Organic carbon stratification and size distribution of three typical paddy soils from Taihu Lake region,China

Developing realistic soil carbon （C） sequestration strategies for China＇s sustainable agriculture relies on accurate estimates of the amount, retention and turnover rates of C stored in paddy soils. Available C estimates to date are predominantly for the tilled and flood-irrigated surface topsoil （ca. 30 cm）. Such estimates cannot be used to extrapolate to soil depths of 100 cm since soil organic carbon （SOC） generally shows a sharp decrease with depth. In this research, composite soil samples were collected at several depths to 100 cm from three representative paddy soils in the Taihu Lake region, China. Soil organic carbon distribution in the profiles and in aggregate-size fractions was determined. Results showed that while SOC decreased exponentially with depth to 100 cm, a substantial proportion of the total SOC （30%-40%） is stored below the 30 cm depth. In the carbon-enriched paddy topsoils, SOC was found to accumulate preferentially in the 2-0.25 and 0.25-0.02 mm aggregate size fractions. δ^13C analysis of the coarse micro-aggregate fraction showed that the high degree of C stratification in the paddy topsoil was in agreement with the occurrence of lighter δ^1313C in the upper 30 cm depth. These results suggest that SOC stratification within profiles varies with different pedogenetical types of paddy soils with regards to clay and iron oxyhydrates distributions. Sand-sized fractions of aggregates in paddy soil systems may play a very important role in carbon sequestration and turnover, dissimilar to other studied agricultural systems.

Impact of Long-Term Fertilization on Community Structure of Ammonia Oxidizing and Denitrifying Bacteria Based on amoA and nirK Genes in a Rice Paddy from Tai Lake Region,China

Ammonia oxidizing （AOB） and denitrifying bacteria （DNB） play an important role in soil nitrogen transformation in natural and agricultural ecosystems. Effects of long-term fertilization on abundance and community composition of AOB and DNB were studied with targeting ammonia monooxygenase （amoA） and nitrite reductase （nirK） genes using polymerase chain reaction- denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （PCR-DGGE） and real-time PCR, respectively. A field trial with different fertilization treatments in a rice paddy from Tai Lake region, centre East China was used in this study, including no fertilizer application （NF）, balanced chemical fertilizers （CF）, combined organic/inorganic fertilizer of balanced chemical fertilizers plus pig manure （CFM）, and plus rice straw return （CFS）. The abundances and riehnesses of amoA and nirK were increased in CF, CFM and CFS compared to NF. Principle component analysis of DGGE profiles showed significant difference in nirK and amoA genes composition between organic amended （CFS and CFM） and the non-organic amended （CF and NF） plots. Number of amoA copies was significantly positively correlated with normalized soil nutrient richness （NSNR） of soil organic carbon （SOC） and total nitrogen （T-N）, and that of nirK copies was with NSNR of SOC, T-N plus total phosphorus. Moreover, nitrification potential showed a positive correlation with SOC content, while a significantly lower denitrification potential was found under CFM compared to under CFS. Therefore, SOC accumulation accompanied with soil nutrient richness under long-term balanced and organic/inorganic combined fertilization promoted abundance and diversity of AOB and DNB in the rice paddy.

Soil Aggregation and Its Relationship with Organic Carbon of Purple Soils in the Sichuan Basin,China

The interaction of soil aggregate dynamics with soil organic carbon is complex with varied spatio-temporal processes in macro-and micro-aggregates. This paper is to determine the aggregation of soil aggregates in purple soils （Regosols in FAO Taxonomy or Entisols in USDA Taxonomy） for four types of land use, cropland [corn （Zea mays L.）], orchard （citrus）, forestland （bamboo or cypress）, and barren land （wild grass）, and to explore their relationship with soil organic carbon in the Sichuan basin of southwestern China. Procedures and methods, including manual dry sieving procedure, Yoder＇s wet sieving procedure, pyrophosphates solution method, and Kachisky method, are used to acquire dry, wet, and chemically stable aggregates, and microaggregates. Light and heavy fractions of soil organic carbon were separated using 2.0 g·mL^-1 HgI2-KI mixed solution. The loosely, stably, and tightly combined organic carbon in heavy fraction were separated by extraction with 0.1 M NaOH and 0.1 M NaOH-0.1M Na4P2O7 mixed solution （pH 13）. The results show that the contents of dry and wet macroaggregates 〉0.25 mm in diameter were 974.1 and 900.0 g·kg^-1 highest in red brown purple soils under forestland, while 889.6 and 350.6 g·kg^-1 lowest in dark purple soil and lowest in grey brown purple soils under cropland, respectively. The chemical stability of macroaggregates was lowest in grey brown purple soil with 8.47% under cropland, and highest in red brown purple soil with 69.34% under barren land. The content of microaggregates in dark purple soils was 587g·kg^-1 higher than brown purple soils, while 655g·kg^-1 in red brown purple soils was similar to grey brown purple soils （651g·kg^-1）. Cropland conditions, only 38.4% of organic carbon was of the combined form, and 61.6% of that existed in light fraction. Forestland conditions, 90.7% of organic carbon in red brown purple soil was complexed with minerals as a form of humic substances. The contents and stability of wet aggregates 〉 0.25 mm, contents and stability of chemically stable aggregates 〉0.25 mm, contents of microaggregates 〉 0.01 mm, contents of aggregated primary particle （d〈0.01 mm） and degree of primary particles （d 〈0.01 mm） aggregation were closely related to the concentrations of total soil organic carbon, and loosely and tightly combined organic carbon in heavy fraction. Soil microaggregation could be associated with organic carbon concentration and its combined forms in heavy fraction. There was a direct relationship between microaggregation and macroaggregation of soil primary particles, because the contents of wet aggregates 〉 0.25 mm and its water stability of aggregates were highly correlated with the contents of aggregated primary particle （d 〈 0.01 mm） and the degree of primary particles （d 〈 0.01 mm） aggregation.

Acclimation of CH_(4)emissions from paddy soil to atmospheric CO_(2)enrichment in a growth chamber experiment

Elevated levels of atmospheric CO_(2)(eCO_(2))promote rice growth and increase methane(CH_(4))emissions from rice paddies,because increased input of plant photosynthate to soil stimulates methanogenic archae.However,temporal trends in the effects of eCO_(2)on rice growth and CH_(4)emissions are still unclear.To investigate changes in the effects of eCO_(2)over time,we conducted a two-season pot experiment in a walk-in growth chamber.Positive effects of eCO_(2)on rice leaf photosynthetic rate,biomass,and grain yield were similar between growing seasons.However,the effects of eCO_(2)on CH_(4) emissions decreased over time.Elevated CO_(2)increased CH_(4)emissions by 48%-101%in the first growing season,but only by 28%-30%in the second growing season.We also identified the microbial process underlying the acclimation of CH4 emissions to atmospheric CO_(2)enrichment:eCO_(2)stimulated the abundance of methanotrophs more strongly in soils that had been previously exposed to eCO_(2)than in soils that had not been.These results emphasize the need for long-term eCO_(2)experiments for accurate predictions of terrestrial feedbacks.

Green manure rotation and application increase rice yield and soil carbon in the Yangtze River valley of China

The addition of organic matter via green manure rotation with rice is considered a smart agricultural practice to maintain soil productivity and support environmental sustainability.However,few studies have quantitatively assessed the impact of green manure rotation and application on the interactions between agronomic management practice,soil fertility,and crop production.In this study,800 pairs of data from 108 studies conducted in the agricultural region of the Yangtze River,China were assessed,and random forest(RF)modeling was performed to evaluate the effect of green manure rotation and application on rice yield and soil properties.Compared to a winter fallow system,rotation and application of green manure significantly increased rice yield and soil organic carbon(SOC)by 8.1%and 8.4%,respectively.According to the RF models,rice type,green manure application rate and duration,mineral and organic nitrogen application rates,and initial SOC content and soil pH were identified as the main drivers for rice yield and SOC changes.Marginal benefit analysis revealed that green manure application rates for early rice in double cropping system and the rice in single cropping system were approximately 20 and 26 t ha-1(fresh weight),respectively.Further,the optimum green manure application rate was approximately 25 t ha-1(fresh weight)for carbon sequestration.However,it should be noted that green manure application to soils with high SOC level might result in the soils becoming a net carbon source.Our study contributed scientific and quantitative indicators for achieving the greatest benefits in rice yield and increasing SOC upon application of green manure.

Kinetics of Specific and Non-Specific Copper Sorption on Aggregates of an Acidic Paddy Soil from the Taihu Lake Region in East China

The Taihu Lake region in East China has become prone to soil acidification, which changes heavy metals such as copper(Cu) in soil into water-soluble species and increases the mobility and contamination risks of heavy metals in the biological environment. In this study, the kinetics of Cu2+sorption by the bulk soil and the aggregate size fractions of an acidic paddy soil collected from the Taihu Lake region, the effects of temperature on Cu2+sorption, and the p H changes of the solution were investigated by static sorption and magnetic stirring. The aggregate size fractions were prepared by low-energy ultrasonic dispersing and freeze-drying. The total sorption amounts of the bulk soil and the aggregate size fractions for Cu2+followed a descending order of clay > coarse sand > bulk soil > silt> sand, corresponding to those of organic matter content, free iron oxide content, free aluminum oxide content, and cation exchange capacity. The kinetic sorption curves of Cu2+by the bulk soil and the aggregates, which were divided into two stages(rapid and slow sequentially), were well fitted by the first-order equation, the diffusion equation, and the Elovich equation, showing significant correlations(P < 0.05). Specific and non-specific sorption dominated in the fast and slow stages, respectively, and the former was predominant throughout the sorption process. The specific sorption accelerated and the non-specific sorption decelerated with rising temperature. The p H of the solution decreased significantly during the specific sorption and remained unchanged or increased slightly during the non-specific sorption. When the specific sorption terminated, the p H of the solution was minimized nearly simultaneously.The sorption progress of Cu2+by the bulk soil significantly preceded that by the aggregates. Therefore, heavy metal contamination may be another factor reducing soil p H and metal sorption forms should be taken into consideration in studies of mitigating soil heavy metal pollution or determining environmental capacity of heavy metal in soil.

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.

Mechanism and kinetics of aluminum dissolution during copper sorption by acidity paddy soil in South China

Soil aggregates were prepared from a bulk soil collected from paddy soil in the Taihu Lake region and aluminum（Al） dissolution, solution p H changes during copper（Cu2＋） sorption were investigated with static sorption and magnetic stirring. Kinetics of Cu2＋sorption and Al dissolution were also studied by magnetic stirring method. No Al dissolution was observed until Cu2＋sorption was greater than a certain value, which was 632, 450, 601 and674 mg/kg for sand, clay, silt, and coarse silt fractions, respectively. Aluminum dissolution increased with increasing Cu2＋sorption and decreasing solution p H. An amount of dissolved Al showed a significant positive correlation with non-specific sorption of Cu2＋（R2〉 0.97）, and it was still good under different p H values（R2〉 0.95）. Copper sorption significantly decreased solution p H. The magnitude of solution p H decline increased as Cu2＋sorption and Al dissolution increased. The sand and clay fraction had a less Al dissolution and p H drop due to the higher ferric oxide, Al oxide and organic matter contents. After sorption reaction for half an hour, the Cu2＋sorption progress reached more than 90% while the Al dissolution progress was only 40%, and lagged behind the Cu2＋sorption. It indicated that aluminum dissolution is associated with non-specific sorption.

Effects of biochar application on fluxes of three biogenic greenhouse gases: a meta- analysis

Biochar application to cropland has been recommended as a strategy to reduce increasing at-mospheric CO2 concentrations and mitigate climate change.However,the direction and magnitude of responses of greenhouse gas(GHG)fluxes to biochar application to cropland remain unclear.Our meta-analysis of 296 observations across 61 studies for the first time quantitatively estimated the effects of biochar amendment on fluxes of three GHGsCO2,N2O,and CH4.The results showed that biochar application led to a significant change in soil GHGs emissions:in general,19%for CO2,−16%for N2O(P<0.05),but no pronounced change in CH4 emissions;in paddy,−5%for CO2,−20%for N2O,but+19%for CH4(P<0.05);in upland,−18%for N2O,+12%for CO2,and high uncertainty for CH4.The responses of soil GHG flux-es to biochar application were regulated mainly by experiment length,biochar application rate,biochar properties,providing a new perspective for more comprehensive understanding on biochar.The bio-char derived from husk was recommended to apply to cropland with an application rate of 20-30 t·ha^(−1).

Influence of long-term different fertilization on soil weed seed bank diversity of a paddy soil under rice/rape rotation

A long-term fertilized paddy field under rice/rape rotation in the Taihu Lake Region was selected to investigate the dynamics of soil weed seed diversity.Four fertilizer treatments were performed,including non-fertilizer(NF),chemical fertilizer only(CF),chemical fertilizer combined with pig manure(CMF)and chemical fertilizer plus crop stalk(CSF).We recorded the seed numbers and crop yields,estimated the weed seed bank density and identified the kinds of weed seeds in the top-soil(0-15 cm)in the study area using a stereomicroscope.Based on the records,we analyzed the effect of long-term fertilization on soil weed seed bank diversity and the rela-tionship between weed seed diversity and crop yields.Comparing the four treatments,it was found that in the cultivating seasons of both rice and rape,the density of soil weed seed bank was the lowest with the treatment of chemical fertilizer plus crop stalk.Whereas,the total number of species and the weed seed bank diversity was the highest.Furthermore,the crop yields were at maximum and kept constant with this treatment.There was a definite correlation between fertilizer treatment and soil weed seed bank diversity and crop yields.It was concluded that balancing the fertilizer management was helpful in main-taining soil weed seed bank diversity,increasing crop yields and alleviating crop yield fluctuation.Therefore,among the four fertilizer treatments,chemical fertilizer plus rice crop stalk treatment was the best one to stimulate the productivity of agricultural ecosystems and simulta-neously protect biodiversity.

Elevated CO_(2) increases soil redox potential by promoting root radial oxygen loss in paddy field

Soil redox potential(Eh)plays an important role in the biogeochemical cycling of soil nutrients.Whereas its effect soil process and nutrients'availability under elevated atmospheric CO_(2) concentration and warming has seldom been investigated.Thus,in this study,a field experiment was used to elucidate the effect of elevated CO_(2) concentration and warming on soil Eh,redox-sensitive elements and root radial oxygen loss(ROL).We hypothesized elevated CO_(2) and warming could alter soil Eh by promoting or inhibiting ROL.We found that soil Eh in the rhizosphere was significantly higher than that of non-rhizosphere.Elevated CO_(2) enhanced soil Eh by 11.5%,which corresponded to a significant decrease in soil Fe^(2+)and Mn^(2+)concentration.Under elevated CO_(2),the concentration of Fe^(2+)and Mn^(2+)decreased by 14.7%and 13.7%,respectively.We also found that elevated CO_(2) altered rice root aerenchyma structure and promoted rice root ROL.Under elevated CO_(2),rice root ROL increased by 79.5%and 112.2%for Yangdao 6 and Changyou 5,respectively.Warming had no effect on soil Eh and rice root ROL.While warming increased the concentration of Mn^(2+)and SO_(4)^(2-)by 4.9%and 19.3%,respectively.There was a significant interaction between elevated CO_(2) and warming on Fe^(2+)and Mn^(2+).Under elevated CO_(2),warming had no effect on the concentration of Fe^(2+)but decreased Mn^(2+)concentration significantly.Our study demonstrated that elevated atmospheric CO_(2) in the future could increase soil Eh by promoting rice root ROL,which will alter some soil nutrients'availability,such as Fe^(2+)and Mn^(2+).

SOIL AGGREGATE AND ITS RESPONSE TO LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

This paper provides a broad review of the existing study on soil aggregate and its responses to land management practices. Soil aggregate is used for structural unit, which is a group of primary soil particles that cohere to each other more strongly than other surrounding particles. The mechanism of soil particle aggregation may be expressed by a hierarchical model, which is based upon the hypothesis that macroaggregates （〉250μm） are collections of smaller microaggregates （〈250μm） held together with organic binding agents. Primary particles form microaggregates and then macroaggregates. Carbon （C）-rich young plant residues form and stabilize macroaggregates, whereas old organic C is occluded in the microaggregates. The interaction of aggregate dynamics with soil organic carbon （SOC） is complex and embraces a range of spatial and temporal processes within macroaggregates and microaggregates. The nature and properties of aggregates are determined by the quantity and quality of coarse residues and humic compounds and by the degree of their interaction with soil particles. The mechanisms resulting in the binding of primary soil particles into stable aggregates vary with soil parent material, climate, vegetation, and land management practices. Land management practices, including tillage methods, residue management, amendments, and soil fertility management, enhance soil aggregation. However, there is still much uncertainty in the dynamics of organic matter in macroaggregation and microaggregation, and research is still needed to understand further the mechanisms of aggregate formation and its responses to human activities.