The San Francisco Bay Delta has been an estuary of low productivity, with causes hypothesized to relate to light limitation, grazing by invasive clams, and polluting levels of NH4+ discharge from a wastewater treatment plant. Suppression of phytoplankton NO3− uptake by NH4+ has been well documented, and thus this estuary may have experienced the counterintuitive effect of depressed productivity due to wastewater NH4+ enrichment. In 2021, a new wastewater treatment plant came online, with a ~75% reduction in nitrogen load, and within-plant nitrification, converting the discharge to NO3−. The expectation was that this change in nitrogen loading would support healthier phytoplankton production, particularly of diatoms. Here, responses of the post-upgrade Bay Delta phytoplankton were compared to five years of data collected pre-upgrade during the fall season. Indeed, increased chlorophyll a accumulation in the estuary was documented after the implementation of the upgraded wastewater treatment and photophysiological responses indicated comparatively less stress. Major differences in river flow were also observed due to drought conditions during the decade covered by this study. While short-term favorable effects were observed, understanding longer-term ecological feedback interactions that may follow from this major nutrient change under variable flow conditions will require more years of observations.
{"title":"Ecosystem Recovery in Progress? Initial Nutrient and Phytoplankton Response to Nitrogen Reduction from Sewage Treatment Upgrade in the San Francisco Bay Delta","authors":"P. Glibert, F. Wilkerson, R. Dugdale, A. Parker","doi":"10.3390/nitrogen3040037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/nitrogen3040037","url":null,"abstract":"The San Francisco Bay Delta has been an estuary of low productivity, with causes hypothesized to relate to light limitation, grazing by invasive clams, and polluting levels of NH4+ discharge from a wastewater treatment plant. Suppression of phytoplankton NO3− uptake by NH4+ has been well documented, and thus this estuary may have experienced the counterintuitive effect of depressed productivity due to wastewater NH4+ enrichment. In 2021, a new wastewater treatment plant came online, with a ~75% reduction in nitrogen load, and within-plant nitrification, converting the discharge to NO3−. The expectation was that this change in nitrogen loading would support healthier phytoplankton production, particularly of diatoms. Here, responses of the post-upgrade Bay Delta phytoplankton were compared to five years of data collected pre-upgrade during the fall season. Indeed, increased chlorophyll a accumulation in the estuary was documented after the implementation of the upgraded wastewater treatment and photophysiological responses indicated comparatively less stress. Major differences in river flow were also observed due to drought conditions during the decade covered by this study. While short-term favorable effects were observed, understanding longer-term ecological feedback interactions that may follow from this major nutrient change under variable flow conditions will require more years of observations.","PeriodicalId":19365,"journal":{"name":"Nitrogen","volume":"118 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81432148","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
L. B. Braos, Roberta Souto Carlos, Fernando Kuhnen, Manoel Evaristo Ferreira, R. Mulvaney, S. Khan, M. C. P. Cruz
Maize (Zea mays L.) is a crop widely cultivated in the state of São Paulo, and the sustainable management of nitrogen (N) nutrition is crucial to improving productivity and the environment, which calls for a reliable means of predicting potentially available soil N. A study was undertaken to evaluate and compare biological and chemical indices of potential N availability for a diverse set of 17 soils collected in the northwest region of São Paulo state. For this purpose, mineralization assays were performed at three distinct temperatures, and chemical assessments were carried out using the Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test (ISNT) and by fractionation of hydrolysable soil N. In addition, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine dry matter and N accumulation in the aboveground parts of maize plants. Potentially available N estimated by the incubation methods increased with increasing temperature and was strongly correlated with N uptake (r = 0.90). Hydrolysable N fractions varied widely among the soils studied and were more variable for amino sugar N than for other fractions. Potentially available N estimated by the ISNT was highly correlated with hydrolysable amino acid N and amino sugar N (r = 0.95–0.96) and also with plant dry matter accumulation (r = 0.82) and N uptake (r = 0.93). The ISNT has potential to improve fertilizer N recommendations for maize production in Brazil, provided that the test values are interpreted relative to an appropriate calibration database, planting density, and other factors affecting crop N requirement.
{"title":"Predicting Soil Nitrogen Availability for Maize Production in Brazil","authors":"L. B. Braos, Roberta Souto Carlos, Fernando Kuhnen, Manoel Evaristo Ferreira, R. Mulvaney, S. Khan, M. C. P. Cruz","doi":"10.3390/nitrogen3040036","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/nitrogen3040036","url":null,"abstract":"Maize (Zea mays L.) is a crop widely cultivated in the state of São Paulo, and the sustainable management of nitrogen (N) nutrition is crucial to improving productivity and the environment, which calls for a reliable means of predicting potentially available soil N. A study was undertaken to evaluate and compare biological and chemical indices of potential N availability for a diverse set of 17 soils collected in the northwest region of São Paulo state. For this purpose, mineralization assays were performed at three distinct temperatures, and chemical assessments were carried out using the Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test (ISNT) and by fractionation of hydrolysable soil N. In addition, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine dry matter and N accumulation in the aboveground parts of maize plants. Potentially available N estimated by the incubation methods increased with increasing temperature and was strongly correlated with N uptake (r = 0.90). Hydrolysable N fractions varied widely among the soils studied and were more variable for amino sugar N than for other fractions. Potentially available N estimated by the ISNT was highly correlated with hydrolysable amino acid N and amino sugar N (r = 0.95–0.96) and also with plant dry matter accumulation (r = 0.82) and N uptake (r = 0.93). The ISNT has potential to improve fertilizer N recommendations for maize production in Brazil, provided that the test values are interpreted relative to an appropriate calibration database, planting density, and other factors affecting crop N requirement.","PeriodicalId":19365,"journal":{"name":"Nitrogen","volume":"29 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74148509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The nitrogen applied (N-input) to cropping systems supports a high yield but generates major environmental pollution in the form of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and losses to land and water (N-surplus). This paper examines the scope to meet both GHG emission targets and zero N-surplus in high-intensity, mainly cereal, cropping in a region of the Atlantic zone in Europe. A regional survey provides background to crops grown at an experimental farm platform over a run of 5 years. For three main cereal crops under standard management (mean N-input 154 kg ha−1), N-surplus remained well above zero (single year maximum 55% of N-input, five-year mean 27%), but was reduced to near zero by crop diversification (three cereals, one oilseed and one grain legume) and converted to a net nitrogen gain (+39 kg ha−1, 25 crop-years) by implementing low nitrification management in all fields. Up-scaling N-input to the agricultural region indicated the government GHG emissions target of 70% of the 1990 mean could only be met with a combination of low nitrification management and raising the proportion of grain legumes from the current 1–2% to at least 10% at the expense of high-input cereals. Major strategic change in the agri-food system of the region is therefore needed to meet GHG emissions targets.
{"title":"Agroecological Management and Increased Grain Legume Area Needed to Meet Nitrogen Reduction Targets for Greenhouse Gas Emissions","authors":"G. Squire, M. Young, C. Hawes","doi":"10.3390/nitrogen3030035","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/nitrogen3030035","url":null,"abstract":"The nitrogen applied (N-input) to cropping systems supports a high yield but generates major environmental pollution in the form of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and losses to land and water (N-surplus). This paper examines the scope to meet both GHG emission targets and zero N-surplus in high-intensity, mainly cereal, cropping in a region of the Atlantic zone in Europe. A regional survey provides background to crops grown at an experimental farm platform over a run of 5 years. For three main cereal crops under standard management (mean N-input 154 kg ha−1), N-surplus remained well above zero (single year maximum 55% of N-input, five-year mean 27%), but was reduced to near zero by crop diversification (three cereals, one oilseed and one grain legume) and converted to a net nitrogen gain (+39 kg ha−1, 25 crop-years) by implementing low nitrification management in all fields. Up-scaling N-input to the agricultural region indicated the government GHG emissions target of 70% of the 1990 mean could only be met with a combination of low nitrification management and raising the proportion of grain legumes from the current 1–2% to at least 10% at the expense of high-input cereals. Major strategic change in the agri-food system of the region is therefore needed to meet GHG emissions targets.","PeriodicalId":19365,"journal":{"name":"Nitrogen","volume":"43 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89239561","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In this study, a lab-scale fixed-film bio-media process was developed and operated to evaluate nitrogen removal from domestic sewage treatment plants. For nitrogen removal, the fixed-film bio-media process was applied in series with anaerobic, anoxic, and aerobic units in three separate reactors that were operated continuously at the same loading rates and hydraulic retention time. A biofilm separation bioreactor was developed for on-site domestic wastewater treatment and the bioreactor employed synthetic fiber modules so that the biomass could be completely attached to the media. In this paper, the performance of the fixed-film bio-media process with an average flow rate was evaluated before and after stabilization of the treatment system for nitrogen removal. The results show that the fixed-film bio-media process was successful for improved nitrogen removal from secondary and tertiary treated wastewater, with a 77% decrease in the total nitrogen discharge. Rapid nitrification could be achieved, and denitrification was performed in the anoxic filter with external carbon supplements during tertiary treated sewage wastewater. However, aeration was supplied after the stabilization process to achieve the nitrification and denitrification reaction for nitrogen removal. However, stable aeration supply could enhance nitrification at moderate temperature with benefits from complete retention of nitrifying bacteria within the system due to bio-media separation.
{"title":"A Fixed-Film Bio-Media Process Used for Biological Nitrogen Removal from Sewage Treatment Plant","authors":"Jesmin Akter, Jai-yeop Lee, Ildoo Kim","doi":"10.3390/nitrogen3030034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/nitrogen3030034","url":null,"abstract":"In this study, a lab-scale fixed-film bio-media process was developed and operated to evaluate nitrogen removal from domestic sewage treatment plants. For nitrogen removal, the fixed-film bio-media process was applied in series with anaerobic, anoxic, and aerobic units in three separate reactors that were operated continuously at the same loading rates and hydraulic retention time. A biofilm separation bioreactor was developed for on-site domestic wastewater treatment and the bioreactor employed synthetic fiber modules so that the biomass could be completely attached to the media. In this paper, the performance of the fixed-film bio-media process with an average flow rate was evaluated before and after stabilization of the treatment system for nitrogen removal. The results show that the fixed-film bio-media process was successful for improved nitrogen removal from secondary and tertiary treated wastewater, with a 77% decrease in the total nitrogen discharge. Rapid nitrification could be achieved, and denitrification was performed in the anoxic filter with external carbon supplements during tertiary treated sewage wastewater. However, aeration was supplied after the stabilization process to achieve the nitrification and denitrification reaction for nitrogen removal. However, stable aeration supply could enhance nitrification at moderate temperature with benefits from complete retention of nitrifying bacteria within the system due to bio-media separation.","PeriodicalId":19365,"journal":{"name":"Nitrogen","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89691055","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
An online calculator is available to determine economic optimum nitrogen rate (EONR) for maize (Zea mays L.) production in the USA Corn Belt. For Minnesota, this calculator considers nitrogen (N) fertilizer cost, maize grain price and crop history, and produces a statewide N rate based on maximum economic return to N (MRTN). However, a clear precipitation and temperature gradient, and soil heterogeneity across the state, and recent changes in fertilizer cost and maize grain price require the comparison of EONR from this calculator with results from field study. The objectives of this research were to determine the agronomic and economic benefits of basal and split application of N fertilizer on maize grain yield and yield components and compare EONR from field study with N recommendation from the online calculator. The nitrogen fertilizer rate for the field study ranged from 0 to 224 kg N ha−1, either split or all applied at planting. The results showed that there were no interaction effects of N rate by time or N rate by year on maize grain yield. Maize grain yield had a quadratic response to N rate, and agronomic maximum grain yield peaked at 205 kg N ha−1. The EONR from the field study was 168 kg N ha−1 and it remained stable under a wide range of economic analysis scenarios with net benefit reaching up to 2474 USD ha−1. The N rate from the online calculator at MRTN was 151 kg N ha−1 and this rate may cause N deficiency in maize resulting in a yield penalty compared with the field study results. The field study was performed under specific soil and climatic conditions. Therefore, extensive research under various soil types, agronomic management practices and climatic conditions is warranted to evaluate the online calculator performance and its reliability as a precision tool for N fertilizer management in maize production.
一个在线计算器可用于确定美国玉米带玉米(Zea mays L.)生产的经济最佳氮肥用量(EONR)。对于明尼苏达州,这个计算器考虑了氮肥成本、玉米谷物价格和作物历史,并根据最大氮素经济回报(MRTN)产生全州的氮素率。然而,由于明显的降水和温度梯度,全州土壤异质性,以及肥料成本和玉米谷物价格的近期变化,需要将该计算器的EONR与实地研究结果进行比较。本研究的目的是确定基施和分施氮肥对玉米籽粒产量和产量构成的农艺和经济效益,并将田间研究的EONR与在线计算器推荐的氮素进行比较。田间试验施氮量为0 ~ 224 kg N ha - 1,播种时分施或全施。结果表明,时间施氮量和年份施氮量对玉米籽粒产量没有互作效应。玉米籽粒产量与施氮量呈二次响应关系,在205 kg N ha−1时产量最高。实地研究的EONR为168 kg N ha - 1,在广泛的经济分析情景下保持稳定,净效益可达2474 USD ha - 1。在线计算结果显示,MRTN的施氮量为151 kg N ha - 1,与田间研究结果相比,该施氮量可能导致玉米缺氮,造成产量损失。实地研究是在特定的土壤和气候条件下进行的。因此,有必要在不同土壤类型、不同农艺管理方式和气候条件下进行广泛的研究,以评估在线计算器作为玉米生产中氮肥管理精确工具的性能及其可靠性。
{"title":"Agronomic and Economic Evaluations of N Fertilization in Maize under Recent Market Dynamics","authors":"Y. Mohammed, R. Gesch, J. Johnson, S. Wagner","doi":"10.3390/nitrogen3030033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/nitrogen3030033","url":null,"abstract":"An online calculator is available to determine economic optimum nitrogen rate (EONR) for maize (Zea mays L.) production in the USA Corn Belt. For Minnesota, this calculator considers nitrogen (N) fertilizer cost, maize grain price and crop history, and produces a statewide N rate based on maximum economic return to N (MRTN). However, a clear precipitation and temperature gradient, and soil heterogeneity across the state, and recent changes in fertilizer cost and maize grain price require the comparison of EONR from this calculator with results from field study. The objectives of this research were to determine the agronomic and economic benefits of basal and split application of N fertilizer on maize grain yield and yield components and compare EONR from field study with N recommendation from the online calculator. The nitrogen fertilizer rate for the field study ranged from 0 to 224 kg N ha−1, either split or all applied at planting. The results showed that there were no interaction effects of N rate by time or N rate by year on maize grain yield. Maize grain yield had a quadratic response to N rate, and agronomic maximum grain yield peaked at 205 kg N ha−1. The EONR from the field study was 168 kg N ha−1 and it remained stable under a wide range of economic analysis scenarios with net benefit reaching up to 2474 USD ha−1. The N rate from the online calculator at MRTN was 151 kg N ha−1 and this rate may cause N deficiency in maize resulting in a yield penalty compared with the field study results. The field study was performed under specific soil and climatic conditions. Therefore, extensive research under various soil types, agronomic management practices and climatic conditions is warranted to evaluate the online calculator performance and its reliability as a precision tool for N fertilizer management in maize production.","PeriodicalId":19365,"journal":{"name":"Nitrogen","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84231293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Honey B. Goloran, A. Along, Christina Y. Loquere, M. Demetillo, R. Seronay, Johnvie Bayang Goloran
Understanding the stoichiometry of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) plays a pivotal role in the ecological restoration of degraded landscapes. Here, the N and P limitation and stoichiometry of dominant tree species in mine-disturbed ultramafic areas in the Southern Philippines are reported. Field surveys revealed that out of a total of 1491 trees/shrubs recorded from all quadrats, comprising 22 native and 9 non-native species, there were six tree species (native: Alstonia macrophylla Wallich., Buchanania arborescens Blume., Syzygium sp., and non-native: Casuarina equisetifolia L., Terminalia catappa L. and Acacia mangium Wild.) that were found dominant, having >10% relative abundance. Significant differences (p < 0.01) in the leaf N and leaf P content among these species were observed, where C.equisetifolia (due to N fixation ability) and T. catappa had the highest values, respectively. These did not, however, translate to statistical differences in the leaf N:P ratios either in individual species or when grouped by origin (native or non-native). Interestingly, all dominant tree species revealed very low leaf N:P ratios (<4), suggesting that N rather than P limits the productivity in mine-disturbed ultramafic areas, which is also confirmed by low levels of leaf N (<2.0%). Results further revealed a poor correlation between leaf N and leaf N:P ratios (r = 0.13; p = 0.60), while leaf P (r = 0.49; p < 0.05) revealed otherwise, reinforcing that P is not a limiting factor as also shown in high levels of leaf P (>0.20%). Despite the N-limitation, B. arborescens, C. equisetifolia, and T. catappa had the highest leaf N and P content, suggesting their higher suitability for revegetation of the sites. These findings warrant further verification taking into account the plant physiology, phenology, and soil nutrient availability in natural, degraded, and rehabilitated ultramafic environments.
{"title":"Nitrogen Rather Than Phosphorus Limits the Productivity of the Dominant Tree Species at Mine-Disturbed Ultramafic Areas in the Southern Philippines","authors":"Honey B. Goloran, A. Along, Christina Y. Loquere, M. Demetillo, R. Seronay, Johnvie Bayang Goloran","doi":"10.3390/nitrogen3030032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/nitrogen3030032","url":null,"abstract":"Understanding the stoichiometry of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) plays a pivotal role in the ecological restoration of degraded landscapes. Here, the N and P limitation and stoichiometry of dominant tree species in mine-disturbed ultramafic areas in the Southern Philippines are reported. Field surveys revealed that out of a total of 1491 trees/shrubs recorded from all quadrats, comprising 22 native and 9 non-native species, there were six tree species (native: Alstonia macrophylla Wallich., Buchanania arborescens Blume., Syzygium sp., and non-native: Casuarina equisetifolia L., Terminalia catappa L. and Acacia mangium Wild.) that were found dominant, having >10% relative abundance. Significant differences (p < 0.01) in the leaf N and leaf P content among these species were observed, where C.equisetifolia (due to N fixation ability) and T. catappa had the highest values, respectively. These did not, however, translate to statistical differences in the leaf N:P ratios either in individual species or when grouped by origin (native or non-native). Interestingly, all dominant tree species revealed very low leaf N:P ratios (<4), suggesting that N rather than P limits the productivity in mine-disturbed ultramafic areas, which is also confirmed by low levels of leaf N (<2.0%). Results further revealed a poor correlation between leaf N and leaf N:P ratios (r = 0.13; p = 0.60), while leaf P (r = 0.49; p < 0.05) revealed otherwise, reinforcing that P is not a limiting factor as also shown in high levels of leaf P (>0.20%). Despite the N-limitation, B. arborescens, C. equisetifolia, and T. catappa had the highest leaf N and P content, suggesting their higher suitability for revegetation of the sites. These findings warrant further verification taking into account the plant physiology, phenology, and soil nutrient availability in natural, degraded, and rehabilitated ultramafic environments.","PeriodicalId":19365,"journal":{"name":"Nitrogen","volume":"404 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84858534","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Claudia Fiencke, M. Marushchak, Tina Sanders, Rica Wegner, C. Beer
Permafrost-affected tundra soils are large carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) reservoirs. However, N is largely bound in soil organic matter (SOM), and ecosystems generally have low N availability. Therefore, microbial induced N-cycling processes and N losses were considered negligible. Recent studies show that microbial N processing rates, inorganic N availability, and lateral N losses from thawing permafrost increase when vegetation cover is disturbed, resulting in reduced N uptake or increased N input from thawing permafrost. In this review, we describe currently known N hotspots, particularly bare patches in permafrost peatland or permafrost soils affected by thermokarst, and their microbiogeochemical characteristics, and present evidence for previously unrecorded N hotspots in the tundra. We summarize the current understanding of microbial N cycling processes that promote the release of the potent greenhouse gas (GHG) nitrous oxide (N2O) and the translocation of inorganic N from terrestrial into aquatic ecosystems. We suggest that certain soil characteristics and microbial traits can be used as indicators of N availability and N losses. Identifying N hotspots in permafrost soils is key to assessing the potential for N release from permafrost-affected soils under global warming, as well as the impact of increased N availability on emissions of carbon-containing GHGs.
{"title":"Microbiogeochemical Traits to Identify Nitrogen Hotspots in Permafrost Regions","authors":"Claudia Fiencke, M. Marushchak, Tina Sanders, Rica Wegner, C. Beer","doi":"10.3390/nitrogen3030031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/nitrogen3030031","url":null,"abstract":"Permafrost-affected tundra soils are large carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) reservoirs. However, N is largely bound in soil organic matter (SOM), and ecosystems generally have low N availability. Therefore, microbial induced N-cycling processes and N losses were considered negligible. Recent studies show that microbial N processing rates, inorganic N availability, and lateral N losses from thawing permafrost increase when vegetation cover is disturbed, resulting in reduced N uptake or increased N input from thawing permafrost. In this review, we describe currently known N hotspots, particularly bare patches in permafrost peatland or permafrost soils affected by thermokarst, and their microbiogeochemical characteristics, and present evidence for previously unrecorded N hotspots in the tundra. We summarize the current understanding of microbial N cycling processes that promote the release of the potent greenhouse gas (GHG) nitrous oxide (N2O) and the translocation of inorganic N from terrestrial into aquatic ecosystems. We suggest that certain soil characteristics and microbial traits can be used as indicators of N availability and N losses. Identifying N hotspots in permafrost soils is key to assessing the potential for N release from permafrost-affected soils under global warming, as well as the impact of increased N availability on emissions of carbon-containing GHGs.","PeriodicalId":19365,"journal":{"name":"Nitrogen","volume":"285 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76871193","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nitrogen (N), a common chemical element in the atmosphere (78% of our atmosphere) yet less common within the Earth’s crust (less than 2%), is a crucial nutrient for life [...]
{"title":"Soil Nitrogen Supply: Linking Plant Available N to Ecosystem Functions and Productivity","authors":"J. Dessureault‐Rompré","doi":"10.3390/nitrogen3030030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/nitrogen3030030","url":null,"abstract":"Nitrogen (N), a common chemical element in the atmosphere (78% of our atmosphere) yet less common within the Earth’s crust (less than 2%), is a crucial nutrient for life [...]","PeriodicalId":19365,"journal":{"name":"Nitrogen","volume":"os-52 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87251437","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Silvana Porco, Loïc Haelterman, J. De Pessemier, Hugues De Gernier, F. Reyé, C. Hermans
Optimizing root system architecture is a strategy for coping with soil fertility, such as low nitrogen input. An ample number of Arabidopsis thaliana natural accessions have set the foundation for studies on mechanisms that regulate root morphology. This report compares the Columbia-0 (Col-0) reference and Pyla-1 (Pyl-1) from a coastal zone in France, known for having the tallest sand dune in Europe. Seedlings were grown on vertical agar plates with different nitrate concentrations. The lateral root outgrowth of Col-0 was stimulated under mild depletion and repressed under nitrate enrichment. The Pyl-1 produced a long primary root and any or very few visible lateral roots across the nitrate supplies. This could reflect an adaptation to sandy soil conditions, where the primary root grows downwards to the lower strata to take up water and mobile soil resources without elongating the lateral roots. Microscopic observations revealed similar densities of lateral root primordia in both accessions. The Pyl-1 maintained the ability to initiate lateral root primordia. However, the post-initiation events seemed to be critical in modulating the lateral-root-less phenotype. In Pyl-1, the emergence of primordia through the primary root tissues was slowed, and newly formed lateral roots stayed stunted. In brief, Pyl-1 is a fascinating genotype for studying the nutritional influences on lateral root development.
{"title":"The Pyla-1 Natural Accession of Arabidopsis thaliana Shows Little Nitrate-Induced Plasticity of Root Development","authors":"Silvana Porco, Loïc Haelterman, J. De Pessemier, Hugues De Gernier, F. Reyé, C. Hermans","doi":"10.3390/nitrogen3030029","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/nitrogen3030029","url":null,"abstract":"Optimizing root system architecture is a strategy for coping with soil fertility, such as low nitrogen input. An ample number of Arabidopsis thaliana natural accessions have set the foundation for studies on mechanisms that regulate root morphology. This report compares the Columbia-0 (Col-0) reference and Pyla-1 (Pyl-1) from a coastal zone in France, known for having the tallest sand dune in Europe. Seedlings were grown on vertical agar plates with different nitrate concentrations. The lateral root outgrowth of Col-0 was stimulated under mild depletion and repressed under nitrate enrichment. The Pyl-1 produced a long primary root and any or very few visible lateral roots across the nitrate supplies. This could reflect an adaptation to sandy soil conditions, where the primary root grows downwards to the lower strata to take up water and mobile soil resources without elongating the lateral roots. Microscopic observations revealed similar densities of lateral root primordia in both accessions. The Pyl-1 maintained the ability to initiate lateral root primordia. However, the post-initiation events seemed to be critical in modulating the lateral-root-less phenotype. In Pyl-1, the emergence of primordia through the primary root tissues was slowed, and newly formed lateral roots stayed stunted. In brief, Pyl-1 is a fascinating genotype for studying the nutritional influences on lateral root development.","PeriodicalId":19365,"journal":{"name":"Nitrogen","volume":"29 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81463864","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Vincent Marmier, J. Dessureault‐Rompré, E. Frossard, J. Caron
Drained cultivated peatlands have been an essential agricultural resource for many years. To slow and reduce the degradation of these soils, which increases with drainage, the use of plant-based amendments (straw, wood chips, and biochar) has been proposed. Literature on the effects of such amendments in cultivated peatlands is scarce, and questions have been raised regarding the impact of this practice on nutrient cycling, particularly nitrogen (N) dynamics. By means of a six-month incubation experiment, this study assessed the effects of four plant-based amendments (biochar, a forest mix, willow, and miscanthus) on the release kinetics of water-soluble N pools (mineral and organic) in two histosols of differing degrees of decomposition (Haplosaprist and Haplohemist). The amendment rate was set at 15 Mg ha−1 on a dry weight basis. The N release kinetics were significantly impacted by soil type and amendment. Miscanthus and willow were the amendments that most reduced the release of soluble organic N (SON) and mineral N (minN). The addition of plant-based amendments reduced the total amount of released N pools during the incubation (cumulative N pools) by 50.3 to 355.2 mg kg−1, depending on the soil type, the N pool, and the type of amendment. A significant relationship was found between microbial biomass N, urease activity, and the cumulative N at the end of the incubation. The results showed that the input of plant-based amendments in cultivated peatland decreases N release, which could have a beneficial impact by decreasing N leaching; however, it could also restrict crop growth. Further research is needed to fully assess the impact of such amendments used in cultivated peatlands on N and on C fluxes at the soil–plant and soil–atmosphere interfaces to determine if they constitute a long-term solution for more sustainable agriculture.
多年来,排水的泥炭地一直是重要的农业资源。为了减缓和减少这些随着排水而加剧的土壤退化,已经提出使用植物性改进剂(稻草、木屑和生物炭)。关于这种改良对泥炭地的影响的文献很少,并且提出了关于这种做法对养分循环,特别是氮(N)动态的影响的问题。通过为期6个月的培养实验,本研究评估了四种植物改性剂(生物炭、森林混合物、柳树和芒草)对两种分解程度不同的组织溶胶(单倍体和单倍体)中水溶性氮库(矿物和有机)释放动力学的影响。以干重为基础,修正速率设定为15 Mg ha−1。氮素释放动力学受土壤类型和改良剂的显著影响。芒草和柳树是最能降低可溶性有机氮(SON)和矿质氮(minN)释放的补剂。根据土壤类型、氮库和改剂类型的不同,植物基改剂的添加使孵育期间释放的氮库总量(累积氮库)减少了50.3至355.2 mg kg - 1。在培养结束时,发现微生物生物量N、脲酶活性和累积N之间存在显著关系。结果表明:在栽培泥炭地,植物基改良剂的投入减少了N释放,这可能通过减少N淋溶产生有益影响;然而,它也可能限制作物生长。需要进一步的研究,以充分评估在开垦的泥炭地使用这种改剂对土壤-植物和土壤-大气界面的氮和碳通量的影响,以确定它们是否构成更可持续农业的长期解决方案。
{"title":"Impact of Plant-Based Amendments on Water-Soluble Nitrogen Release Dynamics in Cultivated Peatlands","authors":"Vincent Marmier, J. Dessureault‐Rompré, E. Frossard, J. Caron","doi":"10.3390/nitrogen3030028","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/nitrogen3030028","url":null,"abstract":"Drained cultivated peatlands have been an essential agricultural resource for many years. To slow and reduce the degradation of these soils, which increases with drainage, the use of plant-based amendments (straw, wood chips, and biochar) has been proposed. Literature on the effects of such amendments in cultivated peatlands is scarce, and questions have been raised regarding the impact of this practice on nutrient cycling, particularly nitrogen (N) dynamics. By means of a six-month incubation experiment, this study assessed the effects of four plant-based amendments (biochar, a forest mix, willow, and miscanthus) on the release kinetics of water-soluble N pools (mineral and organic) in two histosols of differing degrees of decomposition (Haplosaprist and Haplohemist). The amendment rate was set at 15 Mg ha−1 on a dry weight basis. The N release kinetics were significantly impacted by soil type and amendment. Miscanthus and willow were the amendments that most reduced the release of soluble organic N (SON) and mineral N (minN). The addition of plant-based amendments reduced the total amount of released N pools during the incubation (cumulative N pools) by 50.3 to 355.2 mg kg−1, depending on the soil type, the N pool, and the type of amendment. A significant relationship was found between microbial biomass N, urease activity, and the cumulative N at the end of the incubation. The results showed that the input of plant-based amendments in cultivated peatland decreases N release, which could have a beneficial impact by decreasing N leaching; however, it could also restrict crop growth. Further research is needed to fully assess the impact of such amendments used in cultivated peatlands on N and on C fluxes at the soil–plant and soil–atmosphere interfaces to determine if they constitute a long-term solution for more sustainable agriculture.","PeriodicalId":19365,"journal":{"name":"Nitrogen","volume":"23 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74759742","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}