Consistent community assembly but contingent species pool effects drive ß-diversity patterns of multiple microbial groups in desert biocrust systems.

One of the key goals of ecology is to understand how communities are assembled. The species co-existence theory suggests that community ß-diversity is influenced by species pool and community assembly processes, such as environmental filtering, dispersal events, ecological drift and biotic interactions. However, it remains unclear whether there are similar ß-diversity patterns among different soil microbial groups and whether all these mechanisms play significant roles in mediating ß-diversity patterns. By conducting a broad survey across Chinese deserts, we aimed to address these questions by investing biological soil crusts (biocrusts). Through amplicon-sequencing, we acquired ß-diversity data for multiple microbial groups, that is, soil total bacteria, diazotrophs, phoD-harbouring taxa, and fungi. Our results have shown varying distance decay rates of ß-diversity across microbial groups, with soil total bacteria showing a weaker distance-decay relationship than other groups. The impact of the species pool on community ß-diversity varied across microbial groups, with soil total bacteria and diazotrophs being significantly influenced. While the contributions of specific assembly processes to community ß-diversity patterns varied among different microbial groups, significant effects of local community assembly processes on ß-diversity patterns were consistently observed across all groups. Homogenous selection and dispersal limitation emerged as crucial processes for all groups. Precipitation and soil C:P were the key factors mediating ß-diversity for all groups. This study has substantially advanced our understanding of how the communities of multiple microbial groups are structured in desert biocrust systems.

Effects of intercropping on Se accumulation and growth of pakchoi, lettuce and radish.

Selenium is one of the most basic trace elements in the human body. It is necessary to improve the selenium content in agricultural products through agricultural planting technology to ensure that human nutrition and health need selenium. Therefore, our research passed the effect of intercropping on the growth and selenium accumulation of pakchoi, lettuce and radish were studied through pot experiments to determine whether intercropping of the three crop species can improve their selenium accumulation ability. The results showed that intercropping increased the root and shoot biomass of pakchoi and radish compared with the monocultures, while the biomass of roots and shoots decreased in other intercropping combinations. Intercropping also affected the photosynthetic pigment content of the three crop species. Specifically, the photosynthetic pigments increased in pakchoi and decreased in radish after intercropping. Notably, intercropping the three crop species together increased the SOD (superoxide dismutase) activities of the three crops compared with the monocultures. Meanwhile, intercropping radish with lettuce significantly increased the activities of SOD and CAT (catalase) in radish. Intercropping also increased the soluble sugar content in pakchoi and soluble protein content of radish relative to the monocultures. Furthermore, intercropping decreased the selenium content and the bioconcentration factor of the roots of the three vegetable crops, but improved the shoot selenium content, the bioconcentration factor and the transport factor of Se in pakchoi and radish. In conclusion, intercropping combination of pakchoi and radish can improve selenium accumulation in the edible parts of the crops, which is significant for efficient production of selenium-enriched vegetables.

This research is significant because this study provides some basis for improving the selenium content of plants and efficient production of pakchoi and radish. Under the condition of selenium application in soil, the intercropping of pakchoi and lettuce can promote the growth of both and improve their selenium enrichment ability.

Nitrogen addition stimulates N2O emissions via changes in denitrification community composition in a subtropical nitrogen-rich forest.

Microbially driven nitrification and denitrification play important roles in regulating soil N availability and N2O emissions. However, how the composition of nitrifying and denitrifying prokaryotic communities respond to long-term N additions and regulate soil N2O emissions in subtropical forests remains unclear. Seven years of field experiment which included three N treatments (+0, +50, +150 kg N ha-1 yr-1; CK, LN, HN) was conducted in a subtropical forest. Soil available nutrients, N2O emissions, net N mineralization, denitrification potential and enzyme activities, and the composition and diversity of nitrifying and denitrifying communities were measured. Soil N2O emissions from the LN and HN treatments increased by 42.37% and 243.32%, respectively, as compared to the CK. Nitrogen addition significantly inhibited nitrification (N mineralization) and significantly increased denitrification potentials and enzymes. Nitrification and denitrification abundances (except nirK) were significantly lower in the HN, than CK treatment and were not significantly correlated with N2O emissions. Nitrogen addition significantly increased nirK abundance while maintaining the positive effects of denitrification and N2O emissions to N deposition, challenging the conventional wisdom that long-term N addition reduces N2O emissions by inhibiting microbial growth. Structural equation modeling showed that the composition, diversity, and abundance of nirS- and nirK-type denitrifying prokaryotic communities had direct effects on N2O emissions. Mechanistic investigations have revealed that denitrifier keystone taxa transitioned from N2O-reducing (complete denitrification) to N2O-producing (incomplete denitrification) with increasing N addition, increasing structural complexity and diversity of the denitrifier co-occurrence network. These results significantly advance current understanding of the relationship between denitrifying community composition and N2O emissions, and highlight the importance of incorporating denitrifying community dynamics and soil environmental factors together in models to accurately predict key ecosystem processes under global change.

Copper accumulation and physiological markers of soybean (Glycine max) grown in agricultural soil amended with copper nanoparticles.

Copper-based nanoparticles (NPs) display a strong potential to replace copper salts (e.g., CuSO4) for application in agricultures as antimicrobial agents or nutritional amendments. Yet, their effects on crop quality are still not comprehensively understood. In this study, the Cu contents in soybeans grown in soils amended with Cu NPs and CuSO4 at 100-500 mg Cu/kg and the subsequent effects on the plant physiological markers were determined. The Cu NPs induced 29-89% at the flowering stage (on Day 40) and 100-165% at maturation stage (on Day 100) more Cu accumulation in soybeans than CuSO4. The presence of particle aggregates in the root cells with deformation upon the Cu NP exposure was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The Cu NPs at 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly improved the plant height and biomass, yet significantly inhibited at 500 mg/kg, compared to the control. In leaves chlorophyll-b was more sensitive than chlorophyll-a and carotenoids to the Cu NP effect. The Cu NPs significantly decreased the root nitrogen and phosphorus contents, while they significantly increased the leaf potassium content in comparison with control. Our results imply that cautious use of Cu NPs in agriculture is warranted due to relatively high uptake of Cu and altered nutrient quality in soybeans.

Aggregation, solubility and cadmium-adsorption capacity of CuO nanoparticles in aquatic environments: Effects of pH, natural organic matter and component addition sequence.

Nanoparticles (NPs), heavy metals and natural organic matter may co-exist in the water bodies. Currently, knowledge on their interaction effects on the behaviors and fates of NPs and heavy metal ions is rather limited, which is critical to comprehensively understand their environmental risk. In this study, the aggregation, solubility and Cd-adsorption of CuO NPs co-existing with humic acid (HA) and Cd2+ upon different solution pH and contact sequences were determined. In the ternary systems of CuO NPs, HA and Cd2+, pH was more important than the contact sequence of the components in affecting the NP aggregation, while the contact sequence was a predominant factor in determining the NP solubility. Pre-equilibration of CuO NPs and HA before addition of Cd2+ resulted in the highest solubility and lowest aggregation of the NPs, relative to other sequences of addition of the components. The adsorption capacity of CuO NPs for Cd-ions increased with an increasing pH value from 5 to 9. HA significantly enhanced the Cd-adsorption capacity of CuO NPs at pH 7 and 9, while at pH 5 a non-significant effect was observed. The results are helpful to better estimate the behaviors and fates of CuO NPs and Cd2+ when they coexisting in natural waters.

Characterization of Ethyl Acetate and Trichloromethane Extracts from Phoebe zhennan Wood Residues and Application on the Preparation of UV Shielding Films.

In this work, ethyl acetate (EA) and trichloromethane (TR) extracts were extracted from Phoebe zhennan wood residues and the extracts were then applied to the preparation of UV shielding films (UV-SF). The results revealed that substances including olefins, phenols and alcohols were found in both EA and TR extracts, accounting for about 45% of all the detected substances. The two extracts had similar thermal stability and both had strong UV shielding ability. When the relative percentage of the extract is 1 wt% in solution, the extract solution almost blocked 100% of the UV-B (280-315 nm), and UV-A (315-400 nm). Two kinds of UV-SF were successfully prepared by adding the two extracts into polylactic acid (PLA) matrix. The UV-SF with the addition of 24 wt% of the extractive blocked 100% of the UV-B (280-315 nm) and more than 80% of the UV-A (315-400 nm). Moreover, the UV shielding performance of the UV-SF was still stable even after strong UV irradiation. Though the addition of extracts could somewhat decrease the thermal stability of the film, its effect on the end-use of the film was ignorable. EA extracts had less effect on the tensile properties of the films than TR extracts as the content of the extract reached 18%. The results of this study could provide fundamental information on the potential utilization of the extracts from Phoebe zhennan wood residues on the preparation of biobased UV shielding materials.

Melatonin affects the growth and cadmium accumulation of Malachium aquaticum and Galinsoga parviflora.

Phytoremediation technology has become one of the main techniques for remediating soils polluted by heavy metals because it does not damage the environment, but heavy metal-tolerant plants have the disadvantages of low biomass and slow growth. A pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of melatonin (Mel) on growth and cadmium (Cd) accumulation in the Cd accumulator Malachium aquaticum and hyperaccumulator Galinsoga parviflora by spraying different concentrations of Mel on them. The results showed that shoot biomass, photosynthetic pigment content and antioxidant enzyme activity were increased in both species after Mel was sprayed on their leaves. Mel reduced the Cd content in shoots of M. aquaticum and increased it in those of G. parviflora. In general, Cd accumulation was greatest in M. aquaticum when Mel was 200 µmol L-1 (120.71 µg plant-1, increased by 15.97% than control) and in G. parviflora when Mel was 100 µmol L-1 (132.40 µg plant-1, increased by 68.30% than control). Our results suggest it is feasible to improve the remediation efficiency of lightly Cd-contaminated soil by spraying G. parviflora with100 µmol L-1 Mel.

Habitat differentiation and environmental adaptability contribute to leaf size variations globally in C3 and C4 grasses.

The grass family (Poaceae) dominates ~43 % of Earth's land area and contributes 33 % of terrestrial primary productivity that is critical to naturally regulating atmosphere CO2 concentration and global climate change. Currently grasses comprise ~11,780 species and ~50 % of them (~6000 species) utilize C4 photosynthetic pathway. Generally, grass species have smaller leaves under colder and drier environments, but it is unclear whether the primary drivers of leaf size differ between C3 and C4 grasses on a global scale. Here, we analyzed 34 environmental variables, such as latitude, elevation, mean annual temperature, mean annual precipitation, and solar radiation etc., through a comparatively comprehensive database of ~3.0 million occurrence records from 1380 C3 and 978 C4 grass species (2358 species in total). Results from this study confirm that C4 grasses have occupied habitats with lower latitudes and elevations, characterized by warmer, sunnier, drier and less fertile environmental conditions. Grass leaf size correlates positively with mean annual temperature and precipitation as expected. Our results also demonstrate that the mean temperature of the wettest quarter of the year is the primary control for C3 leaf size, whereas C4 leaf size is negatively correlated with the difference between summer and winter temperatures. For C4 grasses, phylogeny exerts a significant effect on leaf size but is less important than environmental factors. Our findings highlight the importance of evolutionarily contrasting variations in leaf size between C3 and C4 grasses for shaping their geographical distribution and habitat suitability at the global scale.

Foliar application of salicylic acid inhibits the cadmium uptake and accumulation in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.).

Introduction: Salicylic acid (SA) is a multi-functional endogenous phytohormone implicated in the growth, development, and metabolism of many plant species. Methods: This study evaluated the effects of different concentrations of SA (0, 25, 100, 200, and 500 mg/L) on the growth and cadmium (Cd) content of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) under Cd stress. The different concentrations of SA treatments were administered through foliar application. Results: Our results showed that 100-200 mg/L SA significantly increased the plant height and biomass of lettuce under Cd stress. When SA concentration was 200 mg/L, the plant height and root length of lettuce increased by 19.42% and 22.77%, respectively, compared with Cd treatment alone. Moreover, 200 mg/L and 500mg/L SA concentrations could reduce peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities caused by Cd stress. When the concentration of exogenous SA was 500 mg/L, the POD and SOD activities of lettuce leaves decreased by 15.51% and 19.91%, respectively, compared with Cd treatment. A certain concentration of SA reduced the uptake of Cd by the lettuce root system and the transport of Cd from the lettuce root system to shoots by down-regulating the expression of Nramp5, HMA4, and SAMT, thus reducing the Cd content of lettuce shoots. When the concentration of SA was 100 mg/L, 200 mg/L, and 500 mg/L, the Cd contents of lettuce shoots were 11.28%, 22.70%, and 18.16%, respectively, lower than that of Cd treatment alone. Furthermore, principal component and correlation analyses showed that the Cd content of lettuce shoots was correlated with plant height, root length, biomass, antioxidant enzymes, and the expression level of genes related to Cd uptake. Discussion: In general, these results provide a reference for the mechanism by which SA reduces the Cd accumulation in vegetables and a theoretical basis for developing heavy metal blockers with SA components.

Supramolecular structure of microwave treated bamboo for production of lignin-containing nanocellulose by oxalic acid dihydrate.

Supramolecular structure of cellulosic materials from microwave treatment were throughly investigated for production of lignin-containing nanocellulose. The results revealed that both the intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonds were altered by microwave irradiation. Cellulose Iß was the main component in microwave treated bamboo (MTB) with smaller interplanar spacing, and the cellulose molecules were loosely connected resulting in a loose structure. Thereafter, MTB was used to produce lignin-containing nanocellulose by using oxalic acid dihydrate (OAD) to test the feasibility on its efficiency. The chemical consumed for the preparation of lignin-containing nanocellulose (LCN) with a comparable yield (68.08-82.33 %) from MTB was merely 1/10 that from conventional cellulosic materials, indicating the supramolecular structural changes of bamboo cellulose induced by microwave treatment provided suitable conditions for the subsequent hydrolysis of OAD to prepare LCN. The LCN was further added into the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix endowed excellent UV shielding property and thermal stability for the PVA/LCN films. This study was aimed to provide an environmentally friendly method on the production and application of LCN from bamboo by employing microwave treatment from the perspective of supramolecular level.

Preparation of flexible and UV-blocking films from lignin-containing cellulose incorporated with tea polyphenol/citric acid.

Lignin-containing bamboo cellulose, fractionated from a pilot-scale microwave liquefaction of bamboo was dissolved in tetrabutylammonium acetate/dimethyl sulfoxide (TBAA/DMSO) for the fabrication of highly flexible, transparent and UV-blocking films. Tea polyphenol (TP) or citric acid (CA) was added during the dissolving process in order to modify the film's properties. The results showed that the addition of TP obviously improved the elongation at break (triple that of the control) and UV-blocking ability of the films. Both the addition of TP and CA could increase the water contact angle of the films. The films incorporated with TP and CA were much more thermal stable than previously reported similar films. The proposed film fabrication mechanism revealed that stable hydrogen bonds formed between the lignin-cellulose matrix and TP/CA, resulting in the enhancement on the properties of the films. This present study showed that lignin-containing cellulose with the incorporation of TP/CA had great potential in the preparation of films in place of plastic.

Grafting promoted antioxidant capacity and carbon and nitrogen metabolism of bitter gourd seedlings under heat stress.

Introduction: Heat stress can limit vegetable growth, and this can lead to constraints on agricultural production. Grafting technologies, however, can be used to alleviate various plant stresses. Methods: In this study, the differences in the heat stress impacts and recovery abilities of pumpkin and luffa rootstocks for bitter gourd were analyzed in terms of their antioxidant activity and carbon and nitrogen metabolism. Results: Compared with the un-grafted and self-grafted bitter gourd, which suffered from heat stress at 40°C for 24 h, heterologously grafted bitter gourd showed higher heat stability of the cell membrane (relative conductivity and malondialdehyde content were reduced), reduced oxidative stress (antioxidant enzyme activity was increased and the reactive oxygen species content reduced), and increased enzyme activity (sucrose phosphate synthase, sucrose synthase, neutral invertase, and acid invertase) and sugar content (soluble sugar, sucrose, fructose, and glucose) in carbon metabolism. The enzyme activity (nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, and glutamine synthetase) and product content (nitrate and nitrite) of nitrogen metabolism were also found to be increased, and this inhibited the accumulation of ammonium ions. After the seedlings were placed at 25°C for 24 h, the heterogeneous rootstocks could rapidly restore the growth of the bitter gourd seedlings by promoting the antioxidant and carbon and nitrogen metabolism systems. When luffa was used as rootstock, its performance on the indexes was better than that of pumpkin. The correlation between the various indicators was demonstrated using a principal component and correlation analysis. Discussion: The luffa rootstock was found to be more conducive to reducing cell damage and energy loss in bitter gourd seedlings caused by heat induction through the maintenance of intracellular redox homeostasis and the promotion of carbon and nitrogen metabolism.

Comparative Analysis of Italian Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. ramose) Transcriptome Profiles Reveals the Molecular Mechanism on Exogenous Melatonin Preventing Cadmium Toxicity.

Cadmium (Cd) accumulation in lettuce causes a large amount of yield loss during industry. Although many studies report that exogenous melatonin helps to alleviate the Cd stress of lettuce, the molecular mechanism for how plant tissue responds to Cd treatment is unclear. Herein, we applied both PacBio and Illumina techniques for Italian lettuce under different designed treatments of Cd and melatonin, aiming to reveal the potential molecular pathway of the response to Cd stress as well as the how the pre-application of exogenous melatonin affect this process. This result reveals that the root has the biggest expression pattern shift and is a more essential tissue to respond to both Cd and melatonin treatments than leaves. We reveal the molecular background of the Cd stress response in prospects of antioxidant and hormone signal transduction pathways, and we found that their functions are diverged and specifically expressed in tissues. We also found that candidate genes related to melatonin detoxify during Cd stress. Our study sheds new light for future research on how melatonin improves the cadmium resistance of lettuce and also provide valuable data for lettuce breeding.

C:N:P stoichiometry responses to 10 years of nitrogen addition differ across soil components and plant organs in a subtropical Pleioblastus amarus forest.

How stoichiometry in different ecosystem components responds to long-term nitrogen (N) addition is crucial for understanding within-ecosystem biogeochemistry cycling processes in the context of global change. To explore the effects of long-term N addition on nutrient stoichiometry in soil and plant components in forest ecosystem, a 10-year N addition experiment using ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) was conducted in a bamboo forest in the Rainy Zone of West China, where the background N deposition is the highest in the world. Four N treatment levels (+0, +50, +150, +300 kg N ha-1 yr-1) (CK, LN, MN, HN) were applied monthly since November 2007, and then, the C:N:P stoichiometry of soil, microbial biomass, and enzymes in rhizosphere soil and bulk soil, and plant organs were measured. N addition decreased the stoichiometry of C:N:P of soil, microbial biomass, and enzymes. Soil C:N:P change under N addition treatments was stronger in bulk soil, while C:N:P changes for microbial biomass and enzyme activity were significant in rhizosphere soil. N addition significantly decreased TOC in bulk soil. Changes in MBC:MBN:MBP in rhizosphere and bulk soil were mainly caused by MBN and MBP, and MBP performance was consistent with that of AP. The main variable leading to the change of enzyme C:N:P in rhizosphere soil was BG and AP, and in bulk soil was LAP + NAG activity. Plant root C:P and N:P increased with N addition, while those for leaves and twigs did not. N addition significantly reduced the pH of both rhizosphere and bulk soils. These results suggest that the stoichiometry responses of rhizosphere and bulk soils were different due to the influence of plant roots. Soil acidification, enhanced aluminum toxicity potential, decreased root biomass and enhanced microbial P limitation caused by N addition were the important mechanisms that promoted stoichiometry changes in this ecosystem. Under the chronic input of N deposition, the stoichiometry between plant and soil evolved in different directions, which may lead to the decoupling of plants from soils.

Effects of intercropping accumulator plants and applying their straw on the growth and cadmium accumulation of Brassica chinensis L.

Two pot experiments were conducted to study the effects of intercropping cadmium (Cd) accumulator plants (Stellaria media (L.) Villars, Cardamine hirsuta, Cerastium glomeratum Thuill, and Galium aparine L.) and applying their straw on the growth and Cd accumulation of Brassica chinensis L. Intercropping with four accumulator plants reduced the biomass, water content, and photosynthetic pigment content of B. chinensis compared with monoculture. Intercropping with accumulator plants increased the Cd content in the roots and shoot of B. chinensis, and the translocation factor (TF), root bioconcentration factor (root BCF), and shoot bioconcentration factor (Shoot BCF) increased. The soil pH decreased and the soil available Cd content increased by intercropping. Thus, intercropping with four accumulator plants can promote the Cd uptake of B. chinensis. The straw of four accumulator plants reduced the biomass, water content, and photosynthetic pigment content of B. chinensis compared with the control. The straw of S. media and C. hirsute increased the Cd content in the roots and shoots of B. chinensis, TF, root BCF, and shoot BCF. The straw of C. glomeratum and G. aparine decreased the Cd content in the roots and shoots of B. chinensis, TF, root BCF, and shoot BCF. The soil pH increased and the soil available Cd content decreased by application of straw. Thus, the straw of C. glomeratum and G. aparine can reduce the Cd uptake of B. chinensis.

Cadmium-accumulator straw application alleviates cadmium stress of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) by promoting photosynthetic activity and antioxidative enzyme activities.

The effects of application of straw derived from cadmium (Cd) accumulator plants (Siegesbeckia orientalis, Conyza canadensis, Eclipta prostrata, and Solanum photeinocarpum) on growth and Cd accumulation of lettuce plants grown under Cd exposure were studied. Treatment with straw of the four Cd-accumulator species promoted growth, photosynthesis, and soluble protein contents and enhanced the activities of peroxidase in leaves of lettuce seedlings. The biomass of shoot of lettuce from high to low in turn is the treatment of C. canadensis straw > S. photeinocarpum straw > S. orientalis > E. prostrata > Control. The Cd content in edible parts (shoots) of the lettuce plants was significantly decreased in the presence of straw from the Cd-accumulator species, except the presence of the straw of E. prostrata. And, the greatest reduction in Cd content in shoots was 27.09% in the S. photeinocarpum straw treatment compared with that of the control. Therefore, application of straw of S. orientalis, C. canadensis, and S. photeinocarpum can promote the growth of lettuce seedlings, and decrease their Cd accumulation, when grown in Cd-contaminated soil, which is beneficial for production of lettuce safe for human consumption.

Temperature response of soil carbon decomposition depends strongly on forest management practice and soil layer on the eastern Tibetan Plateau.

How forest management practice impacts the temperature response of soil carbon decomposition remains unclear in Tibetan boreal forests. Here, an experiment was conducted to compare soil carbon decomposition of two layers (organic and mineral) in three Tibetan forests (natural forest, NF; secondary forest, SF; spruce plantation, PF). Soils were incubated at two temperatures (10 °C and 20 °C) for 219 days. Increased temperature often stimulated carbon decomposition rates of organic layer but did not affect them in the mineral soils. Soil carbon decomposition rates in the organic layer followed a pattern of NF > SF > PF over the incubation period. Regardless of forest type, soil carbon decomposition rates and temperature coefficient (Q 10) were higher in the organic layers compared to mineral soils. Moreover, forest type conversion increased Q 10 values in each soil layer. Taken together, our results suggest that forest management practice has much stronger impacts on biochemical properties in the organic layers relative to mineral soils. Moreover, the temperature responses of soil carbon decomposition depend largely on forest management practice and soil layer in this specific area.

Soil biochemical responses to nitrogen addition in a secondary evergreen broad-leaved forest ecosystem.

In order to investigate the effects of N deposition on soil biochemistry in secondary forests, one N addition experiment was conducted in a secondary evergreen broad-leaved forest in the western edge of Sichuan Basin, with the highest level of background N deposition (about 95 kg N ha-1 yr-1) in China. Three N treatment levels (+0, +50, +150 kg N ha-1 yr-1) were monthly added to soil surface in this forest beginning in April 2013. Soil biochemistry and root biomass of the 0-10 cm soil horizon were measured from May 2014 to April 2015. Soil respiration was measured for two years (September 2013 to August 2015). It was showed that N additions were correlated to significantly lower soil pH, microbial biomass C (MBC) concentration, MBC/microbial biomass N (MBN) ratio, root biomass, and soil respiration rate, and significantly higher concentrations of ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-). These results indicate that N additions had a significant effect on the size of soil microbial community. In addition, soil C storage may potentially increase due to the dropped soil C release under N addition.

[Response of fine root decomposition to simulated nitrogen deposition in Pleioblastus amarus plantation, rainy area of West China].

As an important contributor to carbon (C) flux in the global C cycle, fine root litter decomposition in forests has the potential to be affected by the elevated nitrogen (N) deposition observed globally. From November 2007 to January 2013, a field experiment involving monthly simulated deposition of N in a Pleioblastus amarus plantation was conducted in the Rainy Area of West China. Four levels of nitrogen deposition were included as control (0 g N x m(-2) x a(-1)), low nitrogen (5 g N x m(-2) x a(-1)), medium nitrogen (15 g N x m(-2) x a(-1)) and high nitrogen (30 g N x m(-2) x a(-1)). After 3 years of simulated N deposition experiment (January 2011) , a two-year fine root decomposition experiment was conducted in the simulated N deposition plots using litterbag method, under monthly experimental N deposition. The decomposition rates of fine roots were fast first and then slow. Mass loss of fine roots in the first year of decomposition was up to 60%, and the change of the remaining mass was very slow in the second year. The time of 50% and 95% mass loss of fine roots was 1.20 and 5.17 years, respectively, under the conditions of no addition N input. In general, decomposition rates were underestimated using negative exponential model. Simulated N deposition significantly inhibited the decomposition of fine roots. The remaining mass in the high nitrogen treatment was 51.0% higher than that in the control, after two years of decomposition. Simulated N deposition increased C, P and K contents in the remaining mass of litter. Compared with the control, soil pH decreased significantly in the medium and high nitrogen treatments, soil organic C, total N, ammonium and nitrate contents and fine root biomass of P. amarus increased significantly in the high nitrogen treatment after simulated N deposition for 4. 5 years. Key words: nitrogen deposition; fine root decomposition; Pleioblastus amarus.

Nitrogen addition significantly affects forest litter decomposition under high levels of ambient nitrogen deposition.

BACKGROUND: Forest litter decomposition is a major component of the global carbon (C) budget, and is greatly affected by the atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition observed globally. However, the effects of N addition on forest litter decomposition, in ecosystems receiving increasingly higher levels of ambient N deposition, are poorly understood. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We conducted a two-year field experiment in five forests along the western edge of the Sichuan Basin in China, where atmospheric N deposition was up to 82-114 kg N ha(-1) in the study sites. Four levels of N treatments were applied: (1) control (no N added), (2) low-N (50 kg N ha(-1) year(-1)), (3) medium-N (150 kg N ha(-1) year(-1)), and (4) high-N (300 kg N ha(-1) year(-1)), N additions ranging from 40% to 370% of ambient N deposition. The decomposition processes of ten types of forest litters were then studied. Nitrogen additions significantly decreased the decomposition rates of six types of forest litters. N additions decreased forest litter decomposition, and the mass of residual litter was closely correlated to residual lignin during the decomposition process over the study period. The inhibitory effect of N addition on litter decomposition can be primarily explained by the inhibition of lignin decomposition by exogenous inorganic N. The overall decomposition rate of ten investigated substrates exhibited a significant negative linear relationship with initial tissue C/N and lignin/N, and significant positive relationships with initial tissue K and N concentrations; these relationships exhibited linear and logarithmic curves, respectively. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This study suggests that the expected progressive increases in N deposition may have a potential important impact on forest litter decomposition in the study area in the presence of high levels of ambient N deposition.