Vegetation C–N–P accumulation and allocation patterns at the community level in early restored plantations in the loess hilly-gully region

Accumulation of vegetation biomass is a crucial process for carbon fixation in the early stage of afforestation and a primary driving force for subsequent ecological functions.Accurately assessing the storage and allocation of elements in plantations is essential for their management and estimating carbon sink capacity.However,current knowledge of the storage and allocation patterns of elements within plant organs at the community level is limited.To clarify the distribution patterns of elements in plant organs at the community level,we measured the biomass within plant organs of five typical plantations in the early stage of afforestation in the loess hilly-gully region.We assessed the main drivers of element accumulation and distribution by employing redundancy analysis and random forest.Results revealed significant differences in biomass storages among plantations and a significant effect of plantation type on the storages of elements within plant organs.Furthermore,the dominant factors influencing C–N–P storage and allocation at the community level were found to be inconsistent.While the storage of elements was mainly influenced by stand openness,total soil nitrogen,and plant diversity,the allocation of elements in organs was mainly influenced by stand openness and soil water content.Overall,the spatial structure of the community had an important influence on both element storage and allocation,but soil conditions played a more important role in element allocation than in storage.Random forest results showed that at the community level,factors influencing element storage and allocation within plant organs often differed.The regulation of elemental storage could be regulated by the major growth demand resources,while the allocation was regulated by other limiting class factors,which often differed from those that had a significant effect on element storage.The differences in plant organ elemental storage and allocation drivers at the community level reflect community adaptation strategies and the regulation of resources by ecosystems in combination with plants.Our study provides valuable insights for enhancing plantation C sink estimates and serves as a reference for regulating element storage and allocation at the local scale.

Common Spectral Bands and Optimum Vegetation Indices for Monitoring Leaf Nitrogen Accumulation in Rice and Wheat

Real-time monitoring of nitrogen status in rice and wheat plant is of significant importance for nitrogen diagnosis, fertilization recommendation, and productivity prediction. With 11 field experiments involving different cultivars, nitrogen rates, and water regimes, time-course measurements were taken of canopy hyperspeetral reflectance between 350-2 500 nm and leaf nitrogen accumulation （LNA） in rice and wheat. A new spectral analysis method through the consideration of characteristics of canopy components and plant growth status varied with phenological growth stages was designed to explore the common central bands in rice and wheat. Comprehensive analyses were made on the quantitative relationships of LNA to soil adjusted vegetation index （SAVI） and ratio vegetation index （RVI） composed of any two bands between 350-2 500 nm in rice and wheat. The results showed that the ranges of indicative spectral reflectance were largely located in 770-913 and 729-742 nm in both rice and wheat. The optimum spectral vegetation index for estimating LNA was SAVI （R822, R738） during the early-mid period （from jointing to booting）, and it was RVI （Rs22, R73s） during the mid-late period （from heading to filling） with the common central bands of 822 and 738 nm in rice and wheat. Comparison of the present spectral vegetation indices with previously reported vegetation indices gave a satisfactory performance in estimating LNA. It is concluded that the spectral bands of 822 and 738 nm can be used as common reflectance indicators for monitoring leaf nitrogen accumulation in rice and wheat.

Effects of Rhizosphere Dissolved Oxygen Content and Nitrogen Form on Root Traits and Nitrogen Accumulation in Rice

Dissolved oxygen and nitrogen form have important effects on rice root growth and nitrogen availability.An indica hybrid rice,Guodao 1,and a conventional japonica rice,Xiushui 09,were cultured in hypoxic nutrient solution with NH4NO3 or(NH4)2SO4 as the nitrogen source for six weeks in pools.A portion of the Guodao 1 seedlings after treatment in the pools for four weeks were transferred to a split-root system at different dissolved oxygen contents and cultured for an additional two weeks.Biomass,root morphological traits and nitrogen accumulation were recorded.Under the low rhizosphere dissolved oxygen content(0-1.0 mg/L),plant biomass was significantly increased under NH4NO3-N supply by about 69% in Guodao 1 and 41% in Xiushui 09 compared with those under NH4+-N alone.Similar results were observed for root number,maximum root length,root dry weight and root activity.Nitrogen accumulations in roots and shoots were increased by 60% and 52% for Guodao 1,and by 41% and 33% for Xiushui 09,respectively,in the NH4NO3-N treatment.In the split-root system,the high rhizosphere dissolved oxygen content(8.0-9.0 mg/L) promoted root growth and development.Root biomass was increased by 21.6%,root number by 27%,maximum root length by 14%,and root volume by 10%.Moreover,nitrogen accumulation in roots was increased by 11% under high rhizosphere oxygen conditions.In conclusion,enhanced dissolved oxygen content and combined ammonium-nitrate nitrogen source have positive effects on root growth and nitrogen accumulation of rice plants.

Age-related Changes of Carbon Accumulation and Allocation in Plants and Soil of Black Locust Forest on Loess Plateau in Ansai County, Shaanxi Province of China

The effects of reforestation on carbon （C） sequestration in China＇s Loess Plateau ecosystem have attracted much research attention in recent years. Black locust trees （Robinia pseudoacacia L.） are valued for their important use in reforestation and water and soil conservation efforts. This forest type is widespread across the Loess Plateau, and must he an essential component of any planning for C sequestration efforts in this fragile ecological region. The long-term effects of stand age on C accumulation and allocation after reforestation remains uncertain. We examined an age-sequence of black locust forest （5, 9, 20, 30, 38, and 56 yr since planting） on the Loess Plateau to evaluate C accumulation and allocation in plants （trees, shrubs, herbages, and leaf litter） and soil （0-100 cm）. Allometric equations were developed for estimating the biomass of tree components （leaf, branch, stem without bark, bark and root） with a de- structive sampling method. Our results demonstrated that black locust forest ecosystem accumulated C constantly, from 31.42 Mg C/ha （1 Mg = 106 g） at 5 yr to 79.44 Mg C/haat 38 yr. At the ＇old forest＇ stage （38 to 56 yr）, the amount of C in plant biomass significantly decreased （from 45.32 to 34.52 Mg C/ha） due to the high mortality of trees. However, old forest was able to accumulate C continuously in soil （from 33.66 to 41.00 Mg C/ha）. The C in shrub biomass increased with stand age, while the C stock in the herbage layer and leaf litter was age-independent. Reforestation resulted in C re-allocation in the forest soil. The topsoil （0-20 cm） C stock increased constantly with stand age. However, C storage in sub-top soil, in the 20-30, 30-50, 50-100, and 20-100 cm layers, was age-independent. These results suggest that succession, as a temporal factor, plays a key role in C accumulation and re-allocation in black locust forests and also in regional C dynamics in vegetation.

Carbon and nitrogen allocations in corn grown in Central and Northeast China: different responses to fertilization treatments

In order to reveal the impact of various fertilization strategies on carbon（C） and nitrogen（N） accumulation and allocation in corn（Zea mays L.）, corn was grown in the fields where continuous fertilization management had been lasted about 18 years at two sites located in Central and Northeast China（Zhengzhou and Gongzhuling）, and biomass C and N contents in different organs of corn at harvest were analyzed. The fertilization treatments included non-fertilizer（control）, chemical fertilizers of either nitrogen（N）, or nitrogen and phosphorus（NP）, or phosphorus and potassium（PK）, or nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium（NPK）, NPK plus manure（NPKM）, 150% of the NPKM（1.5NPKM）, and NPK plus straw（NPKS）. The results showed that accumulated C in aboveground ranged from 2 550–5 630 kg ha^–1 in the control treatment to 9 300–9 610 kg ha^–1 in the NPKM treatment, of which 57–67% and 43–50% were allocated in the non-grain organs, respectively. Accumulated N in aboveground ranged from 44.8–55.2 kg ha^-1 in the control treatment to 211–222 kg ha^–1 in the NPKM treatment, of which 35–48% and 33–44% were allocated in the non-grain parts, respectively. C allocated to stem and leaf for the PK treatment was 65 and 49% higher than that for the NPKM treatment at the both sites, respectively, while N allocated to the organs for the PK treatment was 18 and 6% higher than that for the NPKM treatment, respectively. This study demonstrated that responses of C and N allocation in corn to fertilization strategies were different, and C allocation was more sensitive to fertilization treatments than N allocation in the area.

Nitrogen retranslocation, allocation, and utilization in bare root Larix olgensis seedlings

We quantified biomass accumulation and nitrogen （N） re- translocation, allocation, and utilization of Changbai larch （Larix olgen- sis） seedlings subjected to four fertilization treatments （24, 59, 81, 117 kg.ha-1 N） with an unfertilized control during summer and autumn 2009. Ammonium phosphate （18-46-0） was the fertilizer used in all treatments. On both sampling dates, the needles had greater biomass and N content than new （2009） stems and old （2008） stems, and coarse, medium and fine roots （diameters of 〉5, 2-5 mm, and 0-2 mm, respectively）. Higher N concentration was observed in old stems and coarse roots than that in new stems and medium roots. In mid-summer, fine roots had higher N concentration than coarse roots. The treatment with 24 kg.ha1 N had the greatest biomass and N content in needles and old stems, and highest net N retranslocation （NRA） and amount of N derived from soil. On Sep- tember 21, no N translocation was observed, while the treatment with 24 kg.ha^-1 N had the highest N utilization efficiency and fertilizer efficiency. Vector analysis revealed that all four fertilization treatments induced Nexcess relative to the control. The treatments with 59, 81, 117 kg.ha^-1 N induce N excess compared with treatments at 24 kg.ha-1 N. We conclude that the traditional local fertilizer application rates exceeded N require- ments and N uptake ability for Changbai larch seedlings. The application rate of 24 kg.ha^-1 N is recommended.

Effects of Ratio of Row Spacing to Intrarow Spacing on Yield and Nitrogen Accumulation and Utilization of Early and Late Rice

[Objective]The aim was to provide a theoretical basis for the rational configuration of ratio of row spacing to intrarow spacing(RS/IS)of double-cropping rice.[Methods]With early rice‘Ganxin 203’and‘Zhongjiazao 17’and late rice‘Ganxin 688’and‘Wufengyou T025’as materials,the effects of RS/IS on yield,nitrogen accumulation and utilization were studied in the same planting density of31.20×104hills/hm2.[Results]The results showed that yield of early rice was higher in RS/IS2.8(30.0 cm×10.7 cm)and RS/IS2.0(25.0 cm×12.8 cm)treatment,and lower in RS/IS5.0(40.0 cm×8.0 cm)and RS/IS1.3(20.0 cm×16.0 cm)treatment,while late rice were higher in RS/IS5.0and RS/IS2.0treatment,and lower in RS/IS2.8and RS/IS1.3treatment.Total nitrogen accumulation and apparent utilization ratio of nitrogen of early rice were higher in RS/IS2.0treatment and lower in RS/IS5.0treatment,while,for late rice were higher in RS/IS2.8treatment and lower in RS/IS5.0treatment.Nitrogen requirement for 100 kg grain production of early rice was higher in RS/IS1.3treatment and lower in RS/IS2.0treatment,while,for late rice were higher in RS/IS2.8treatment,lower in RS/IS5.0treatment.[Conclusion]In sum,4 varieties of early and late rice obtained higher yield in 25.0 cm×12.8 cm and lower yield in 20.0 cm×16.0 cm,and total nitrogen accumulation,nitrogen requirement for 100 kg grain production and apparent utilization ratio of nitrogen were all lower in 40.0 cm×8.0 cm.

Effects of Nitrogen Forms on Carbon and Nitrogen Accumulation in Tomato Seedling

Utilization of organic nitrogen （N） is an important aspect of plant N assimilation and has potential application in sustainable agriculture. The aim of this study was to investigate the plant growth, C and N accumulation in leaves and roots of tomato seedlings in response to inorganic （NH4^＋-N, NO3^-N） and organic nitrogen （Gly-N）. Different forms of nitrogen （NH4^＋-N, NO3^--N, Gly-N） were supplied to two tomato cultivars （Shenfen 918 and Huying 932） using a hydroponics system. The plant dry biomass, chlorophyll content, root activity, total carbon and nitrogen content in roots and leaves, and total N absorption, etc. were assayed during the cultivation. Our results showed that no significant differences in plant height, dry biomass, and total N content were found within the first 16 d among three treatments; however, significant differences in treatments on 24 d and 32 d were observed, and the order was NO3^--N 〉 Gly-N 〉 NH4^＋-N. Significant differences were also observed between the two tomato cultivars. Chlorophyll contents in the two cultivars were significantly increased by the Gly-N treatment, and root activity showed a significant decrease in NHa^＋-N treatment. Tomato leaf total carbon content was slightly affected by different N forms; however, total carbon in root and total nitrogen in root and leaf were promoted significantly by inorganic and organic N. Among the applied N forms, the increasing effects of the NH4^＋-N treatment were larger than that of the Gly-N. In a word, different N resources resulted in different physiological effects in tomatoes. Organic nitrogen （e.g., Gly-N） can be a proper resource of plant N nutrition. Tomatoes of different genotypes had different responses under organic nitrogen （e.g., Gly-N） supplies.

Effects of nitrogen fertilization strategies on nitrogen use efficiency in physiology, recovery, and agronomy and redistribution of dry matter accumulation and nitrogen accumulation in two typical rice cultivars in Zhejiang, China

Field experiments were conducted in farmers’ rice fields in 2001 and 2002 to study the effects of nitrogen (N) man-agement strategies on N use efficiency in recovery (RE), agronomy (AE) and physiology (PE) and redistribution of dry matter accumulation (DMA) and nitrogen accumulation (NA) in two typical rice cultivars in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province. This study aimed mainly at identifying the possible causes of poor fertilizer N use efficiency (NUE) of rice in Zhejiang by comparing farmers’ fertilizer practice (FFP) with advanced site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) and real-time N management (RTNM). The results showed that compared to FFP, SSNM and RTNM reduced DMA and NA before panicle initiation and increased DMA and NA at post-flowering. There is no significant difference between SSNM and FFP in post-flowering dry matter redistribution (post-DMR) and post-flowering nitrogen redistribution (post-NR). These results suggest that high input rate of fertilizer N and improper fertilizer N timing are the main factors causing low NUE of irrigated rice in the farmer’s routine practice of Zhejiang. With SSNM, about 15% of the current total N input in direct-seeding early rice and 45% in single rice could be reduced without yield loss in Zhejiang, China.

Relationship between Protein Accumulation and Nitrogen Accumulation and Translocation in Different Genotype Soybean

Physiological studies of soybean [Glycine max(L.)Merr.]genotypes with wide differences in seed protein concentration may permit detection of important yield related processes.In order to research the law of protein accumulation and the characteristics of N accumulation and translocation,we did an experiment with three soybean cultivars which have different protein content and the similar phase in pot culture.The results showed that the laws of protein accumulation of three soybean cultivars are similar in the course of seeding;protein content descended in the early stage,and increased steadily in the middle period,then increased quickly in the later period.But the speed of protein accumulation in soybean seeds was difference in different period.In addition,high protein cultivar (Dongnong 42) and intermediate protein cultivar (Dongnong 7819) were more than those of low protein cultivar (Dongnong 434),including nitrogen contents in leaf and petiole,stem and pod,peak value of nitrogen accumulation of the whole plant,value of nitrogen translocation,its efficiency.

Nitrogen Accumulation and Transport Characteristics and Grain Protein Content of Wheat Varieties with Different Nitrogen Efficiencies and Their Responses to Irrigation

[Objectives]To explore the differences in nitrogen accumulation and transport characteristics and grain protein content of wheat varieties with different nitrogen efficiencies and their responses to irrigation.[Methods]Under field conditions,using nitrogen-inefficient varieties Luohan 17 and Xinhua 818 and nitrogen-efficient varieties Bainong 418 and Bainong 419 as materials,this paper studied the nitrogen accumulation and transport characteristics,grain protein content and protein yield of wheat with different nitrogen efficiencies under rainfed and irrigated conditions.[Results]Compared with the nitrogen-inefficient wheat varieties,the pre-flowering nitrogen transport and the shoot nitrogen accumulation at the mature stage of nitrogen-efficient wheat varieties decreased by 15.08%and 28.25%,respectively,and the grain protein content decreased by 11.66%,under rainfed conditions.Compared with rainfed conditions,nitrogen accumulation in shoots of nitrogen-inefficient wheat varieties and nitrogen-efficient wheat varieties at the mature stage increased by 6.59%and 67.05%,respectively,and grain protein content decreased by 13.50%and 3.47%,respectively,under irrigated conditions.The two nitrogen efficiency types of wheat had different responses to irrigation after flowering.After irrigation,the nitrogen accumulation of nitrogen-efficient varieties increased by 274.80%,while that of nitrogen-inefficient varieties decreased by 51.15%.Finally,the grain protein yield of nitrogen-inefficient wheat varieties remained stable,while the grain protein yield of nitrogen-efficient wheat varieties increased by 40.37%.[Conclusions]The nitrogen accumulation and transport characteristics and grain protein content of wheat varieties with different nitrogen efficiencies are different under different irrigation conditions.In production,it is necessary to take different irrigation measures in accordance with the difference in nitrogen efficiency of wheat varieties,so as to increase the protein content of wheat grains.

Effects of Slow-release Nitrogen on Dry Matter Accumulation,Translocation and Yield of Summer Maize

[Objectives]This study was conducted to investigate the effects of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer on dry matter accumulation and translocation of summer maize.[Methods]With Zhoudan 9 as the test variety,six different treatment were set up:blank control(CK1),slow-release urea 75 kg/hm^(2)(C1),slow-release urea 150 kg/hm^(2)(C2),slow-release urea 225 kg/hm^(2)(C3),slow-release urea 300 kg/hm^(2)(C4)and ordinary urea 300 kg/hm^(2)(CK2),to study the change law of dry matter accumulation and translocation in summer maize.[Results]Treatment slow-release urea 225 kg/hm^(2)(C4)showed summer maize yield,dry matter translocation between organs,grain contribution rate and proportion of grain dry matter in the full ripe stage higher than other treatments.Considering the weight loss and cost factors,slow-release urea 225 kg/hm^(2)(C3)could be recommended as the fertilizing amount for summer maize.[Conclusions]This study provides theoretical reference for rational selection of fertilizers for reducing fertilizer application and increasing fertilizer efficiency,and for production of summer maize in Shajiang black soil region.

Tradeoffs of nitrogen investment between leaf resorption and photosynthesis across soil fertility in Quercus mongolica seedlings during the hardening period

The most important process before leaf senescence is nutrient resorption,which reduces nutrient loss and maximizes plant fitness during the subsequent growth period.However,plants must retain certain levels of nitrogen(N)in their leaves to maintain carbon assimilation during hardening.The objective of this study was to investigate the tradeoffs in N investment between leaf N resorption and N for photosynthesis in seedlings with increased soil fertility during the hardening period.A field experiment was conducted to determine if and how soil fertility treatments(17,34,or 68 mg N seedling−1)affected N resorption and allocation to the photosynthetic apparatus in Quercus mongolica leaves during the hardening period.Seedlings were sampled at T1(after terminal bud formation),T2(between terminal bud formation and end of the growing period),and T3(at the end of the growing period).Results showed that photosynthetic N content continued to rise in T2,while N resorption started from non-photosynthetic N.Leaf N allocation to the photosynthetic apparatus increased as soil fertility increased,delaying N resorption.Additionally,soil fertility significantly affected N partitioning among different photosynthetic components,maintaining or increasing photosynthetic traits during senescence.This study demonstrates a tradeoff in N investment between resorption and photosynthesis to maintain photosynthetic assimilation capacity during the hardening period,and that soil fertility impacts this balance.Q.mongolica leaves primarily resorbed N from the non-photosynthetic apparatus and invested it in the photosynthetic apparatus,whereas different photosynthetic N component allocations effectively improved this pattern.

Effects of Nitrogen Application Rate, Density and Seedling Age on Dry Matter Accumulation of No-tillage Rape in Seedling Stage

[Objective] The aim of the research was to find the optimal nitrogen application rate, density and seedling age for no-tillage rape in seedling stage. [Method] With the D-optimal quadratic regression design for three factors, the 310 scheme was designed to study the effects of nitrogen application rate, density and seedling age on dry matter accumulation of no-tillage rape in seedling stage. [Result] With the increase of nitrogen application rate, density and seedling age, the dry matter content appeared like a parabola, increasing firstly and then declining. The change of nitrogen application rate caused greater influence than that of density and seedling age; the interaction effects between nitrogen application rate and density were greater than that between nitrogen application rate and seedling age as well as between density and seedling age. [Conclusion] Considered comprehensively, the dry matter content of no-tillage rape in seedling stage reached the highest level (4 768.2 kg/hm2) when the nitrogen application rate, the density and the seedling age were 195 kg/hm2, 93 000 plants/hm2 and 33 d, respectively.

The influence of Nitrogen Nutrition on Starch Accumulation in the Process of Tuber Development in Autumn Solanum tuberosum L.

Taking two varieties, high and low starch content respectively, as tested materials, experiments were conducted to study the effects of nitrogen fertilizer in different levels on tuber starch accumulation characteristics under autumn planting condition, and thus to provide technical support in optimized planting techniques of autumn potato. The results showed that during tuber development the changes in concentrations of total starch, amylopectin and amylose were ＂S＂ shaped curve un-der different nitrogen fertilizer treatments, in line with the Logistic equation Y=K/（1＋ae-bT）, but both starch accumulation intensity and the time reaching to maximum ac-cumulation intensity were not exactly the same in different nitrogen fertilizer levels so is it with different varieties. Furthermore, high starch concentration variety ‘XS-1’, the largest accumulation of strength of amylase was the lower in the middle fertil-ization and higher in low and high fertilization treatments. The contents of amy-lopectin, total starch were first increasing and then dropping with the amount of ni-trogen increasing. To low starch concentration variety ‘XS-2’, with nitrogen fertilizer content increase, the largest accumulation of strength was reducing in amylose, but was rising in amylopectin and changed from rising to fal ing in total starch. The time reaching to maximum accumulation strength in amylose and total starch changed from increasing to decreasing and amylopectin kept declining.

Effects of nitrogen form on growth,CO_2 assimilation,chlorophyll fluorescence,and photosynthetic electron allocation in cucumber and rice plants

Cucumber and rice plants with varying ammonium (NH4+) sensitivities were used to examine the effects of different nitrogen (N) sources on gas exchange, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence quenching, and photosynthetic electron allocation. Compared to nitrate (NO3-)-grown plants, cucumber plants grown under NH4+-nutrition showed decreased plant growth, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular carbon dioxide (CO2) level, transpiration rate, maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II, and O2-independent alternative electron flux, and increased O2-dependent alternative electron flux. However, the N source had little effect on gas exchange, Chl a fluorescence parameters, and photosynthetic electron allocation in rice plants, except that NH4+-grown plants had a higher O2-independent alternative electron flux than NO3--grown plants. NO3- reduction activity was rarely detected in leaves of NH4+-grown cucumber plants, but was high in NH4+-grown rice plants. These results demonstrate that significant amounts of photosynthetic electron transport were coupled to NO3- assimilation, an effect more significant in NO3-- grown plants than in NH4+-grown plants. Meanwhile, NH4+-tolerant plants exhibited a higher demand for the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) for NO3- reduction, regardless of the N form supplied, while NH4+-sensitive plants had a high water-water cycle activity when NH4+ was supplied as the sole N source.

comLinking flowering and reproductive allocation in response to nitrogen addition in an alpine meadow

Aims Plants can change in phenology and biomass allocation in response to environmental change.It has been demonstrated that nitrogen is the most limiting resource for plants in many terrestrial ecosystems.Previous studies have usually focused on either flowering phenology or biomass allocation of plants in response to nitrogen addition;how-ever,attempts to link flowering phenology and biomass allocation are still rare.In this study,we tested the effects of nitrogen addition on both flowering phenology and reproductive allocation in 34 common species.We also examined the potential linkage between flowering time and reproductive allocation in response to nitrogen addition.Methods We conducted a 3-year nitrogen addition experiment in Tibetan alpine meadow.We measured first flowering date and the repro-ductive allocation for 34 common plant species in control,low and high nitrogen added plots,respectively.one-way analysis of variance was used to examine differences of first flowering date and reproductive allocation among treatments.The relationships between the change in species first flowering date and change in reproductive allocation in response to nitrogen addition were examined by calculating Pearson correlation coefficients.Important Findings For most species,both first flowering date and reproductive alloca-tion significantly responded to nitrogen addition.Nitrogen addition significantly delayed the first flowering date and reduced the repro-ductive allocation for all graminoid species,but accelerated flower-ing and increased reproductive allocation for most forb species.We found that changes in first flowering date significantly negatively correlated with the changes in reproductive allocation over spe-cies in response to nitrogen,which indicated a positive relationship between flowering response and plant performance in reproductive allocation.species that advanced their flowering time with nitrogen addition increased their reproductive allocation,whereas those that delayed flowering time tended to decline in reproductive allocation with nitrogen addition.our results suggest that species-specific switch from vegetative growth to reproductive growth could influence species performance.

Allocation strategies of carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus following a gradient of wildfire severities

Wildfire is crucial in the regulation of nutrient allocation during the succession of boreal forests.However,the allocation strategies of carbon(C),nitrogen(N)and phosphorus(P)between leaves and fine roots in response to wildfire severities remain poorly studied.We aimed to explore the allocation strategies of C,N and P between leaves and fine roots among different fire severities.We selected four wildfire severities(unburned,low,moderate and high severity)after 10 years recovery in the Great Xing’an Mountains,northeast China,and compared C,N and P concentrations in leaves and fine roots of all species among fire severities using stoichiometry theory and allometric growth equations.Compared with unburned treatment,C concentrations in leaves and fine roots increased at low severity,and leaf N concentration was the greatest at high severity,but the lowest fine root N concentration occurred at high severity.Plant nutrient utilization tended to be P-limited at high fire severity according to the mean value of N:P ratio>16.More importantly,C,N and P allocation strategies between fine roots and leaves changed from allometry to isometry with increasing fire severities,which showed more elements allocated to leaves than to fine roots with increasing fire severities.These changes in patterns suggest that the allocation strategies of elements between leaves and fine roots are of imbalance with the wildfire severity.This study deepens our understanding of nutrient dynamics between plant and soil in ecosystem succession.

Nitrogen storage and allocation in China’s forest ecosystems

Forests are important parts of terrestrial ecosystems and play a leading role in regional and global nitrogen(N)cycles.Detailed assessment of N storage and allocation in China’s forests is critical to improve the accuracy of regional or global N estimates and to guide policy-makers in the formulation of scientific and effective N management measures.However,the fore stN storage at national scale remains unclear.Based on 4420 forest field-investigated data,we investigated the N storage allocation in China’s forests,explored the spatial patterns and influence factors.The data included vegetation information on various organs(i.e.,leaf,branch,stem,and root)and soil information at different depths(0-30 cm and 0-100 cm).The total N storage in China’s forest ecosystems was 14.45±8.42 tN hm^–2;0.86±0.51 tN hm^–2(5.95%)in vegetation and 13.59±8.40 tN hm^–2(94.05%)in soil(0–100 cm).The storage and allocation of N varied significantly across various regions and forest types.For different ecological regions,N storage varied from 10.34 to 23.11 tN hm^–2,and the allocation ratio of N storage between vegetation and soil(0–100 cm)varied from 0.03 to 0.16.For different forest types,the N storage varied from 12.87 to 18.32 tN hm^–2,and the allocation ratio of N storage between vegetation and soil(0–100 cm)varied from 0.03 to 0.09.The spatial patterns relative to N storage and allocation in forests were different.Climate was the primary factor influencing the spatial variation in forestN storage,while soil texture was the main factor influencing the spatial variation in N allocation.These first estimates of N storage and allocation ratio in China’s forests are keys for improving the fitting accuracy of regional N cycle models and provide a reference for regional management of forestN.

The Enhancement of Soil Fertility,Dry Matter Transport and Accumulation,Nitrogen Uptake and Yield in Rice via Green Manuring

Readily available chemical fertilizers have resulted in a decline in the use of organic manure(e.g.,green manures),a traditionally sustainable source of nutrients.Based on this,we applied urea at the rate of 270 kg ha−1 with and without green manure in order to assess nitrogen(N)productivity in a double rice cropping system in 2017.In particular,treatment combinations were as follows:winter fallow rice-rice(WF-R-R),milk vetch rice-rice(MV-R-R),oil-seed rape rice-rice(R-R-R)and potato crop rice-rice(P-R-R).Results revealed that green manure significantly(p≤0.05)improved the soil chemical properties and net soil organic carbon content increased by an average 117.47%,total nitrogen(N)by 28.41%,available N by 26.64%,total phosphorus(P)by 37.77%,available P by 20.48%and available potassium(K)by 33.10%than WF-R-R,however pH was reduced by 3.30%across the seasons.Similarly,net dry matter accumulation rate enhanced in green manure applied treatments and ranked in order:P-R-R>R-R-R>MV-R-R>WF-R-R.Furthermore,the total leaf dry matter transport(t ha−1)for the P-R-R in both seasons was significantly higher by an average 11.2%,7.2%and 36%than MV-R-R,R-R-R,and WF-R-R,respectively.In addition,net total nitrogen accumulation(kg ha−1)was found higher in green manure applied plots compared to the control.Yield and yield attributed traits were observed maximum in green manure applied plots,with treatments ranking as follows:P-R-R>R-R-R>MV-R-R>WF-R-R.Thus,results obtained highlight ability of green manure to sustainably improve soil quality and rice yield.