Physically separated soil organic matter pools as indicators of carbon and nitrogen change under long-term fertilization in a Chinese Mollisol.

Isolation and quantification of soil organic matter (SOM) pools under the influence of management practices is needed for assessing the changes in soil fertility. However, the knowledge on how the active, slow and passive pools of SOM respond to long-term fertilization is scarce. Therefore, the present study was designed to isolate the active, slow, and passive pools of soil organic matter through physical fractionation under long-term fertilization. The treatments included; inorganic fertilization (NPK) either alone or combined with a normal dose of manure (MNPK) or a high dose of manure (1.5MNPK) with an unfertilized control (CK) for comparison. The isolated pools were analyzed and compared for their sizes, SOC and TN storage and their contribution to total SOC and TN sequestration. The results revealed that the fertilization enhanced the active, slow and passive pools of SOC and TN and their storage under applied treatments was patterned as 1.5MNK > MNPK > NPK > CK. The highest SOC and TN storage was observed in the active pool, while, greater response to fertilization (in terms of response ratio) was associated with the slow pool. Results show that fertilization enhanced the proportion of SOC and TN stocks to bulk SOC and TN stocks in active and slow pools, while a diminishing trend was found for passive pools. Moreover, the highest response ratio was found for TN sequestration in each pool as compared to SOC, suggesting preferential accumulation of TN over SOC in the studied soil. Nevertheless, the highest SOC and TN storage took place in the active pool. The slow pool showed greater response to applied fertilizer, with the highest values being observed under 1.5MNPK. This study concluded that long-term manure + inorganic fertilization is crucial for enhancing C and N sequestration by altering the size and response of SOM pools.

Distinct controls over the temporal dynamics of soil carbon fractions after land use change.

Soil organic carbon (SOC), the largest terrestrial carbon pool, plays a significant role in soil-related ecosystem services such as climate regulation, soil fertility and agricultural production. However, its fate under land use change is difficult to predict. A major issue is that SOC comprised of numerous organic compounds with potentially distinct and poorly understood turnover properties. Here we use spatiotemporal measurements of the particulate (POC), mineral-associated (MOC) and charred SOC (COC) fractions from 176 trials involving changes in land use to assess their underlying controls. We find that the initial pool sizes of each of the three fractions consistently and dominantly control their temporal dynamics after changes in land use (i.e. the baseline effects). The effects of climate, soil physicochemical properties and plant residues, however, are fraction- and time-dependent. Climate and soil properties show similar importance for controlling the dynamics of MOC and COC, while plant residue inputs (in term of their quantity and quality) are much less important. For POC, plant residues and management practices (e.g. the frequency of pasture in crop-pasture rotation systems) are substantially more important, overriding the influence of climate. These results demonstrate the pivotal role of measuring SOC composition and considering fraction-specific stabilization and destabilization processes for effective SOC management and reliable SOC predictions.

Soil organic carbon stability in forests: Distinct effects of tree species identity and traits.

Rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations have increased interest in the potential for forest ecosystems and soils to act as carbon (C) sinks. While soil organic C contents often vary with tree species identity, little is known about if, and how, tree species influence the stability of C in soil. Using a 40 year old common garden experiment with replicated plots of eleven temperate tree species, we investigated relationships between soil organic matter (SOM) stability in mineral soils and 17 ecological factors (including tree tissue chemistry, magnitude of organic matter inputs to the soil and their turnover, microbial community descriptors, and soil physicochemical properties). We measured five SOM stability indices, including heterotrophic respiration, C in aggregate occluded particulate organic matter (POM) and mineral associated SOM, and bulk SOM δ15 N and ∆14 C. The stability of SOM varied substantially among tree species, and this variability was independent of the amount of organic C in soils. Thus, when considering forest soils as C sinks, the stability of C stocks must be considered in addition to their size. Further, our results suggest tree species regulate soil C stability via the composition of their tissues, especially roots. Stability of SOM appeared to be greater (as indicated by higher δ15 N and reduced respiration) beneath species with higher concentrations of nitrogen and lower amounts of acid insoluble compounds in their roots, while SOM stability appeared to be lower (as indicated by higher respiration and lower proportions of C in aggregate occluded POM) beneath species with higher tissue calcium contents. The proportion of C in mineral associated SOM and bulk soil ∆14 C, though, were negligibly dependent on tree species traits, likely reflecting an insensitivity of some SOM pools to decadal scale shifts in ecological factors. Strategies aiming to increase soil C stocks may thus focus on particulate C pools, which can more easily be manipulated and are most sensitive to climate change.

[Chemical structure characteristics of organic carbon in saline soil aggregates under straw returning condition]. / 秸秆还田条件下盐渍土团聚体中有机碳化学结构特征.

We examined the regularity of distribution and chemical structure characteristics of organic carbon in soda alkaline fluvo-aquic soil aggregates after straw returning. We set up six different straw returning treatments in 2020, including 0 (CK), 2100 (ST1), 4200 (ST2), 6300 (ST3), 8400 (ST4) and 10500 kg·hm-2(full straw returning, ST5). We measured organic carbon (OC) content and infrared spectroscopy characteristics of aggregates and internal different components through physical fractionation method and infrared spectroscopy technology. The results showed that: 1) the OC content of soil and all aggregates increased with the increasing amount of returned straw; 2) different straw returning treatments significantly increased the content of light organic carbon (LOC) in 53-250 µm aggregates. Compared with CK, ST3 and ST4 treatments significantly increased the content of mineral-bound organic carbon (MOC) in 250-2000 µm aggregates and the content of fine particulate organic carbon (fPOC) in 53-250 µm aggregates. The OC content of different components in aggregates followed the order of LOC>MOC>POC. The fPOC content in 250-2000 µm aggregates was higher than that of coarse particulate organic carbon (cPOC); 3) the results of principal component analysis showed that OC chemical structure of different components in aggregates was seldom affected by the straw returning, but was mainly affected by particle size; 4) the OCs in >250 µm aggregates were mainly derived from aromatic carbon and polysaccharides. The OCs in 53-250 µm aggregates were mainly derived from carbohydrates, such as monosaccharides and polysaccharides, while the OC in <53 µm aggregates was mainly derived from aliphatic carbon, alkyl carbon, aromatic carbon and phenolic alcohols. Within different aggregates, LOC was mainly derived from aliphatic carbon, aromatic carbon and phenolic alcohols. Particulate organic carbon (POC) was mainly derived from carbohydrates. MOC was mainly derived from alkyl carbon. In summary, straw returning increased organic carbon content in soil aggregates in short term, but did not alter organic carbon chemical structure. The organic carbon chemical structures of the same particle size fractions in different aggregates were similar. The organic carbon content increased with the decreases of particle size, and the chemical structure tended to be stable. Therefore, straw returning promoted the fixation of organic carbon by saline soil aggregates in short term, but did not change their chemistry structural characteristics, indicating that the location and protection degree of soil organic carbon in aggregates were the main factors affecting the chemical structure of organic carbon.

Soil organic carbon response to global environmental change depends on its distribution between mineral-associated and particulate organic matter: A meta-analysis.

Soil organic carbon (SOC), as the largest terrestrial carbon pool, plays an important role in global carbon (C) cycling, which may be significantly impacted by global changes such as nitrogen (N) fertilization, elevated carbon dioxide (CO2), warming, and increased precipitation. Yet, our ability to accurately detect and predict the impact of these global changes on SOC dynamics is still limited. Investigating SOC responses to global changes separately for mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) and the particulate organic carbon (POC) can aid in the understanding of overall SOC responses, because these are formed, protected, and lost through different pathways. To this end, we performed a systematic meta-analysis of the response of SOC, MAOC, and POC to global changes. POC was particularly responsive, confirming that it is a better diagnostic indicator of soil C changes in the short-term, compared to bulk SOC and MAOC. The effects of elevated CO2 and warming were subtle and evident only in the POC fraction (+5.11% and - 10.05%, respectively), while increased precipitation had no effects at all. Nitrogen fertilization, which comprised the majority of the dataset, increased SOC (+5.64%), MAOC (+4.49%), and POC (+13.17%). Effect size consistently varied with soil depth and experiment length, highlighting the importance of long-term experiments that sample the full soil profile in global change SOC studies. In addition, SOC pool responses to warming were modified by degree of warming, differently for air and soil warming manipulations. Overall, we suggest that MAOC and POC respond differently to global changes and moderators because of the different formation and loss processes that control these pools. Coupled with additional plant and microbial measurements, studying the individual responses of POC and MAOC improves understanding of the underlying dynamics of SOC responses to global change. This will help inform the role of SOC in mitigating the climate crisis.

Fe(II)-catalyzed transformation of Fe (oxyhydr)oxides across organic matter fractions in organically amended soils.

The Fe(II)-catalyzed transformation of ferrihydrite into highly crystalline forms may represent an important pathway for soil organic matter (SOM) destabilization under moderately reducing conditions. However, the link between redox-driven changes in soil Fe mineral composition and crystallinity and SOM chemical properties in the field remains elusive. We evaluated abiotic Fe(II)-catalyzed mineralogical transformation of Fe (oxyhydr)oxides in bulk soils and two particle-size SOM fractions, namely the fine silt plus clay (<20 µm, FSi + Cl) and fine sand (50-200 µm, FSa) fractions of an agricultural soil unamended or amended with biochar, compost, or the combination of both. After spiking with Fe(II) and incubating for 7 days under anoxic and sterile conditions at neutral pH, the FSa fractions (Fe(II):Fe (III) molar ratios ≈ 3.3) showed more significant ferrihydrite transformations with respect to FSi + Cl fractions (Fe(II):Fe (III) molar ratios ≈ 0.7), with the consequent production of well-ordered Fe oxides in most soils, particularly those unamended or amended with biochar alone. Nonetheless, poorly crystalline ferrihydrite still constituted about 45% of the FSi + Cl fractions of amended soils after reaction with Fe(II), which confirms that the higher SOM and clay mineral content in this fraction may possibly inhibit atom exchange between aqueous Fe(II) and the solid phase. Building on our knowledge of abiotic Fe(II)-catalyzed mineralogical changes, the suppression of ferrihydrite transformation in FSi + Cl fractions in amended soils could ultimately lead to a slower turnover of ferrihydrite, possibly preserving the carbon sequestration potential associated with this mineral. Conversely, in both bulk soils and FSa fractions, the extent to which mineral transformation occur seemed to be contingent on the quality of the amendment used.

Microbially reducible extent of solid-phase humic substances is governed by their physico-chemical protection in soils: Evidence from electrochemical measurements.

A significant fraction of humic substances (HS) in natural soils is protected due to the interactions with mineral surfaces or occlusion within aggregates and clay microstructures, which could render the solid-phase HS less spatially accessible to microorganisms and thus affect their extracellular electron transfer. However, more diverse and convincing evidence is needed to further verify the link between extracellular electron transfer of solid-phase HS and their physico-chemical protection mechanisms in soils. In this study, soil physical fractionation and mediated electrochemical measurements were combined for the first time to assess the microbially reducible extents of solid-phase HS in mineral soils. The results show that the solid-phase HS in soil contain several pools with different microbially reducible extents, due to the fact that different pools employ distinct protection mechanisms of soil organic matter against microbial attacks; the particulate HS exert the greatest microbially reducible extent, followed by the microaggregate occluded HS and non-aggregated silt associated HS, and non-aggregated clay associated HS exert the lowest microbially reducible extent. Our work provides a new evidence to validate the view that the extracellular electron transfer process of solid-phase HS in natural soils is largely controlled by their physico-chemical protection mechanisms.

[Effects of management measures on organic carbon, nitrogen and chemical structure of different soil fractions in Phyllostachys edulis plantations.] / 经营措施对毛竹林土壤不同组分有机碳、氮及化学结构的影响.

To examine the effects of management measures on carbon and nitrogen contents, as well as their distribution and structural characteristics of different soil fractions in Moso bamboo plantations, we compared three types of the bamboo forests (undisturbed, extensively managed, and intensively managed) and the control secondary broadleaved evergreen forest using the methods of physical fractionation, chemical and biological analysis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that soil total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) content, as well as free particulate organic carbon and nitrogen, soluble organic carbon and nitrogen (DOC, DON), and mineral-associated organic carbon and nitrogen in the undisturbed and extensively managed Moso bamboo plantations were significantly increased compared with that in the control. The distribution ratio of free particulate organic carbon and nitrogen in the undisturbed Moso bamboo plantation significantly increased, with mineral-associated organic carbon being the largest reservoir of soil organic carbon (67.6%). Intensive management resulted in the decrease of soil organic carbon, total nitrogen storage, and the contents of each component, but significantly increased DOC/TOC, the ratio of microbial biomass nitrogen to TN as well as the ratio of microbial biomass carbon to TOC (microbial quotient). Management measures significantly affected the chemical structure of SOC. Compared with the control, the relative intensities of phenolic and alcoholic-OH, aliphatic methyl and methylene, aromatic C=C, and carbonyl C=O absorption were higher in the SOC of undisturbed and extensively managed Moso bamboo plantations, and soil hydrophobicity was significantly increased. Results from correlation analysis showed that soil hydrophobicity and the content of aliphatic and aromatic groups were negatively correlated with microbial quotient and positively correlated with TOC and TN content. In conclusion, the increased inputs of organic matter residues (such as litter and roots) could contribute to the relative accumulation of chemical resistance compounds with reduced human disturbance, which significantly enhanced chemical stability of soil organic carbon. Soil clay minerals played a key role in protecting soil organic carbon through the formation of mineral-organic compounds, which facilitate the stability of soil carbon storage and the long-term preservation of soil carbon.

The role of Fe(III) in soil organic matter stabilization in two size fractions having opposite features.

Soil organic matter (SOM) protection, stability and long-term accumulation are controlled by several factors, including sorption onto mineral surfaces. Iron (Fe) has been suggested as a key regulator of SOM stability, both in acidic conditions, where Fe(III) is soluble, and in near-neutral pH environments, where it precipitates as Fe(III) (hydr)oxides. The present study aimed to probe, by sorption/desorption experiments in which Fe was added to the system, the mechanisms controlling Fe(III)-mediated organic carbon (C) stabilization; fine silt and clay (FSi + Cl) and fine sand (FSa) SOM fractions of three soils under different land uses were tested. Fe(III) addition caused a decrease in the organic C remaining in solution after reaction, indicating an Fe-mediated organic C stabilization effect. This effect was two times larger for FSa than for FSi + Cl, the former fraction being characterized by both low specific surface area and high organic C content. The organic C retained in the solid phase after Fe-mediated stabilization has relatively low sensitivity to desorption. Moreover, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy indicated that Fe-mediated organic C stabilization can be mainly ascribed to the formation of complexes between carbohydrate OH functional groups and Fe oxides. These results demonstrate that the binding of labile SOM compounds to Fe(III) contributes to its preservation, and that the mechanisms involved (flocculation vs. coating) depend on the size fractions.

Effect of Palm Stearin Oil (PSO), Physical Fractionation Oil of Palm Stearin Oil (PPP) and Structured Lipids of Rich 1,3-Dioleoyl-2-palmitoylglycerol (OPO)on the Stability in Different Emulsion Systems.

This manuscript described the preparation of triglycerides with palmitic and ethyl oleate chains, and the stability of emulsions prepared from those triglycerides. Results showed that ratios of total saturated fatty acids (ΣSFA) of palm stearin oil (PSO), physical fractionation oil of palm stearin oil (PPP) and structured lipids of rich 1,3-dioleoyl-2-palmitoylglycerol (OPO) were 72.5%, 95.4% and 33.2% respectively. Rich 1,3-dioleoyl-2 palmitoylglycerol-emulsion (OPO-E) showed a better emulsion stability than that of palm stearin oil (PSO) and physical fractionation oil of palm stearin oil (PPP). The emulsion stability of OPO-E with 10% structured lipids of rich 1,3-dioleoyl-2-palmitoylglycerol (OPO) showed the highest value compared with 5% and 20% OPO. The value of emulsion stability (ES) was 85.5, the values of volume-surface mean diameter(d32) and weight mean diameter(d43) were 0.09-0.79 µm and 1.1-34.1 µm, respectively. The experimental data had significant (p < 0.05) difference with other emulsions. The value of zeta potential ranged from -34.8 to -53.1 mV, indicating that the emulsion stability of 10% OPO was the most stable in all experiment samples.

Labile and recalcitrant components of organic matter of a Mollisol changed with land use and plant litter management: An advanced 13C NMR study.

Soil organic matter (SOM) changes with land use and soil management, yet the controlling factors over the chemical composition of SOM are not fully understood. We applied quantitative 13C nuclear magnetic resonance and spectral editing techniques to measure chemical structures of SOM from different land use types. The land use types included a native grassland (nGL), a crop land with straw burning in the field (bCL), a restored grassland (rGL) and a cropland with straw removed out of the field (rCL) for 28years. The abundances of OCH groups from carbohydrates were higher in the SOMs of the nGL and rGL than in those of the rCL and bCL, while the abundances of OCH3 and aromatic CO groups from lignin were higher in the SOMs of the three-ever cultivated lands (rGL, rCL and bCL) than in that of the nGL. Although aromatic CC groups were most dominant in the Mollisols, they did not consistently decrease after the burnings of straw were ceased in the fields of the rCL and rGL compared to the bCL with continuous burning. In addition, the COO groups were bound with the aromatic CC groups in all the land use types, and the sizes of the aromatic clusters were affected by the land use types. The labile and recalcitrant components were correlated with SOC contents the mineral-associated and particular SOM in a contrasting way. Our results suggested that the chemical composition of SOM in the Mollisol depended on land use types, and that labile and recalcitrant components might be protected through mineral associations and aggregation, respectively. The most abundant aromatics in the Mollisols might not just be pyrogenic and could be oxidized to different extents, depending on field drainage conditions.

Susceptibility of soil organic carbon to priming after long-term CO2 fumigation is mediated by soil texture.

Elevated CO2 (eCO2) may enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration via greater input of photosynthetic carbon (C). However, greater rhizodeposits under eCO2 may stimulate microbial decomposition of native SOC. This study aimed to examine the status and stability of SOC in three Australian cropping soils after long-term CO2 enrichment. Samples (0-5 cm) of Chromosol, Vertosol and Calcarosol soils were collected from an 8-year Free-air CO2 Enrichment (SoilFACE) experiment and were used to examine SOC dynamics by physical fractionation and incubation with 13C-glucose. Compared to the ambient CO2 (aCO2) (390-400 µmol mol-1), 8 years of elevated CO2 (eCO2) (550 µmol mol-1) did not increase SOC concentration of all soils, but changed SOC distribution with 12% more C in coarse soil fractions and 5% less C in fine fractions. Elevated CO2 also enhanced the susceptibility of SOC to 13C-glucose-induced priming, but this effect was only significant in the coarse-textured Calcarosol topsoil. The eCO2 history increased labile C (coarse C fraction, +13%) and soil pH (+0.25 units), and decreased available N (-30%) in the Calcarosol, which stimulated microbial biomass C by 28%, leading to an enhanced priming effect. Despite with greater total primed C, the Chromosol that had the highest amount of native C, had lower primed C per unit of SOC when compared to the low-C Calcarosol. In conclusion, the effect of long-term eCO2 enrichment on soil C and N availability in cropping soils depended on soil type with the coarse-textured Calcarosol soil being more susceptible to substrate-induced decomposition of its SOC.

Factor analysis of organic soils for site discrimination in a forensic setting.

Organic soils are generally located in fluvial settings such as river floodplains that are commonly used for the disposal of bodies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to provide a protocol for the analysis of small amounts of organic soils for forensic purposes. The protocol was applied in five representative sites within the Curitiba metropolitan region (Brazil), with each site supplying four composite samples separated from one another by 3m. The soil samples were collected at a depth of 0 to 5cm. One gram of soil sample was used to determine the total elemental content and perform physical fractionation of the soil (>53µm and <53µm). For both soil size fractions, total C and N contents were determined, and the elements adsorbed to organic matter was determined only for the <53µm size fraction (Na-pyrophosphate extraction). Chemometric multivariate analyses were conducted for the total data set, where more than 77% of the variation was explained by the first three factors. It was determined that Ca, Ba, and Mg adsorbed to organic matter, and total Ba, Ca, K, Mg, Mo, and C contents were most important in sample groupings. As expected in forensic science, the five sites were efficiently distinguishable from each other and the four replicates collected at the same individual site were clearly grouped. This protocol for sampling, chemical analysis, and data treatment of organic soils can be used in real crime situations.

Vinasse application and cessation of burning in sugarcane management can have positive impact on soil carbon stocks.

Bioenergy crops, such as sugarcane, have the potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions through fossil fuel substitution. However, increased sugarcane propagation and recent management changes have raised concerns that these practices may deplete soil carbon (C) stocks, thereby limiting the net greenhouse gas benefit. In this study, we use both a measured and modelled approach to evaluate the impacts of two common sugarcane management practices on soil C sequestration potential in Brazil. We explore how transitions from conventional (mineral fertiliser/burning) to improved (vinasse application/unburned) practices influence soil C stocks in total and in physically fractionated soil down to one metre. Results suggest that vinasse application leads to an accumulation of soil C of 0.55 Mg ha-1yr-1 at 0-30 cm depth and applying unburned management led to gains of ∼0.7 Mg ha-1yr-1 at 30-60 cm depth. Soil C concentration in the Silt+Clay fraction of topsoil (0-20 cm) showed higher C content in unburned management but it did not differ under vinasse application. The CENTURY model was used to simulate the consequences of management changes beyond the temporal extent of the measurements. Simulations indicated that vinasse was not the key factor driving increases in soil C stocks but its application may be the most readily available practice to prevent the soil C losses under burned management. Furthermore, cessation of burning may increase topsoil C by 40% after ∼50 years. These are the first data comparing different sugarcane management transitions within a single area. Our findings indicate that both vinasse application and the cessation of burning can play an important role in reducing the time required for sugarcane ethanol production to reach a net C benefit (payback time).

Multivariate data reduction and discrimination of black and green teas due to the physical fractionation pattern of selected metals determined in their infusions.

An analytical scheme for the physical fractionation of Al, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Sr and Zn in black and green teas infusions was proposed. It was based on the ultrafiltration/centrifugation through five membranes having molecular weight cut-offs of 100, 50, 30, 10 and 5kDa. The concentrations of the studied metals in the highest and the lowest molecular weight fractions were found to classify and discriminate the analyzed teas infusions much better than the total metals concentrations. The differences in the physical fractionation patterns of these metals assessed for both tea varieties was profound and let to simply classify the infusions of different black and green teas by principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis.

Differentiation of roasted and soluble coffees through physical fractionation of selected essential and nonessential metals in their brews and exploratory data analysis.

An analytical scheme for physical fractionation of Al, Ba, Ca, Co, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Sr and Zn in ground roasted and soluble coffees brews was proposed. It was based on ultrafiltration through five ultrafiltration membranes having molecular weight cut-offs of 5, 10, 30, 50 and 100kDa. The highest ">100kDa" and the lowest "<5kDa" molecular weight fractions were established to differentiate the studied coffees brews the most. Al, Cu, Fe and Ni were mostly associated with the ">100kDa" fraction, while Co, K, Mg and Na - with the "<5kDa" fraction. For Ba, Ca, Mn, Sr and Zn, ">100kDa" and "<5kDa" fractions contributions were equally accounted. The physical fractionation pattern of selected metals was convenient for discovering important features of brews of both coffee types and differences between them by principal component analysis and then classifying them by linear discriminant analysis.

Effect of Soil Water Content on the Distribution of Diuron into Organomineral Aggregates of Highly Weathered Tropical Soils.

We evaluated the effects of soil water content on the retention of diuron and its residual distribution into organomineral aggregates in four Brazilian oxisols. (14)C-Diuron was incubated for days at 25, 50, and 75% of maximum water-holding capacity for each soil. After 42 days, the physical fractionation method was used to obtain >150, 53-150, 20-53, 2-20, and <2 µm aggregate sizes. Diuron retention increased with increasing soil water content for all soils. At lower soil water content, diuron's retention was higher in the sandier soil. It was mostly retained in the fine (<20 µm) aggregates of sandier soil, and for clayed soils, retention was higher in the coarse aggregates (>53 µm). The sorption coefficients (Kd and Koc) generated by batch studies should be carefully used because they do not provide information about aggregation and diffusion effects on pesticides soil sorption.

Organomineral Interactions and Herbicide Sorption in Brazilian Tropical and Subtropical Oxisols under No-Tillage.

We evaluated the effects of the soil organic matter (SOM) composition, distribution between soil aggregates size, and their interactions with the mineral phase on herbicide sorption (alachlor, bentazon, and imazethapyr) in tropical and subtropical Oxisols under no-till systems (NT). Using soil physical fractionation approach, sorption experiments were performed on whole soils and their aggregates. SOM chemistry was assessed by CP/MAS (13)C NMR. The lower sorption observed in tropical soils was attributed to the greater blockage of SOM sorption sites than in subtropical soils. When these sites were exposed upon physical fractionation, sorption of the three herbicides in tropical soils increased, especially for imazethapyr. High amounts of poorly crystallized sesquioxides in these soils may have contributed to masking of sorption sites, indicating that organomineral interactions may lead to blockage of sorption sites on SOM in tropical soils.

Influence of summer crop residues on 15N present in organic matter fractions under two lowland soils / Influência de resíduos de culturas de verão sobre o 15 N em frações da matéria orgânica de dois solos de terras baixas

ABSTRACT: The state of Rio Grande do Sul has about 20% of the total area as lowland soils, suitable for flooded rice (Oryza sativa). In order to mitigate damage caused by rice monoculture, new crops such as sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and soybean (Glycine max) have been cultivated in these areas. With different qualities of crop residues, it is expected a change in soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics and consequently, nitrogen (N) availability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of rice, soybean and sorghum crop residues on the N present in physical fractions of SOM of two lowland soils, using labeled 15N technique, under incubation for 180 days in aerobic condition and more 180 days in anaerobic condition. At 30, 180 and 360 days of incubation the remaining N of the plant residues and N destination from the residues in both soils were quantified in the physical fractions of SOM >250 μm, 250-53 μm and <53 μm. The soil with higher amount of clay+silt received a larger quantity of 15N from residues, while flooding of the soil after 180 days caused a loss of N added to the soil by the soybean and sorghum residues. In general, larger amounts of 15N were reported in the fraction <53 μm, associated with clay minerals, throughout the incubation period. These N losses should be considered in N fertilization for the following crops in rotation with flooded rice.

RESUMO: O Rio Grande do Sul possui cerca de 20% da área total de solos de terras baixas, propícias para o cultivo do arroz (Oryza sativa) irrigado por inundação. Buscando mitigar danos ocasionados com o monocultivo de arroz, novas culturas, como o sorgo (Sorghum bicolor) e a soja (Glycine max), têm sido cultivadas nestas áreas. Com diferentes qualidades de resíduos culturais, espera-se uma alteração na dinâmica da matéria orgânica do solo (MOS) e, consequentemente, do nitrogênio (N). O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência de resíduos culturais de arroz, soja e sorgo na quantidade de N em frações físicas da MOS de dois solos de terras baixas, utilizando a técnica de marcação isotópica de 15N das culturas e uma incubação por um ciclo de 180 dias em condição aeróbica e mais 180 dias em condição anaeróbica. Aos 30, 180 e 360 dias de incubação foi quantificado o N remanescente dos resíduos vegetais e destino do N proveniente dos resíduos nos dois solos em frações físicas da MOS >250 μm, 250-53 μm e <53 μm. O solo com maior quantidade de argila+silte recebeu maior quantidade de 15N dos resíduos, enquanto que o alagamento do solo após 180 dias de incubação ocasionou uma perda do N adicionado ao solo pelos resíduos de soja e sorgo. De maneira geral, foram encontradas maiores quantidades de 15N na fração <53 μm, associado aos argilominerais. As perdas de N devem ser consideradas na adubação nitrogenada para as culturas sequentes nos sistemas de rotação de culturas com arroz irrigado.

Effect of long term organic amendments and vegetation of vineyard soils on the microscale distribution and biogeochemistry of copper.

In this study we evaluated the effect of the long term organic management of a vineyard-soil on the biogeochemistry of copper at the micro-aggregate scale. The model vineyard-soil (Mâcon-France) experienced a long-term field-experiment that consisted in amendments and vegetations with various materials and plants. We studied specifically the effect of Straw (S) and Conifer Compost (CC) organic amendments and Clover (Cl) and Fescue (F) vegetation on the fate of copper (fungicide) in the surface layer of this loamy soil, through a comparison with the Non Amended soil (NA). After collection the five soils were immediately physically fractionated in order to obtain 5 granulometric size-fractions. All soils and size-fractions were quantitatively characterized in terms of granulometry, chemical content and copper distribution, speciation and bioavailability to bacteria and plants. The results showed strong increases of soil-constituents aggregation for all treatments (Cl>CC>S>F>NA), in relation with the increased cementation of soil-constituents by organic matter (OM). The distribution patterns of all major elements and organic carbon were found highly variable within the soil sub-fractions and also between the 5 treatments. Due to their specific inorganic and organic composition, soil sub-fractions can thus be considered as a specific microbial habitat. Added OM accumulated preferentially in the 20-2 µm and in the >250 µm of the 5 soils. The distribution patterns of copper as well as its speciation and bioavailability to bacteria in the soil sub-fractions were shown to be strongly different among the five soils, in relation with OM distribution. Our results also suggest that Cu-bioavailability to plants is controlled by soil-rhizosphere structure. Altogether our results permitted to show that long-term organic management of a vineyard soil induced stable modifications of soil physical and chemical properties at both macro and micro-scales. These modifications affected in turn the micro-scale biogeochemistry of copper, and especially its bioavailability to bacteria and plants.