1.College of Resources and Environment,China Agricultural University,Beijing 100193
2.Oil Crops Research Institute,Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops,Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs,Wuhan 430062,China
3.Institute of Applied Ecology,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Shenyang 110016,China
4.University of Chinese Academy of Sciences,Beijing 100049
Objective To investigate how maize (Zea mays L.) intercropped with green manure (cover crops) from different plant families affects soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions in the topsoil (0-20 cm) and subsoil (20-40 cm) layers, quantify the contribution of microbial necromass carbon (MNC) to SOC sequestration in such intercropping systems, and provide a theoretical basis for improving SOC sequestration and soil fertility through green manure cultivation. Methods A field experiment was established with three treatments: maize monoculture (MM), maize intercropped with leguminous green manure hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth., LM), and maize intercropped with graminaceous green manure rye (Secale cereale L., PM). Soil organic carbon, SOC fractions (particulate organic carbon, POC, and mineral-associated organic carbon, MAOC), MNC, and key soil biochemical properties were measured at 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm depths. Results In the 0-20 cm topsoil, SOC mass fractions did not differ significantly among treatments. Compared to the MM control, SOC mass fractions under the LM and PM increased by 35.0% and 29.1% in the 20-40 cm layer, respectively. Total nitrogen content increased significantly by 19.2% and 28.8%, respectively. Intercropping significantly enhanced β-1,4-glucosidase activity. Compared to the control, MNC in the subsoil rose by 38.1% under LM and by 34.1% under PM, and SOC was strongly and significantly correlated with MNC. In the topsoil layer, POC content under LM increased by 45.4% compared to the MM control, whereas in the subsoil layer MAOC content under PM increased by 27.8%. Conclusion Intercropping with green manure sustains SOC in the topsoil layer by generating POC from decomposing plant residues, While in the subsoil layer the ″microbial carbon pump″ enhances MNC accumulation, thereby increasing SOC. Leguminous green manure promotes SOC sequestration in the subsoil layer by raising both POC and MAOC, whereas graminaceous green manure acts mainly through MAOC accumulation. These findings provide theoretical and technical support for fertility improvement and conservation of black-soil regions..
1)土壤基础理化性质:土壤pH采用电位法(水土比为2.5∶1)测定;土壤有机碳(SOC)和全氮(TN)采用元素分析仪(Elementar vario PYRO cube,德国)测定。新鲜土样用2M KCl溶液浸提(水土比为5∶1),使用全自动间断化学分析仪(Smartchen 450,AMS,意大利)测定土壤NH4+-N和NO3--N质量分数,并采用烘干法测定土壤水分体积分数。新鲜土样用超纯水进行浸提后过0.45 μm滤膜[14],使用总有机碳分析仪(Elementar vario TOC,德国)测定可溶性有机碳(DOC)和可溶性总氮,通过可溶性总氮和无机氮的差值得到可溶性有机氮(DON);土壤微生物生物量碳(MBC)和微生物生物量氮(MBN)采用氯仿熏蒸-K2SO4浸提[15],并使用总有机碳分析仪测定碳氮质量分数。
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