Plant species richness leaves a legacy of enhanced root litter-induced decomposition in soil

Cong, Wen‐Feng; Ruijven, Jasper van; Werf, Wopke Van der; Deyn, Gerlinde B. De; Mommer, Liesje; Berendse, F.; Hoffland, Ellis

doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2014.10.017

Cited by 50 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…1d). This finding would parallel results from natural grasslands, in which enhanced organic matter decomposition is attributed to higher N availability to the decomposer community in more species rich plots (Hooper et al 2005;Cong et al 2015). Remarkably, and in contrast to many biodiversity studies (but see Cong et al 2014b), reduction in soil C/N ratio and acceleration of SOM decomposition in our intercrop samples did not depend on the presence of a legume (Table 2, Fig.…”

Section: Intercropping Effects On Som Decompositionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Intercropping affects the rate of decomposition of soil organic matter and root litter

Cong

Hoffland

et al. 2015

Plant Soil

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Aims Intercropping increases aboveground and belowground crop productivity, suggesting potential for carbon sequestration. Here we determined whether intercropping affects decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM) and root litter. Methods We measured in the laboratory and the field the breakdown of SOM, root litter of maize, wheat, or faba bean, litter mixtures, and a standard substrate (compost) in soils from a long term intercropping experiment. Results Soil organic matter from intercrop plots decomposed faster than SOM from monocrop plots, but compost decomposed at similar rates in different soils. Faster SOM decomposition was associated with lower soil C:N ratio. Root litter mixtures of maize and wheat decomposed as expected from single litters, but litter mixture of maize and faba bean decomposed faster than expected, both in the laboratory and in the field. Root litter decomposed slowly in maize/wheat intercrop soil compared to the two monocropped soils in the laboratory, but the effect was absent in the field. Conclusions Intercropping increases SOM decomposition, presumably through reduced SOM recalcitrance resulting from lower C:N ratio, higher litter input and better N retention. Depending on the crop combination, also non-additive effects of root litter mixing can enhance organic matter decomposition in intercropping soils.

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Section: Intercropping Effects On Som Decompositionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Intercropping affects the rate of decomposition of soil organic matter and root litter

Cong

Hoffland

et al. 2015

Plant Soil

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“…The C flux through soil respiration (SR) is a vital component of the global C cycle; it represents approximately 10% of the atmospheric C pool, and is 10 times greater than that from fossil fuel combustion [3]. Consequently, even slight changes in understory plant community composition and traits could affect SR through shifts in productivity [4], changing litter inputs and altering the soil microclimate [5,6]. Many studies have reported that plants can control the balance between plant C inputs and losses [7][8][9][10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understory Plants Regulate Soil Respiration through Changes in Soil Enzyme Activity and Microbial C, N, and P Stoichiometry Following Afforestation

Zhao

Wang

Zhang

et al. 2018

Forests

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Soil respiration (SR) is an important process in the carbon cycle. However, the means by which changes in understory plant community traits affect this ecosystem process is still poorly understood. In this study, plant species surveys were conducted and soil samples were collected from forests dominated by black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), with a chronosequence of 15, 25, and 40 years (RP15, RP25, and RP40, respectively), and farmland (FL). Understory plant coverage, evenness, diversity, and richness were determined. We investigated soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), nitrogen (MBN), phosphorus (MBP), and stoichiometry (MBC:MBN, MBC:MBP, and MBN:MBP). Soil enzyme assays (catalase, saccharase, urease, and alkaline phosphatase), heterotrophic respiration (HR), and autotrophic respiration (AR) were measured. The results showed that plant coverage, plant richness index (R), evenness, and Shannon-Wiener diversity were higher in RP25 and RP40 than in RP15. SR, HR, and AR were significantly higher in the forested sites than in farmland, especially for SR, which was on average 360.7%, 249.6%, and 248.2% higher in RP40, RP25, and RP15, respectively. Meanwhile, catalase, saccharase, urease, and alkaline phosphatase activities and soil microbial C, N, P, and its stoichiometry were also higher after afforestation. Moreover, significant Pearson linear correlations between understory plants (coverage, evenness, diversity, and richness) and SR, HR, and AR were observed, with the strongest correlation observed between plant coverage and SR. This correlation largely depended on soil enzymes (i.e., catalase, saccharase, urease, and alkaline phosphatase), and soil microbial biomass C, N, and P contents and its stoichiometry, particularly urease activity and the MBC:MBP ratio. Therefore, we conclude that plant communities are drivers of soil respiration, and that changes in soil respiration are associated with shifts in soil enzyme activities and nutrient stoichiometry.

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“…Recently, Cong et al (2015) showed that higher previous plant diversity can enhance litter decomposition rates. Additionally, Carrillo et al (2012) added the same or different litter after 16 months after the first addition.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil respiration, microbial biomass and nutrient availability after the second amendment are influenced by legacy effects of prior residue addition

Marschner

Hatam

Cavagnaro

2015

Soil Biology and Biochemistry

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Plant species richness leaves a legacy of enhanced root litter-induced decomposition in soil

Cited by 50 publications

References 52 publications

Intercropping affects the rate of decomposition of soil organic matter and root litter

Intercropping affects the rate of decomposition of soil organic matter and root litter

Understory Plants Regulate Soil Respiration through Changes in Soil Enzyme Activity and Microbial C, N, and P Stoichiometry Following Afforestation

Soil respiration, microbial biomass and nutrient availability after the second amendment are influenced by legacy effects of prior residue addition

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