Anthropogenic degradation alter surface soil biogeochemical pools and microbial communities in an Andean temperate forest.

Soil microbial communities regulate a myriad of critical biogeochemical functions in forest ecosystems. Anthropogenic disturbances in natural forests could drive major shifts in plant and microbial communities resulting in substantial biogeochemical alterations. We evaluated the effect of anthropogenic disturbances in the soils of Andean temperate forests with different levels of degradation: i) mature forest (MF), ii) secondary forest (SF), iii) degraded forest (DF), and iv) deforested site converted into a prairie (DP). We quantified total soil carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous (TC, TN, and TP), and available nutrient stocks. The soil microbial community structure (i.e., composition, diversity, and abundance) was assessed under each condition from amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) obtained via NGS-Illumina sequencing and subsequent microbiome analysis. There were no significant differences in TC, TN, and TP across the forested states (MF, SF, DF). The deforested site condition presented significantly higher soil TC, TN, and TP and the lowest C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios. The DP soil microbiome was significantly more diverse in bacteria (D' = 0.47 ± 0.04); and fungi (H' = 5.11 ± 0.33). The bacterial microbiome was dominated by Proteobacteria (45.35 ± 0.89 %), Acidobacteria (20.73 ± 1.48 %), Actinobacteria (12.59 ± 0.34 %), and Bacteroidetes (7.32 ± 0.36 %) phyla in all sites. The soil fungal community was dominated by the phyla Ascomycota (42.11 ± 0.95 %), Mortierellomycota (28.74 ± 2.25 %), Basidiomycota (24.61 ± 0.52), and Mucoromycota (2.06 ± 0.43 %). Yet, there were significant differences at the genus level across conditions. Forest to prairie conversion facilitated the introduction of exotic bacterial and fungal taxa associated with agricultural activities and livestock grazing (∼50 % of DP core microbiome composed of unique ASVs). For example, the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria community emerged as a dominant group in the DP soils, along with a reduction in the ectomycorrhizal fungi community. The surface soil microbial community was surprisingly resistant to forest degradation and did not show a clear succession along the degradation gradient, but it was strongly altered after deforestation.

Nano- to Global-Scale Uncertainties in Terrestrial Enhanced Weathering.

Enhanced weathering (EW) is one of the most promising negative emissions technologies urgently needed to limit global warming to at least below 2 °C, a goal recently reaffirmed at the UN Global Climate Change conference (i.e., COP26). EW relies on the accelerated dissolution of crushed silicate rocks applied to soils and is considered a sustainable solution requiring limited technology. While EW has a high theoretical potential of sequestering CO2, research is still needed to provide accurate estimates of carbon (C) sequestration when applying different silicate materials across distinct climates and major soil types in combination with a variety of plants. Here we elaborate on fundamental advances that must be addressed before EW can be extensively adopted. These include identifying the most suitable environmental conditions, improving estimates of field dissolution rates and efficacy of CO2 removal, and identifying alternative sources of silicate materials to meet future EW demands. We conclude with considerations on the necessity of integrated modeling-experimental approaches to better coordinate future field experiments and measurements of CO2 removal, as well as on the importance of seamlessly coordinating EW with cropland and forest management.

Above- and belowground biodiversity jointly tighten the P cycle in agricultural grasslands.

Experiments showed that biodiversity increases grassland productivity and nutrient exploitation, potentially reducing fertiliser needs. Enhancing biodiversity could improve P-use efficiency of grasslands, which is beneficial given that rock-derived P fertilisers are expected to become scarce in the future. Here, we show in a biodiversity experiment that more diverse plant communities were able to exploit P resources more completely than less diverse ones. In the agricultural grasslands that we studied, management effects either overruled or modified the driving role of plant diversity observed in the biodiversity experiment. Nevertheless, we show that greater above- (plants) and belowground (mycorrhizal fungi) biodiversity contributed to tightening the P cycle in agricultural grasslands, as reduced management intensity and the associated increased biodiversity fostered the exploitation of P resources. Our results demonstrate that promoting a high above- and belowground biodiversity has ecological (biodiversity protection) and economical (fertiliser savings) benefits. Such win-win situations for farmers and biodiversity are crucial to convince farmers of the benefits of biodiversity and thus counteract global biodiversity loss.

Adsorption of polyethylene microbeads and physiological effects on hydroponic maize.

About 90% of the plastic garbage remains in terrestrial ecosystems, and increasing evidence highlights the exposure of crops to plastic particles. However, the potential bioaccumulation of microplastics by plants and their effects on plants' physiology remains unexplored. Here, we evaluated the adsorption, potential uptake, and physiological effects of polyethylene (PE) microbeads in an experimental hydroponic culture of maize. Using isotope analysis, taking advantage of the different carbon isotope composition (δ13C) of fossil-derived PE and C4 plants (e.g., maize), we estimated that about 30% of the carbon in the rhizosphere of microplastic-exposed plants was derived from PE. Still, we did not find evidence of PE translocation to the shoots. Plastic bioaccumulation in the rhizosphere caused a significant decline in transpiration, nitrogen content, and growth. Our results indicate that plastic particles may accumulate in the rhizosphere, impairing water and nutrient uptake, and eventually reaching root eaters. Due to the implications for food production and livestock feeding, our findings encourage further research on the mechanism leading to the bioaccumulation of microplastics on the surface of belowground tissues.

Methyl Jasmonate Applications From Flowering to Ripe Fruit Stages of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa 'Camarosa') Reinforce the Fruit Antioxidant Response at Post-harvest.

Preharvest applications of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) have been shown to improve post-harvest fruit quality in strawberry fruit. However, the effectiveness of consecutive field applications at different phenological stages on the reinforcement of the antioxidant capacity remains to be analyzed. To determine the best antioxidant response of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa 'Camarosa') fruit to different numbers and timing of MeJA applications, we performed three differential preharvest treatments (M1, M2, and M3) consisted of successive field applications of 250 µmol L-1 MeJA at flowering (M3), large green (M2 and M3), and ripe fruit stages (M1, M2, and M3). Then, we analyzed their effects on fruit quality parameters [firmness, skin color, soluble solids content/titratable acidity (SSC/TA) ratio, fruit weight at harvest, and weight loss] along with anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin (PA) accumulation; the antioxidant-related enzymatic activity of catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (POX), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX); the total flavonoid and phenolic contents, antioxidant capacity, and ascorbic acid content (AAC) during post-harvest storage (0, 24, 48, and 72 h). We also evaluated the effect on lignin, total carbon and nitrogen (%C and N), lipid peroxidation, and C and N isotopes signatures on fruits. Remarkably, the results indicated that MeJA treatment increases anthocyanin and PA contents as well as CAT activity in post-harvest storage, depending on the number of preharvest MeJA applications. Also, M3 fruit showed a higher AAC compared to control at 48 and 72 h. Noticeably, the anthocyanin content and CAT activity were more elevated in M3 treatment comparing with control at all post-harvest times. In turn, APX activity was found higher on all MeJA-treated fruit independent of the number of applications. Unlike, MeJA applications did not generate variations on fruit firmness and weight, lignin contents,% C and N, and in lipid peroxidation and water/nitrogen use efficiency according to C and N isotope discrimination. Finally, we concluded that an increasing number of MeJA applications (M3 treatment) improve anthocyanin, PA, AAC, and CAT activity that could play an essential role against reactive oxygen species, which cause stress that affects fruits during post-harvest storage.