N Mineralization as Affected by Long-Term N Fertilization and Its Relationship with Crop N Uptake

doi:10.1016/S1002-0160(06)60034-9

Pedosphere

Volume 16, Issue 1, February 2006, Pages 125-130

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1002-0160(06)60034-9 Get rights and content

ABSTRACT

A field experiment established in 1997 was conducted to study the effect of long-term N fertilizer application on N mineralization in a paddy soil determined using a laboratory anaerobic incubation followed with a field incubation and to measure the relationship between in situ N mineralization and crop N uptake. To estimate N mineralization in the laboratory, soil samples were collected from plots with N application at different rates for six years and were incubated. Soils treated with fertilizer N mineralized more N than unfertilized soils and mineralization increased with N application rates. Also, the fraction of total N mineralized increased with increasing N fertilizer application. These findings meant that a substantial portion of previously applied N could be recovered slowly over time in subsequent crops. The field incubation of the plot receiving no fertilizer N showed that the NH₄⁺-N concentration varied greatly during the rice-growing season and seasonal changes of N mineralization were due more to accumulation of NH₄⁺-N than NO₃⁻-N. Rice N uptake increased up to a maximum of 82 kg N ha⁻¹ during the season. The close agreement found between in situ N mineralization and rice N uptake suggested that the measurement of in situ N mineralization could provide useful recommendations for adequate fertilizer N application.

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Cited by (26)

The potential of naturally occurring fallow weeds to scavenge nitrogen in rice cropping systems
2018, Ecological Indicators
Citation Excerpt :
The micro-plot experiment showed that N fertilization during the rice-growing season could significantly increase N uptake by fallow weeds, and this increase was mostly driven by an increase in soil N uptake. This result might be because most residual fertilizer N was converted to organic forms and was not readily mineralized (Allen et al., 1973; Jacobsen et al., 1996; Smith et al., 1978), while soil N mineralization was accelerated by N fertilization (Glendining et al., 1996; Yan et al., 2006). This could also be why N fertilization during the rice-growing season could significantly increase nitrate loss from rice fields in the fallow season and hence create the potential for groundwater nitrate pollution (Lu et al., 2008).
Environmental costs from nitrogen (N) loss have been substantial in Chinese rice cropping systems. Naturally occurring fallow weeds may provide a similar ecosystem service as cover crops in scavenging N with the advantage of no inputs. In this study, an on-farm experiment and ¹⁵N-tracing micro-plot experiment were conducted to: (1) investigate the aboveground biomass and N uptake by fallow weeds; and (2) quantify the sources of N uptake by fallow weeds in the rice cropping system. Results showed that fallow weeds produced an average aboveground biomass of 245 g m⁻² across a wide range of regions, with the highest values of 305 g m⁻² at the regional level and 474 g m⁻² at the field level. Fallow weeds had an average N uptake of 2.46 g m⁻², with the highest values of 2.97 g m⁻² at the regional level and 4.93 g m⁻² at the field level. N uptake by fallow weeds increased 59% from N fertilization during the rice-growing season (18 g N m⁻², the national average N rate of China), and about 90% of this increase was driven by an increase in soil N uptake. Our study suggests that naturally occurring fallow weeds have great potential for providing the ecosystem service of reducing potential N loss by scavenging inorganic N (primarily N mineralized from soil organic matter) in the rice cropping system.
Evaluation of nitrogen balance in a direct-seeded-rice field experiment using Hydrus-1D
2015, Agricultural Water Management
Citation Excerpt :
Mineralization (organic N→inorganic NH4+–N) and immobilization (inorganic NH4+–N→organic N) are two important N transformation processes that occur simultaneously in flooded soils (Chowdary et al., 2004). We assumed here that these two transformations occurred only in the root zone (Rice and Smith, 1984) (0–40 cm), and that they can be represented by a single comprehensive production rate for NH4+–N Kmi of 0.0045 day−1 (Yan et al., 2006; Antonopoulos, 2010; Roberts et al., 2011). The nitrification and denitrification rates were initially assumed to be the same in all soil layers (namely Kn = 0.2 day−1 and Kdn = 0.04 day−1) and then adjusted for each layer according to observed data.
Nitrogen (N) pollution is a global environmental problem that has greatly increased the risks of both the eutrophication of surface waters and contamination of ground waters. The majority of N pollution mainly comes from agricultural fields, in particular during rice growing seasons. In recent years, a gradual shift from the transplanting rice cultivation method to the direct seeding method has occurred, which results in different water and N losses from paddy fields and leads to distinct impacts on water environments. The N transport and transformations in an experimental direct-seeded-rice (DSR) field in the Taihu Lake Basin of east China were observed during two consecutive seasons, and simulated using Hydrus-1D model. The observed crop N uptake, ammonia volatilization (AV), N concentrations in soil, and N leaching were used to calibrate and validate the model parameters. The two most important inputs of N, i.e., fertilization and mineralization, were considered in the simulations with 220 and 145.5 kg ha⁻¹ in 2008 and 220 and 147.8 kg ha⁻¹ in 2009, respectively. Ammonia volatilization and nitrate denitrification were the two dominant pathways of N loss, accounting for about 16.0% and 38.8% of the total N input (TNI), respectively. Both nitrification and denitrification processes mainly occurred in the root zone. N leaching at 60 and 120 cm depths accounted for about 6.8% and 2.7% of TNI, respectively. The crop N uptake was 32.1% and 30.8% of TNI during the 2008 and 2009 seasons, respectively, and ammonium was the predominant form (74% of the total N uptake on average). Simulated N concentrations and fluxes in soil matched well with the corresponding observed data. Hydrus-1D could simulate the N transport and transformations in the DSR field, and could thus be a good tool for designing optimal fertilizer management practices in the future.
In situ core methods for estimating soil mineral-N fluxes: Re-evaluation based on 25 years of application and experience
2013, Soil Biology and Biochemistry
Citation Excerpt :
Above-ground plant N constituted between about 55% and 80% of total uptake of soil mineral N in maize depending on the period within the growing season, whereas for bean it was more constant and smaller (about 40%). Angus et al. (1998), Smith et al. (2000) and Yan et al. (2006) have all compared harvest estimates of N uptake by cereal crops with estimates obtained by in situ coring and found broad agreement. Models (based on synthesis of many studies and subject to some prior testing) are a useful means of evaluating the plausibility of in situ estimates of NNM.
A paper published in this journal 25 years ago described a new method for estimating the dynamics of soil mineral-N in situ. The method has been widely used, modified, evaluated and sometimes criticised, and highly cited. In this review we critically evaluate the utility of the method and the proposed modifications and summarize new insights gained over the past quarter of a century. There is no single recipe for the application of in situ methods to the study of soil mineral-N dynamics. Site specific factors need to be taken into account and some field testing is essential to fine-tune the method and to improve the reliability of estimates. Special care is required in soils that are rapidly nitrifying and those with poor drainage or where soil moisture levels can change rapidly. The use of appropriate and flexible periods of field incubation is essential. In soils with very low rates of net N mineralization (<10–15 kg N/ha), there is potential for a significant fraction of the total plant uptake of mineral-N to occur via mycorrhizal fungi during N turnover (i.e. the simultaneous processes of mineralization/immobilization). As a consequence, plants may acquire more mineral-N than the plant N uptake estimated from in situ soil measurements.
There is considerable information available that can be used to evaluate the utility of in situ methods. Direct evidence includes: comparisons of estimated with measured uptake of N by vegetation; comparisons of estimated with measured leaching of N; and the budgeting of N added in fertilizer. Indirect evidence includes: quantitative linkages in forests of soil mineral-N dynamics to physiological processes such as the re-translocation of N in plant tissues, N cycling and forest productivity; and comparisons of modelled soil mineral-N dynamics with estimates obtained from in situ methods. We conclude that when the method is applied carefully and based on insights obtained from prior field testing, it produces reliable quantitative estimates (as opposed to merely being an index) of the soil mineral-N flux attributable to net N mineralization, uptake of N by vegetation and leaching of N in agricultural, managed forest and natural ecosystems. Soil mineral-N fluxes ranging from <10 to >150 kg N/ha/yr have been quantified using the method. The method is sufficiently sensitive to detect small short-term (monthly to seasonal) change as well as the long-term (annual or longer time scale) cumulative effects of management on soil mineral-N dynamics.
Given the resource-demanding nature of their application, in situ methods are a research tool rather than methods that can be used routinely to better guide the management of N cycles. The method is valuable for: building an understanding of N cycling and how this relates to the functioning of natural and managed ecosystems; calibrating and testing simple indices of rates of N cycling; and for developing models that estimate soil N dynamics. In the future, more attention should be given to using in situ estimates of soil mineral-N dynamics to calibrate and test predictive models. Such models are vital to guiding improved management of N cycles, so as to achieve sustained efficient production whilst reducing adverse environmental impacts.
Wet deposition N and its runoff flow during wheat seasons in the Tai Lake Region, China
2011, Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment
Citation Excerpt :
The soil N content or mineralization rate in wheat fields may be higher than that in forests or meadow catchments, and a considerable amount of NO3− in runoff may come from the nitrification of soil mineralized N or deposited NH4+–N. Nevertheless, this study clearly indicates that 11 kg N ha−1 can be used as nutrients in croplands during the winter wheat season, and should be taken into account when calculating N fertilizer requirements for winter wheat in this region, with high fertilizer N input (200–250 kg N ha−1 for winter wheat) and soil N mineralization rate (Yan et al., 2006). Fertilizer N recommendations should be adjusted accordingly to optimize N use efficiency and avoid substantial N losses either to water bodies or to the atmosphere, with related potential environmental risks (Fan et al., 2005; Tian et al., 2007).
Interest in the study of wet deposition N continues to grow for its impact on terrestrial ecosystems. Assessing the contribution of wet deposition N to intensive croplands is significant for recommending N fertilizers and minimizing environmental hazards. NH₄⁺–N, NO₃⁻–N, and total N concentrations in wet deposition, seasonal deposition N fluxes, and N loads in event-based runoff were determined for four consecutive wheat seasons in the Tai Lake Region. Wet deposition N during wheat seasons ranges from 11 to 15 kg ha⁻¹ (average, 13 kg ha⁻¹), 61% of which is in the form of NH₄⁺–N. NH₄⁺–N concentrations range from 0.3 to 8.5 mg N L⁻¹ (average, 1.7 mg N L⁻¹), showing greater temporal variations than do those of NO₃^––N, which range from 0.2 to 4 mg N L⁻¹ (average, 0.8 mg N L⁻¹). NH₄⁺–N concentration in event-based runoff from wheat fields is much lower than that in rainfall, whereas that of NO₃^––N is equal to or higher than that in rainfall. N loss through runoff reaches 1.8 kg N ha⁻¹, accounting for 14% of wet deposition N. Results indicate that NH₄⁺–N in wet deposition is prone to immobilization by the soil–crop system, whereas NO₃^––N is relatively easily lost to runoff. The contribution of 11 kg ha⁻¹ wet deposition N should be adjusted in fertilizer N recommendations for winter wheat cultivation in this region.
Effect of N Fertilizers on Root Growth and Endogenous Hormones in Strawberry Project supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program (863 Program) of China (No. 2004AA246080) and the Program for the Development of High-Tech Industries from the Education Department of Jiangsu Province, China.
2009, Pedosphere
Endogenous hormones play an important role in the growth and development of roots. The objective of this research was to study the effect of four types of N fertilizers on the root growth of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duchesne) and the endogenous enzymes of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), and isopentenyl adenosine (iPA) in its roots and leaves using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Application of all types of N fertilizers significantly depressed (P ≤ 0.05) root growth at 20 d after transplanting. Application of organic-inorganic fertilizer (OIF) as basal fertilizer had a significant negative effect (P ≤0.05) on root growth. The application of OIF and urea lowered the lateral root frequency in strawberry plants at 60 d (P ≤0.05) compared with the application of two organic fertilizers (OFA and OFB) and the control (CK). With the fertilizer treatments, there were the same concentrations of IAA and ABA in both roots and leaves at the initial growth stage (20 d), lower levels of IAA and ABA at the later stage (60 d), and higher iPA levels at all seedling stages as compared to those of CK. Thus, changes in the concentrations of endogenous phytohormones in strawberry plants could be responsible for the morphological changes of roots due to fertilization.
Soil Nutrients in Intensive Agricultural Areas with Different Land-Use Types in Qingzhou County, China<sup>1</sup> 1 Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40571160), and the Experimental Program of Cultivated Land Fertility Investigation and Quality Evaluation of the Agricultural Department of China (No. 2002-23).
2007, Pedosphere
On the basis of the data obtained from a field survey, the relationship between land use and soil nutrients was evaluated in Qingzhou County, Shandong Province, China, through a statistical analysis of differences in 17 nutrients in five types of cultivated land. The results showed significant effects (P ≤ 0.05 or P ≤ 0.01) of land-use type on soil organic matter and concentration of macronutrients, secondary nutrients, and micronutrients, as well as total salt and soil pH. In vegetable land, because of the large amounts of fertilizer applied to vegetable crops, the concentrations of most soil nutrients, with exception of available Si and micronutrients, were higher than those in grain cropland. Grain cropland had a significantly lower total salt content (P ≤ 0.01) and tended to have a higher soil pH than vegetable land. Within subtypes of land use. dry land, irrigable land, and open-air vegetable land had the highest coefficient of variation (CV) for available P, whereas protected vegetable land had the highest CV for total N and available S. In general, land-use types had greater impact on macronutrients than on secondary nutrients and micronutrients.

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¹: Project supported by the Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. KZCX2–413–4), and the National Basic Research Program of China (No. 2005CB121107).

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N Mineralization as Affected by Long-Term N Fertilization and Its Relationship with Crop N Uptake1

ABSTRACT

Soil Biol. Biochem.

Soil Biol. Biochem.

Adv. Agron.

Soil Biol. Biochem.

Soil Biol. Biochem.

A preliminary study to predict net nitrogen mineralisation in a flooded rice soil using anaerobic incubation

Aust. J. Exp. Agr.

The source of mineral nitrogen for cereals in south-eastern Australia

Aust. J. Agric. Res.

Effect of cropping practices on the initial potential rate of N mineralization in a thin Black Chernozem

Can. J. Soil Sci.

Soil nitrogen mineralization influenced by crop rotation and nitrogen fertilization

Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.

Ammonia volatilization losses from urea applied to wheat on a paddy soil in Taihu Region, China

Pedosphere

Characteristics of mineralization and nitrification in the calcareous soils from a long-term fertilization experimental field

Acta Pedologica Sinica

Short-term effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on nitrogen mineralization and trophic structure of the soil ecosystem in forest clearcuts in the southern interior of British Columbia

Can. J. Soil Sci.

N Mineralization as Affected by Long-Term N Fertilization and Its Relationship with Crop N Uptake¹