scholarly journals Are researchers following best storage practices for measuring soil biochemical properties?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer M. Rhymes ◽  
Irene Cordero ◽  
Mathilde Chomel ◽  
Jocelyn M. Lavallee ◽  
Angela L. Straathof ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
Soil Extract ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Organic C ◽  
C And N ◽  
C And N Cycling ◽  
Forms Of Carbon ◽  
Practice Methods

Abstract. It is widely accepted that the measurement of organic and inorganic forms of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in soils should be performed on fresh extracts taken from fresh soil samples. However, this is often not possible, and it is common practice to store samples (soils and/or extracts), despite a lack of guidance on best practice. Here, we demonstrate how differences in soil and/or soil extract storage can compromise sample integrity for the quantification of soil dissolved organic C and N, extractable inorganic nitrogen (NH4+ and NO3−), and microbial biomass C and N. We discuss and provide the appropriate tools that will ensure researchers consider best storage practice methods when designing and organising ecological research involving assessments of soil properties related to C and N cycling. We encourage researchers to use standardised methods where possible and to report their storage treatment (i.e. temperature, duration) when publishing findings on aspects of soil and ecosystem functioning. In the absence of published storage recommendations for a given soil type, we encourage researchers to conduct a pilot study and publish their findings.

scholarly journals Are researchers following best storage practices for measuring soil biochemical properties?

SOIL ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-106
Author(s):  
Jennifer M. Rhymes ◽  
Irene Cordero ◽  
Mathilde Chomel ◽  
Jocelyn M. Lavallee ◽  
Angela L. Straathof ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Storage Temperature ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Soil Extracts ◽  
Organic C ◽  
C And N

Abstract. It is widely accepted that the measurement of organic and inorganic forms of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in soils should be performed on fresh extracts taken from fresh soil samples. However, this is often not possible, and it is common practice to store samples (soils and/or extracts), despite a lack of guidance on best practice. We utilised a case study on a temperate grassland soil taken from different depths to demonstrate how differences in soil and/or soil extract storage temperature (4 or −20 ∘C) and duration can influence sample integrity for the quantification of soil-dissolved organic C and N (DOC and DON), extractable inorganic nitrogen (NH4+ and NO3-) and microbial biomass C and N (MBC and MBN). The appropriateness of different storage treatments varied between topsoils and subsoils, highlighting the need to consider appropriate storage methods based on soil depth and soil properties. In general, we found that storing soils and extracts by freezing at −20 ∘C was least effective at maintaining measured values of fresh material, whilst refrigerating (4 ∘C) soils for less than a week for DOC and DON and up to a year for MBC and MBN and refrigerating soil extracts for less than a week for NH4+ and NO3- did not jeopardise sample integrity. We discuss and provide the appropriate tools to ensure researchers consider best storage practice methods when designing and organising ecological research involving assessments of soil properties related to C and N cycling. We encourage researchers to use standardised methods where possible and to report their storage treatment (i.e. temperature, duration) when publishing findings on aspects of soil and ecosystem functioning. In the absence of published storage recommendations for a given soil type, we encourage researchers to conduct a pilot study and publish their findings.

Variations of belowground C and N cycling between arbuscular mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal forests across China

Soil Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiwei Li ◽  
Zhouping Shangguan ◽  
Lei Deng
Keyword(s):  
Soil Respiration ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
N Cycling ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
N Cycle ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Litter Input ◽  
C And N ◽  
C And N Cycling

Forests associating with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi may have distinct belowground carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycle processes. However, there are little available data providing evidence for the effects of trees associating with mycorrhizal type on belowground C and N cycling in forest ecosystems in China. Here, we collected a database of 26 variables related to belowground C and N cycling from 207 studies covering 209 sampling sites in China, to better understand the variations in belowground C and N cycling between the two mycorrhizal types in forest ecosystems along a climatic gradient. The AM forests had significantly lower soil total C and N contents, and soil microbial biomass C and N, than ECM forests, probably due to differences in litter quality (N and C/N) between AM and ECM forest types. In contrast, AM forests had significantly higher litter input, litter decomposition and soil respiration than ECM forests. Temperature and precipitation had significant positive effects on litter input and decomposition, soil total C and N contents, and soil respiration in AM and ECM forests. Overall, our results indicated that mycorrhizal type strongly affected belowground C and N cycle processes in forest ecosystems. Moreover, AM forests are likely more sensitive and ECM forests have a greater ability to adapt to global climate change.

Seasonal trends in selected soil biochemical attributes: Effects of crop rotation in the semiarid prairie

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
V. O. Biederbeck ◽  
G. Wen ◽  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
J. Schoenau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽  
Light Fraction ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Weather Variables ◽  
Total N ◽  
Organic C ◽  
C And N

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

scholarly journals Total C and N storage and organic C pools of a Red-Yellow Podzolic under conventional and no tillage at the Atlantic Forest Zone, south-eastern Brazil

Soil Research ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 717 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. F. C. Leite ◽  
E. S. Mendonça ◽  
P. L. O. A. Machado ◽  
E. S. Matos
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Forest Zone ◽  
Organic C ◽  
C Stocks ◽  
C And N ◽  
The Impact

A 15-year experiment in a clayey Red-Yellow Podzolic in the tropical highlands of Viçosa, Brazil, was studied in 2000, aiming to evaluate the impact of different management systems (no tillage, disk plowing, heavy scratcher + disk plowing, and heavy scratched) on the total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and several organic carbon pools. A natural forest, adjacent to the experimental area, was used as reference. The greatest TOC and TN as well as microbial biomass C (CMB), light fraction C (CFL), and labile organic carbon (CL) stocks were observed in the Atlantic Forest, compared with all other systems. The long-term cultivation (±70 years) of this area, prior to the installation of the experiment, has led to soil degradation, slowing the C recovery. No tillage had the higher C and N stocks and greater CL pool at the surface (0–10 cm), indicating improvement in soil nutrient status, although none of the systems presented potential to sequester C-CO2. Sustainable tropical agricultural systems should involve high residue input and conservative soil management in order to act as a C-CO2 sink. The C stocks in the CMB, CFL, and CL compartments were more reduced in relation to the natural vegetation with higher intensity management than the TOC stocks. This result indicates that these C compartments are more sensitive to changes in the soil management.

scholarly journals Microbial and enzymatic activity in soil after organic composting

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 757-764 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Cristina Vinhal-Freitas ◽  
Dalcimar Regina Batista Wangen ◽  
Adão de Siqueira Ferreira ◽  
Gilberto Fernandes Corrêa ◽  
Beno Wendling
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Household Waste ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Compost Amendment ◽  
Total Glucose ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Organic Compost

Microbial activity and biochemical properties are important indicators of the impact of organic composting on soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate some indicators of soil microbial and biochemical processes after application of compost (household waste). A Typic Acrustox, sampled at a depth of 10 cm under Cerrado biome vegetation, was evaluated in three treatments: control (soil without organic compost amendment) and soil with two doses of domestic organic compost (10 and 20 g kg-1 soil). The following properties were evaluated: released C (C-CO2): microbial respiration 15 days after incubation; microbial biomass C (MBC); total glucose (TG); metabolic quotient (qCO2); and enzyme activity of β-glucosidase and acid and alkaline phosphatase. The application of household compost, at doses of 10 and 20 g kg-1 Typic Acrustox, resulted in significant gains in microbial activity, organic C and C stock, as evidenced by increased MBC and TG levels. On the other hand, qCO2 decreases indicated greater microbial diversity and more efficient energy use. The addition of compost, particularly the 20 g kg-1 dose, strongly influenced the enzyme β-glucosidase and phosphatase (acid and alkaline). The β-glucosidase activity was significantly increased and acid phosphatase activity increased more than the alkaline. The ratio of β-glucosidase to MBC was greater in the control than in the composted treatments which suggests that there were more enzymes in the control than in the substrate or that the addition of compost induced a great MBC increase.

scholarly journals Soil Biochemical Indicators and Biological Fertility in Agricultural Soils: A Case Study from Northern Italy

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 219
Author(s):  
Livia Vittori Antisari ◽  
Chiara Ferronato ◽  
Mauro De Feudis ◽  
Claudio Natali ◽  
Gianluca Bianchini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Degradation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Microbial Respiration ◽  
Soil Analysis ◽  
Energy State ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Plant Nutrient ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Nutrient Contents

Industrial farming without considering soil biological features could lead to soil degradation. We aimed to evaluate the biochemical properties (BPs) and biological fertility (BF) of different soils under processing tomato cultivation; estimate the BF through the calculation of a simplified BF index (BFIs); determine if the crop was affected by BP and BF. Three farms were individuated in Modena (MO), Ferrara (MEZ) and Ravenna (RA) provinces, Italy. Soil analysis included total and labile organic C, microbial biomass-C (Cmic) and microbial respiration measurements. The metabolic (qCO2), mineralization (qM) and microbial (qMIC) quotients, and BFIs were calculated. Furthermore, plant nutrient contents were determined. The low Cmic content and qMIC, and high qCO2 found in MEZ soils indicate the occurrence of stressful conditions. The high qMIC and qM, and the low qCO2 demonstrated an efficient organic carbon incorporation as Cmic in MO soils. In RA soils, the low total and labile organic C contents limited the Cmic and microbial respiration. Therefore, as confirmed by the BFIs, while MO showed the healthiest soils, RA soils had an inefficient ecophysiological energy state. However, no effects on plant nutrient contents were observed, likely because of masked by fertigation. Finally, BP monitoring is needed in order to avoid soil degradation and, in turn, crop production decline.

Effect of crop rotations and cultural practices on soil organic matter, microbial biomass and respiration in a thin Black Chernozem

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 363-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
V. O. Biederbeck ◽  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
G. P. Lafond
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Respiratory Activity ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Soil Organic C ◽  
Organic C ◽  
C And N

The effects of crop rotations and various cultural practices on soil organic matter quantity and quality in a Rego, Black Chernozem with a thin A horizon were determined in a long-term study at Indian Head, Saskatchewan. Variables examined included: fertilization, cropping frequency, green manuring, and inclusion of grass-legume hay crop in predominantly spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production systems. Generally, fertilizer increased soil organic C and microbial biomass in continuous wheat cropping but not in fallow-wheat or fallow-wheat-wheat rotations. Soil organic C, C mineralization (respiration) and microbial biomass C and N increased (especially in the 7.5- to 15-cm depth) with increasing frequency of cropping and with the inclusion of legumes as green manure or hay crop in the rotation. The influence of treatments on soil microbial biomass C (BC) was less pronounced than on microbial biomass N. Carbon mineralization was a good index for delineating treatment effects. Analysis of the microbial biomass C/N ratio indicated that the microbial suite may have been modified by the treatments that increased soil organic matter significantly. The treatments had no effect on specific respiratory activity (CO2-C/BC). However, it appeared that the microbial activity, in terms of respiration, was greater for systems with smaller microbial biomass. Changes in amount and quality of the soil organic matter were associated with estimated amount and C and N content of plant residues returned to the soil. Key words: Specific respiratory activity, crop residues, soil quality, crop rotations

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