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https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2498
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2498
06 Dec 2023
 | 06 Dec 2023

Straw return with diverse nitrogen fertilizer application rates modulate ecosystem services and microbial traits in a meadow soil

Yan Duan, Minghui Cao, Wenling Zhong, Yuming Wang, Zheng Ni, Mengxia Zhang, Jiangye Li, Yumei Li, Xianghai Meng, and Lifang Wu

Abstract. Nitrogen (N) fertilization has received worldwide attention due to its benefits to soil fertility and productivity, but excess N application also causes an array of ecosystem dis-services, such as greenhouse gas emissions. Generally, soil microorganisms are considered to be involved in upholding a variety of ecosystem services and dis-services. However, the linkages between soil ecosystem services and microbial traits under different N fertilizer application rates remain uncertain. To address this, a 4-year in situ field experiment was conducted in a meadow soil on the Northeast China Plain after straw return with the following treatments combined with regular phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilization: (i) regular N fertilizer (N+PK); (ii) 25 % N fertilizer reduction (0.75N+PK); (iii) 50 % N fertilizer reduction (0.5N+PK); and (IV) no N fertilizer (PK). Ecosystem services, dis-services and microbial traits responded distinctly to the different N fertilizer rates. Treatment 0.75N+PK had overall positive effects on soil fertility, productivity, straw decomposition, and microbial abundance and function and alleviated greenhouse effects due to N deficiency. Meanwhile, 0.75N+PK upregulated aboveground biomass and soil C:N and thus increased the abundance of genes encoding cellulose-degrading enzymes, which may imply the potential ability of C and N turnover. In addition, most observed changes in ecosystem services and dis-services were strongly associated with microbial modules and keystone taxa. Specifically, the Lasiosphaeriaceae-driven module 1 community promoted straw degradation and C and N release, while the Terrimonas-driven module 3 community contributed to production improvement, which was conducive to soil multifunctionality. Therefore, our results suggest that straw return with 25 % chemical N fertilizer reduction is optimal for achieving ecosystem services. This study highlights the importance of abiotic and biotic factors in soil health and supports green agricultural development by optimizing N fertilizer rates in meadow soil after straw return.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

05 Nov 2024
Moderate N fertilizer reduction with straw return modulates cropland functions and microbial traits in a meadow soil
Yan Duan, Minghui Cao, Wenling Zhong, Yuming Wang, Zheng Ni, Mengxia Zhang, Jiangye Li, Yumei Li, Xianghai Meng, and Lifang Wu
SOIL, 10, 779–794, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-779-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-779-2024, 2024
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Short summary
Nitrogen (N) fertilization has received worldwide attention due to its effects on ecosystem...
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