Effects of drought on non-structural carbohydrates and C,N,and P stoichiometric characteristics of Pinus yunnanensis seedlings

To study non-structural carbohydrate character-istics and nutrient utilization strategies of Pinus yunnanen-sis under continuous drought conditions,2-year-old seed-lings were planted in pots with appropriate water,light and moderate and severe drought treatments[(80±5),(65±5),(50±5),and(35±5)%of field water-holding capacity].Non-structural carbohydrates,carbon(C),nitrogen(N),and phosphorus(P)concentrations were measured in each plant component.The results show that:(1)With increasing drought,non-structural carbohydrates gradually increased in leaves,stems,and coarse roots,while gradually decreased in fine roots;(2)C concentrations of all were relatively stable under different stress levels.Phosphorous utilization of each component increased under light and moderate drought conditions,while N and P utilization efficiency of each plant component decreased under severe drought.Growth was mainly restricted by N,first decreasing and then increasing with increased drought;(3)There was a correlation between the levels of non-structural carbohydrates and C,N,and P in each component.Changes in N concentration affected the interconversion between soluble sugar and starch,which play a regulatory role in the fluctuation of the concentration of non-structural carbohydrates;and,(4)Plasticity analysis showed that P.yunnanensis seedlings responded to drought mainly by altering starch concentration,the ratio of soluble sugar to starch in leaves and stems,and further by alter-ing N and P utilization efficiencies.Overall,these results suggest that the physiological activities of all organs of P.yunnanensis seedlings are restricted under drought and that trade-offs exist between different physiological indicators and organs.Our findings are helpful in understanding non-structural carbohydrate and nutrient adaptation mechanisms under drought in P.yunnanensis seedlings.

Influence of Straw Incorporation on Maize Yield,N Accumulation and Remobilization on Slope Farmland in Northeast China

Slope farmland is a main type of agricultural land throughout northeast China.Long-term high intensity utilization and unreasonable farming have caused the deterioration of soil resources and a decrease in crop production.Here,it was hypothesized that crop straw incorporation might help to reduce nutrient losses and increase maize yields across time and space.A field experiment for testing straw management practices on maize across three slope positions(top,back and bottom slopes)was conducted in Northeast China in 2018 and 2019.In this study,the dry matter accumulation(DMA),N accumulation(NA),N remobilization,postsilking N uptake and grain yield were measured under SI(straw incorporation)and NSI(no straw incorporation)across three slope positions of 100-m-long consecutive black soil slope farmland during the maize(Zea mays L.)growth stages.Compared with NSI,SI significantly increased DMA and NA at the silking and maturity stages.SI typically increased the N remobilization in all slope positions,and significantly increased N remobilization efficiency and contribution of N remobilization to grain on the back and bottom slopes.However,post-silking N uptake was only increased by SI on the top slope.SI generally increased the crop yield in three slope positions.In the SI treatments,the bottom slope was the highest yield position,followed by the top,and then the back slopes,suggesting that the bottom slope position of regularly incorporated straw might have increased the potential for boosting maize yield.Overall,the study demonstrated the outsized potential of straw incorporation to enhance maize NA and then increase the grain yield in black soil slope farmland.

Optimizing N fertilizer use for sesame under rain fed and irrigation conditions in Northern Ethiopia

Inappropriate use of fertilizers is one of the major production constraints in sesame. Studies on N fertilizer optimization on sesame were conducted at Humera Agricultural Research Center(Hu ARC) under rain fed and irrigation conditions. Thirteen(13) N doses were evaluated in a Randomized Complete Block Design(RCBD)during 2016–2018 for rainfed conditions and 2017 to 2019 for irrigation conditions. The study was conducted with objective to optimize N fertilizer use for sesame. In the rainfed condition, the results demonstrated a prolonged duration to reach 50% flowering with higher nitrogen(N) application rates. The application of 52.5–110kg N ha^(-1) resulted in significantly higher seed yield, while lower(18 kg N ha^(-1)) and higher(156 kg N ha^(-1)) doses of N led to reduced seed yield. Under irrigation conditions, superior seed weights and maximum seed yield were observed at 64 and 75 kg N ha^(-1), whereas lower N doses resulted in diminished seed yield. The agronomic efficiency of N fertilizer(N-AE) was found to be highest at the rate of 64 kg N ha^(-1) under both growing conditions.The partial budget analysis revealed that applying 64 kg N ha^(-1) for rainfed cultivation and between 64 and 75 kg N ha^(-1) for irrigated sesame production yielded greater net profit, MRR, and residual ranking. Therefore, it is recommended to apply a rate of 64 kg N ha^(-1) for rainfed sesame cultivation and between 64 up to 75 kg N ha^(-1) for the irrigated sesame inorder to increase the productivity of this crop.

Fate of fertilizer nitrogen and residual nitrogen in paddy soil in Northeast China

The relationship between the fate of nitrogen (N) fertilizer and the N application rate in paddy fields in Northeast China is unclear,as is the fate of residual N.To clarify these issues,paddy field and15N microplot experiments were carried out in 2017 and 2018,with N applications at five levels:0,75,105,135 and 165 kg N ha–1(N0,N75,N105,N135 and N165,respectively).15N-labeled urea was applied to the microplots in 2017,and the same amount of unlabeled urea was applied in 2018.Ammonia (NH3) volatilization,leaching,surface runoff,rice yield,the N contents and15N abundances of both plants and soil were analyzed.The results indicated a linear platform model for rice yield and the application rate of N fertilizer,and the optimal rate was 135 kg N ha–1.N uptake increased with an increasing N rate,and the recovery efficiency of applied N (REN) values of the difference subtraction method were 45.23 and 56.98%on average in 2017and 2018,respectively.The RENwas the highest at the N rate of 135 kg ha–1in 2017 and it was insignificantly affected by the N application rate in 2018,while the agronomic efficiency of applied N (AEN) and physiological efficiency of applied N (PEN) decreased significantly when excessive N was applied.N loss through NH3volatilization,leaching and surface runoff was low in the paddy fields in Northeast China.NH3volatilization accounted for 0.81 and 2.99%of the total N application in 2017 and 2018,respectively.On average,the leaching and surface runoff rates were 4.45% and less than 1.05%,respectively,but the apparent denitrification loss was approximately 42.63%.The residual N fertilizer in the soil layer (0–40 cm) was 18.37–31.81 kg N ha–1in 2017,and the residual rate was 19.28–24.50%.Residual15N from fertilizer in the soil increased significantly with increasing N fertilizer,which was mainly concentrated in the 0–10 cm soil layer,accounting for 58.45–83.54% of the total residual N,and decreased with increasing depth.While the ratio of residual N in the 0–10 cm soil layer to that in the 0–40 cm soil layer was decreased with increasing N application.Furthermore,of the residual N,approximately 5.4%was taken up on average in the following season and 50.2%was lost,but 44.4%remained in the soil.Hence,the amount of applied N fertilizer should be reduced appropriately due to the high residual N in paddy fields in Northeast China.The appropriate N fertilizer rate in the northern fields in China was determined to be 105–135 kg N ha–1in order to achieve a balance between rice yield and high N fertilizer uptake.

Recovery of Transient Signals in Noise by OptimalThresholding in Wavelet Domain

：研究用离散子波变换复原被加性高斯白噪声污染的瞬态信号．在子波域中提出了一种最佳门限方法，该方法涉及到对于波系数的假设检验，利用似然比、奈曼，皮尔逊准则和最小均方差设计该门限，计算机仿真证明，该方法在较低信噪比下复原信号的有效性．

Effects of Reduced Nitrogen Fertilization and Biochar Application on CO_2 and N_2O Emissions from a Summer Maize-Winter Wheat Rotation Field in North China

This experiment was conducted in Xinxiang, Henan from June 2013 to June 2014. Total four treatments were designed including farmers ’ common practice （F, 250 kg/hm^2）, 80% F （LF, 200 kg/hm^2）, 80% F＋biochar （LFC） and no fertilizer （CK） to measure the dynamic emissions of CO2 and N2O from a summer maize-winter wheat field by static chamber-gas chromatography method. The results showed that the soil CO2 emission was 21.8-1 022.7 mg/（m^2·h）, and was mainly influenced by soil temperature and moisture content. During the growth of summer maize, the soil CO2 emission was more significantly affected by soil moisture con-tent; and in winter wheat growing season, it was more significantly affected by soil temperature in the top 5 cm. The LF and LFC treatments significantly reduced the soil cumulative CO2 emission, especial y during the growth of winter wheat. Fertiliza-tion and irrigation were the main factors influencing the soil N2O emission. The soil N2O emission during the fertilization period accounted for 73.9%-74.5% and 40.5%-43.6% of the soil cumulative N2O emission during the summer maize-and winter wheat-growing season, respectively. The peak of emission fluxes was determined by fertilization amount, while the occurrence time of emission peak and emission re-duction effect were influenced by irrigation. The LF treatment reduced the soil cu-mulative N2O emission by 15.7%-16.8% and 18.1%-18.5% during the growth period of summer maize and winter wheat, respectively. Reduced nitrogen fertilization is an effective way for reducing N2O emission in intensive high-yielding farmland. Under a suitable nitrogen level （200 kg/hm^2）, the application of biochar showed no significant effect on the soil N2O emission in a short term. The N2O emission factors of the L and LF treatments were 0.60% and 0.56%, respectively. ln the intensive high-yield-ing farmland of North China, reducing the nitrogen application amount is an appro-priate measure to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions without crop yield loss.

Emission Characteristics of Soil Nitrous Oxide from Typical Greenhouse Vegetable Fields in North China

To make clear the emission characteristics of soil N20 from typical green- house vegetable fields in North China, an experiment was conducted in greenhouse tomato field in Shouguang city, Shandong province, China＇s ＂Home of Vegetables＂. The N2O fluxes were observed in four experimental treatments, as follows： none N fertilizer （CK）, single organic fertilizer （OM）, conventional fertilization （FP） and opti- mized and reduced nitrogen fertilization （OPT）, by a close chamber-gas chromato- graph method. The effects of different fertilization treatments on N2O emission and tomato yield were analyzed. The results showed that following the fertilization and ir- rigation, the pulsed emissions of N2O were measured. The N2O emission peak ap- peared after basal fertilizer application and irrigation and could be maintained for about 20 days. While the N2O emission peak caused by topdressing was smaller and last only 3-5 days. The statistical analysis showed that the N2O fluxes were affected by air temperature, soil temperature and WFPS at soil depth of 3 cm. The total contents of soil N2O fluxes had significant differences among experimental groups. The total content orderly was FP of 14. 77 kg/hm^2, OPT of 9. 73 kg/hm^2, OM of 6.84 kg/hm^2 and CK of 2.37 kg/hm^2. The N~：~ emission coefficient ranged from 0.83%-1.10%,which was close to or more than the recommended value （1.0%） by IPCC. Compared with the FP treatment, the tomato yield in OPT treatment, whose application rate of chemical N fertilizer decreased by about 60%, increased by 2.2%. Under the current management measures, the reasonable reduction on ap- plicaUon rate of organic manure and chemical nitrogen fertilizer could effectively re- duce the N=O emissions in greenhouse vegetable fields.

Effect of H_2O on NO Reduction over NSR Catalyst 12CaO·7Al_2O_3/10%K

A novel NOx storage/reductiou catalyst 12CaO·7Al2O3/10%K, defined as C12A7/K, was prepared, which possesses good NOx storage/reduction ability with a high sulfur-tolerance. The effect of H2O on the NO reduction features over the C12A7/K catalyst was investigated, The NO eonversion and the N2 selectivity were measured as a function of temperature and H2O concentration. In the presence of 1.2% H2O, both the NO conversion and the N2 selectivity significantly decrease at lower temperature region （〈500 ℃）. At temperatures over 500℃, however, the NO reduction is only slightly influenced by H2O, The species of NO3^-/NO2^- are confirmed as main storage components in the C12A7/K catalyst, which are thrther reduced into N2 by H2 under the reduction conditions.

Structure Types and Discourse Function of N＋N Nominal Sentence in Mandarin Chinese

N＋N nominal sentence is an important structure type of nominal sentences in Mandarin Chinese. Attributive-center, combination, apposition and subject-predicate are its main structure types. In main literary genres, the distribution of N＋N nominal sentence shows a certain trend of dominant hierarchy： poem﹥drama﹥novel﹥prose. No matter what kind of literary genres, attributive-center structure is the type with maximum quantity, while appositive structure is the type with minimum quantity. Statistical result indicates that most of N＋N nominal sentence is nominal and its use is limited by genres. Function of N＋N nominal sentence is textual. When it comes to discourse, it can be used as theme, rheme and dual identity of theme and rheme based on the theory of Theme-Rheme （T-R） structure pattern. It does not only construct the information structure to deliver textual information, but also its a vital means of discourse cohesion and coherence.

N_2O emissions from forest and grassland soils in northern China

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Nitrogen cycling and environmental impacts in upland agricultural soils in North China： A review

The upland agricultural soils in North China are distributed north of a line between the Kunlun Mountains, the Qinling Mountains and the Huaihe River. They occur in arid, semi-arid and semi-humid regions and crop production often depends on rain-fed or irrigation to supplement rainfall. This paper summarizes the characteristics of gross nitrogen（N） transformation, the fate of N fertilizer and soil N as well as the N loss pathway, and makes suggestions for proper N management in the region. The soils of the region are characterized by strong N mineralization and nitrification, and weak immobilization and denitrification ability, which lead to the production and accumulation of nitrate in the soil profile. Large amounts of accumulated nitrate have been observed in the vadose-zone in soils due to excess N fertilization in the past three decades, and this nitrate is subject to occasional leaching which leads to groundwater nitrate contamination. Under farmer＇s conventional high N fertilization practice in the winter wheat-summer maize rotation system（N application rate was approximately 600 kg ha–1 yr–1）, crop N uptake, soil residual N, NH_3 volatilization, NO_3~– leaching, and denitrification loss accounted for around 27, 30, 23, 18 and 2% of the applied fertilizer N, respectively. NH_3 volatilization and NO_3~– leaching were the most important N loss pathways while soil residual N was an important fate of N fertilizer for replenishing soil N depletion from crop production. The upland agricultural soils in North China are a large source of N_2O and total emissions in this region make up a large proportion（approximately 54%） of Chinese cropland N_2O emissions. The “non-coupled strong ammonia oxidation” process is an important mechanism of N_2O production. Slowing down ammonia oxidation after ammonium-N fertilizer or urea application and avoiding transient high soil NH4＋ concentrations are key measures for reducing N_2O emissions in this region. Further N management should aim to minimize N losses from crop and livestock production, and increase the recycling of manure and straw back to cropland. We also recommend adoption of the 4 R（Right soure, Right rate, Right time, Right place） fertilization techniques to realize proper N fertilizer management, and improving application methods or modifying fertilizer types to reduce NH_3 volatilization, improving water management to reduce NO_3~– leaching, and controlling the strong ammonia oxidation process to abate N_2O emission. Future research should focus on the study of the trade-off effects among different N loss pathways under different N application methods or fertilizer products.

Effect of Nitrogen Management on Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Rainfed Wheat and Maize in Northwest China

A field experiment with four treatments and four replicates in a randomized complete block design was conducted at the Changwu Experimental Station in Changwu County, Shaanxi Province, of Northwest China from 1998 to 2002. The local cropping sequence of wheat, wheat-beans, maize, and wheat over the 4-year period was adopted. A micro-plot study using ^15N-lahelled fertilizer was carried out to determine the fate of applied N fertilizer in the first year. When N fertilizer was applied wheat （years 1, 2 and 4） and maize （year 3） grain yield increased significantly （P 〈 0.05） （〉 30%）, with no significant yield differences in normal rainfall years （Years 1, 2 and 3） for N application at the commonly application rate and at 2/3 of this rate. Grain yield of wheat varied greatly between years, mainly due to variation in annual rainfall. Results of ^15N studies on wheat showed that plants recovered 36.6%-38.4% of the N applied, the N remained in soll （0-40 cm） ranged from 29.2% to 33.6%, and unaccounted-for N was 29.5%-34.2%. The following crop （wheat） recovered 2.1%- 2.8% of the residual N from N applied to the previous wheat crop with recovery generally decreasing in the subsequent three crops （beans, maize and wheat）.

Losses of Urea-Nitrogen Applied to Maize Grown on a Calcareous Fluvo-Aquic Soil in North China Plain

Field experiments were conducted in a maize (Zea mays L.)field of a calcareous fluvo-aquic soil in North China Plain for studying the fate and ammonia loss of urea-N applied at seedling stage,as well as the effectiveness of coated calcium carbide(CCC) in reducing N loss and in improving the yield efficiency of urea.Results show that:(1) For the surface-broadcast treatment ammonia volatilization (measured with micro-meteorological technique)took place quickly,reached the peak 20-26hr after application,and then declined gradually;the cumulative ammonia loss approached the maximum 188hr after application (30% of the N applied),and increased only to 32% 284 hr after application;the latter accounted for 71% of the total loss (45% of applied N).(2) In the case of point placement at a depth of 5-10 cm,ammonia loss 188hr after application was only 12% of the N applied,accounting for 40% of the total loss.(3) There was no difference in total loss between the application depths of 6cm and 10 cm,the loss of them was 30% and 29%,respectively.(4) Total loss of N applied at lower rate (40kg N/ha)with point deep placement at 6cm depth was found only 4% of the N applied,it rose up to 30% when the rate of application increased to 80kg N/ ha.(5) The nitrification inhibitor,CCC,seemed to enhance N loss of urea rather than reduce it,and did not show any benefit effect in improving the yield efficiency of urea,which is presumably due to the high potential of ammonia volatilization in the soil and climatic conditions under investigation.

Study on the creep permeability of mining-cracked N2 laterite as the key aquifuge for preserving water resources in Northwestern China

This research focused on the impact of mining on the permeability of key aquifuge （N2 laterite） that is widespread in the arid and semi-arid areas of northwestern China and is critical for preserving water resources. The impact of mining stress recovery on the permeability of cracked N2 laterite was assessed for parts of northwestern China that included the Jingle laterite and Baode laterite. The mineral compositions and swelling properties of the laterite at both locations were examined, and analytical results showed that the laterite contained abundant clay minerals. The Baode laterite exhibited higher expansibility than Jingle laterite. The triaxial creep permeability performance of laterite specimens with a prefabricated crack width of 1.0, 1.5, and 2.5 mm were tested. The results indicated that strain of cracked laterite all exhibited transient creep following each level of loading, and then unstable creep and stable creep. With the increase of loading, the transient creep deformation corresponding to each level of loading decreased, the unstable creep deformation produced by identical loading gradually and incrementally increased. The nonlinear power function equation was selected to fit creep grading curves which have high precision. The cracks within the laterite gradually closed with the stress recovery, and permeability gradually recovered. During the stress recovery, the narrower cracks exhibited a smaller change in permeability. However, for narrow cracks in mining soil, permeability recovered after mining stress when permeability was closer to initial permeability, and the Baode laterite showed greater recovery than that of the Jingle laterite.

Optimizing Parameters of CSM-CERES-Maize Model to Improve Simulation Performance of Maize Growth and Nitrogen Uptake in Northeast China

Crop models can be useful tools ibr optimizing fertilizer management for a targeted crop yield while minimizing nutrient losses. In this paper, the parameters of the decision support system for agrotechnology transfer （DSSAT）-CERES-Maize were optimized using a new method to provide a better simulation of maize （Zea mays L.） growth and N upfake in response to different nitrogen application rates. Field data were collected from a 5 yr field experiment （2006-2010） on a Black soil （Typic hapludoll） in Gongzhuling, Jilin Province, Northeast China. After cultivar calibration, the CERES-Maize model was able to simulate aboveground biomass and crop yield of in the evaluation data set （n-RMSE=5.0-14.6%）, but the model still over-estimated aboveground N uptake （i.e., with E values from -4.4 to -21.3 kg N ha-~）. By analyzing DSSAT equation, N stress coefficient for changes in concentration with growth stage （CTCNP2） is related to N uptake. Further sensitivity analysis of the CTCNP2 showed that the DSSAT model simulated maize nitrogen uptake more precisely after the CTCNP2 coefficient was adjusted to the field site condition. The results indicated that in addition to calibrating 6 coefficients of maize cultivars, radiation use efficiency （RUE）, growing degree days for emergence （GDDE）, N stress coefficient, CTCNP2, and soil fertility factor （SLPF） also need to be calibrated in order to simulate aboveground biomass, yield and N uptake correctly. Independent validation was conducted using 2008-2010 experiments and the good agreement between the simulated and the measured results indicates that the DSSAT CERES-Maize model could be a useful tool for predicting maize production in Northeast China.

Nitrogen Recommendations for Summer Maize in Northern China Using the N_min Test and Rapid Plant Tests

A field experiment with a split-plot design was carried out at Dongbeiwang Farm in Beijing Municipality to establish reliable N fertilizer recommendation indices for summer maize (Zea mays L.) in northern China using the soil Nmin (mineral N) test as well as the plant nitrate and SPAD (portable chlorophyll meter readings) tests. The results showed that Nmin sollwert (NS) 60 kg N ha-1 at the third leaf stage and N rate of 40 to 120 kg N ha-1 at the tenth leaf stage could meet the N requirement of summer maiz…

Organic Geochemistry of the Early Jurassic Oil Shale from the Shuanghu Area in Northern Tibet and the Early Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event

This paper presents new geological and geochemical data from the Shuanghu area in northern Tibet, which recorded the Early Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event. The stratigraphic succession in the Shuanghu area consists mostly of grey to dark-colored alternating oil shales, marls and mudstones. Ammonite beds are found at the top of the Shuanghu oil shale section, which are principally of early Toarcian age, roughly within the Harplocearas falciferrum Zone. Therefore, the oil shale strata at Shuanghu can be correlated with early Toarcian black shales distributing extensively in the European epicontinental seas that contain the records of an Oceanic Anoxic Event. Sedimentary organic matter of laminated shale anomalously rich in organic carbon across the Shuanghu area is characterized by high organic carbon contents, ranging from 1.8% to 26.1%. The carbon isotope curve displays the δ 13C values of the kerogen (δ 13Ckerogen) fluctuating from –26.22 to –23.53‰ PDB with a positive excursion close to 2.17‰, which, albeit significantly smaller, may also have been associated with other Early Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Events (OAEs) in Europe. The organic atomic C/N ratios range between 6 and 43, and the curve of C/N ratios is consistent with that of the δ 13Ckerogen values. The biological assemblage, characterized by scarcity of benthic organisms and bloom of calcareous nannofossils (coccoliths), reveals high biological productivity in the surface water and an unfavorable environment for the benthic fauna in the bottom water during the Oceanic Anoxic Event. On the basis of organic geochemistry and characteristics of the biological assemblage, this study suggests that the carbon-isotope excursion is caused by the changes of sea level and productivity, and that the black shale deposition, especially oil shales, is related to the bloom and high productivity of coccoliths.

Nitrous oxide emissions following seasonal freeze-thaw events from arable soils in Northeast China

Seasonal soil freeze-thaw events may enhance soil nitrogen transformation and thus stimulate nitrous oxide （N2O） emissions in cold regions. However, the mechanisms of soil N2O emission during the freeze-thaw cycling in the field remain unclear. We evaluated N2O emissions and soil biotic and abiotic factors in maize and paddy fields over 20 months in Northeast China, and the structural equation model （SEM） was used to determine which factors affected N2O production during non-growing season. Our results verified that the seasonal freeze-thaw cycles mitigated the available soil nitrogen and carbon limitation during spring thawing period, but simultaneously increased the gaseous N2O-N losses at the annual time scale under field condition. The N2O-N cumulative losses during the non-growing season amounted to 0.71 and 0.55 kg N ha 1 for the paddy and maize fields, respectively, and contributed to 66 and 18% of the annual total. The highest emission rates （199.2- 257.4 μg m-2 h-1） were observed during soil thawing for both fields, but we did not observe an emission peak during soil freezing in early winter. Although the pulses of N2O emission in spring were short-lived （18 d）, it resulted in approximately 80% of the non-growing season N2O-N loss. The N2O burst during the spring thawing was triggered by the combined impact of high soil moisture, flush available nitrogen and carbon, and rapid recovery of microbial biomass. SEM analysis indicated that the soil moisture, available substrates including NH4＋ and dissolved organic carbon （DOC）, and microbial biomass nitrogen （MBN） explained 32, 36, 16 and 51% of the N2O flux variation, respectively, during the non-growing season. Our results suggested that N2O emission during the spring thawing make a vital contribution of the annual nitrogen budget, and the vast seasonally frozen and snow-covered croplands will have high potential to exert a positive feedback on climate change considering the sensitive response of nitrogen biogeochemical cycling to the freeze-thaw disturbance.

Community structure and carbon and nitrogen storage of sagebrush desert under grazing exclusion in Northwest China

Overgrazing is regarded as one of the key factors of vegetation and soil degradation in the arid and semi-arid regions of Northwest China.Grazing exclusion(GE)is one of the most common pathways used to restore degraded grasslands and to improve their ecosystem services.Nevertheless,there are still significant controversies concerning GE’s effects on grassland diversity as well as carbon(C)and nitrogen(N)storage.It remains poorly understood in the arid desert regions,whilst being essential for the sustainable use of grassland resources.To assess the effects of GE on community characteristics and C and N storage of desert plant community in the arid desert regions,we investigated the community structure and plant biomass,as well as C and N storage of plants and soil(0-100 cm depth)in short-term GE(three years)plots and adjacent long-term freely grazing(FG)plots in the areas of sagebrush desert in Northwest China,which are important both for spring-autumn seasonal pasture and for ecological conservation.Our findings indicated that GE was beneficial to the average height,coverage and aboveground biomass(including stems,leaves and inflorescences,and litter)of desert plant community,to the species richness and importance values of subshrubs and perennial herbs,and to the biomass C and N storage of aboveground parts(P<0.05).However,GE was not beneficial to the importance values of annual herbs,root/shoot ratio and total N concentration in the 0-5 and 5-10 cm soil layers(P<0.05).Additionally,the plant density,belowground biomass,and soil organic C concentration and C storage in the 0-100 cm soil layer could not be significantly changed by short-term GE(three years).The results suggest that,although GE was not beneficial for C sequestration in the sagebrush desert ecosystem,it is an effective strategy for improving productivity,diversity,and C and N storage of plants.As a result,GE can be used to rehabilitate degraded grasslands in the arid desert regions of Northwest China.

Nitrification-denitrifjcation Loss and N_2O Emission from Urea Applied to Crop-soil Systems in North China Plain

Nitrogen losses are not only important for agriculture but environment as well. Field experiments were set up in summer corn field at Fengqiu Agro-Ecological Experimental Station of CAS in North China Plain. The soil was in maize-chao soil. Nitrification-denitrification losses and N2O emission were determined by acetylene-inhibition soil-core incubation method in the soils applied urea. The results showed that urea was fast hydrolyzed and became to nitrate. The soil with non urea released 0.33kg N/ha N2O. However, the soil produced 2.91kg N/ha N2O, about 1.94% of the applied N, when the urea was spread on soil surface. N2O emission reduced to 2.50kg N/ha, about 1.67% of the applied N, when the urea was put in deep soil by digging a hole. The denitrification loss was 1.17kg N/ha in control soil. It increased to 3.00kg N/ ha and 2.09kg N/ha, which were 2.00% and 1.39% of the used N, in the soils received urea on surface and sub-surface respectively. It was suggested that nitrification-denitrification was probably not a main way of fertilizer nitrogen loss in this region.