Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-01-08DOI: 10.1016/j.still.2026.107057
Fozia Dost Muhammad , Yuxin Xie , Yuanjia Gong , Muhammad Asghar Ali , Shuaijie Lu , Wenkai Hui , Jingyan Wang , Wei Gong
Effective nitrogen (N) management is crucial for sustainable plant cultivation. However, the optimal level of organic fertilizer nitrogen (OFN) substitution remains unclear, particularly for Zanthoxylum armatum. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of seven OFN substitution levels (0 %, 10 %, 20 %, 30 %, 40 %, 50 %, and 100 %) on plant growth, nutrient absorption, nutrient use efficiency (NUE), and soil fertility, using a pot experiment, a membership function was used to calculate comprehensive evaluation value (CEV) and estimate the OFN substitution levels. The results showed that fertilization increased plant height, basal diameter, N, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) content, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and soil enzyme activities (invertase, phosphatase, and catalase). The 10 %–50 % OFN substitution significantly improved N, P, and K use efficiency from 14.3 %, 7.6 %, and 16.6–15.7 %–41.9 %, 7.6 %–20.7 %, and 30.0 %–40.6 %, respectively. The CEV ranged from 0.351 (control) to 2.247 (40 % OFN). The relationship between OFN substitution level and CEV was well-estimated by a quadratic regression model (y = -0.00027 x² + 0.03004 x + 1.22894, R² = 0.716, P < 0.01), with the optimal OFN substitution level for Z. armatum determined as 55.6 %. The CEV was significantly correlated with plant biomass, nutrient absorption, MBC, and soil enzyme activities, as well as with plant N and K content, but not with alkali-hydrolysable N and available K content, urease activity, or plant P content. This study supports the reduction of fertilizer application, improves fertilizer efficiency and soil fertility, and promotes sustainable agricultural practices.
{"title":"Optimizing organic fertilizer nitrogen substitution to enhance growth, nutrient uptake, and use efficiency in Zanthoxylum armatum","authors":"Fozia Dost Muhammad , Yuxin Xie , Yuanjia Gong , Muhammad Asghar Ali , Shuaijie Lu , Wenkai Hui , Jingyan Wang , Wei Gong","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107057","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107057","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Effective nitrogen (N) management is crucial for sustainable plant cultivation. However, the optimal level of organic fertilizer nitrogen (OFN) substitution remains unclear, particularly for <em>Zanthoxylum armatum</em>. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of seven OFN substitution levels (0 %, 10 %, 20 %, 30 %, 40 %, 50 %, and 100 %) on plant growth, nutrient absorption, nutrient use efficiency (NUE), and soil fertility, using a pot experiment, a membership function was used to calculate comprehensive evaluation value (CEV) and estimate the OFN substitution levels. The results showed that fertilization increased plant height, basal diameter, N, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) content, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and soil enzyme activities (invertase, phosphatase, and catalase). The 10 %–50 % OFN substitution significantly improved N, P, and K use efficiency from 14.3 %, 7.6 %, and 16.6–15.7 %–41.9 %, 7.6 %–20.7 %, and 30.0 %–40.6 %, respectively. The CEV ranged from 0.351 (control) to 2.247 (40 % OFN). The relationship between OFN substitution level and CEV was well-estimated by a quadratic regression model (<em>y</em> = -0.00027 <em>x</em>² + 0.03004 <em>x</em> + 1.22894, <em>R</em>² = 0.716, <em>P</em> < 0.01), with the optimal OFN substitution level for <em>Z. armatum</em> determined as 55.6 %. The CEV was significantly correlated with plant biomass, nutrient absorption, MBC, and soil enzyme activities, as well as with plant N and K content, but not with alkali-hydrolysable N and available K content, urease activity, or plant P content. This study supports the reduction of fertilizer application, improves fertilizer efficiency and soil fertility, and promotes sustainable agricultural practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49503,"journal":{"name":"Soil & Tillage Research","volume":"258 ","pages":"Article 107057"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925538","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-12-05DOI: 10.1016/j.still.2025.106999
Xiaohui Lian , Ningning Xiao , Mingming Guo , Xingyi Zhang , Xin Liu , Jinzhong Xu , Shengmin Zhang , Xing Han
Gully erosion poses a significant threat to land, ecology environment and food security. However, current studies have predominantly focused on identifying the gully development and driving factors by selecting typical watersheds from broad regions, overlooking the spatial heterogeneity of gully erosion and the roles of driving factors. Therefore, to address this issue, this study aimed to investigate gully erosion and its driving factors by selecting representative small watersheds (0.48–2.93 km2) along the Mollisols Belt of Northeast China. Gully morphology, topography, soil, climate and human activity (population and land use) data were obtained by unmanned aerial vehicle, field survey and spatial analysis. The results showed that gully linear density (GLD), gully areal density (GAD) and gully number density (ND) all exhibited a trend of initial sharp decrease followed by stabilization from south to north along the Mollisols Belt. The average gully length (L), width (W), depth (D), area (A) and volume (V) in the Mollisols Belt are 130.76 m, 6.42 m, 2.27 m, 1247.19 m2, 7158.12 m3, respectively. The gully L, W, D, A, and V are centrally distributed in the range of 0–300 m, 0.5–2.5 m, 1–5 m, 0–500 m2, 0–5000 m3, accounting for 68.5 %, 75.8 %, 68.3 %, 78.5 %, 83.3 %, respectively. The frequency distribution of five parameters showed great changes along Mollisols Belt. The gully volume can be estimated by V-L power function (V=a·Lb, a=14.63–98.81, b=0.86–1.34). Gully erosion intensity reflected by GLD and GAD across all watersheds initially increased and then decreased with slope gradient and topographic wetness index (TWI), demonstrating distinct threshold behaviors, while gully erosion was more intense on sunny and semi-sunny slopes. GLD and GAD at small watershed scale were significantly and positively correlated with rainfall erosivity, mean annual precipitation, and mean annual temperature, population density, proportion of farm track area and watershed slope, while they exhibited the significantly negative correlations with MWD, soil bulk density, and soil shear strength and TWI. The topography, soil, climate and human activity factors collectively explain 83.51 % of the total variance in gully erosion, with the relative contribution of 17.8 %, 26.4 %, 27.4 %, 28.4 % respectively. These results can deepen the understanding of the characteristics and laws of gully erosion along the Mollisols Belt and provide scientific basis for the precise prevention and control of gully erosion.
{"title":"Development characteristic of permanent gully morphology at the small watershed scale and its relations with driving factors along the Mollisols Belt of Northeast China","authors":"Xiaohui Lian , Ningning Xiao , Mingming Guo , Xingyi Zhang , Xin Liu , Jinzhong Xu , Shengmin Zhang , Xing Han","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2025.106999","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.still.2025.106999","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gully erosion poses a significant threat to land, ecology environment and food security. However, current studies have predominantly focused on identifying the gully development and driving factors by selecting typical watersheds from broad regions, overlooking the spatial heterogeneity of gully erosion and the roles of driving factors. Therefore, to address this issue, this study aimed to investigate gully erosion and its driving factors by selecting representative small watersheds (0.48–2.93 km<sup>2</sup>) along the Mollisols Belt of Northeast China. Gully morphology, topography, soil, climate and human activity (population and land use) data were obtained by unmanned aerial vehicle, field survey and spatial analysis. The results showed that gully linear density (GLD), gully areal density (GAD) and gully number density (ND) all exhibited a trend of initial sharp decrease followed by stabilization from south to north along the Mollisols Belt. The average gully length (L), width (W), depth (D), area (A) and volume (V) in the Mollisols Belt are 130.76 m, 6.42 m, 2.27 m, 1247.19 m<sup>2</sup>, 7158.12 m<sup>3</sup>, respectively. The gully L, W, D, A, and V are centrally distributed in the range of 0–300 m, 0.5–2.5 m, 1–5 m, 0–500 m<sup>2</sup>, 0–5000 m<sup>3</sup>, accounting for 68.5 %, 75.8 %, 68.3 %, 78.5 %, 83.3 %, respectively. The frequency distribution of five parameters showed great changes along Mollisols Belt. The gully volume can be estimated by V-L power function (V=a·L<sup>b</sup>, a=14.63–98.81, b=0.86–1.34). Gully erosion intensity reflected by GLD and GAD across all watersheds initially increased and then decreased with slope gradient and topographic wetness index (TWI), demonstrating distinct threshold behaviors, while gully erosion was more intense on sunny and semi-sunny slopes. GLD and GAD at small watershed scale were significantly and positively correlated with rainfall erosivity, mean annual precipitation, and mean annual temperature, population density, proportion of farm track area and watershed slope, while they exhibited the significantly negative correlations with MWD, soil bulk density, and soil shear strength and TWI. The topography, soil, climate and human activity factors collectively explain 83.51 % of the total variance in gully erosion, with the relative contribution of 17.8 %, 26.4 %, 27.4 %, 28.4 % respectively. These results can deepen the understanding of the characteristics and laws of gully erosion along the Mollisols Belt and provide scientific basis for the precise prevention and control of gully erosion.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49503,"journal":{"name":"Soil & Tillage Research","volume":"258 ","pages":"Article 106999"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145685397","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-12-24DOI: 10.1016/j.still.2025.107040
Hairui Wang , Qingjun Bai , Lina Ma , Yu Wan , Xiaowen Dang , Jun Li , Ruonan Wang , Tengfei Wang
Optimizing irrigation and nitrogen management is essential for improving crop productivity, mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and supporting sustainable agricultural development. However, their combined effects on carbon balance and eco-economic performance in maize systems remain insufficiently explored, particularly in arid regions. A two-year field experiment was conducted from 2023 to 2024 in the arid region of Northwest China to evaluate the combined effects of irrigation and nitrogen management on drip-irrigated spring maize. Three irrigation levels (W1, W2, W3) and four nitrogen rates (F1, F2, F3, F4) were applied, and grain yield (GY), GHG emissions, carbon footprint (CF), and net ecosystem economic benefits (NEEB) were evaluated. A Z-score–based multi-indicator assessment was used to determine the optimal treatment. W2F3 exhibited a clear trade-off advantage, simultaneously increasing yield and reducing environmental costs. Its global warming potential (GWP) was 573.30–600.27 kg CO₂-eq ha-1, 14.23–20.32 % lower than W3F4, while grain yield reached 14,686.26–15,412.71 kg ha-1, 21.65–23.35 % higher than W1F1. Nitrogen fertilization significantly enhanced soil organic carbon (SOC) storage by 3.82–6.98 %, and W2F3 improved the net ecosystem carbon budget (NECB) by increasing net primary productivity (NPP) while limiting GHG losses. In contrast, excessive nitrogen input reduced NECB due to amplified emissions. The W2F3 treatment concurrently enhanced yield and carbon sequestration capacity, significantly reduced the carbon footprint per unit of yield, and achieved the highest NEEB. Overall, W2F3 proved to be the most effective strategy, achieving high yield while enhancing carbon sequestration and reducing emission intensity. Integrated water–nitrogen regulation therefore provides a practical pathway for developing green, efficient, and climate-resilient maize production systems in arid regions, contributing to both agricultural sustainability and climate change mitigation.
{"title":"Optimizing drip irrigation and nitrogen fertilization to increase net ecosystem carbon budget and economic benefits with reduced carbon footprint in maize agroecosystems","authors":"Hairui Wang , Qingjun Bai , Lina Ma , Yu Wan , Xiaowen Dang , Jun Li , Ruonan Wang , Tengfei Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2025.107040","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.still.2025.107040","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Optimizing irrigation and nitrogen management is essential for improving crop productivity, mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and supporting sustainable agricultural development. However, their combined effects on carbon balance and eco-economic performance in maize systems remain insufficiently explored, particularly in arid regions. A two-year field experiment was conducted from 2023 to 2024 in the arid region of Northwest China to evaluate the combined effects of irrigation and nitrogen management on drip-irrigated spring maize. Three irrigation levels (W1, W2, W3) and four nitrogen rates (F1, F2, F3, F4) were applied, and grain yield (GY), GHG emissions, carbon footprint (CF), and net ecosystem economic benefits (NEEB) were evaluated. A Z-score–based multi-indicator assessment was used to determine the optimal treatment. W2F3 exhibited a clear trade-off advantage, simultaneously increasing yield and reducing environmental costs. Its global warming potential (GWP) was 573.30–600.27 kg CO₂-eq ha-1, 14.23–20.32 % lower than W3F4, while grain yield reached 14,686.26–15,412.71 kg ha-1, 21.65–23.35 % higher than W1F1. Nitrogen fertilization significantly enhanced soil organic carbon (SOC) storage by 3.82–6.98 %, and W2F3 improved the net ecosystem carbon budget (NECB) by increasing net primary productivity (NPP) while limiting GHG losses. In contrast, excessive nitrogen input reduced NECB due to amplified emissions. The W2F3 treatment concurrently enhanced yield and carbon sequestration capacity, significantly reduced the carbon footprint per unit of yield, and achieved the highest NEEB. Overall, W2F3 proved to be the most effective strategy, achieving high yield while enhancing carbon sequestration and reducing emission intensity. Integrated water–nitrogen regulation therefore provides a practical pathway for developing green, efficient, and climate-resilient maize production systems in arid regions, contributing to both agricultural sustainability and climate change mitigation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49503,"journal":{"name":"Soil & Tillage Research","volume":"258 ","pages":"Article 107040"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145823024","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-12-19DOI: 10.1016/j.still.2025.107027
Wen Zhihao, Zhai Bingnian, Jia Hanzhong, Li Ziyan
Iron-bound organic carbon (Fe-OC) is an important form of soil organic carbon (SOC), and understanding the mechanisms that underlie its formation is crucial for elucidating soil carbon cycling processes. Here, multiple inorganic leaching solutions were used to extract different types of iron minerals from soil under different nitrogen application rates. The results show that fertilization drives the activation of soil iron minerals by regulating root growth and microbial community composition. Iron mineral activation was highest under moderate nitrogen supplementation, but manure application also regulates iron mineral form. EEMs (Excitation-Emission-Matrix Spectra) analysis was also used to determine the molecular structure of Fe-OC, revealing that different types of iron minerals have a significant fractionation effect on organic carbon. To investigate the processes mediating this fractionation, FT-ICR MS (Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry) was employed to determine Fe-OC structure. This analysis revealed that fractionation was jointly determined by both iron-mineral and organic-carbon structure. This study reveals the mechanisms by which fertilization of regulates the formation of Fe-OC in temperate soils, improving understanding of the relationship between Fe-OC formation and fractionation.
{"title":"Iron-bound organic-carbon dynamics in a fertilized Agriustoll","authors":"Wen Zhihao, Zhai Bingnian, Jia Hanzhong, Li Ziyan","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2025.107027","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.still.2025.107027","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Iron-bound organic carbon (Fe-OC) is an important form of soil organic carbon (SOC), and understanding the mechanisms that underlie its formation is crucial for elucidating soil carbon cycling processes. Here, multiple inorganic leaching solutions were used to extract different types of iron minerals from soil under different nitrogen application rates. The results show that fertilization drives the activation of soil iron minerals by regulating root growth and microbial community composition. Iron mineral activation was highest under moderate nitrogen supplementation, but manure application also regulates iron mineral form. EEMs (Excitation-Emission-Matrix Spectra) analysis was also used to determine the molecular structure of Fe-OC, revealing that different types of iron minerals have a significant fractionation effect on organic carbon. To investigate the processes mediating this fractionation, FT-ICR MS (Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry) was employed to determine Fe-OC structure. This analysis revealed that fractionation was jointly determined by both iron-mineral and organic-carbon structure. This study reveals the mechanisms by which fertilization of regulates the formation of Fe-OC in temperate soils, improving understanding of the relationship between Fe-OC formation and fractionation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49503,"journal":{"name":"Soil & Tillage Research","volume":"258 ","pages":"Article 107027"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145784836","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-12-24DOI: 10.1016/j.still.2025.107030
Raissa Schwalbert , Lincon Stefanello , Rai Schwalbert , Luana Garlet , Lucas Dotto , Filipe Nunes , Luciane Tabaldi , Alvaro Berghetti , Gerson Drescher , Gustavo Brunetto , Ignacio Ciampitti , Fernando Nicoloso
Understanding phosphorus (P) starvation effects on uptake, partitioning, and redistribution during the growing season is crucial to monitoring deficiencies in soybean plants. The goals of this study were (i) to evaluate the influence of P availability and soil type on soybean growth, P partitioning, and P redistribution across the plant cycle; (ii) to quantify late-season changes in Pi and Po concentrations in soybean organs and relate them to plant enzymatic activity; and (iii) identify the soybean growth stage where fundamental plant functions are affected by P deficiency and establish plant physiological indicators. Soybean plants were grown under fertilized and unfertilized Oxisol and Alfisol. Organic and inorganic P fractions were determined in roots, stems, petioles, leaves, and pods. Plant growth, P uptake, photosynthetic, and biochemical measurements were performed in V5, R1, R5, and R7 growth stages. The first symptom of P deficiency (V5) was a reduction in leaf area by more than 20 % and 50 % in unfertilized Oxisol and Alfisol, respectively. The photosynthetic rate began to decline at R1, while the plants' ability to process light energy was only affected at R5. In the late season (R7), Pi and Po concentrations decreased by approximately 20 % in plants grown in unfertilized Alfisol, whereas only Pi concentrations declined in plants grown in unfertilized Oxisol. These findings suggest that soybean response mechanisms to P stress vary depending on the stress level and growth stage. However, physiological indicators like leaf area, which are sensitive to short-term P stress, may help detect early-season P deficiency.
{"title":"Phosphorus dynamics in soybean: Partitioning, redistribution, and physiological responses under fertilized and unfertilized tropical soils","authors":"Raissa Schwalbert , Lincon Stefanello , Rai Schwalbert , Luana Garlet , Lucas Dotto , Filipe Nunes , Luciane Tabaldi , Alvaro Berghetti , Gerson Drescher , Gustavo Brunetto , Ignacio Ciampitti , Fernando Nicoloso","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2025.107030","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.still.2025.107030","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding phosphorus (P) starvation effects on uptake, partitioning, and redistribution during the growing season is crucial to monitoring deficiencies in soybean plants. The goals of this study were (i) to evaluate the influence of P availability and soil type on soybean growth, P partitioning, and P redistribution across the plant cycle; (ii) to quantify late-season changes in Pi and Po concentrations in soybean organs and relate them to plant enzymatic activity; and (iii) identify the soybean growth stage where fundamental plant functions are affected by P deficiency and establish plant physiological indicators. Soybean plants were grown under fertilized and unfertilized Oxisol and Alfisol. Organic and inorganic P fractions were determined in roots, stems, petioles, leaves, and pods. Plant growth, P uptake, photosynthetic, and biochemical measurements were performed in V5, R1, R5, and R7 growth stages. The first symptom of P deficiency (V5) was a reduction in leaf area by more than 20 % and 50 % in unfertilized Oxisol and Alfisol, respectively. The photosynthetic rate began to decline at R1, while the plants' ability to process light energy was only affected at R5. In the late season (R7), Pi and Po concentrations decreased by approximately 20 % in plants grown in unfertilized Alfisol, whereas only Pi concentrations declined in plants grown in unfertilized Oxisol. These findings suggest that soybean response mechanisms to P stress vary depending on the stress level and growth stage. However, physiological indicators like leaf area, which are sensitive to short-term P stress, may help detect early-season P deficiency.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49503,"journal":{"name":"Soil & Tillage Research","volume":"258 ","pages":"Article 107030"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145823023","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-12-24DOI: 10.1016/j.still.2025.107018
Baishun Liu , Lihua Huang , Fengyi Zhang , Jinghui Cai , Lei Tian , Xiaotong Jiang , Yanping Liang , Ge Zhu , Guangzhi Huang
Soil salinization severely restricts the content of soil nitrogen, resulting in low rice yield in saline-sodic soils. It is well known that soil organic nitrogen (SON) fractions play important roles in nitrogen retention and supply. However, the SON fractions characteristics, and the mechanism of salinization affecting on SON fractions and nitrogen supply have not been clearly elucidated in saline-sodic paddy soils. In this study, 168 paddy soil samples with different salinity and alkalinity were collected to construct a machine learning model and structural equation model (SEM) to describe the characteristics of SON fractions, quantify the influence of soil factors on SON fractions, and elucidate the mechanism of salinization affecting on SON fractions and nitrogen supply. The results showed that the non-hydrolysable nitrogen (NHN) had significantly negative correlation with soil pH, and NHN decreased by 31.6 % in severe saline-sodic soils compared to moderate saline-sodic soils, and by 55.3 % compared to mild saline-sodic soils. The soil organic carbon (SOC) was significantly positively correlated with SON fractions, which explained amino acid nitrogen (AAN) and NHN variation of 13.9 % and 17.7 %, respectively. Among all SON fractions, the NHN showed higher nitrogen supply potential in saline-sodic paddy soils, which explained available nitrogen (AN) variation of 38.0 %. Soil salinization mainly affects the stable SON fractions (mainly NHN) by inhibiting SOC, thereby suppressing the long-term supply of AN and reducing the retention and supply capacity of nitrogen in saline-sodic paddy soils.
{"title":"High pH decreases the contents of stable organic nitrogen fractions and nitrogen supply capacity by inhibiting soil organic carbon in saline-sodic paddy fields","authors":"Baishun Liu , Lihua Huang , Fengyi Zhang , Jinghui Cai , Lei Tian , Xiaotong Jiang , Yanping Liang , Ge Zhu , Guangzhi Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2025.107018","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.still.2025.107018","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil salinization severely restricts the content of soil nitrogen, resulting in low rice yield in saline-sodic soils. It is well known that soil organic nitrogen (SON) fractions play important roles in nitrogen retention and supply. However, the SON fractions characteristics, and the mechanism of salinization affecting on SON fractions and nitrogen supply have not been clearly elucidated in saline-sodic paddy soils. In this study, 168 paddy soil samples with different salinity and alkalinity were collected to construct a machine learning model and structural equation model (SEM) to describe the characteristics of SON fractions, quantify the influence of soil factors on SON fractions, and elucidate the mechanism of salinization affecting on SON fractions and nitrogen supply. The results showed that the non-hydrolysable nitrogen (NHN) had significantly negative correlation with soil pH, and NHN decreased by 31.6 % in severe saline-sodic soils compared to moderate saline-sodic soils, and by 55.3 % compared to mild saline-sodic soils. The soil organic carbon (SOC) was significantly positively correlated with SON fractions, which explained amino acid nitrogen (AAN) and NHN variation of 13.9 % and 17.7 %, respectively. Among all SON fractions, the NHN showed higher nitrogen supply potential in saline-sodic paddy soils, which explained available nitrogen (AN) variation of 38.0 %. Soil salinization mainly affects the stable SON fractions (mainly NHN) by inhibiting SOC, thereby suppressing the long-term supply of AN and reducing the retention and supply capacity of nitrogen in saline-sodic paddy soils.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49503,"journal":{"name":"Soil & Tillage Research","volume":"258 ","pages":"Article 107018"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145823025","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-12-27DOI: 10.1016/j.still.2025.107037
Lei Sun , Shouhao Zhang , Wenqi Tang , Abdul Hakim Jamshidi , Luyue Xu , Yunpeng Wang , Zhaofei Fan , Xia Liu , Lei Gao
Soil erosion is a primary cause of soil degradation in the typical black soil region in Northeast China, yet the mechanisms and key driving factors are still not well-known. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms of erosion-induced degradation, quantify the contributions of contextual factors and anthropogenic interventions, and identify the key driving factors. Our models indicated that climate showed the strongest statistical association with regional-scale patterns of erosion indicators (A-horizon thickness and gully density) and chemical properties, with path coefficients of 0.81 and −0.67, respectively (p < 0.01). The underlying surface (slope gradient and length) was found to exert a significant indirect influence on erosion indicators and soil properties through anthropogenic factors (ridge-slope angle and total porosity) via mechanical ridging (creating wheel-compacted rutting strips and subsurface compaction zones) and its associated soil compaction. At the plot scale, slope gradient, total porosity, mean annual temperature, and ridge-slope angle made comparable contributions to explaining the variance in A-horizon thickness. Furthermore, the primary statistical influence of precipitation on gully density was contingent on slope gradient and ridge-slope angle. Given the intensified gully density observed where low-RSA ridging meets steep slopes, we recommend adopting precision contour farming on steep slopes to disrupt runoff concentration at its inception, alongside conservation tillage to eliminate compaction-induced porosity loss. By decoupling climate - erosion linkages through targeted terrain management, such practices offer a means to reconcile regional climatic constraints with local controllability.
{"title":"Mechanisms and key driving factors of erosion-induced degradation of sloping cropland in the typical black soil region in Northeast China","authors":"Lei Sun , Shouhao Zhang , Wenqi Tang , Abdul Hakim Jamshidi , Luyue Xu , Yunpeng Wang , Zhaofei Fan , Xia Liu , Lei Gao","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2025.107037","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.still.2025.107037","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil erosion is a primary cause of soil degradation in the typical black soil region in Northeast China, yet the mechanisms and key driving factors are still not well-known. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms of erosion-induced degradation, quantify the contributions of contextual factors and anthropogenic interventions, and identify the key driving factors. Our models indicated that climate showed the strongest statistical association with regional-scale patterns of erosion indicators (A-horizon thickness and gully density) and chemical properties, with path coefficients of 0.81 and −0.67, respectively (p < 0.01). The underlying surface (slope gradient and length) was found to exert a significant indirect influence on erosion indicators and soil properties through anthropogenic factors (ridge-slope angle and total porosity) via mechanical ridging (creating wheel-compacted rutting strips and subsurface compaction zones) and its associated soil compaction. At the plot scale, slope gradient, total porosity, mean annual temperature, and ridge-slope angle made comparable contributions to explaining the variance in A-horizon thickness. Furthermore, the primary statistical influence of precipitation on gully density was contingent on slope gradient and ridge-slope angle. Given the intensified gully density observed where low-RSA ridging meets steep slopes, we recommend adopting precision contour farming on steep slopes to disrupt runoff concentration at its inception, alongside conservation tillage to eliminate compaction-induced porosity loss. By decoupling climate - erosion linkages through targeted terrain management, such practices offer a means to reconcile regional climatic constraints with local controllability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49503,"journal":{"name":"Soil & Tillage Research","volume":"258 ","pages":"Article 107037"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145840598","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-12-12DOI: 10.1016/j.still.2025.107009
Peter K. Leinweber , Riffat Rahim , Edyta Hewelke , Tom Regier , Jerzy Weber
The impact of soil management practices on carbon (C) sequestration in soil organic matter (SOM) is insufficiently known. We studied relevant treatments, including manure application, legumes incorporation, their combination, conventional and no-tillage systems, as well as tillage with and without catch crops, at three long-term experimental sites in Poland. Bulk soil and humin fractions were analyzed by X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy and thermochemolysis-gas chromategraphy/mass spectrometry (TC-GC/MS). XANES and TC-GC/MS revealed treatment-specific molecular enrichments. Legume cropping enhanced total organic carbon (TOC) and enriched aromatic and aliphatic C structures, particularly at Skierniewice, contributing significantly to SOM stabilization. At Chylice, no-tillage preserved a higher aromatic C content, indicating a contribution of relatively stable compounds to SOM enrichment. At Swojec, the application of catch crops resulted in a balanced C profile with aliphatic C enrichments. Humin consistently exhibited greater aromatic and carboxylic C intensities compared to bulk soil, emphasizing its role as a relatively stable C reservoir. The findings demonstrate that for comparable climatic and soil conditions, no-till management is more efficient in enriching relatively recalcitrant aromatic SOM than the addition of organic matter through manure and legumes. No-till is therefore recommended as a first, immediately effective measure for SOM enrichment under Central European conditions.
{"title":"Influence of management practices on soil organic matter composition evaluated by complementary analytical techniques: XANES and mass spectrometry","authors":"Peter K. Leinweber , Riffat Rahim , Edyta Hewelke , Tom Regier , Jerzy Weber","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2025.107009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.still.2025.107009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The impact of soil management practices on carbon (C) sequestration in soil organic matter (SOM) is insufficiently known. We studied relevant treatments, including manure application, legumes incorporation, their combination, conventional and no-tillage systems, as well as tillage with and without catch crops, at three long-term experimental sites in Poland. Bulk soil and humin fractions were analyzed by X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy and thermochemolysis-gas chromategraphy/mass spectrometry (TC-GC/MS). XANES and TC-GC/MS revealed treatment-specific molecular enrichments. Legume cropping enhanced total organic carbon (TOC) and enriched aromatic and aliphatic C structures, particularly at Skierniewice, contributing significantly to SOM stabilization. At Chylice, no-tillage preserved a higher aromatic C content, indicating a contribution of relatively stable compounds to SOM enrichment. At Swojec, the application of catch crops resulted in a balanced C profile with aliphatic C enrichments. Humin consistently exhibited greater aromatic and carboxylic C intensities compared to bulk soil, emphasizing its role as a relatively stable C reservoir. The findings demonstrate that for comparable climatic and soil conditions, no-till management is more efficient in enriching relatively recalcitrant aromatic SOM than the addition of organic matter through manure and legumes. No-till is therefore recommended as a first, immediately effective measure for SOM enrichment under Central European conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49503,"journal":{"name":"Soil & Tillage Research","volume":"258 ","pages":"Article 107009"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145730779","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-01-02DOI: 10.1016/j.still.2025.107049
Lifeng Zhou , Hanzhi Tao , Yang Qiliang , Hao Feng , Kadambot H.M. Siddique , Ting Jin
In clay soil regions, soil hypoxia frequently induces premature senescence of sweet corn under mulched drip irrigation (MDI), particularly in late-season crops within continuous multi-season planting systems. While biochar’s effect on soil moisture is well documented, its influence on soil oxygen dynamics remains unclear. In this study, unsorted biochar particles (UBP), large biochar particles (LBP), and small biochar particles (SBP) were applied, with no biochar as the control (CK). We evaluated soil pore distribution, gas transport indicators, moisture content, and oxygen partial pressure (pO2), and assessed their impact on root and leaf senescence and grain yield in early- and late-season sweet corn crops. LBP increased total soil porosity and reduced soil bulk density, whereas UBP and SBP had no significant effect. LBP enlarged macropores (30–100 μm) and micropores (3–10 μm), resulting in a bimodal pore distribution, in contrast to the single-peak distribution (10–30 μm) in CK and SBP. LBP also enhanced macropore connectivity and reduced tortuosity, leading to higher air-filled porosity, air permeability, and gas diffusivity. SBP improved soil water-holding capacity but impeded gas transport due to pore “fineness”. Consequently, LBP decreased residual water content and increased plant-available water, balancing the tradeoff between water and oxygen under MDI. Soil hypoxia occurred in SBP and CK, causing roots to float and extend horizontally, whereas LBP prevented these effects. LBP significantly increased soil pO2 and delayed senescence, ultimately enhancing sweet corn yield in both growing seasons. We recommend applying large biochar particles (2.0–4.0 mm) to improve aeration and pO2 in clay soils. Additionally, the influence of fine soil particles on biochar’s internal pore structure warrants further study, particularly in irrigated farmland.
{"title":"Biochar particle size shapes soil water–oxygen conditions and delays senescence in sweet corn under mulched drip irrigation","authors":"Lifeng Zhou , Hanzhi Tao , Yang Qiliang , Hao Feng , Kadambot H.M. Siddique , Ting Jin","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2025.107049","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.still.2025.107049","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In clay soil regions, soil hypoxia frequently induces premature senescence of sweet corn under mulched drip irrigation (MDI), particularly in late-season crops within continuous multi-season planting systems. While biochar’s effect on soil moisture is well documented, its influence on soil oxygen dynamics remains unclear. In this study, unsorted biochar particles (UBP), large biochar particles (LBP), and small biochar particles (SBP) were applied, with no biochar as the control (CK). We evaluated soil pore distribution, gas transport indicators, moisture content, and oxygen partial pressure (pO<sub>2</sub>), and assessed their impact on root and leaf senescence and grain yield in early- and late-season sweet corn crops. LBP increased total soil porosity and reduced soil bulk density, whereas UBP and SBP had no significant effect. LBP enlarged macropores (30–100 μm) and micropores (3–10 μm), resulting in a bimodal pore distribution, in contrast to the single-peak distribution (10–30 μm) in CK and SBP. LBP also enhanced macropore connectivity and reduced tortuosity, leading to higher air-filled porosity, air permeability, and gas diffusivity. SBP improved soil water-holding capacity but impeded gas transport due to pore “fineness”. Consequently, LBP decreased residual water content and increased plant-available water, balancing the tradeoff between water and oxygen under MDI. Soil hypoxia occurred in SBP and CK, causing roots to float and extend horizontally, whereas LBP prevented these effects. LBP significantly increased soil pO<sub>2</sub> and delayed senescence, ultimately enhancing sweet corn yield in both growing seasons. We recommend applying large biochar particles (2.0–4.0 mm) to improve aeration and pO<sub>2</sub> in clay soils. Additionally, the influence of fine soil particles on biochar’s internal pore structure warrants further study, particularly in irrigated farmland.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49503,"journal":{"name":"Soil & Tillage Research","volume":"258 ","pages":"Article 107049"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145884531","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.still.2026.107056
Rongrong Wang , Guang Shi , Shuting Bie , Ziqiang Che , Yiling Ma , Guiying Jiang , Jianguo Liu
Drought–rehydration cycles are key drivers of soil biogeochemical processes in arid agroecosystems, yet the mechanisms regulating soil–microbe–plant interactions under such conditions remain insufficiently understood. We hypothesized that mild drought imposed at critical phenological stages could stimulate soil biochemical processes and microbial functional activity, thereby supporting spring wheat productivity and economic return. To test this hypothesis, a two-year split-plot field experiment was conducted using a drought-tolerant variety (Xinchun 6, XC 6) and a drought-sensitive variety (Xinchun 22, XC 22), with drought applied at the tillering (T) and jointing (J) stages. Three irrigation regimes were established based on field capacity (FC): normal irrigation (75–80 % FC, CK), mild drought (60–65 % FC, T1 and J1), and moderate drought (45–50 % FC, T2 and J2), each maintained for 7 days followed by rehydration. Mild drought at the tillering stage (T1) produced the most pronounced positive effects after rehydration. Compared with CK, T1 significantly improved soil chemical properties, enhanced key enzyme activities related to carbon and nitrogen cycling, and increased microbial biomass. Microbial alpha diversity was also elevated under T1, suggesting improved community stability and functional redundancy. Following rehydration, enhanced microbial activity likely accelerated nutrient mineralization, thereby supporting dry matter recovery and allocation to grain. As a result, grain yield increased by 1.89–2.32 %, while net revenue increased by 10.19–12.07 %. The drought-tolerant variety XC 6 consistently showed greater agronomic and economic benefits than XC 22, indicating that variety selection can amplify the positive effects of mild drought–rehydration management. Overall, mild drought at the tillering stage followed by rehydration represents a water-efficient irrigation strategy that maintains yield and profitability while enhancing soil biochemical functioning and system resilience. This approach offers a practical pathway for sustainable spring wheat production in arid regions, although long-term monitoring is required to assess the persistence of these ecological benefits.
{"title":"Drought-rehydration enhances yield through optimized soil multifunctionality in drip-irrigated spring wheat in arid regions","authors":"Rongrong Wang , Guang Shi , Shuting Bie , Ziqiang Che , Yiling Ma , Guiying Jiang , Jianguo Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107056","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107056","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Drought–rehydration cycles are key drivers of soil biogeochemical processes in arid agroecosystems, yet the mechanisms regulating soil–microbe–plant interactions under such conditions remain insufficiently understood. We hypothesized that mild drought imposed at critical phenological stages could stimulate soil biochemical processes and microbial functional activity, thereby supporting spring wheat productivity and economic return. To test this hypothesis, a two-year split-plot field experiment was conducted using a drought-tolerant variety (Xinchun 6, XC 6) and a drought-sensitive variety (Xinchun 22, XC 22), with drought applied at the tillering (T) and jointing (J) stages. Three irrigation regimes were established based on field capacity (FC): normal irrigation (75–80 % FC, CK), mild drought (60–65 % FC, T1 and J1), and moderate drought (45–50 % FC, T2 and J2), each maintained for 7 days followed by rehydration. Mild drought at the tillering stage (T1) produced the most pronounced positive effects after rehydration. Compared with CK, T1 significantly improved soil chemical properties, enhanced key enzyme activities related to carbon and nitrogen cycling, and increased microbial biomass. Microbial alpha diversity was also elevated under T1, suggesting improved community stability and functional redundancy. Following rehydration, enhanced microbial activity likely accelerated nutrient mineralization, thereby supporting dry matter recovery and allocation to grain. As a result, grain yield increased by 1.89–2.32 %, while net revenue increased by 10.19–12.07 %. The drought-tolerant variety XC 6 consistently showed greater agronomic and economic benefits than XC 22, indicating that variety selection can amplify the positive effects of mild drought–rehydration management. Overall, mild drought at the tillering stage followed by rehydration represents a water-efficient irrigation strategy that maintains yield and profitability while enhancing soil biochemical functioning and system resilience. This approach offers a practical pathway for sustainable spring wheat production in arid regions, although long-term monitoring is required to assess the persistence of these ecological benefits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49503,"journal":{"name":"Soil & Tillage Research","volume":"258 ","pages":"Article 107056"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145926008","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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