Effect of Incorporation of Wheat Straw and Urea into Soil on Biomass Nitrogen and Nitrogen-Supplying Characteristics of Paddy Soil

Pot experiments were carried out to study the effect of incorporation of wheat straw and/ or urea into soil on biomass nitrogen and mineral nitrogen and its relation to the growth and yield of rice. The combined application of wheat straw and urea increased much more biomass nitrogen in soil than the application of wheat straw or urea alone and consequently increased the immobilization of urea nitrogen added and reduced the loss of urea nitrogen. An adequate nitrogen-supplying process to rice plant could be obtained if C / N ratio of the material added was about 20. The three yield components of rice were affected significantly by the status of nitrogen supplying. More than 30mg N / kg soil of mineral nitrogen at effective tillering stage, panicle initiation stage and filling stage should be maintained in order to get high rice yield, though the criteria varied with the different experimental conditions.

Increasing soil microbial biomass nitrogen in crop rotation systems by improving nitrogen resources under nitrogen application

Soil microbial biomass nitrogen(MBN)contains the largest proportion of biologically active nitrogen(N)in soil,and is considered as a crucial participant in soil N cycling.Agronomic management practices such as crop rotation and monocropping systems,dramatically affect MBN in agroecosystems.However,the influence of crop rotation and monocropping in agroecosystems on MBN remains unclear.A meta-analysis based on 203 published studies was conducted to quantify the effect of crop rotation and mono-cropping systems on MBN under synthetic N fertilizer application.The analysis showed that crop rotation significantly stimulated the response ratio(RR)of MBN to N fertilization and this parameter reached the highest levels in upland-fallow rotations.Upland mono-cropping did not change the RR of MBN to N application,however,the RR of MBN to N application in paddy mono-cropping increased.The difference between crop rotation and mono-cropping systems appeared to be due to the various cropping management scenarios,and the pattern,rate and duration of N addition.Crop rotation systems led to a more positive effect on soil total N(TN)and a smaller reduction in soil pH than mono-cropping systems.The RR of MBN to N application was positively correlated with the RR of mineral N only in crop rotation systems and with the RR of soil pH only in mono-cropping systems.Combining the results of Random Forest(RF)model and structural equation model showed that the predominant driving factors of MBN changes in crop rotation systems were soil mineral N and TN,while in mono-cropping systems the main driving factor was soil pH.Overall,our study indicates that crop rotation can be an effective way to enhance MBN by improving soil N resources,which promote the resistance of MBN to low pH induced by intensive synthetic N fertilizer application.

Effects of freezing intensity on soil solution nitrogen and microbial biomass nitrogen in an alpine grassland ecosystem on the Tibetan Plateau,China

The change of freeze-thaw pattern of the Tibetan Plateau under climate warming is bound to have a profound impact on the soil process of alpine grassland ecosystem;however,the research on the impact of the freeze-thaw action on nitrogen processes of the alpine grassland ecosystem on the Tibetan Plateau has not yet attracted much attention.In this study,the impact of the freezing strength on the soil nitrogen components of alpine grassland on the Tibetan Plateau was studied through laboratory freeze-thaw simulation experiments.The 0–10 cm topsoil was collected from the alpine marsh meadow and alpine meadow in the permafrost region of Beilu River.In the experiment,the soil samples were cultivated at –10℃,–7℃,–5℃,–3℃ and –1℃,respectively for three days and then thawed at 2℃ for one day.The results showed that after the freeze-thaw process,the soil microbial biomass nitrogen significantly decreased while the dissolved organic nitrogen and inorganic nitrogen significantly increased.When the freezing temperature was below –7℃,there was no significant difference between the content of nitrogen components,which implied a change of each nitrogen component might have a response threshold toward the freezing temperature.As the freeze-thaw process can lead to the risk of nitrogen loss in the alpine grassland ecosystem,more attention should be paid to the response of the soil nitrogen cycle of alpine grasslands on the Tibetan Plateau to the freeze-thaw process.

Effects of Soil Salinity on Microbial Biomass Nitrogen of Landscape Soil

Soil salinization can limit the development of agriculture in the Yellow River Delta.In this paper,saline and alkaline farmland in the Yellow River Delta was chosen as the research object,and effects of soil salinity on soil microbial biomass nitrogen(SMBN) under different conditions were investigated to study the response of soil nitrogen turnover to salt stress.There were four salinity gradients(S1:0.1%;S2:0.5%;S3:0.9%;S4:1.3%),and four substrates were added to the soil.The results showed that after the addition of various substrates,SMBN in treatments with high soil salinity(S3 and S4) was obviously lower than that in treatments with low soil salinity(S1 and S2).In comparison with treatment S1,the average of SMBN in treatments S3 and S4 decreased by 35.8% and 46.7% respectively when there was no substrate added to them;it declined by 55.6% and 56.1% respectively as the carbon source was added to them;it reduced by 24.6% and 28.3% when the nitrogen source was added to them;it dropped by 43.8% and 57.0% respectively as the carbon and nitrogen source were added to them.Compared with treatments without substrates,the addition of the nitrogen source could not improve SMBN;the addition of the carbon source or carbon and nitrogen source could enhance SMBN obviously,and it increased by 60.9% and 66.1%(or 110.8% and 140.2%) in treatments with low soil salinity(S1 and S2),while it changed slightly in treatments with high soil salinity(S3 and S4).In order to increase SMBN,it is needed to apply organic fertilizer or chemical fertilizer and organic fertilizer to maintain or improve soil fertility.

Seasonal variation in soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen in an artificial sand-binding vegetation area in Shapotou, northern China

In this study, seasonal variation characteristics of surface soil microbial biomass carbon （MBC） and soil microbial biomass nitrogen （MBN） of an artificial vegetation area located in Shapotou for different time periods were studied using the chloroform fumigation method, and the results were compared with those of near-natural vegetation areas and mobile dunes. Results showed that the MBC and MBN levels in the 0-5 cm soil layer were higher in autumn than in summer and spring. As the prolongation of vegetation restoration raised the MBC and MBN levels in summer and autumn, no clear variation was found in spring. However, the MBC and MBN in 5-20 cm had no obvious seasonal variation. During summer and autumn, the variation trend of MBC and MBN in the vertical direction was shown to be 0-5 〉 5-10 〉 10-20 cm in the vegetation area, while for mobile dunes, the MBC and MBN levels increased as the depth increased. The natural vegetation area was shown to possess the highest MBC and MBN levels, and yet mobile dunes have the lowest MBC and MBN levels. MBC and MBN levels in artificial sand-binding vegetation increased with the prolongation of vegetation restoration, indicating that the succession of sand-binding vegetation will result in the ac- cumulation of soil carbon and nitrogen, as well as the restoration of soil fertility.

Biomass derived porous nitrogen doped carbon for electrochemical devices

Biomass derived porous nanostructured nitrogen doped carbon(PNC) has been extensively investigated as the electrode material for electrochemical catalytic reactions and rechargeable batteries. Biomass with and without containing nitrogen could be designed and optimized to prepare PNC via hydrothermal carbonization, pyrolysis, and other methods. The presence of nitrogen in carbon can provide more active sites for ion absorption, improve the electronic conductivity, increase the bonding between carbon and sulfur, and enhance the electrochemical catalytic reaction. The synthetic methods of natural biomass derived PNC, heteroatomic co-or tri-doping into biomass derived carbon and the application of biomass derived PNC in rechargeable Li/Na batteries, high energy density Li-S batteries, supercapacitors, metal-air batteries and electrochemical catalytic reaction(oxygen reduction and evolution reactions, hydrogen evolution reaction) are summarized and discussed in this review. Biomass derived PNCs deliver high performance electrochemical storage properties for rechargeable batteries/supercapacitors and superior electrochemical catalytic performance toward hydrogen evolution, oxygen reduction and evolution, as promising electrodes for electrochemical devices including battery technologies, fuel cell and electrolyzer.

Effect of nitrogen fertilizer on biomass production and nodulation behavior of Pongamia pinnata Pierre seedlings under nursery conditions

At the seedling stage, a small amount of N is required to boost growth of leguminous plants. A pot experiment was conducted to observe the effect of N fertilizer on various growth parameters and nodulation behavior of Pongamia pinnata under nursery conditions. After the estab- lishment of seedlings, four nitrogen treatments, 0, 40, 80 and 100 kg-ha^-1 N were applied in two equal splits. Monthly observations were taken for the morphological parameters viz. plant height, collar diameter, leaf number, root length, root shoot ratio, nodule number and weight per plant. Maximum plant height was recorded after application of N at 40 kg.ha^-1. Seasonally, the difference in collar diameter in rainy season was signifi- cantly higher than in winter or summer. However, more leaves were produced per plant at N-40 and N-100 treatments in winter and rainy seasons. Higher root length was recorded in rainy season than in winter or summer. Root biomass was higher than for stems or leaves. Seasonal effects of N-80 and N-40 treatments on leaf dry weight were significantly higher than for N-100 or N-0. Stem dry weight was higher at N-40 than at other treatments in winter and summer seasons. Root：shoot ratio was higher throughout winter to early summer. Nodule biomass was 2-3 times higher in rainy season compared to winter or summer. Maximum nodule number and biomass per plant were highest at N-40, followed by N-0, N-80 and N-100 treatments. New nodule formation started from June to the end of September. Maximum biomass per plant was recorded at N-40, followed by N-80, N-100 and N-0. Nitrogen treatment effect and seasonal behaviour interaction were not significant. Significantly higher numbers of nodules per plant were recorded in rainy season followed by summer and winter for all treatments. Higher nitrogen doses suppressed growth while lower doses promoted growth in Pongamia pinnata. Therefore, the lower nitrogen dose i.e., N-40 Kg.ha^-1 applied in two equal splits was suitable at the initial nursery stage for the increase in nodula- tion and biomass production.

Effects of acetylene at low concentrations on nitrification, mineralization and microbial biomass nitrogen concentrations in forest soils

Temperate forest surface soils at the varying distances from main trunks (e.g., Pinus koraiensis and Quercus mongolica) were used to study the effects of acetylene (C2H2) at low concentrations on nitrification, mineralization and microbial biomass N concentrations of the soils, and to assess the contribution of heterotrophic nitrification to nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from soils. The use of acetylene at partial pressures within a range from 10 to 100 Pa C2H2 in headspace gas gave a significant decrease in N2O emission at soil moisture of c. 45% water-filled porosity space, and the decrease was almost the same in each soil after exposure of C2H2 at low concentrations. Heterotrophic nitrification could account for 21%―48% of total N2O emission from each soil; the contribution would increase with increasing distances from the Pinus koraiensis trunks rather than from the Quercus mongolica trunks. Under the experimental conditions, the use of C2H2 at low concentrations showed no significant influ- ence on soil microbial biomass N, net N mineralization and microbial respiration. However, 100 Pa C2H2 in headspace gas could reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from soils. According to the rapid consumption of 10 Pa C2H2 by forest soils and convenience for laboratory incubations, 50 Pa C2H2 in headspace gas can be used to study the origin of N2O emissions from forest soils under aerobic con- ditions and the key associated driving mechanisms. The N2O and CO2 emissions from the soils at the same distances from the Quercus mongolica trunks were larger than those from the Pinus koraiensis trunks, and both emissions decreased as the distances from trunks increased. The stepwise regression analysis showed that 95% of the variability in soil CO2 emissions could be accounted for by the concentrations of soil total C and water soluble organic C and soil pH, and that 72% of the variability in soil N2O emissions could be accounted for by the concentrations of soil total N, exchangeable NH+4-N and microbial biomass N and 25% of the variability in heterotrophic nitrification by the soil microbial biomass N concentration. The emissions of N2O and CO2 from forest soils after exposure of C2H2 at low concentrations were positively related to the net nitrification of the soils.

Effects of Different Land Cover Types on Soil Microbial Biomass Carbon and Nitrogen in the Lower Reaches of Niyang River

[Objectives]To comprehensively and deeply explore the effects of different land cover types in the lower reaches of Niyang River on soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen,and to provide a scientific basis for the rational use and sustainable management of land resources in this area.[Methods]Taking the 3 types of land cover(cultivated land,grass land and forest land)in the lower reaches of Niyang River in Tibet as the research object,the contents,distribution characteristics and relationships of soil organic carbon,organic nitrogen,microbial biomass carbon,microbial biomass nitrogen and readily oxidizable organic carbon,and their relationships were studied in 0-10,10-20,20-40,40-60,and 60-100 cm soil depth.[Results]The soil organic carbon content of forest land was higher than that of grass land and cultivated land;the vertical change trend of soil organic carbon content decreased with the increase of depth(P<0.05),and it was mainly concentrated in the soil with a depth of 0-20 cm.The soil organic carbon content was significantly different among forest land,grass land and cultivated land(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between cultivated land and grass land(P>0.05).The soil organic nitrogen content was significantly different among cultivated land,grass land,and forest land(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between grass land and forest land(P>0.05).The readily oxidizable organic carbon,microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen in forest land were higher than that in cultivated land and grass land.The change trend of soil readily oxidizable organic carbon,microbial biomass carbon and microbial biomass nitrogen was similar to the change of soil organic carbon content,showing a significant positive correlation.In addition to being subject to land cover,soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen content were also subject to the interaction of factors such as soil temperature,humidity,pH and vegetation types.[Conclusions]Changes in land cover significantly affect soil organic carbon and nitrogen,readily oxidizable organic carbon,microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen content.

Relations between the Underground Biomass and Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen of the Alpine Meadow at the Eastern Margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

This article, by combining field investigation with laboratorial analysis, studies diverse alpine meadow at the Eastern Margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau for the underground biomass dynamics, vertical distribution of the content of soil carbon and nitrogen, the connection between the biomass and the content of carbon and nitrogen. The studies show that underground biomass in the herb layer of upland meadow is more than that in the terrace meadow, while underground biomass in the upland shrubland is the most. The vertical distribution of underground biomass of each type is obvious as in shape of＂T＂. As to the distribution of the content of soil organic carbon in the three sample grounds, it showed that the deeper the soil the less the content of soil organic carbon. In May, unlike at terrace meadow, the underground biomass and the content of soil organic carbon in positive proportion, such revelation at upland meadow and upland shrubland is not apparent. In July, at upland meadow and terrace meadow the underground biomass and the content of soil total nitrogen in positive proportion, such revelation at upland shrubland is not apparent either.

Nitrogen in soils beneath 18 65 year old stands of subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests in Laoshan Mountains in Eastern China

Monitoring of soil nitrogen （N） cycling is useful to assess soil quality and to gauge the sustainability of management practices. We studied net N mineralization, nitrification, and soil N availability in the 0-10 cm and 11-30 cm soil horizons in east China during 2006-2007 using an in situ incubation method in four subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest stands aged 18-, 36-, 48-, and 65-years. The properties of surface soil and forest floor varied between stand age classes. C：N ratios of surface soil and forest floor decreased, whereas soil total N and total organic C, available P, and soil microbial biomass N increased with stand age. The mineral N pool was small for the young stand and large for the older stands. NO3^--N was less than 30% in all stands. Net rates of N mineralization and nitrification were higher in old stands than jn younger stands, and higher in the 0-10 cm than in the 11-30 cm horizon. The differences were significant between old and young stands （p 〈 0.031） and between soil horizons （p 〈 0.005）. Relative nitrification was somewhat low in all forest stands and declined with stand age. N trans- formation seemed to be controlled by soil moisture, soil mierobial biomass N, and forest floor C：N ratio. Our results demonstrate that analyses of N cycling can provide insight into the effects of management disturbances on forest ecosystems.

Effects of continuous nitrogen addition on microbial properties and soil organic matter in a Larix gmelinii plantation in China

Continuous increases in anthropogenic nitrogen（N） deposition are likely to change soil microbial properties, and ultimately to affect soil carbon（C） storage.Temperate plantation forests play key roles in C sequestration, yet mechanisms underlying the influences of N deposition on soil organic matter accumulation are poorly understood. This study assessed the effect of N addition on soil microbial properties and soil organic matter distribution in a larch（Larix gmelinii） plantation. In a 9-year experiment in the plantation, N was applied at100 kg N ha-1 a-1 to study the effects on soil C and N mineralization, microbial biomass, enzyme activity, and C and N in soil organic matter density fractions, and organic matter chemistry. The results showed that N addition had no influence on C and N contents in whole soil. However,soil C in different fractions responded to N addition differently. Soil C in light fractions did not change with N addition, while soil C in heavy fractions increased significantly. These results suggested that more soil C in heavy fractions was stabilized in the N-treated soils. However,microbial biomass C and N and phenol oxidase activity decreased in the N-treated soils and thus soil C increased in heavy fractions. Although N addition reduced microbial biomass and phenol oxidase activity, it had little effect on soil C mineralization, hydrolytic enzyme activities, d13 C value in soil and C–H stretch, carboxylates and amides, and C–O stretch in soil organic matter chemistry measured by Fourier transform infrared spectra. We conclude that N addition（1） altered microbial biomass and activity without affecting soil C in light fractions and（2） resulted in an increase in soil C in heavy fractions and that this increase was controlled by phenol oxidase activity and soil N availability.

Estimating biomass of phytoplankton in the Jiaozhou Bay I. Phytoplankton biomass estimated from cell volume and plasma volume

Based on the data of the Jiaozhou Bay Ecosystem Dynamic Research, cell volume and sur face area of 87 common phytoplankton species in China sea waters were calculated with assignment of the similar geometric form. The cell plasma volume, live weight, Carbon content and nitrogen content were also calculated with the methods of Mullin et al. (1966), Strathmann (1967), Eppley et al. (1970), and Taguchi (1976). After comparing these methods, we chase the method of Eppley et al. (1970) as the hot method for calculating phytoplankton carbon content in China sea waters.

Growth traits and nitrogen assimilation-associated physiological parameters of wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) under low and high N conditions

In this study, 14 wheat cultivars with contrasting yield and N use efficiency （NUE） were used to investigate the agronomic and NUE-related traits, and the N assimilation-associated enzyme activities under low and high N conditions. Under deficient-N, the cultivars with high N uptake efficiency （UpE） and high N utilization efficiency （UtE） exhibited higher plant biomass, yields, and N contents than those with medium and low NUEs. The high UpE cultivars accumulated more N than other NUE type cultivars. Under sufficient-N, the tested cultivars showed similar patterns in biomass, yield, and N content to those under deficient-N, but the varietal variations in above traits were smaller. In addition, the high UpE cultivars displayed much more of root biomass and larger of root length, surface area, and volume than other NUE type cultivars, indicating that the root morphological traits under N deprivation are closely associated with the plant biomass through its improvement of the N acquisition. The high UtE cultivars showed higher activities of nitrate reductase （NR）, nitrite reductase （NIR）, and gluta- mine synthetase （GS） at stages of seediling, heading and filling than other NUE type cultivars under both low and high N conditions. Moreover, the high UpE and UtE cultivars also displayed higher photosynthetic rate under deficient-N than the medium and low NUE cultivars. Together, our results indicated that the tested wheat cultivars possess dramatically genetic variations in biomass, yield, and NUE. The root morphological traits and the N assimilation enzymatic acitivities play critical roles in regulating N accumulation and internal N translocation under the N-starvation stress, respectively. They can be used as morphological and biochemical references for evaluation of UpE and UtE in wheat.

The mineralization and transformation of both added organic nitrogen and native soil N in red soils from four different ecological conditions

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Ecosystem carbon and nitrogen storage following farmland afforestation with black locust(Robinia pseudoacacia) on the Loess Plateau, China

Although afforestation of farmlands has been proposed as an effective method of carbon(C) sequestration, there remain uncertainties that deter us from developing a clear picture of C stocks in plantation ecosystems.This study investigated the dynamics of stand structure and plant diversity, and C and nitrogen(N) pools in trees,herbs, litter, and soil(0–100 cm depth) in black locust plantations aged 9, 17, 30, and 37 years, and in newly abandoned farmlands as pre-afforestation sites, on the Loess Plateau, China. Stand density decreased significantly, while tree diameter at breast height and height increased during stand development. The dominant species of the herb layer differed with age. Afforestation resulted in slight increases in tree C and N storage in plantations from 9 to 30 years of age, and then significantly increased from 30 to 37 years. Compared to pre-afforestation, C and N storage in soil decreased to minimum values in stands aged 17 and 9 years, respectively. The soil re-accumulated C and N during stand development, attaining equilibrium levels similar to those in pre-afforestation when stands reached about 30 years of age. Soil C and N storage in 37-year stands were 29 and 16% higher, respectively, than in pre-afforestation levels. However, C and N concentrations in the subsoil(20–40 cm) were still less than the preafforestation levels for stands of all ages(from 9 to 37 years). The relative contribution to the total ecosystem C and N pools increased in trees and decreased in soil during the observed period. Our results indicate that afforestation reduced soil C and N storage during the early stages of stand development. We conclude that the growing phase of an afforested stand over its initial 30 years is important for C and N sequestration by black locust due to the C and N storage that result from recovered soil quality and an increase in tree biomass.

Soil resource availability impacts microbial response to organic carbon and inorganic nitrogen inputs

Impacts of newly added organic carbon （C） and inorganic nitrogen （N） on the microbial utilization of soil organic matter are important in determining the future C balance of terrestrial ecosystems. We examined microbial responses to cellulose and ammonium nitrate additions in three soils with very different C and N availability. These soils included an organic soil（ 14.2% total organic C, with extremely high extractable N and low labile C）, a forest soi1（4.7% total organic C, with high labile C and extremely low extractable N）, and a grassland soil（1.6% total organic C, with low extractable N and labile C）. While cellulose addition alone significantly enhanced microbial respiration and biomass C and N in the organic and grassland soils, it accelerated only the microbial respiration in the highly-N limited forest soil. These results indicated that when N was not limited, C addition enhanced soil respiration by stimulating both microbial growth and their metabolic activity, New C inputs lead to elevated C release in all three soils, and the magnitude of the enhancement was higher in the organic and grassland soils than the forest soil. The addition of cellulose plus N to the forest and grassland soils initially increased the microbial biomass and respiration rates, but decreased the rates as time progressed. Compared to cellulose addition alone, cellulose plus N additions increased the total C-released in the grassland soil, but not in the forest soil. The enhancement of total C- released induced by C and N addition was less than 50% of the added-C in the forest soil after 96 d of incubation, in contrast to 87.5% and 89.0% in the organic and grassland soils. These results indicate that indigenous soil C and N availability substantially impacts the allocation of organic C for microbial biomass growth and/or respiration, potentially regulating the turnover rates of the new organic C inputs.

Soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics linked to Piliostigma species in ferugino-tropical soils in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Burkina Faso, West Africa

In the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Burkina Faso, Piliostigma reticulatum （DC） Hochst and Piliostigma thonningii （Schumach） are precursor species of fallow land colonization and they are used by rural villagers. The present study aimed to assess the contribution of Piliostigma species to soil quality improvement. We quantified organic carbon, total nitrogen, soil microbial biomass, soil basal respiration and metabolic quotient from soil samples taken under and outside Piliostigma canopies. We used one-way ANOVA to test for differences in the above parameters between locations （beneath and outside Piliostigma canopies）. We recorded increased total organic carbon under Piliostigma from 31%–105% and in total nitrogen from 23%–66%. Microbial biomass was 13%–266% higher beneath canopies as compared to outside canopies. Basal respiration was also higher beneath canopies. The chemical elements varied by class of soil texture. Metabolic quotient （qCO2） was significantly correlated to clay （r = 0.80） and silt （r = 0.79） content. Piliostigma stands produced abundant litter due to their leaf biomass. Thus, they contribute to improved total organic carbon and total nitrogen content in the different phytogeographic zones and improve soil fertility.

Impact of nitrogen addition on plant community in a semi-arid temperate steppe in China

Increased nitrogen （N） deposition will often lead to a decline in species richness in grassland ecosystems but the shifts in functional groups and plant traits are still poorly understood in China. A field experiment was conducted at Duolun, Inner Mongolia, China, to investigate the effects of N addition on a temperate steppe ecosystem. Six N levels （0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 g N/（m2-a）） were added as three applications per year from 2005 to 2010. Enhanced N deposition, even as little as 3 g N/（m2.a） above ambient N deposition （1.2 g N/（m2.a））, led to a decline in species richness of the whole community. Increasing N addition can significantly stimulate aboveground biomass of perennial bunchgrasses （PB） but decrease perennial forbs （PF）, and induce a slight change in the biomass of shrubs and semi-shrubs （SS）. The biomass of annuals （AS） and perennial rhizome grasses （PR） accounts for only a small part of the total biomass. Species richness of PF decreased significantly with increasing N addition rate but there was a little change in the other functional groups. PB, as the dominant functional group, has a relatively higher height than others. Differences in the response of each functional group to N addition have site-specific and species-specific characteristics. We initially infer that N enrichment stimulated the growth of PB, which further suppressed the growth of other functional groups.

Response of nitrogen mineralization dynamics and biochemical properties to litter amendments to soils of a poplar plantation

Understanding the impact of plant litters on soil nitrogen （N） dynamics could facilitate development of management strategies that promote plantation ecosystem function. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of different litter types on N mineralization and availability, microbial biomass, and activities of L-asparaginase and odiphenol oxidase （o-DPO） in soils of a poplar （Populus deltoides） plantation through 24 weeks of incubation experiments. The tested litters included foliage （F）, branch （B）, or root （R） of poplar trees, and understory vegetation （U） or a mixture of F, B, and U （M）. Litter amendments led to rapid N immobilization during the first 4 weeks of incubation, while net N mineralization was detected in all tested soils from 6 to 24 weeks of incubation, with zero-order reaction rate constants （k） ranging from 7.7 to 9.6 mg N released kg-1 soil wk-1. Moreover, litter addition led to increased （C） 49-128% and increased microbial biomass carbon MBC：MBN ratio by 5-92%, strengthened activities of L-aspaxaginase and o-DPO by 14-74%; Up to about 37 kg N ha-1 net increase in mineralized N in litter added soils during 24 weeks of incubation suggests that adequate poplar and understory litter management could lead to reduced inputs while facilitate sustainable and economic viable plantation production.