Alteration of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus stoichiometry and their related enzymes as affected by increased soil coarseness

Abstract. Soil coarseness decreases ecosystem productivity, ecosystem carbon and nitrogen stocks, and soil nutrient contents in sandy grasslands. To gain insight into changes in soil carbon and nitrogen pools, microbial biomass, and enzyme activities in response to soil coarseness, a field experiment of sand addition was conducted to coarsen soil with different intensities: 0 % sand addition, 10 %, 30 %, 50 %, and 70 %. Soil organic carbon and total nitrogen decreased with the intensification of soil coarseness across three depths (0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, and 20–40 cm) by up to 43.9 % and 53.7 %, respectively. At 0–10 cm, soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN) declined with soil coarseness by up to 44.1 % and 51.9 %, respectively, while microbial biomass phosphorus (MBP) increased by as much as 73.9 %. Soil coarseness significantly decreased the activities of β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase, and acid phosphomonoesterase by 20.2 %–57.5 %, 24.5 %–53.0 %, and 22.2 %–88.7 %, respectively. Soil coarseness enhanced microbial C and N limitation relative to P, indicated by the ratios of β-glucosidase and N-acetyl-glucosaminidase to acid phosphomonoesterase (and MBC:MBP and MBN:MBP ratios). As compared to laboratory measurement, values of soil parameters from theoretical sand dilution was significantly lower for soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, dissolved organic carbon, total dissolved nitrogen, available phosphorus, MBC, MBN, and MBP. Phosphorus immobilization in microbial biomass might aggravate plant P limitation in nutrient-poor grassland ecosystems as affected by soil coarseness. We conclude that microbial C:N:P and enzyme activities might be good indicators for nutrient limitation of microorganisms and plants.

Download Full-text

Differences of soil enzyme activities and its influencing factors under different flooding conditions in Ili Valley, Xinjiang

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.8531 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. e8531 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yulu Zhang ◽

Dong Cui ◽

Haijun Yang ◽

Nijat Kasim

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Organic Carbon ◽

Total Phosphorus ◽

Enzyme Activities ◽

Catalase Activity ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Soil Enzyme ◽

Biomass Carbon

Background A wetland is a special ecosystem formed by the interaction of land and water. The moisture content variation will greatly affect the function and structure of the wetland internal system. Method In this paper, three kinds of wetlands with different flooding levels (Phragmites australis wetland (long-term flooding), Calamagrostis epigeios wetland(seasonal flooding) and Ditch millet wetland (rarely flooded)) in Ili Valley of Xinjiang China were selected as research areas. The changes of microbial biomass carbon, soil physical and chemical properties in wetlands were compared, and redundancy analysis was used to analyze the correlation between soil physical and chemical properties, microbial biomass carbon and enzyme activities (soil sucrase, catalase, amylase and urease). The differences of soil enzyme activities and its influencing factors under different flooding conditions in Ili Valley were studied and discussed. Result The results of this study were the following: (1) The activities of sucrase and amylase in rarely flooded wetlands and seasonally flooded wetlands were significantly higher than those in long-term flooded wetlands; the difference of catalase activity in seasonal flooded wetland was significant and the highest. (2) Redundancy analysis showed that soil organic carbon, dissolved organic carbon, total phosphorus and soil microbial biomass carbon had significant effects on soil enzyme activity (p < 0.05). (3) The correlation between soil organic carbon and the sucrase activity, total phosphorus and the catalase activity was the strongest; while soil organic carbon has a significant positive correlation with invertase, urease and amylase activity, with a slight influence on catalase activity. The results of this study showed that the content of organic carbon, total phosphorus and other soil fertility factors in the soil would be increased and the enzyme activity would be enhanced if the flooding degree was changed properly.

Download Full-text

Microbial properties in European arable soils with different tillage systems

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-10240 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Deborah Linsler ◽

Jacqueline Gerigk ◽

Ilka Schmoock ◽

Rainer Georg Jörgensen ◽

Martin Potthoff

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Organic Carbon ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Conventional Tillage ◽

No Tillage ◽

Biomass Carbon ◽

Site Specific ◽

Carbon And Nitrogen ◽

Tillage Practices

Reduced tillage is assumed to be a suitable practice to maintain and promote microbial biomass and microbial activity in the soil. The microbial biomass in particular is considered as a sensitive indicator for detecting soil disturbances. The objective of this study was to quantify the influence of different tillage practices on microbial parameters in the soil. Furthermore, we analyzed the relation of those microbial parameters with site-specific conditions.To get a deeper insight in that topic, soils from different fields of agricultural farms with different tillage practices in France (12 fields), Romania (15 fields) and Sweden (17 fields) were examined within the &#8220;SoilMan project&#8221;. The tillage practices were no-tillage (absence of any tillage), minimum tillage (non-inversion tillage for instance by chisel plough or cultivator) and conventional tillage (inversion tillage by ploughing), all of which were carried out for at least five years prior to sampling. Soil samples were taken in spring 2018 from all fields under winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) at three soil depths (0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, 20-30 cm). As microbial parameters we measured microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen contents, ergosterol contents (as proxy for fungi) and basal respiration rates. For site-specific conditions we measured soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and total phosphorus contents, texture, pH and the soil water content.Results show that microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen were more affected by soil type and soil texture as well as climatic conditions (mean precipitation and temperature) than by tillage practices. For instance, an increased clay content had a positive effect on the microbial biomass and, in addition to the higher average annual temperature, explained the generally low values &#8203;&#8203;in France. The lack of inversion tillage primarily led to stratified levels of soil organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon and ergosterol contents, which can be explained by the lack of crop residue incorporation. There were hardly any differences in microbial indicators between the tillage intensities when looking at the whole of the sampled soil profile (0-30 cm). In France, the microbial biomass carbon / soil organic carbon ratio was lower for no-tillage than for conventional tillage, which may indicate, among other things, that the mechanically ground organic matter incorporated into the soil under conventional tillage was better colonized by microorganisms. However, this effect could not be confirmed in the other countries. The metabolic quotient was generally increased at the lowest sampled depth (20-30 cm), irrespective of the cultivation.We can conclude that the soil tillage intensity influenced the distribution of microbial biomass carbon and soil organic carbon contents more strongly than the total amounts in the sampled soil profile and that the soil texture had a greater impact on microbial soil properties than the agricultural management practice.

Download Full-text

Soil properties under different land use systems of Mizoram, North East India

Journal of Applied and Natural Science ◽

10.31018/jans.v11i1.1999 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 121-125 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Chowlani Manpoong ◽

S.K. Tripathi

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Soil Moisture ◽

Microbial Biomass ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Organic Carbon ◽

Total Nitrogen ◽

Soil Microbial Biomass ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Biomass Carbon ◽

Soil Microbial

Changes in land use and improper soil management have led to severe land degradation around the globe through the modification in soil physicochemical and biological processes. This study aimed to assess the soil properties of different land use system types. Soil samples (0-15 cm depth) were collected from five land uses; Rubber Plantation (RP), Oil Palm Plantation (OPP), Bamboo Forest (BF), Fallow Land (FL) and Natural Forest (NF) and analyzed for bulk density, soil texture, soil pH, soil moisture, soil carbon, total nitrogen, ammonium, nitrate, soil microbial biomass carbon, soil respiration. Soil pH was lower than 4.9 in all the sites indicating that the surface soil was highly acidic. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) values ranged from 2.02% to 2.81% and 0.22% to 0.3% respectively. Soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN) and soil microbial biomass (SMBC) were highly affected by soil moisture. NH4+-N and NO3--N ranged from 5.6 mg kg-1 to 10.2 mg kg-1 and 1.15 mg kg-1 to 2.81 mg kg-1 respectively. NF soils showed the maximum soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) whereas the minimum was observed in BF with values ranging from 340 mg kg-1 to 345 mg kg-1. Basal respiration was highest in RP (375 mg CO2 m-2 hr-1) and lowest in BF (224 mg CO2 m-2 hr-1). The findings demonstrated significant effect (p<0.05) of land use change on soil nutrient status and organic matter. Findings also indicated that land use change deteriorated native soil physicochemical and biological properties, but that land restoration practices through longer fallow period (>10 years) likely are successful in promoting the recovery of some soil characteristics.

Download Full-text

Reduced-tillage management enhances soil properties and crop yields in a alfalfa-corn rotation: Case study of the Songnen Plain, China

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-53602-7 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jishan Chen ◽

Ruifen Zhu ◽

Qiang Zhang ◽

Xiaolei Kong ◽

Dequan Sun

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Organic Carbon ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Reduced Tillage ◽

Songnen Plain ◽

Carbon And Nitrogen

AbstractThe reduced-tillage (Rt) has been proposed as a strategy to improve soil organic carbon and soil total nitrogen pools. However, little is known of the role of the reduced-tillage compared with the organic (Org) and conventional (Con) management in the Songnen Plain of China. We studied the 4 yr effect of three management strategies (Con, Org and Rt management) on labile soil organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools, including variation in mineralizable carbon and nitrogen, microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen in the rotation of alfalfa-corn established in 2009. Soil characteristics including soil organic carbon (SOC), soil total nitrogen (STN), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) were quantified in samples collected during the 9 yr rotation of 5yr-alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) followed by 4 yr corn (Zea mays L.). The mineralizable C was increased in the four years, and although not statistically significant, 12% higher in the fourth year under reduced-tillage than conventional management (268 kg ha−1). Soil organic C was increased by 30% under reduced-tillage compared to conventional management (15.5 Mg ha−1). Three management strategies showed similar labile N pools in the Con and Org management, but differed in the Rt management. Org management showed significantly lesser mineralizable and inorganic N compared to other strategies, but soil microbial community and comparable crop yield across management strategy in year 4, indicating more efficient N use for organic than other management strategy. In our conditions, reduced-tillage for corn cropping after five years of alfalfa grassland can accumulate labile C and N and improve N utilization to for crop yields in the forage-based rotations. These findings suggest an optimal strategy for using Rt management to enhance soil properties and crop yield in plantation soils and provide a new perspective for understanding the potential role of Rt management in plantation soil.

Download Full-text

Effects of pumice mining on soil quality

Solid Earth Discussions ◽

10.5194/sed-7-1375-2015 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 1375-1398 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. Cruz-Ruíz ◽

E. Cruz-Ruíz ◽

R. Vaca ◽

P. Del Aguila ◽

J. Lugo

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Quality ◽

Total Nitrogen ◽

Agricultural Soils ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Biomass Carbon ◽

Study Sites ◽

Representative Area

Abstract. México is the worl's fourth most important maize producer; hence, there is a need to maintain soil quality for a sustainable production in the upcoming years. Pumice mining, a superficial operation, modifies large areas in Central Mexico. The main aim was to assess the present state of agricultural soils differing in elapsed-time since pumice mining (0–15 years), in a representative area of the Calimaya region in the State of Mexico. The study sites in 0, 1, 4, 10 and 15 year-old reclaimed soils were compared with adjacent undisturbed site. Our results indicate that soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, microbial biomass carbon and microbial quotients were greatly impacted by disturbance. A general trend of recovery towards the undisturbed condition with reclamation age was found after disturbance. Recovery of soil total nitrogen was faster than soil organic carbon. Principal components analysis was applied. The first three components together explain 71.72 % of the total variability. First factor reveals strong associations between total nitrogen, microbial biomass carbon and pH. The second factor reveals high loading of urease and catalase. The obtained results revealed that the most appropriate indicators to diagnose the quality of the soils were: total nitrogen, microbial biomass carbon and soil organic carbon.

Download Full-text

Tillage in Relation to Distribution of Nutrients and Organic Carbon in the Soil

Agriculture (Pol nohospodárstvo) ◽

10.2478/v10207-011-0003-2 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 57 (1) ◽

pp. 21-30

Author(s):

Božena Šoltysová ◽

Martin Danilovič

Keyword(s):

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Organic Carbon ◽

Total Nitrogen ◽

Spring Barley ◽

Conventional Tillage ◽

Soil Tillage ◽

Reduced Tillage ◽

Available Phosphorus ◽

No Tillage ◽

The Difference

Tillage in Relation to Distribution of Nutrients and Organic Carbon in the SoilChanges of total nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium and soil organic carbon were observed on gleyic Fluvisols (locality Milhostov) at the following crops: grain maize (2005), spring barley (2006), winter wheat (2007), soya (2008), grain maize (2009). The experiment was realized at three soil tillage technologies: conventional tillage, reduced tillage and no-tillage. Soil samples were collected from three depths (0-0.15 m; 0.15-0.30 m; 0.30-0.45 m). The ratio of soil organic carbon to total nitrogen was also calculated.Soil tillage affects significantly the content of total nitrogen in soil. The difference between the convetional tillage and soil protective tillages was significant. The balance showed that the content of total nitrogen decreased at reduced tillage by 5.2 rel.%, at no-tillage by 5.1 rel.% and at conventional tillage by 0.7 rel.%.Similarly, the content of organic matter in the soil was significantly affected by soil tillage. The content of soil organic carbon found at the end of the research period was lower by 4.1 rel.% at reduced tillage, by 4.8 rel.% at no-tillage and by 4.9 rel.% at conventional tillage compared with initial stage. The difference between the convetional tillage and soil protective tillages was significant.Less significant relationship was found between the soil tillage and the content of available phosphorus. The balance showed that the content of available phosphorus was increased at reduced tillage (by 4.1 rel.%) and was decreased at no-tillage (by 9.5 rel.%) and at conventional tillage (by 3.3 rel.%).Tillage did not significantly affect the content of available potassium in the soil.

Download Full-text

Ratio of soil microbial biomass carbon to soil organic carbon in Himalayan rangeland

Himalayan Journal of Science and Technology ◽

10.3126/hijost.v2i0.25852 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

pp. 96-101

Author(s):

Dil Kumar Limbu ◽

Madan Koirala

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Microbial Biomass ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Microbial Biomass ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Biomass Carbon ◽

Soil Microbial ◽

Soil Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Microbial Carbon

The soil microbial biomass carbon to soil organic carbon ratio is a useful measure to monitor soil organic matter and serves as a sensitive index than soil organic carbon alone. Thus, the objective of this study is to identify and quantify the present status of ratio of soil microbial biomass carbon to soil organic carbon in Himalayan rangeland and to make recommendations for enhancing balance between microbial carbon and organic carbon of the soil. To meet the aforementioned objective, a field study was conducted from 2011 to 2013 following the Walkley-Black, Chromic acid wet oxidation method, and chloroform fumigation method for analysis of microbial carbon and organic carbon respectively. The study showed that the heavily grazed plot had significantly less value of ratio than occasionally grazed and ungrazed plots. The ratio was significantly high on legume seeding plot compared to nonlegume plot, but the ratio was independent of soil depth. Soil microbial biomass appeared to be more responsive than soil organic matter.

Download Full-text

Influence of Plastic Mulching on Soil Moisture, Nutrient and Microbial Biomass in Pineapple Cultivation on Undulating Hilly Areas of Nagaland

Agropedology ◽

10.47114/j.agroped.2019.j8 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Christy Sangma ◽

◽

A. Thirugnanavel ◽

Ph. Romen Sharma ◽

G. Rajesha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Moisture ◽

Microbial Biomass ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Organic Carbon ◽

Moisture Content ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Fertility Level ◽

Biomass Carbon ◽

Available N ◽

Plastic Mulching

The pineapple var. Kew was planted on black polythene film mulching with double hedgerow planting to find out the influence of mulches on soil and plant. The soil samples were collected twice (kharif and rabi) at two different depths (0-15 and 15-30 cm), and the pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, basal respiration and soil microbial biomass carbon were analysed. The data revealed that soil organic carbon and available N, P, and K content were slightly higher in the bottom hill than the top hill. The mulched field had higher nutrients than the non-mulched field. The fertility level varied slightly between the seasons. The biological parameters (microbial biomass carbon) were observed to be significantly higher (P≤0.05) in the bottom hill in both the seasons than the non-mulched field. The soil moisture content ranged from 5.9 % in March to 24.24 % August in the bottom hill (15-30 cm depth). The moisture content in the non-mulched field was lower than the mulched field.

Download Full-text