Abstract
The mineralization of soil organic nitrogen (N) is the key process in the cycling of N in terrestrial ecosystems. Land-use change to bamboo (Phyllostachys praecox) cultivation that later entails organic material mulching combined with chemical fertilizer application will inevitably influence soil N mineralization (Nmin) and availability dynamics. However, the soil Nmin rates associated with various N fractions of P. praecox in response to land-use change and mulching are not well understood. The present study aimed to understand the effects of land-use change to P. praecox bamboo cultivation and organic material mulching on soil Nmin and availability. Soil properties and organic N fractions were measured in a P. praecox field planted on former paddy fields, a mulched P. praecox field, and a rice (Oryza sativa L.) field. Soil Nmin was determined using a batch incubation method, with mathematical models used to predict soil Nmin kinetics and potential. The conversion from a paddy field to P. praecox plantation decreased the soil pH, soil total N, and soil organic matter (SOM) content significantly (p < 0.05); the mulching method induced further soil acidification. The mulching treatment significantly augmented the SOM content by 7.08% compared with the no-mulching treatment (p < 0.05), but it decreased soil hydrolyzable N and increased the nonhydrolyzable N (NHN) content. Both the Nmin rate and cumulative mineralized N were lowest in the mulched bamboo field. The kinetics of Nmin was best described by the ‘two-pool model’ and ‘special model’. The Pearson’s correlation analysis and the Mantel test suggested soil pH was the dominant factor controlling the soil cumulative mineralized N and mineralization potential in the bamboo fields. These findings could help us better understand the N cycling and N availability under mulching conditions for shifts in land use, and provide a scientific basis for the sustainable management of bamboo plantations.
Highlights
Nitrogen (N) is a limiting factor for the growth and development of plants as well as a robust indicator of soil fertility [1,2]
Some Total hydrolyzable N (THN) can be directly absorbed by plants or assimilated by microorganisms, most soil organic N must first be converted into nitrate N (NO3 − -N) and ammonium N (NH4 + -N) by mineralization before it can be absorbed and utilized by plants [9]
Our results suggest the conversion from paddy field to P. praecox bamboo plantation could decrease soil pH considerably, which is consistent with findings reported by Holubík et al [43]
Summary
Nitrogen (N) is a limiting factor for the growth and development of plants as well as a robust indicator of soil fertility [1,2]. Some THNs can be directly absorbed by plants or assimilated by microorganisms, most soil organic N must first be converted into nitrate N (NO3 − -N) and ammonium N (NH4 + -N) by mineralization before it can be absorbed and utilized by plants [9]. This mineralization process can affect the dynamics of soil N leaching and its gaseous losses [10].
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