowledge of variability among wheat genotypes in terms of morphological or physiological root traits, N uptake under conditions of low soil N availability, and in the amount and rapidity of the use of N supplied with fertilizer. Nine genotypes of durum wheat were chosen for their different morpho-phenological characteristics and year of their release. The isotopic tracer 15N was used to measure the fertilizer N uptake efficiency. The results show that durum wheat breeding did not have univocal effects on the characteristics of the root system (weight, length, specific root length, etc.) or N uptake capacity. The differences in N uptake among the studied genotypes when grown in conditions of low N availability appear to be related more to differences in uptake efficiency per unit of weight and length of the root system than to differences in the morphological root traits. The differences among the genotypes in the speed and the ability to take advantage of the greater N availability, determined by N fertilization, appear to a certain extent to be related to the development of the root system and the photosynthesizing area. This study highlights some variability within the species in terms of the development, distribution, and efficiency of the root system, which suggests that there may be sufficient grounds for improving these traits with positive effects in terms of adaptability to difficult environments and resilience to climate change.

scholarly journals Biosolids Benefit Yield and Nitrogen Uptake in Winter Cereals without Excess Risk of N Leaching

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1482
Author(s):  
Silvia Pampana ◽  
Alessandro Rossi ◽  
Iduna Arduini
Keyword(s):  
Triticum Turgidum ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Specific Rate ◽  
Mineral Fertilization ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare L ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Winter Cereals

Winter cereals are excellent candidates for biosolid application because their nitrogen (N) requirement is high, they are broadly cultivated, and their deep root system efficiently takes up mineral N. However, potential N leaching from BS application can occur in Mediterranean soils. A two-year study was conducted to determine how biosolids affect biomass and grain yield as well as N uptake and N leaching in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum), and oat (Avena byzantina C. Koch). Cereals were fertilized at rates of 5, 10, and 15 Mg ha−1 dry weight (called B5, B10, and B15, respectively) of biosolids (BS). Mineral-fertilized (MF) and unfertilized (C) controls were included. Overall, results highlight that BS are valuable fertilizers for winter cereals as these showed higher yields with BS as compared to control. Nevertheless, whether 5 Mg ha−1 of biosolids could replace mineral fertilization still depended on the particular cereal due to the different yield physiology of the crops. Moreover, nitrate leaching from B5 was comparable to MF, and B15 increased the risk by less than 30 N-NO3 kg ha−1. We therefore concluded that with specific rate settings, biosolid application can sustain yields of winter cereals without significant additional N leaching as compared to MF.

scholarly journals Genotypic Difference in the Responses to Nitrogen Fertilizer Form in Tibetan Wild and Cultivated Barley

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 595
Author(s):  
Shama Naz ◽  
Qiufang Shen ◽  
Jonas Lwalaba Wa Lwalaba ◽  
Guoping Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Wild Barley ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Total Soluble Protein ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Genotypic Difference ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Tibetan Wild Barley ◽  
Cultivated Barley

Nitrogen (N) availability and form have a dramatic effect on N uptake and assimilation in plants, affecting growth and development. In the previous studies, we found great differences in low-N tolerance between Tibetan wild barley accessions and cultivated barley varieties. We hypothesized that there are different responses to N forms between the two kinds of barleys. Accordingly, this study was carried out to determine the response of four barley genotypes (two wild, XZ16 and XZ179; and two cultivated, ZD9 andHua30) under 4Nforms (NO3−, NH4+, urea and glycine). The results showed significant reduction in growth parameters such as root/shoot length and biomass, as well as photosynthesis parameters and total soluble protein content under glycine treatment relative to other N treatments, for both wild and cultivated barley, however, XZ179 was least affected. Similarly, ammonium adversely affected growth parameters in both wild and cultivated barleys, with XZ179 being severely affected. On the other hand, both wild and cultivated genotypes showed higher biomass, net photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll and protein in NO3− treatment relative to other three N treatments. It may be concluded that barley undisputedly grows well under inorganic nitrogen (NO3−), however in response to the organic N wild barley prefer glycine more than cultivated barely.

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