Dual-labelling (15N and 33P) provides insights into stoichiometry and release of nitrogen and phosphorus from in situ mature lupin and canola below-ground residues

Abstract

Belowground (BG) residues may contribute significant amounts of N and P via nutrient cycling to following crops, particularly in low fertiliser input systems or where all the above-ground residues are removed. Reports of simultaneous measures of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) release from mature crop residues, especially from intact root systems in situ, are rare. A single stem-feed of 15N followed by 33P was used to (i) estimate total amounts of N and P accumulated in situ BG by mature canola and lupin plants including the stoichiometry of N and P in recovered and non-recovered components of these BG residues, and ii) simultaneously trace and quantify the relative release of that N and P. One set of pots were destructively sampled at lupin and canola maturity to quantify total accumulation of BG P and BG N, including estimated N and P in unrecovered roots plus root-derived materials (RD N and RD P). Shoots were removed from a second set of pots into which wheat was sown after a 3 weeks fallow. Release of P and N from the decomposing in situ 33P/15N labelled lupin and canola BG residues was assessed as uptake in 5 weeks old wheat. Canola root had higher P and lower N concentrations than lupin. Canola total BG P was greater than lupin with a higher proportion as estimated RD P. Estimated RD N was similar in both species but lupin had more N in roots and so higher total BG N. C:P ratio of lupin roots was 708:1 and 188:1 for canola. Root C:N ratio was 39:1 for canola and 24:1 for lupin. N:P ratio for lupin roots was wider (29:1) than canola (5:1), but N:P ratio of RD fractions was similar (6:1 canola; 7:1 lupin). Proportion of BG P released and taken up by wheat was 21% after canola and 19% after lupin, and since total amount of BG P was much greater for canola the quantity of P released was double that after lupin. Proportion of lupin BG N (37%) released was similar to that for canola BG N (33%) although a larger amount of N was released from lupin given the larger BG N pool. The proportion of P and N released from in situ BG residues of mature canola and lupin and taken up by wheat in this short term study was broadly inversely related to C:P, C:N and N:P ratio of recovered roots but results suggest a likely influence also of N:P ratio of the unrecovered BG residues. Quantities of N and P released were a function of the estimated total amount of plant N and P accumulated in situ BG.