Effects of Regulation of C/N Ratio Wheat Straw Application on Nitrogen,Phosphorus and Potassium Uptake in Tobacco

[Objective]The aim was to study the effects of regulation of C/N ratio wheat straw application on tobacco nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium uptake. [Method]Effects of regulation C/N ratio wheat straw application on the flue-cured tobacco yield,output value,nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium content and cumulative uptake of the upper,middle and bottom leaf were studied by using the field plot experiments at Banqiao town,Qujing city,Yunnan Province during the 2008-2009 summer growing seasons. [Result]The results showed that the application of wheat straw alone or after C/N regulation,could significantly increase tobacco production,potassium content,the potassium and nitrogen accumulation amount of leaf,and was more conducive to the potassium uptake of tobacco leaf with wheat straw application after C/N regulation. Compared with non-straw application,the yield of tobacco increased by 6.59%,3.58%,5.98%,8.80% with application of wheat straw alone,wheat straw and vetch,wheat straw and oilseed cake,wheat straw and urea nitrogen,the potassium content in tobacco leaf increased by 3.85%,7.76%,8.82%,11.21%,respectively,the total potassium cumulative amount of leaf increased by 10.71%,11.62%,15.32% ,21.01% and the total nitrogen cumulative amount increased by 9.76%,1.22%,8.14%,14.00%. However,the differences of tobacco leaf nitrogen content among the different treatments were not significant,the phosphorus uptake of tobacco leaf decreased. [Conclusion]application of high C/N ratio wheat straw in flue-cured tobacco production,which should be concerned not only to adjust C/N ratio by adding nitrogen,but also considering additional phosphorus application.

凋落物C/N对土壤有机碳矿化的影响

凋落物输入会影响土壤有机碳(SOC)矿化过程,其影响程度主要受凋落物C/N、土壤肥力和温度条件的影响,然而,这三因素的综合影响仍不清楚。以低肥力土壤(LF)和高肥力土壤(HF)为研究对象,分别添加7种不同C/N的凋落物,并设置培养温度为23℃和33℃,进行恒温避光培养,期间动态监测CO_(2)排放的变化,以揭示SOC矿化过程应对三因子的响应机制。结果显示,凋落物添加显著增加CO_(2)峰值排放速率,且与C/N>30的凋落物相比,添加C/N<30的凋落物对CO_(2)的峰值排放速率的促进作用更显著。CO_(2)峰值排放速率同时受土壤肥力和培养温度影响,HF-33℃条件下的CO_(2)峰值排放速率最高。添加C/N<30的凋落物显著增加了CO_(2)累积排放量,在LF-23℃、LF-33℃、HF-23℃和HF-33℃条件下,最大增幅分别为407%、304%、345%和160%。相关分析显示,SOC矿化率与凋落物C/N间呈负相关关系,这说明低质量凋落物会抑制SOC矿化。在LF-23℃、LF-33℃、HF-23℃和HF-33℃处理下,与凋落物C/N最低的CN1相比,添加C/N最高的CN7后,SOC矿化率的降幅分别达3.53、3.04、1.71和2.06倍。土壤肥力影响SOC矿化,HF的SOC矿化率较LF高1.29-2.66倍。培养温度对SOC矿化的影响在HF中表现出显著差异,与CK相比,在HF中添加凋落物显著降低了SOC矿化温度敏感性(Q10)。综合PLS-PM模型可知,SOC矿化是凋落物C/N、土壤肥力和培养温度综合作用的结果。其中,凋落物的C/N比对SOC矿化产生显著的负效应,土壤肥力则对SOC矿化产生主要的正效应,而温度的正效应则相对较小。研究结果有助于进一步理解不同土壤肥力和温度背景下,C/N不同的外源有机物输入对SOC矿化的影响及其背后的综合效应。

血NT-proBNP CRP和NLR水平在评估慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重合并肺部感染患者预后的价值

目的:探究血N-末端脑钠肽前体(NT-proBNP)、C-反应蛋白(CRP)和嗜中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值(NLR)水平在评估慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重(AECOPD)合并肺部感染患者预后中的价值。方法:选择2019年12月至2021年12月医院收治的120例AECOPD合并肺部感染患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析,根据患者预后情况将其分为存活组(n=86)与死亡组(n=34),比较两组一般资料,血NT-proBNP、CRP和NLR水平,三者在评估患者预后中的价值用受试者工作曲线(ROC)进行分析。结果:存活组血NT-proBNP、CRP和NLR水平均低于死亡组(P<0.05);采用ROC曲线分析结果显示:NLR的曲线下面积值(AUC)值最高,敏感度、特异度分别为73.53%、63.95%,以CRP的AUC值最低,敏感度、特异度分别为47.06%、82.56%(P>0.05),血NT-proBNP、CRP、NLR并联诊断后AUC为0.700,敏感度升高,为97.06%,特异度为43.02%。结论:血NT-proBNP、CRP和NLR在AECOPD合并肺部感染患者预后评估中具有较高的价值,临床可将NT-proBNP、CRP和NLR作为辅助判定指标对患者病情进行预测以改善患者预后。

Relationship Between Leaf C/N Ratio and Insecticidal Protein Expression in Bt Cotton as Affected by High Temperature and N Rate

Expression of insecticidal protein for transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis （Bt） cotton is unstable and related to nitrogen metabolism. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between leaf carbon nitrogen ratio （C/N） and insecticidal efficacy of two Bt cotton cultivars. C/N ratio and Bt protein content were both measured at peak square period and peak boll period respectively under 5-7 d high temperature and different nitrogen fertilizer rates on the Yangzhou University Farm and the Ludong Cotton Farm, China. All plants were grown in field. The results showed that the C/N ratio enhanced slightly and the Bt protein content remained stable at peak square period, but significant increases for the C/N ratio and decreases markedly for the leaf Bt protein concentration were detected at the peak boll period. The similar patterns at the two growth periods were found for the leaf C/N ratio and Bt protein content by different N fertilizer treatments. When nitrogen rate was from 0 to 600 kg ha-l, the C/N ratio was reduced by 0.017 and 0.006 for Sikang 1 and Sikang 3 at peak square period, compared to the 1.350 to 1.143 reduction for Sikang 1 and Sikang 3 at peak boll period, respectively. Correspondingly, the leaf Bt protein contents were bolstered by 2.6-11.8 and 26.9-36.9% at the two different growth periods, respectively. The results suggested that enhanced C/N ratio by high temperature and nitrogen application may result in the reduction of inseetiocidal efficacy in Bt cotton, especially in peak boll period.

藻-菌颗粒污泥处理低C/N生活污水的研究

在光暗交替、零曝气条件下建立两组不同进水C/N(chemical oxygen demand,COD/total nitrogen,TN)(R_(1):10.0,R 2:5.6)的序批式反应器并运行了70 d,研究微藻-细菌颗粒污泥(microalgal-bacterial granular sludge,MBGS)在低C/N进水条件下的污染物去除效果、颗粒组成及稳定性的变化。研究发现,R^(1)组颗粒形态稳定,结构紧密,而R^(2)组颗粒形态出现差异化,结构略松散。R^(2)的COD去除率无显著变化,并且有更好的NH_(4)^(+)-N去除效果(94.68±7.24)%,但其PO_(4)^(3-)-P的去除效果不佳(50.69±13.64)%。通过元素分析进一步发现低C/N条件使MBGS中细菌的比例增加36%,并证明低C/N生活污水中的COD和PO_(4)^(3-)-P主要依靠MBGS的同化作用去除,NH_(4)^(+)-N主要被细菌的硝化作用转化。此外,低C/N组中蛋白质含量显著增加,并分泌更多的松散结合EPS(loosely bound EPS,LB-EPS)来提高颗粒稳定性。

Effect of carbon and nitrogen ratio control on Artemia growth, water quality, biofloc microbial diversity under high salinity and zero-water exchange culture condition

Biofloc technology has been applied successfully in the intensive aquaculture of several fish and shrimp species. The growth of heterotrophic microorganisms can be stimulated through adding extra carbon, which reduces the nitrogen level in the water and provides microbial protein to the animals. However, most of the studies and practical applications have been conducted in freshwater and marine environment. This paper focused on brine shrimp Artemia that lives in high salinity environment together with other halophilic or halotolerant microorganisms. The effect of carbon supplementation on Artemia growth, water quality, and microbial diversity of biofl ocs was studied in the closed culture condition without any water exchange. The salinity of the culture medium was 100. A 24-d culture trial was conducted through supplementing sucrose at carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio of 5, 15, and 30 (Su5, Su15, and Su30), respectively. The culture without adding sucrose was used as a control. Artemia was fed formulated feed at a feeding ration of 60% recommended feeding level. The results showed that sucrose supplementation at higher C/N ratio (15 and 30) signifi cantly improved the Artemia survival, growth and water quality ( P <0.05). Addition of sucrose at C/N ratio of 15 and 30 significantly increased biofloc volume (BFV)( P <0.05). The Illumina MiSeq sequencing analysis showed that supplementing carbon at C/N ratio of 15 had a better total bacterial diversity and richness, and shaped the microbial composition at genera level. This study should provide information for studying the mechanism of biofloc technology and its application in high salinity culture conditions.

Characteristics of Soil Organic Carbon, Total Nitrogen, and C/N Ratio in Chinese Apple Orchards

Soil organic carbon and nitrogen are used as indexes of soil quality assessment and sustainable land use management. At the same time, soil C/N ratio is a sensitive indicator of soil quality and for assessing the carbon and nitrogen nutrition balance of soils. We studied the characteristics of soil organic carbon and total nitrogen by investigating a large number of apple orchards in major apple production areas in China. High apple orchard soil organic carbon content was observed in the provinces of Heilongjiang, Xinjiang, and Yunnan, whereas low content was found in the provinces of Shandong, Henan, Hebei, and Shaanxi, with the values ranging between 6.44 and 7.76 g·kg-1. Similar to soil organic carbon, soil total nitrogen content also exhibited obvious differences in the 12 major apple producing provinces. Shandong apple orchard soil had the highest total nitrogen content (1.26 g·kg-1), followed by Beijing (1.23 g·kg-1). No significant difference was noted between these two regions, but their total nitrogen content was significantly higher than the other nine provinces, excluding Yunnan. The soil total nitrogen content for Xinjiang, Heilongjiang, Hebei, Henan, and Gansu was between 0.87 and 1.03 g·kg-1, which was significantly lower than that in Shandong and Beijing, but significantly higher than that in Liaoning, Shanxi, and Shaanxi. Six provinces exhibited apple orchard soil C/N ratio higher than 10, including Heilongjiang (15.42), Xinjiang (13.38), Ningxia (14.45), Liaoning (12.24), Yunnan (11.03), and Gansu (10.63). The soil C/N ratio was below 10 in the remaining six provinces, in which the highest was found in Shaanxi (9.47), followed by Beijing (8.98), Henan (7.99), and Shanxi (7.62), and the lowest was found in Hebei (6.80) and Shandong (6.05). Therefore, the improvement of soil organic carbon should be given more attention to increase the steady growth of soil C/N ratio.

IL-6、CRP、NLR和NT-proBNP对老年心力衰竭合并肺炎的诊断价值

目的探讨白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、C-反应蛋白(CRP)、中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值(NLR)和N末端前脑钠肽前体(NT-proBNP)对老年心力衰竭(以下简称心衰)合并肺炎的诊断价值。方法选取2022年4月至2023年4月该院收治的165例老年心衰患者作为研究对象,根据是否合并肺炎分为心衰合并肺炎组(78例)和单纯心衰组(87例),根据美国纽约心脏病协会(NYHA)心功能分级标准分为Ⅱ级组(59例)和Ⅲ级+Ⅳ级组(106例)。比较各组IL-6、CRP、NT-proBNP水平和NLR;采用Spearman相关分析IL-6、CRP、NLR与NT-proBNP水平的相关性;采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线评估IL-6、CRP、NLR、NT-proBNP单独及联合检测对心衰患者合并肺炎的诊断效能。结果心衰合并肺炎组IL-6、CRP、NT-proBNP水平及NLR明显高于单纯心衰组(P<0.05),Ⅲ级+Ⅳ级组IL-6、CRP、NT-proBNP水平及NLR明显高于Ⅱ级组(P<0.05)。Spearman相关性分析结果显示,NT-proBNP水平与IL-6、CRP、NLR水平呈正相关(r=0.263、0.419、0.468,P<0.001)。IL-6、CRP、NLR和NTproBNP联合诊断心衰合并肺炎的曲线下面积(AUC)为0.726(95%CI:0.650~0.803),灵敏度为67.9%,特异度为71.3%。结论心衰合并肺炎患者IL-6、CRP、NT-proBNP水平和NLR明显高于单纯心衰患者,上述4项指标联合检测对心衰合并肺炎患者有一定的诊断效能。

Biological Nutrient Removal in a Full Scale Anoxic/Anaerobic/Aerobic/ Pre-anoxic-MBR Plant for Low C/N Ratio Municipal Wastewater Treatment

A novel full scale modified A2O （anoxic/anaerobic/aerobic/pre-anoxic）-membrane bioreactor （MBR） plant combined with the step feed strategy was operated to improve the biological nutrient removal （BNR） from low C/N ratio municipal wastewater in Southern China. Transformation of organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, and membrane fouling were investigated. Experimental results for over four months demonstrated good efficiencies for chemical oxygen demand （COD） and NH4^＋-N removal, with average values higher than 84.5%and 98.1%, re-spectively. A relatively higher total nitrogen （TN） removal efficiency （52.1%） was also obtained at low C/N ratio of 3.82, contributed by the configuration modification （anoxic zone before anaerobic zone） and the step feed with a distribution ratio of 1：1. Addition of sodium acetate into the anoxic zone as the external carbon source, with a theoretical amount of 31.3 mg COD per liter in influent, enhanced denitrification and the TN removal efficiency in-creased to 74.9%. Moreover, the total phosphate （TP） removal efficiency increased by 18.0%. It is suggested that the external carbon source is needed to improve the BNR performance in treating low C/N ratio municipal waste-water in the modified A^2O-MBR process.

Effects of Elevated CO_2 Concentration on the Biomasses and Nitrogen Concentrations in the Organs of Sainfoin(Onobrychis viciaefolia Scop.)

In forage grasses, the nitrogen concentration is directly related to the nutritional value. The studies examined the hypothesis that global elevation of CO2 concentration probably affects the biomass, nitrogen （N） concentration, and allocation and distribution patterns in the organs of forage grasses. While sainfoin （Onobrychis viciaefolia Scop.） seedlings grew on a low nutrient soil in closed chambers for 90 days, they were exposed to two CO2 concentrations （ambient or ambient＋350 μmol mol^-1 CO2） without adding nutrients to them. After 90 days exposure to CO2, the biomasses of leaves, stems, and roots, and N concentrations and contents of different parts were measured. Compared with the ambient CO2 concentration, the elevated CO2 concentration increased the total dry matter by 25.07%, mainly due to the root and leaf having positive response to the elevated CO2 concentration. However, the elevated CO2 concentration did not change the proportions of the dry matters in different parts and the total plants compared with the ambient CO2 concentration. The elevated CO2 concentration lowered the N concentrations of the plant parts. Because the dry matter was higher, the elevated CO2 concentration had no effect on the N content in the plants compared to the ambient CO2 concentration. The elevated CO2 concentration promoted N allocations of the different parts significantly and increased N allocation of the underground part. The results have confirmed the previous suggestions that the elevated CO2 concentration stimulates plant biomass production and decreases the N concentrations of the plant parts.

A 16 ka climate record deduced from δ^(13)C and C/N ratio in Qinghai Lake sediments, northeastern Tibetan Plateau

On the basis of multi-proxy analysis on TOC, TN, C/N, organic δ^13C and grain size, sediment record from Qinghai Lake provides evidences of stepwise-pattemed climatic change since 16 ka BE Results show that Qinghai Lake underwent six environmental stages. From 16.2 to 14.3 ka BP and from 4.0 to 2.1 ka BP, the organic δ^13C value was controlled by the concentration of atmospheric CO2. Relative higher organic δ^13C values occurred between 14.3 to 10.4 ka BP indicative of water hardness decrease resulted from melting ice water, corresponding to two intervals of C/N peak values to the Boling and AIlerod warm periods in Europe respectively. From 10.4 ka BP, Qinghai Lake entered the Holocene and the climate was warm and a little dry. The Megathermal appeared at about 6.7 ka BP when the vegetation around the lake transformed into a forest. Between 6.3 ka BP and 4.0 ka BP, the temperature decreased and δ^13C value was controlled by the expansion of C3 plants and the retreat of C4 plants in river catchment. Since 4.0 ka BP, the climate gradually became cold and dry. From 2.1 ka BP, the cold-dry climate and human activity resulted in an abrupt increase in C/N with deceased δ^13C value; meanwhile, many coarse grains appeared in sediments.

Biomass and nutrient productivities ofTetraselmis chuii under mixotrophic culture conditions with various C：N ratios

Mass microalgal culture plays an irreplaceable role in aquaculture,but microalgal productivity is restricted by traditional autotrophic culture conditions.In the present study,a Tetraselmis chuii strain belonging to the phylum Chlorophyta was isolated from south Yellow Sea.The growth rate and biomass productivity of this strain was higher under mixotrophic conditions with different carbon:nitrogen(C:N)ratios than those under autotrophic conditions.When the C:N ratio was 16,the optical density and biomass productivity were 3.7-and 5-fold higher than their corresponding values under autotrophic culture conditions,respectively.Moreover,T.chuii synthesized more polysaccharides and total lipids under mixotrophic conditions.In addition,T.chuii cultured under mixotrophic conditions synthesized more types of fatty acids than autotrophic culture conditions.At a C:N ratio of 16,the percentage of C16:0 and C18:1 reached 30.08%and 24.65%of the total fatty acid(TFA) content,respectively.These findings may provide a basis for largescale mixotrophic culture of T.chuii,as a potential bait-microalga.

Scaling of Soil Carbon,Nitrogen,Phosphorus and C:N:P Ratio Patterns in Peatlands of China

Inspired by the importance of Redfield-type C:N:P ratios in global soils,we looked for analogous patterns in peatlands and aimed at deciphering the potential affecting factors.By analyzing a suite of peatlands soil data(n = 1031),mean soil organic carbon(SOC),total nitrogen(TN) and total phosphorous(TP) contents were 50.51%,1.45% and 0.13%,respectively,while average C:N,C:P and N:P ratios were 26.72,1186.00 and 46.58,respectively.C:N ratios showed smaller variations across different vegetation coverage and had less spatial heterogeneity than C:P and N:P ratios.No consistent C:N:P ratio,though with a general value of 1245:47:1,was found for entire peatland soils in China.The Northeast China,Tibet,Zoigê Plateau and parts of Xinjiang had high soil SOC,TN,TP,and C:P ratio.Qinghai,parts of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River,and the coast zones have low TP and N:P ratio.Significant differences for SOC,TN,TP,C:N,C:P and N:P ratios were observed across groups categorized by predominant vegetation.Moisture,temperature and precipitation all closely related to SOC,TN,TP and their pairwise ratios.The hydrothermal coefficient(RH),defined as annual average precipitation divided by temperature,positively and significantly related to C:N,C:P and N:P ratios,implying that ongoing climate change may prejudice peatlands as carbon sinks during the past 50 years in China.

Effect of C/N Ratio on Nitrogen Removal of A/O-MBBR Process for Treating Mariculture Wastewater

In order to explore the effect of carbon and nitrogen(C/N)ratio on the performance of anoxic/aerobic-moving bed bio-film reactor(A/O-MBBR)process for treating mariculture wastewater,a laboratory-scale A/O-MBBR was conducted.The results showed that the reduction of C/N ratio was conducive to improving the removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand(COD)and ammonia nitrogen(NH_(4)^(+)-N),while inhibiting that of nitrite nitrogen(NO_(2)^(−)-N)and nitrate nitrogen(NO_(3)^(−)-N).The extracellular polymeric substances(EPS)in anoxic zone were significantly higher in concentration than that in aerobic zone although they both declined with decrease of C/N ratio.The result provides solid support for better controlling the pollution of mariculture wastewater.

Effects of Free-air CO2 Enrichment on Root Characteristics and C:N Ratio of Rice at the Heading Stage

A hydroponics experiment was conducted to investigate the rice root growth in FACE （free-air carbon dioxide enrichment）. The root biomass, root volume, ratio of root/shoot, number of adventitious roots and root diameter significantly increased under FACE conditions, while the CO2 enrichment decreased the N concentration in rice roots without any change in the C content, leading to an increase in root C：N ratio. Moreover, the elevated CO2 resulted in a remarkable decrease of root activity, expressed as per unit root dry weight, which might be responsible for decreased N concentration in roots.

Influence of Different C/N Ratios on Aerobic Denitrification Characteristics of the Strain

[ Objective] The research aimed to study influence of different C/N ratios on aerobic denitdfication characteristics of the strain. [ Method] 5 aerobic denitdfying bacteria were isolated from activated sludge at low temperature and low C/N ratio, and their denitdfication capabilities were verified. Influence of different C/N ratios on denitdfication capability of the strain was determined. [ Result] In the five isolated aerobic denitdf- ying bacteria, except HFX08 was G-, HFX00, HFX01, HFX12 and HFX13 were G ＋. HFX08 belonged to Pseudomonas, and other strains be- longed to Acinetobacter. As C/N ratio increased, denitdfication velocity increased, and the highest removal rate of nitrogen for the five strains could reach over 92%. [ Conclusion] The research could provide reference for design and operation of the sewage treatment process with low C/N ratio in winter in the north.

Maize straw application as an interlayer improves organic carbon and total nitrogen concentrations in the soil profile: A four-year experiment in a saline soil

Soil salinization is a critical environmental issue restricting agricultural production.Deep return of straw to the soil as an interlayer (at 40 cm depth) has been a popular practice to alleviate salt stress.However,the legacy effects of straw added as an interlayer at different rates on soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) in saline soils still remain inconclusive.Therefore,a four-year (2015–2018) field experiment was conducted with four levels (i.e.,0,6,12and 18 Mg ha~(–1)) of straw returned as an interlayer.Compared with no straw interlayer (CK),straw addition increased SOC concentration by 14–32 and 11–57%in the 20–40 and 40–60 cm soil layers,respectively.The increases in soil TN concentration (8–22 and 6–34%in the 20–40 and 40–60 cm soil layers,respectively) were lower than that for SOC concentration,which led to increased soil C:N ratio in the 20–60 cm soil depth.Increases in SOC and TN concentrations in the 20–60 cm soil layer with straw addition led to a decrease in stratification ratios (0–20 cm:20–60 cm),which promoted uniform distributions of SOC and TN in the soil profile.Increases in SOC and TN concentrations were associated with soil salinity and moisture regulation and improved sunflower yield.Generally,compared with other treatments,the application of 12 Mg ha~(–1) straw had higher SOC,TN and C:N ratio,and lower soil stratification ratio in the2015–2017 period.The results highlighted that legacy effects of straw application as an interlayer were maintained for at least four years,and demonstrated that deep soil straw application had a great potential for improving subsoil fertility in salt-affected soils.

Amelioration of Saline Soil by the Application of Gypsum, Calcium Chloride, Rice Husk and Cow Dung

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of cow dung, rice husks, calcium chloride and gypsum on soil reclamation and compare the effect of organic and inorganic amendments on soil reclamation during the period of 5th March to 20th April, 2017. The experiment was laid to fit a completely randomized design (CRD) with seven treatments [Reference soil (T0), Cow dung (T1), Rice husk (T2), Gypsum (T3), Calcium chloride (T4), Cow dung + Rice husk (T5) and Gypsum + Calcium chloride (T6)] each having three replications for this experiment. After incubation (45 days), the laboratory investigation was carried out in the Soil, Water and Environment Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh. Results indicate that the individual or combined effect of gypsum (T3) was more effective in changing EC and SAR. Gypsum application in combination with calcium chloride (T6) improved the soil chemical properties by reducing the EC. Among the treatment, calcium chloride (T4) had a remarkable effect in reducing sodium adsorption ratio and gypsum had a remarkable effect in reducing pH. Cow dung (T1), rice husk (T2), combination of cow dung and rice husk (T5) were less effective to reduce EC, pH and SAR. It’s measured for soils of different soil amendments varied significantly

Spatial Variability of Soil Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio and Its Driving Factors in Ili River Valley,Xinjiang,Northwest China

Soil carbon to nitrogen(C/N) ratio is one of the most important variables reflecting soil quality and ecological function,and an indicator for assessing carbon and nitrogen nutrition balance of soils.Its variation reflects the carbon and nitrogen cycling of soils.In order to explore the spatial variability of soil C/N ratio and its controlling factors of the Ili River valley in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,Northwest China,the traditional statistical methods,including correlation analysis,geostatistic alanalys and multiple regression analysis were used.The statistical results showed that the soil C/N ratio varied from 7.00 to 23.11,with a mean value of 10.92,and the coefficient of variation was 31.3%.Correlation analysis showed that longitude,altitude,precipitation,soil water,organic carbon,and total nitrogen were positively correlated with the soil C/N ratio(P < 0.01),whereas negative correlations were found between the soil C/N ratio and latitude,temperature,soil bulk density and soil p H.Ordinary Cokriging interpolation showed that r and ME were 0.73 and 0.57,respectively,indicating that the prediction accuracy was high.The spatial autocorrelation of the soil C/N ratio was 6.4 km,and the nugget effect of the soil C/N ratio was 10% with a patchy distribution,in which the area with high value(12.00–20.41) accounted for 22.6% of the total area.Land uses changed the soil C/N ratio with the order of cultivated land > grass land > forest land > garden.Multiple regression analysis showed that geographical and climatic factors,and soil physical and chemical properties could independently explain 26.8%and 55.4% of the spatial features of soil C/N ratio,while human activities could independently explain 5.4% of the spatial features only.The spatial distribution of soil C/N ratio in the study has important reference value for managing soil carbon and nitrogen,and for improving ecological function to similar regions.

Evaluation on nitrogen isotopes analysis in high-C/N-ratio plants using elemental analyzer/isotope ratio mass spectrometry

Elemental analyzer/isotope ratio mass spectrometry(EA/TRMS) has been widely applied to analyze the^(15)N/^(14)N isotope composition(δ^(15)N) of plants and soils,but the δ^(15)N results may be inaccurate due to incomplete combustion of the high-C/N-ratio plant samples by EA.Therefore,it is necessary to develop a method to solve the problem of imperfect combustion.In this study,we used two methods:1) adding copper oxide powder to the samples,and 2) increasing the O_2 flow(from 100 mL min^(-1) to 200 mL min^(-1)) for the auto sampler inlet purge line of the EA.The δ^(15)N values of the plant samples became more positive and tended to be stable after complete combustion.Also,the required blank samples for each plant sample decreased with increasing amount of the added CuO powder.However,at 200 mL min^(-1) of the oxygen flow in the EA,complete combustion could not be achieved without adding copper oxide,but this was done with decreased amount of CuO powder.Therefore,mixing cupric oxide into the high-C/N-ratio samples was an efficient,simple and convenient way to solve the problem of imperfect combustion in the EA.