Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Long-term combined application of manure and NPK fertilizers influenced nitrogen retention and stabilization of organic C in Loess soil

  • Regular Article
  • Published:
Plant and Soil Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Aims

Our aims were to: (1) compare the immobilization of NH +4 -N by clay minerals and microbial biomass in soils with different fertilization history and (2) evaluate the effects of available C and N addition on the stabilization of soil organic carbon (SOC) in anthropogenic Lou soils.

Methods

Here we used three soil treatments, i.e., (a) no fertilizer (NF), (b) inorganic NPK fertilizers (F), and (c) manure plus inorganic NPK fertilizers (MF) from an 18-year old field trial located in the south Loess Plateau, China. Two short-term incubation experiments were used to assess the impact of adding available nitrogen (NH +4 -N) and C (glucose) on NH +4 fixation by clay minerals, and the decomposition of SOC in these soils.

Results

The NH +4 fixed by clay minerals in the MF soils (3.8% of added N) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than that in the NF, and F soils (14.1%, and 9.5% of added N). The decomposition rate of SOC in the MF soil (3.3%) during the incubation was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than in the NF, and F soils (4.4%, and 4.2%). Addition of NH +4 -N significantly (P < 0.05) increased the decomposition of SOC in different soil treatments, and the MF soil also had lower decomposition rate than the NF, and F soils.

Conclusion

We concluded that long-term combined application of manure and NPK fertilizers reduces the NH +4 fixation by clay minerals and improves the stabilization of organic C in soil.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Accoe F, Boeckx P, Videla X, Pino I, Hofman G, Van Cleemput O (2005) Estimation of gross nitrogen transformations and nitrogen retention in grassland soils using FLUAZ. Soil Sci Soc Am J 69:1967–1976

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ambus P, Robertson GP (2006) The effect of increased N deposition on nitrous oxide, methane and carbon dioxide fluxes from unmanaged forest and grassland communities in Michigan. Biogeochemistry 79:315–337

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brookes PC, Landman A, Pruden G, Jenkinson DS (1985) Chloroform fumigation and the release of soil-nitrogen-a rapid direct extraction method to measure microbial biomass nitrogen in soil. Soil Biol Biochem 17:837–842

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brumme R, Beese F (1992) Effects of liming and nitrogen-fertilization on emissions of CO2 and N2O from a temporate forest. J Geophys Res-Atmos 97:12851–12858

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Butnor JR, Johnsen KH, Oren R, Katul GG (2003) Reduction of forest floor respiration by fertilization on both carbon dioxide-enriched and reference 17-year-old loblolly pine stands. Global Change Biol 9:849–861

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cabrera ML, Beare MH (1993) Alkaline persulfate oxidation for determining total nitrogen in microbial biomass extracts. Soil Sci Soc Am J 57:1007–1012

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen H, Billen N, Stahr K, Kuzyakov Y (2007) Effects of nitrogen and intensive mixing on decomposition of 14C-labelled maize (Zea mays L.) residue in soils of different land use types. Soil Till Res 96:114–123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cleveland CC, Townsend AR (2006) Nutrient additions to a tropical rain forest drive substantial soil carbon dioxide losses to the atmosphere. PNAS 103:10316–10321

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Compton JE, Boone RD (2002) Soil nitrogen transformations and the role of light fraction organic matter in forest soils. Soil Biol Biochem 34:933–943

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Conde E, Cardenas M, Ponce-Mendoza A, Luna-Guido M, Cruz-Mondragón C, Dendooven L (2005) The impacts of inorganic nitrogen application on mineralization of 14C-labelled maize and glucose, and on priming effect in saline alkaline soil. Soil Biol Biochem 37:681–691

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cusack DF, Silver WL, Torn MS, McDowell WH (2010) Effects of nitrogen additions on above- and belowground carbon dynamics in two tropical forests. Biogeochemistry 104:203–225

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dail DB, Davidson EA, Chorover J (2001) Rapid abiotic transformation of nitrate in an acid forest soil. Biogeochemistry 54:131–146

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Denef K, Zotarelli L, Boddey RM, Six J (2007) Microaggregate-associated carbon as a diagnostic fraction for management-induced changes in soil organic carbon in two Oxisols. Soil Biol Biochem 39:1165–1172

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Drinkwater LE, Snapp SS (2007) Nutrients in agroecosystems: rethinking the management paradigm. Adv Agron 92:163–186

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fan XL, Zhang YP, Li L (1994) Kinetics of ammonium fixation in manured loessial soil. Acta Univ Agri Boreali-Occidentalis 3:87–91, in Chinese

    Google Scholar 

  • Fontaine S, Barot S, Barré P, Bdioui N, Mary B, Rumpel C (2007) Stability of organic carbon in deep soil layers controlled by fresh carbon supply. Nature 450:277–280

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gong W, Yan X, Wang J, Hu T, Gong Y (2009) Long-term manure and fertilizer effects on soil organic matter fractions and microbes under a wheat-maize cropping system in northern China. Geoderma 149:318–324

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hagedorn F, Spinnler D, Siegwolf R (2003) Increased N deposition retards mineralization of old soil organic matter. Soil Biol Biochem 35:1683–1692

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang S, Peng X, Huang Q, Zhang W (2010) Soil aggregation and organic carbon fractions affected by long-term fertilization in a red soil of subtropical China. Geoderma 154:364–369

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Isermeyer H (1952) Estimation of soil respiration in closed jars. In: Alef K, Nannipieri P (eds) Methods in applied soil microbiology and biochemistry. Academic, London, pp 215–226

    Google Scholar 

  • Jenkinson DS, Brookes PC, Powlson DS (2004) Measuring soil microbial biomass. Soil Biol Biochem 36:5–7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jia SX, Wang ZQ, Li XP, Sun Y, Zhang XP, Liang AZ (2010) N fertilization affects on soil respiration, microbial biomass and root respiration in Larix gmelinii and Fraxinus mandshurica plantations in China. Plant Soil 333:325–336

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ju XT, Xing GX, Chen XP, Zhang SL, Zhang LJ, Liu XJ, Cui ZL, Yin B, Christie P, Zhu ZL (2009) Reducing environmental risk by improving N management in intensive Chinese agricultural systems. PNAS 106:3041–3046

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ju XT, Zhang FS, Bao XM, Romheld V, Roelcke M (2005) Utilization and management of organic wastes in Chinese agriculture: past, present and perspectives. Sci China Ser C 48:965–979

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kalbitz K, Schmerwitz J, Schwesig D, Matzner E (2003) Biodegradation of soil-derived dissolved organic matter as related to its properties. Geoderma 113:273–291

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khan S, Mulvaney R, Ellsworth T, Boast C (2007) The myth of nitrogen fertilization for soil carbon sequestration. J Environ Qual 36:1821–1832

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liang B, Yang XY, He XH, Zhou JB (2011) Effects of 17-year fertilization on soil microbial biomass C and N and soluble organic C and N in loessial soil during maize growth. Biol Fertil Soils 47:121–128

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu JG, Diamond J (2005) China’s environment in a globalizing world. Nature 435:1179–1186

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu YJ, Laird DA, Barak P (1997) Release and fixation of ammonium and potassium under long-term fertility management. Soil Sci Soc Am J 61:310–314

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu YL, Zhang B, Li CL, Hu F, Velde B (2008) Long-term fertilizationinfluences on clay mineral composition and ammonium adsorption in a rice paddy soil. Soil Sci Soc Am J 72:1580–1590

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mary B, Fresneau C, Morel JL, Mariotti A (1993) C-cycling and N-cycling during decomposition of root mucilage, roots and glucose in soil. Soil Biol Biochem 25:1005–1014

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mary B, Recous S, Darwis D, Robin D (1996) Interactions between decomposition of plant residues and nitrogen cycling in soil. Plant Soil 181:71–82

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Masto RE, Chhonkar PK, Singh D, Patra AK (2006) Changes in soil biological and biochemical characteristics in a long-term field trial on a sub-tropical inceptisol. Soil Biol Biochem 38:1577–1582

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Micks P, Aber JD, Boone RD, Davidson EA (2004) Short-term soil respiration and nitrogen immobilization response to nitrogen applications in control and nitrogen-enriched temperate forests. Forest Ecol Manag 196:57–70

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moritsuka N, Yanai J, Mori K, Kosaki T (2004) Biotic and abiotic processes of nitrogen immobilization in the soil-residue interface. Soil Biol Biochem 36:1141–1148

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Neff JC, Townsend AR, Gleixner G, Lehman SJ, Turnbull J, Bowman WD (2002) Variable effects of nitrogen additions on the stability and turnover of soil carbon. Nature 419:915–917

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nieder R, Benbi DK, Scherer HW (2011) Fixation and defixation of ammonium in soils: a review. Biol Fertil Soils: 1–14

  • Nishio T, Oka N (2003) Effect of organic matter application on the fate of N-15-labeled ammonium fertilizer in an upland soil. Soil Sci Plant Nutr 49:397–403

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Norman RJ, Edberg JC, Stucki JW (1985) Determination of nitrate in soil extracts by dual-wavelength ultraviolet spectrophotometry. Soil Sci Soc Am J 49:1182–1185

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Porter LK, Stewart BA (1970) Organic interferences in the fixation of ammonium by soils and clay minerals. Soil Sci 109:229–233

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rasul G, Khan AA, Khan KS, Joergensen RG (2009) Immobilization and mineralization of nitrogen in a saline and alkaline soil during microbial use of sugarcane filter cake amended with glucose. Biol Fertil Soils 45:289–296

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rudrappa L, Purakayastha TJ, Singh D, Bhadraray S (2006) Long-term manuring and fertilization effects on soil organic carbon pools in a Typic Haplustept of semi-arid sub-tropical India. Soil Till Res 88:180–192

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shindo H, Nishio T (2005) Immobilization and remineralization of N following addition of wheat straw into soil: determination of gross N transformation rates by 15N-ammonium isotope dilution technique. Soil Biol Biochem 37:425–432

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Silva JA, Bremner JM (1966) Determination and isotope-ratio analysis of different forms of nitrogen in soils: 5. Fixed ammonium. Soil Sci Soc Am J 30:587–594

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Song MH, Jiang J, Cao GM, Xu XL (2010) Effects of temperature, glucose and inorganic nitrogen inputs on carbon mineralization in a Tibetan alpine meadow soil. Eur J Soil Biol 46:375–380

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stark JM, Hart SC (1997) High rates of nitrification and nitrate turnover in undisturbed coniferous forests. Nature 385:61–64

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tang Y, Wang XZ, Zhao HT, Feng K (2008) Effect of potassium and C/N ratios on conversion of NH +4 in soils. Pedosphere 18:539–544

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tilston EL, Szili-Kovács T, Hopkins DW (2009) Contributions of labile and resistant organic materials to the immobilization of inorganic soil N when used in the restoration of abandoned agricultural fields. Soil Use Manag 25:168–174

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tong YA, Ove E, Lu DQ, Harald G (1997) Effect of organic manure and chemical fertilizer on nitrogen uptake and nitrate leaching in a Eum-orthic anthrosols profile. Nutr Cycl Agroecosys 48:225–229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vance ED, Chapin FS (2001) Substrate limitations to microbial activity in taiga forest floors. Soil Biol Biochem 33:173–188

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vega-Jarquin C, Garcia-Mendoza M, Jablonowski N, Luna-Guido M, Dendooven L (2003) Rapid immobilization of applied nitrogen in saline-alkaline soils. Plant Soil 256:379–388

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vinten AJ, Whitmore A, Bloem J, Howard R, Wright F (2002) Factors affecting N immobilisation/mineralisation kinetics for cellulose-, glucose-and straw-amended sandy soils. Biol Fertil Soils 36:190–199

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vries WD, Reinds GJ, Gundersen P, Sterba H (2006) The impact of nitrogen deposition on carbon sequestration in European forests and forest soils. Global Change Biol 12:1151–1173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waldrop MP, Zak DR, Sinsabaugh RL, Gallo M, Lauber C (2004) Nitrogen deposition modifies soil carbon storage through changes in microbial enzymatic activity. Ecol Appl 14:1172–1177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xing GX, Cao YC, Shi SL, Sun GQ, Du LJ, Zhu JG (2001) N pollution sources and denitrification in waterbodies in Taihu Lake region. Sci China B Chem 44:304–314

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu MG, Li DC, Li JM, Qin DZ, Kazuyuki Y, Hosen Y (2008) Effects of organic manure application with chemical fertilizers on nutrient absorption and yield of rice in Hunan of Southern China. Agr Sci China 7:1245–1252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yan DZ, Wang DJ, Yang LZ (2007) Long-term effect of chemical fertilizer, straw, and manure on labile organic matter fractions in a paddy soil. Biol Fertil Soils 44:93–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang HS (2006) Resource management, soil fertility and sustainable crop production: experiences of China. Agr Ecosyst Environ 116:27–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao MX, Zhou JB, Kalbitz K (2008) Carbon mineralization and properties of water-extractable organic carbon in soils of the south Loess Plateau in China. Eur J Soil Biol 44:158–165

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou JB, Wang CY, Liang B, Liu XJ, Kalbitz K (2009) Stock and distribution of organic carbon in the profiles of soil with long cultivating history. J Agr Environ Sci 28:2540–2544, In Chinese with English abstract

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu XM (1963) Lou soils (in Chinese). Agriculture, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project 40571087, 40773057) and National Technology R & D Pillar Program in the 11th Five Year Plan (2007BAD89B02) from MOST in China for financial support, and the University of Western Australia for supporting the corresponding authors visit to Australia.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China

    Bin Liang, Xueyun Yang & Jianbin Zhou

  2. Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agri-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China

    Bin Liang, Xueyun Yang & Jianbin Zhou

  3. Centre for Ecosystem Management, School of Natural Resources, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, 6207, Australia

    Xinhua He

  4. Soil Biology Group, School of Earth and Environment, UWA Institute of Agriculture, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia

    Daniel V. Murphy

  5. State Centre of Excellence for Ecohydrology and School of Plant Biology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia

    Xinhua He

Authors
  1. Bin Liang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xueyun Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xinhua He
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Daniel V. Murphy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jianbin Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jianbin Zhou.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Klaus Butterbach-Bahl.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Liang, B., Yang, X., He, X. et al. Long-term combined application of manure and NPK fertilizers influenced nitrogen retention and stabilization of organic C in Loess soil. Plant Soil 353, 249–260 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-011-1028-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-011-1028-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation