Journal article

Publication year: 2020

Journal: Soil Biology and Biochemistry

Volume number: 141

ISSN: 0038-0717

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2019.107666

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract: 
Most soil N transformations studies are carried out using soil incubations without plants, despite the fact that plant-soil interactions potentially influence soil N dynamics. In this study, gross N transformation rates were quantified using a subtropical acidic forest with and without plants (and under different soil storage conditions). The results showed that the gross rates of N mineralization in air-dried and rewetted soil significantly increased, while the gross rates of nitrification and immobilization decreased, compared with fresh soil. Soil storage for more than one month at 4 degrees C (typical refrigerated conditions) and room temperature (25 degrees C) did not affect the gross rates of soil N mineralization and immobilization but significantly inhibited heterotrophic nitrification rates. Moreover, plants grown in the soil significantly stimulated gross rates of N mineralization, autotrophic and heterotrophic nitrification, and NO3- immobilization. Plant NI-It uptake rates (3.74 mg N kg(-1) d(-1)) were 374 times greater than the NH4+ immobilization rate (0.01 mg N kg(-1) d(-1)). The competition for NHS' between plants and soil microorganisms led to strong feedback effects on soil N transformations. Based on our results we recommend to carry out N-15 tracing studies with plants to more realistically mimic field conditions. N-15 tracing techniques in combination with N-15-tracing models, such as Ntrace(ptant), provide a robust method to quantify soil N transformations and plant N uptake rates in plant-soil systems.

Harvard Citation style: He, X., Chi, Q., Cai, Z., Cheng, Y., Zhang, J. and Müller, C. (2020) 15N tracing studies including plant N uptake processes provide new insights on gross N transformations in soil-plant systems, Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 141, Article 107666. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2019.107666

APA Citation style: He, X., Chi, Q., Cai, Z., Cheng, Y., Zhang, J., & Müller, C. (2020). 15N tracing studies including plant N uptake processes provide new insights on gross N transformations in soil-plant systems. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 141, Article 107666. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2019.107666