Can the co-application of biochar and different inorganic nitrogen fertilizers repress N2O emissions in acidic soil?

The sole application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer with lower N2O emission potential or combined with biochar may help for mitigating N2O production. However, how biochar applied with various inorganic N fertilizers affected N2O emission in acidic soil remains unclear. Thus, we examined N2O emission, soil N dynamics and relating nitrifiers (i.e., ammonia-oxidizing archaea, AOA) in acidic soil. The study contained three N fertilizers (including NH4Cl, NaNO3, NH4NO3) and two biochar application rates (i.e., 0% and 0.5%). The results indicated that the alone application of NH4Cl produced more N2O. Meanwhile, the co-application of biochar and N fertilizers enhanced N2O emission as well, especially in the combined treatment of biochar and NH4NO3. Soil pH was decreased with the application of various N fertilizers, especially with NH4Cl, and the average decrease rate was 9.6%. Meanwhile, correlation analysis showed a negative relationship between N2O and pH, dramatically, which might indicate that the alteration of pH was one factor relating to N2O emission. However, there was no difference between the same N addition treatments with or without biochar on pH. Interestingly, in the combined treatment of biochar and NH4NO3, the lowest net nitrification rate and net mineralization rate appeared during days 16-23. Meanwhile, the highest emission rate of N2O in the same treatment also appeared during days 16-23. The accordance might indicate that N transformation alteration was another factor relating to N2O emissions. In addition, compared to NH4NO3 alone application, co-applied with biochar had a lower content of Nitrososphaera-AOA, which was a main contributor to nitrification. The study emphasizes the importance of using a suitable form of N fertilizers and further indicates that two factors, namely alteration of pH and N transformation rate, are related to N2O emission. Moreover, in future studies, it is necessary to explore the soil N dynamics controlled by microorganisms.

Responses to atmospheric CO2 concentrations in crop simulation models: a review of current simple and semicomplex representations and options for model development.

Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations ([CO2 ]) cause direct changes in crop physiological processes (e.g. photosynthesis and stomatal conductance). To represent these CO2 responses, commonly used crop simulation models have been amended, using simple and semicomplex representations of the processes involved. Yet, there is no standard approach to and often poor documentation of these developments. This study used a bottom-up approach (starting with the APSIM framework as case study) to evaluate modelled responses in a consortium of commonly used crop models and illuminate whether variation in responses reflects true uncertainty in our understanding compared to arbitrary choices of model developers. Diversity in simulated CO2 responses and limited validation were common among models, both within the APSIM framework and more generally. Whereas production responses show some consistency up to moderately high [CO2 ] (around 700 ppm), transpiration and stomatal responses vary more widely in nature and magnitude (e.g. a decrease in stomatal conductance varying between 35% and 90% among models was found for [CO2 ] doubling to 700 ppm). Most notably, nitrogen responses were found to be included in few crop models despite being commonly observed and critical for the simulation of photosynthetic acclimation, crop nutritional quality and carbon allocation. We suggest harmonization and consideration of more mechanistic concepts in particular subroutines, for example, for the simulation of N dynamics, as a way to improve our predictive understanding of CO2 responses and capture secondary processes. Intercomparison studies could assist in this aim, provided that they go beyond simple output comparison and explicitly identify the representations and assumptions that are causal for intermodel differences. Additionally, validation and proper documentation of the representation of CO2 responses within models should be prioritized.

Decomposition of green tea and rooibos tea across three monospecific temperate forests: Effect of litter type and tree species.

We studied the effect of different forest covers on carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics of two standardised litters during decomposition in soil. For this purpose, commercially available bags containing green tea or rooibos tea were incubated in close monospecific stands of Fagus sylvatica, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Quercus cerris, in the Apennines range, Italy, and then analysed at different intervals for up to two years. We also investigated the fate of various C functional groups in both types of litter under beech by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. After two years of incubation, green tea had not changed its original C/N ratio of 10, while rooibos tea had nearly halved its original value of 45, because of different C and N dynamics. Both litters progressively lost C, about fifty per cent of the initial content in the case of rooibos tea, and a little more for green tea, most of the loss occurring in the first three months. In terms of N, green tea behaved as for C, while rooibos tea in the early stage lost part of its N stock, fully recovering it by the end of the first year. Under beech, both litters showed a preferential loss in carbohydrates during the first trimester of incubation and, consequently, an indirect enrichment in lipids. Later on, the relative contribution of the various C forms remained practically constant. Our results overall support that the decay rate and compositional changes of litter depend strongly on the litter type and little on the tree cover of the soil in which the litter is incubated.

Modeling the temporal distribution of water, ammonium-N, and nitrate-N in the root zone of wheat using HYDRUS-2D under conservation agriculture.

In the current study, the temporal distribution of both soil water and soil NO3-N under several conservation agriculture (CA) practices during the wheat crop growth were characterized by HYDRUS-2D model. Treatments comprised of conventional tillage (CT), permanent broad beds (PBB), zero tillage (ZT), PBB with residue (PBB+R) and ZT with residue (ZT+R). Hydraulic inputs of the model, comprising the measured value of Kfs, α and n, obtained as the output of Rosetta Lite model were optimized through inverse modeling. Model predicted the daily change in soil water content (SWC) of the profile during the simulated period (62-91 DAS) with good accuracy (R2 = 0.75; root mean squared error (RMSE) = 0.038). In general, soil water balance simulated from the model showed 50% lower cumulative drainage, 50% higher cumulative transpiration along with higher soil water retention, in PBB+R than CT. Reported values of the first-order rate constants, signify nitrification of urea to NH4-N (µa) (day-1) nitrification of NH4-N to NO3-N (µn) (day-1) and the distribution coefficient of urea (Kd-in cm3 mg-1) were optimized through inverse modeling. Later they were used as solute transport reaction input parameters of the model, to predict the daily change in NO3-N of the profile with better accuracy (R2 = 0.83; RMSE = 4.62). Since NH4-N disappears fast, it could not be measured frequently. Therefore, not enough data could be generated for their use in the calibration and validation of the model. Results of simulation of daily NO3-N concentration indicated a higher concentration of NO3-N in the surface layer and its leaching losses beyond the root zone were relatively lesser in PBB+R, than CT, which resulted in less contamination of the belowground water. Thus, the study clearly recommended PBB+R to be adopted for wheat cultivation in maize-wheat cropping system, as it enhances the water and nitrogen availability in the root zone and reduce their losses beyond the root zone.

Impacts on soil nitrogen availability of converting managed pine plantation into switchgrass monoculture for bioenergy.

Biofuels derived from lignocellulosic materials is one of the options in addressing issues on climate change and energy independence. One of the most promising bioenergy crops is switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), particularly in North America. Future advancement in large-scale conversion of lignocellulosic feedstocks and relatively more competitive price for biomass and other economic advantages could lead to landowners opting to venture on switchgrass monoculture (SWITCH) in lieu of loblolly pine monoculture (PINE). Therefore, we investigated the conversion of previously managed loblolly pine stand into SWITCH in eastern North Carolina, U.S.A. on soil N availability. Treatments included PINE, SWTICH, and mature loblolly pine stand (REF). Each treatment was replicated three times on 0.8 ha plots drained by open ditches dug 1.0-1.2 m deep and spaced at 100 m. Rates of net N mineralization (Nm) and nitrification (Nn) at the top 20 cm were measured using sequential in-situ techniques in 2011 and 2012 (the 3rd and 4th years of establishment, respectively) along with a one-time laboratory incubation. On average, PINE, SWITCH, and REF can have field net Nm rates up to 0.40, 0.34 and 0.44 mg N·kg soil-1·d-1, respectively, and net Nn rates up to 0.14, 0.08 and 0.10 mg N·kg soil-1·d-1, respectively. Annually, net Nm rates ranged from 136.98 to 167.21, 62.00 to 142.61, and 63.57 to 127.95 kg N·ha-1, and net Nn rates were 56.31-62.98, 16.45-30.45, 31.99-32.94 kg N·ha-1 in PINE, SWITCH, and REF, respectively. Treatment effect was not significant on field Nm rate (p = 0.091). However, SWITCH significantly reduced nitrate-N production (p < 0.01). Overall, results indicated that establishment of SWITCH on poorly drained lands previously under PINE is less likely to significantly impact total soil N availability and potentially has minimum N leaching losses since soil mineral N under this system will be dominated by ammonium-N.

Importance of matching soil N transformations, crop N form preference, and climate to enhance crop yield and reducing N loss.

The preferential uptake of nitrogen (N) by plant species is generally considered to be tightly associated with soil N transformation characteristics and climatic conditions. In the present study, the yield, N recovery, and N balance of wheat (an NO3--preferring crop) and rice (an NH4+-preferring crop) planted in two sites with significantly different soil N transformations and precipitation were compared to test the connections among soil N transformations, species-specific N preferences, crop yield, N use efficiency (NUE), N loss, and climate. Nitrogen recoveries of 15N applied as either an NH4+ or NO3- based fertilizer in crops and soil were determined, and N losses were calculated using the 15N balance. The results indicated that the match (or mismatch) of crop N preference, soil N transformation characteristics, and climate conditions could significantly affect the crop yield, recovery, and loss of applied 15N. A crop preferring NH4+ (e.g., rice) planted in soil with low nitrification and low pH tended to have a higher yield and NUE, and a lower N loss compared with plants growing in soil characterized by a higher nitrification rates. In contrast, NO3--preferring crops (e.g. wheat) planted in soil with higher nitrification rates and lower precipitation achieved a higher yield and lower N loss than those planted in acid soil with a lower nitrification rate and higher precipitation. Replacement of ammonium N fertilizer with nitrate N fertilizer improved the NUE for NO3--preferring crops (wheat) planted in arid and semi-arid regions, but not in humid regions because of the mobility of NO3-. Thus, a good match of crop N preference, soil N transformation characteristics, and climate conditions is critical to enhance crop yield and reduce N loss. This intimate connection needs to be taken into consideration in terms of the choice of crop species and N fertilizer type to optimize N fertilization management.

Nitrogen accumulation and partitioning in a High Arctic tundra ecosystem from extreme atmospheric N deposition events.

Arctic ecosystems are threatened by pollution from recently detected extreme atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition events in which up to 90% of the annual N deposition can occur in just a few days. We undertook the first assessment of the fate of N from extreme deposition in High Arctic tundra and are presenting the results from the whole ecosystem (15)N labelling experiment. In 2010, we simulated N depositions at rates of 0, 0.04, 0.4 and 1.2 g Nm(-2)yr(-1), applied as (15)NH4(15)NO3 in Svalbard (79(°)N), during the summer. Separate applications of (15)NO3(-) and (15)NH4(+) were also made to determine the importance of N form in their retention. More than 95% of the total (15)N applied was recovered after one growing season (~90% after two), demonstrating a considerable capacity of Arctic tundra to retain N from these deposition events. Important sinks for the deposited N, regardless of its application rate or form, were non-vascular plants>vascular plants>organic soil>litter>mineral soil, suggesting that non-vascular plants could be the primary component of this ecosystem to undergo measurable changes due to N enrichment from extreme deposition events. Substantial retention of N by soil microbial biomass (70% and 39% of (15)N in organic and mineral horizon, respectively) during the initial partitioning demonstrated their capacity to act as effective buffers for N leaching. Between the two N forms, vascular plants (Salix polaris) in particular showed difference in their N recovery, incorporating four times greater (15)NO3(-) than (15)NH4(+), suggesting deposition rich in nitrate will impact them more. Overall, these findings show that despite the deposition rates being extreme in statistical terms, biologically they do not exceed the capacity of tundra to sequester pollutant N during the growing season. Therefore, current and future extreme events may represent a major source of eutrophication.

Revegetation impacts soil nitrogen dynamics in the water level fluctuation zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China.

Revegetations in riparian ecosystem are important in regulating soil nitrogen (N) dynamics. However, impacts of revegetation on soil N cycling and thereby on ecosystem functioning are not fully understood. We conducted an in situ incubation in the water level fluctuation zone (WLFZ) of the Three Gorges Reservoir region to evaluate soil N transformation including net N mineralization rate, net ammonification rate, net nitrification rate, net denitrification rate, N leaching and plant N uptake as well as the soil inorganic N (NH4(+)-N and NO3(-)-N) concentration in the top soils (0-20 cm) following revegetations (implementing tree, shrub and herb plantations) over two years. The soil inorganic N concentration and N leaching were lower in the tree soils than in herb and shrub soils. Tree plantations decreased net N mineralization rate and net ammonification rate compared to herb and shrub soils, possibly due to lower soil organic carbon (SOC) input and soil temperatures. Whereas tree plantations increased soil net denitrification rate compared to herb and shrub soils because of higher tree NO3(-)-N uptake together with higher net nitrification rate. The inorganic N in the tree and shrub soils were lower in fall and summer, respectively, which was dependent on the seasonal variations in plant N uptake, soil N transformation, and N leaching. Thus, our results suggest that tree plantations could decrease soil inorganic N concentration and N leaching by altering both the quantity and quality of SOC and thereby potentially improve water quality in the riparian zone.

Redução na velocidade da nitrificação no solo após aplicação de cama de aviário com dicianodiamida / Reduction of the nitrification rate in the soil after addition of poultry manure with dicyandiamide

A rápida nitrificação do nitrogênio (N) amoniacal de fontes orgânicas e minerais no solo pode resultar em perdas de nitrato (NO3-) para o ambiente. Uma estratégia para a redução dessas perdas envolve o uso de inibidores de nitrificação. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi o de avaliar, em condições de laboratório, a eficiência da dicianodiamida (DCD), presente no produto Agrotain® Plus (AP), em inibir a nitrificação do N amoniacal de cama de aviário (CA) no solo. Foram avaliados cinco tratamentos, sendo um com CA incorporada ao solo, três com CA incorporada ao solo com AP, nas doses de 3,5, 7,0 e 14,0kg ha-1, além de um tratamento somente com solo. A nitrificação foi monitorada através da determinação periódica dos teores de NH4+ e NO3 no solo durante 69 dias. A maior taxa de nitrificação ocorreu no tratamento em que a CA foi incorporada ao solo sem AP. As doses de 3,5 e 7,0kg de AP ha-1 inibiram parcialmente a nitrificação do N amoniacal da CA na fase inicial da incubação, perdendo a eficiência em inibir esse processo no período entre 12 e 27 dias. O tratamento com a maior dose de AP (14kg ha-1) foi aquele em que a DCD exerceu maior efeito inibitório da nitrificação, preservando maior quantidade de NH4+ e retardando o aparecimento de NO3- no solo. Os resultados deste trabalho indicam que a DCD, contida no Agrotain® Plus, reduz a taxa de nitrificação do N amoniacal da CA no solo, o que poderá contribuir à redução das perdas de NO3- para o ambiente.

The fast nitrification of ammoniacal nitrogen (N) of organic and mineral sources in soil can result in losses of nitrate (NO3-) to the environment. One strategy to reduce these losses involves the use of nitrification inhibitors. The objective of this study was to evaluate, in laboratory conditions, the efficiency of Agrotain® Plus (AP), which contains dicyandiamide (DCD), as a nitrification inhibitor of ammoniacal nitrogen from poultry manure (PM) in soil. Were evaluated five treatments, one with PM incorporated into the soil, three with PM incorporated into the soil with AP at the doses of 3.5, 7.0 e 14.0kg ha-1 and one treatment without PM and AP. Nitrification was monitored by measuring changes in soil mineral N (NH4+ and NO3-) periodically over 69 days. The highest rate of nitrification occurred in the treatment in which PM was incorporated into the soil without AP. The doses of 3.5 and 7.0kg ha-1 of AP inhibited partially the nitrification of ammoniacal nitrogen of PM in the initial phase of incubation, losing the ability to inhibit this process in the period between 12 and 27 days. The treatment with the higher dose of AP (14kg ha-1) was on in which the DCD exerted more inhibitory effect on nitrification, preserving most NH4+ and delaying the onset of NO3- in soil. The results of this study indicate that the DCD, contained in the Agrotain® Plus, reduces the nitrification rate of ammoniacal nitrogen from PM in soil, that may contribute to reduce NO3- losses to the environment.