Evaluation of denitrification and decomposition from three biogeochemical models using laboratory measurements of N₂, N₂O and CO₂

Biogeochemical models are essential for the prediction and management of nitrogen (N) cycling in agroecosystems, but the accuracy of the denitrification and decomposition sub-modules is critical. Current models were developed before suitable soil N2 flux data were available, which may have led to inaccuracies in how denitrification was described. New measurement techniques, using gas chromatography and isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), have enabled the collection of more robust N2, N2O and CO2 data. We incubated two arable soils – a silt-loam and a sand soil – for 34 and 58 d, respectively, with small field-relevant changes made to control factors during this period. For the silt-loam soil, seven treatments varying in moisture, bulk density and NO3- contents were included, with temperature changing during the incubation. The sandy soil was incubated with and without incorporation of litter (ryegrass), with temperature, water content and NO3- content changing during the incubation. The denitrification and decomposition sub-modules of DeNi, Coup and DNDC were tested using the data. No systematic calibration of the model parameters was conducted since our intention was to evaluate the general model structure or “default” model runs. Measured fluxes generally responded as expected to control factors. We assessed the direction of modeled responses to control factors using three categories: no response, a response in the same direction as measurements or a response in the opposite direction to measurements. DNDC responses were 14 %, 52 % and 34 %, respectively. Coup responses were 47 %, 19 % and 34 %, respectively. DeNi responses were 0 %, 67 % and 33 %, respectively. The magnitudes of the modeled fluxes were underestimated by Coup and DNDC and overestimated by DeNi for the sandy soil, while there was no general trend for the silt-loam soil. None of the models was able to determine litter-induced decomposition correctly. To conclude, the currently used sub-modules are not able to consistently simulate the denitrification and decomposition processes. For better model evaluation and development, we need to design better experiments, take more frequent measurements, use new or updated measurement techniques, address model complexity, add missing processes to the models, calibrate denitrifier microbial dynamics, and evaluate the anaerobic soil volume concept.

Pre-emergence herbicidal activity and persistence of 2,4-di-tertbutylphenol in relation to soil types

Although 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-DTBP) has demonstrated strong phytotoxic effect on various weedy plants in previous findings, research on its pre-emergence herbicidal activity in the soil is still scanty. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two soil types on pre-emergence herbicidal activity and persistence of 2,4-DTBP. The bioassay was carried out in a growth chamber where goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.] seeds were sown in different rates of 2,4-DTBP in two soil series under sterilized and non-sterilized soil conditions. Bioassays of each treatment were conducted in four replicates and arranged in completely randomized design. 2,4-DTBP exhibited potent pre-emergence activity as a root inhibitor where it completely inhibited (100% inhibition) of the root growth of E. indica in sandy loam soil at an application rate of 6.14 kg ai/ha. 2,4-DTBP was rapidly detoxified in silt loam soil as a result of high microbial activity where it completely lost its phytotoxicity by giving 100% emergence within 10 weeks even it was applied at an application as high as 20.4 kg ai/ha. However, 2,4-DTBP remained highly phytotoxic in sandy loam soil where it reduced the root and shoot growth by 47 and 36%, respectively, throughout 10 weeks duration of the investigation. The presence of microbes in non-sterilized soil further suggest that soil microbes may modify the chemical structure of the 2,4-DTBP, which in turn decreased its toxicity. The high level of pre-emergence herbicidal activity in conjunction with its biodegradation in silt loam soil imply that 2,4-DTBP may have potential for development as a natural-soil applied herbicide

Effect of Broccoli Residue and Wheat Straw Addition on Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Silt Loam Soil

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is one of the main greenhouse gases and its emissions from vegetable production systems have brought a sustainability challenge. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of reducing N2O emissions from silt loam soil by mixing nitrogen (N)-rich broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) residue with wheat straw or water-washed wheat straw. An experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with five treatments; unamended or control (BS), wheat straw (+S), broccoli residue (+CR), broccoli residue and wheat straw (+CR+S) and broccoli residue and washed wheat straw (+CR+Sw) and was replicated four times. The +CR and +S were added at the rate of 3.5 kg and 2.0 kg fresh matter m−2 and their mixtures, +CR+S and +CR+Sw, were incorporated in 3.5 kg of silt loam soil at 60% water-filled pore space (WFPS) and packed in soil microcosms. Nitrous oxide emissions were measured once a day during the 14-day of study period. Daily fluxes of N2O were found to be reduced on +CR+W and +CR+Sw when compared to single-amended +CR treatment. Similarly, N2O fluxes on +CR+Sw (2772 µg N m−2 h−1) were significantly lower than +CR+S (3606 µg N m−2 h−1) soon after the amendment but did not vary significantly thereafter. Moreover, the amendment mixture, +CR+S and +Cr+Sw, resulted in lower net N2O emissions by 73.3% and 74.2%, respectively, relative to +CR treatment. While the results clearly suggest that the +CR+S or +CR+Sw reduced N2O emissions, it necessitated further studies, possibly by increasing the frequency of sampling to clarify if washed wheat straw would further mitigate N2O emissions from the vegetable production system.

Soil texture can predominantly control organic matter mineralization in temperate climates by regulating soil moisture rather than through direct stabilization

<p>Soil organic carbon (OC) levels generally increase with increasing clay and silt content under a similar climatic zone because of increased association of OC to clay minerals and stronger occlusion inside aggregates. Surprisingly though, in Western Europe many silt loam soils actually bear low topsoil OC levels compared to lighter textured soils. Soil texture obviously also strongly controls moisture availability with consequent indirect impact on heterotrophic activity. We hypothesized that with increasingly frequent summer drought: 1) soil microbial activity in sandy soils is more likely impeded due to their limited water holding capacity retention during droughts, while soil OC mineralization in silty soils remain be less drought-limited; 2) capillary rise from sufficiently shallow groundwater would, on the other hand, alleviate the water stress in lighter textures. To test these hypotheses, we established a one-year field trial with manipulation of soil texture, monitoring of soil moisture and maize-C decomposition via <sup>13/12</sup>C-CO<sub>2</sub> emissions. The upper 0.5 m soil layer was replaced by sand, sandy loam and silt loam soil with low soil OC. Another sandy soil treatment with a gravel layer was also included beneath the sand layer to exclude capillary rise. Soil texture did not affect maize-C mineralization (C<sub>maize</sub>-min) until April 2019 and thereafter C<sub>maize</sub>-min rates were higher in the silt loam than in the sandy soils (P=0.01). θ<sub>v</sub> correlated positively with the C<sub>maize</sub>-min rate for the sand-textured soils only but not for the finer textures. These results clearly highlight that soil texture controlled C<sub>maize</sub>-min indirectly through regulating moisture under the field conditions starting from about May, when soils faced a period of drought. By the end of the experiment, more added C<sub>maize</sub> was mineralized in the silt loam soil (81%) (P<0.05) than in the sandy soil (56%). Capillary rise did not result in a significant increase in cumulative C<sub>maize</sub>-min in the sandy soil, seemingly because the capillary fringe did not reach the sandy topsoil layer. These results imply that, under future climate scenarios the frequency of drought is expected to increase, the largely unimpeded microbial activity in silty soils might lead to a further stronger difference in soil OC with coarser textured soils under similar management.</p>