Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal: Science of the Total Environment

Volume number: 882

ISSN: 0048-9697

eISSN: 1879-1026

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163641

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract: 
The effects of exotic plants on soil nitrogen (N) transformations may influence species invasion success. However, the complex interplay between invasive plant N uptake and N transformation in soils remains unclear. In the present study, a series of N-15-labeled pot experiments were carried out with Solidago canadensis L. (S. canadensis), an invasive plant, and the Ntrace tool was used to clarify the preferred inorganic N form and its effects on soil N transformation. According to the results, nitrate-N (NO3--N) uptake rates by S. canadensis were 2.38 and 2.28 mg N kg(-1) d(-1) in acidic and alkaline soil, respectively, which were significantly higher than the ammonium-N (NH4+-N) uptake rates (1.76 and 1.56 mg N kg(-1) d(-1), respectively), indicating that S. canadensis was a NO3--N-preferring plant, irrespective of pH condition. Gross N mineralization rate was 0.41 mg N kg(-1) d(-1) in alkaline soil in the presence of S. canadensis L., which was significantly lower than that in the control (no plant, CK, 2.44 mgN kg(-1) d(-1)). Gross autotrophic nitrification rate also decreased from 5.95 mg N kg(-1) d(-1) in the CK to 0.04 mg N kg(-1) d(-1) in the presence of S. canadensis in alkaline soil. However, microbial N immobilization rate increased significantly from 1.09 to 2.16 mg N kg(-1) d(-1), and from 0.02 to 2.73 mg N kg(-1) d(-1) after S. canadensis planting, in acidic and alkaline soil, respectively. Heterotrophic nitrification rate was stimulated in the presence of S. canadensis to provide NO3--N to support the N requirements of plants and microbes. The results suggested that S. canadensis can influence the mineralization-immobilization turnover (MIT) to optimize its N requirements while limiting N supply for other plants in the system. The results of the present study enhance our understanding of the competitiveness and mechanisms of invasion of alien plants.

Harvard Citation style: Wang, W., Zhu, Q., Dai, S., Meng, L., He, M., Chen, S., et al. (2023) Effects of Solidago canadensis L. on mineralization-immobilization turnover enhance its nitrogen competitiveness and invasiveness, Science of the Total Environment, 882, Article 163641. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163641

APA Citation style: Wang, W., Zhu, Q., Dai, S., Meng, L., He, M., Chen, S., Zhao, C., Dan, X., Cai, Z., Zhang, J., & Müller, C. (2023). Effects of Solidago canadensis L. on mineralization-immobilization turnover enhance its nitrogen competitiveness and invasiveness. Science of the Total Environment. 882, Article 163641. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163641