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Soil type regulates carbon and nitrogen stoichiometry and mineralization following biochar or nitrogen addition.
- Source :
-
Science of the Total Environment . Jan2021, Vol. 753, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Most studies on the effects of biochar and fertilizer on soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) mineralization, and microbial C and N content, are restricted to a single soil type, limiting our understanding of the interactions between these factors and microbial functions. To address this paucity in knowledge, we undertook a 3-year experiment using four contrasting soils to assess the role of peanut shell biochar and fertilizer on C and N mineralization, microbial C and N, and N stoichiometry. Across all four soils, biochar significantly (P < 0.05) increased soil carbon mineralization (C min) and nitrogen mineralization (N min) over three years compared to fertilizer and the control. Biochar also increased total C (C soil) across the four soils in year 1, with the Fluvisol recording greater total C in year 2 and Phaeozem having greater total C in year 3. Biochar resulted in a higher microbial biomass C (C mic), total N (N soil) and microbial biomass N (N mic); the degree of change was closely related to C soil and N soil. There was a positive correlation between C mic :N mic and C soil :N soil ; while C soil and C mic increased following amendment with biochar, which reduced the soil C and N stoichiometric imbalance (N imb) caused by the increase in the C to N ratio. However, fertilizer exacerbated the imbalance of soil C and N stoichiometry. Fertilizer also reduced the C soil :N soil and C mic :N mic ratios. Soil pH had a positive correlation with C soil , C mic , N mic , C min , N min , C soil :N soil , C mic :N mic , and biochar increases this correlation. The soil pH was negatively correlated with C imb :N imb and N soil. Fertilizer was positively correlated C imb :N imb and N soil. In contrast, fertilizer N application lowered microbial biomass C:N. We conclude that biochar reduces the imbalance of soil C and N stoichiometry, whereas fertilizer increased this imbalance. Biochar had a greater impact on C and N in soils with a lower pH. Unlabelled Image • Biochar reduces the imbalance of soil C and N stoichiometry. • Fertilizers exacerbate the imbalance of soil C and N stoichiometry. • Biochar is conducive to the sustainable development of agriculture. • Biochar improves soil MBC content and C and N mineralization rate. • Changes of C and N indexes in different soils are closely related to soil pH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00489697
- Volume :
- 753
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Science of the Total Environment
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 146978281
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141645