Nitrogen Fertilization Effects on Quality of Organic Matter in a Grassland Soil

Malhi, S. S.; Wang, Z. H.; Schnitzer, M.; Monreal, Carlos M.; Harapiak, J.T.

doi:10.1007/s10705-005-1702-8

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…This relationship was confirmed by regression analysis which showed a positive linear relationship between grain yield and soil N concentration in 2011 [y = 0.00032x + 0.93; R² = 0.49; P = 0.01 where x is the yield (kg ha −1 yr −1 ) and y is the soil N concentration (mg g −1 )]. Our findings demonstrate clear benefits of N fertilization for conserving organic soil N reserves, in keeping with other long-term observations (Campbell and Zentner 1993;Janzen et al 1998;Malhi et al 2005;Powlson et al 2010;Ladha et al 2011). Based on measurements of total N, we see no evidence of organic matter depletion from fertilizer N amendments, as proposed by others .…”

Section: Changes In Soil Nsupporting

confidence: 92%

Nitrogen balance in century-old wheat experiments

et al. 2017

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Managing nitrogen (N) inputs to sustain high yields while minimizing losses to adjacent environments remains among the foremost aims in agroecosystems. We studied the N balance in a study established in 1911 at Lethbridge, AB, Canada. The experiment includes three cropping systemscontinuous wheat (W), fallowwheat-wheat (FWW), and fallow-wheat (FW)with a factorial of two N rates (0 and 45 kg N ha −1) and two phosphorus (P) rates (0 and 20 kg P ha −1) superimposed beginning in 1967. In unfertilized subplots, grain yields generally increased for the first eight decades, but then declined, perhaps partly because of growing N deficiency. Yield response to N increased over time, especially under continuous cropping and when co-applied with P. Soil N concentration in the surface 15 cm declined in the first few decades, and then approached an apparent steady state. Application of N increased soil N, roughly in proportion to the amount of residue returned. For the first half-century (1911-1967), N removal was approximately equivalent to the loss of soil N in the surface 15 cm. Since then, however, when the soil organic N was near steady state, removals of N in grain exceeded N inputs by approximately 20-30 kg N ha −1 yr −1 , suggesting an input from outside sources, perhaps partly from atmospheric NH 3. This study demonstrated the importance of long-term experiments in evaluating the N balance of cropping systems, and indicated the potential significance of non-fertilizer N inputs from outside sources in such ecosystems.

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Section: Changes In Soil Nsupporting

confidence: 92%

Nitrogen balance in century-old wheat experiments

et al. 2017

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“…Fertilizer application, particularly N, could improve the quantity and quality of grassland production by altering the C/N/P ratio of plants and affecting plant communities (Li et al, 2014; Vargová et al, 2020). This could lead to altered above‐ and belowground OM inputs into the soil and can affect decomposer communities, which could influence SOM composition and stability and thus SOM dynamics (Malhi et al, 2005; Rumpel et al, 2015). However, the effects of typical grassland management on SOM composition and stability within restricted study areas of diverse geological backgrounds have not yet been investigated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clay fraction properties and grassland management imprint on soil organic matter composition and stability at molecular level

Baumann

Eckhardt

Schöning

et al. 2022

Soil Use and Management

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The dynamics of soil carbon in grassland are partly determined by soil organic matter (SOM) composition. However, it remains unclear which role grassland management plays in the interplay between SOM composition and carbon dynamics. Using pyrolysis‐field ionization mass spectrometry (Py‐FIMS), we studied the effect of meadow, mown pasture and pasture on the molecular SOM composition in German topsoils. In sandy soils of the Schorfheide‐Chorin region, SOM composition and stability were strongly affected by clay contents and concentrations of crystalline Fe‐oxides. Here, the grassland management type influenced lipid proportions, which accounted for a maximum of 11.1% of the total ion intensity (TII) under mown pasture. In the Hainich‐Dün region, SOM composition was mainly related to the SOM decomposition stage (abundance of potentially recalcitrant compounds) but not to minerals. Compound classes of carbohydrates (4.3% TII), phenols and lignin monomers (8.5% TII), N‐containing compounds (2.2% TII) and peptides (4.6% TII) were highest under meadow, while compound classes of lignin dimers (3.4% TII) and lipids (8.1% TII) were highest under pasture. In the Schwäbische Alb region, the proportion of free fatty acids (1.6 to 2.3% TII) was positively related to the C/N ratio (r = 0.86); SOM stability was positively affected by poorly crystalline Fe‐oxide content (r = 0.85). The results suggest that grassland management is affecting SOM composition and stability and thus influence SOM dynamics in grasslands. However, the proportion and composition (Fe‐oxide content) of the soil clay fraction overrode grassland management effects if soil clay/OC ratios were <10.

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“…Maintaining soil productivity and quality requires crucial attention as it plays a significant role in delivering ecosystem services of agroecosystems to society [15]. Several authors argued that long-period nitrogen fertilization of grassland improved the quality of soil organic matter [16] or increased soil nitrogen mineralization [17]. On the other hand, there is evidence of negative impact of the excess of artificial fertilizers on grassland soil such as acidification [18], nutrient leaching, and emissions of nitrogen [19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes and Interactions between Grassland Ecosystem Soil and Plant Properties under Long-Term Mineral Fertilization

et al. 2020

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Grasslands intensification by use of mineral fertilization has contributed substantially to the increase in forage production. Intensification, however, can degrade the other beneficial functions or soil properties. The effects of mineral fertilization on soil and plant chemical qualities of a permanent wet grassland (Festucetum pratense association) were investigated in Slovakia. The grassland was treated using 3 different N, P, and K rates of mineral fertilizers in kg. ha−1. yr−1 plus the Control (0NPK) almost over 60-year period (1961–2017). The N, P, and K rates in low NPK treatment (LNPK) were N50, P15.4, and K 41.5, in the medium NPK treatment (MNPK) were N100, P30.8, and K83, and in the high NPK treatment (HNPK) were N200, P 61.6, and K 166, respectively. Overall, soil variables (pH, soil organic carbon, plant-available K) showed the most significant changes. A more balanced development was observed in case of soil total nitrogen, C:N ratio, and plant-available P. ANOVA revealed a significant effect between treatments only on plant-available P. In the case of plant functional group development, long-term mineral addition significantly disfavors legumes and forbs. However, analyses of the botanical composition over the last 5 years showed that legume cover significantly differs only in the HNPK treatment. Plant C:P, N:P, and N:K ratios were significantly reduced when fertilizers were added. In terms of grasslands yields, the highest biomass and content of macronutrients were obtained under the HNPK rates. However, with regard to the quality and quantity of the soil organic matter, the most appropriate treatment has been with the MNPK rates. Our findings demonstrate that medium fertilization seems to be an acceptable compromise to meet both productivity and environmental aspects and to connect ecological benefits with social benefits in the long term.

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Nitrogen Fertilization Effects on Quality of Organic Matter in a Grassland Soil

Cited by 9 publications

References 25 publications

Nitrogen balance in century-old wheat experiments

Nitrogen balance in century-old wheat experiments

Clay fraction properties and grassland management imprint on soil organic matter composition and stability at molecular level

Changes and Interactions between Grassland Ecosystem Soil and Plant Properties under Long-Term Mineral Fertilization

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