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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2015, Vol. 51 ›› Issue (3): 16-24.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.20150303

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Seasonal Dynamics of Microbial Biomass Carbon and Nitrogen in Soil of Robinia pseudoacacia Forests and Near-Naturally Restored Vegetation in Northern China

Wang Fengqin1, Tian Liqing1, Song Andong1, Sang Yuqiang2, Zhang Jinsong3, Gao Jun3   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Enzyme Engineering of Agricultural Microbiology of Ministry of Agriculture College of Life Science, Henan Agricultural University Zhengzhou 450002;
    2. College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University Zhengzhou 450002;
    3. Key Laboratory of Forest Silviculture of State Forestry Administration Research Institute of Forestry, CAF Beijing 100091
  • Received:2013-11-21 Revised:2014-04-01 Online:2015-03-25 Published:2015-04-10

Abstract:

【Objective】 Microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen are an important "source"or "storeroom" for vegetation's requirements. They are important index of comprehensive evaluation of soil quality or fertility, and also sensitive early-warning indicators of soil ecosystem. This study aims at providing a scientific basis for converting farmland to forests and making decisions of forest management, and providing basis for further study on the C and N cycle and greenhouse gas emission at forestland. 【Method】 Seasonal dynamics of soil microbial biomass C and N and their contribution rates to soil nutrition pools in the Robinia pseudoacacia plantation land with tree ages of 10-year-old (RP10) and 43-year-old and naturally restored vegetation (NRV) were studied and compared to those of the farmland (FL) in the rocky mountain region of northern China. 【Results】 Microbial biomass C and N of all lands were sharply decreased with increasing soil depth. Seasonal dynamics of microbial biomass C and N contents were different significantly among all these lands. Soil microbial biomass C and N contents in 0-20 cm soil layer of FL, NRV, RP10 and RP43 were 251.94, 290.68, 150.66, 197.34 mg·kg-1and 30.95, 46.46, 36.55, 45.27 mg·kg-1, respectively. Soil microbial biomass C and N contents of NRV were much higher than that of other lands, 1.15, 1.93, 1.47 times, and 1.50, 1.27, 1.03 times of that in FL, RP10 and RP43, respectively. Microbial biomass C and N contents in 0-20 cm soil layer in RP43 were significantly higher than that of RP10 (1.31 and 1.24 times, respectively), indicating an increase with forest age. Seasonal dynamics of microbial biomass C-N ratio were different significantly among all lands, and the seasonal means of FL, NRV, RP10 and RP43 were 8.64, 6.26, 4.12 and 4.36, respectively. Soil microbial biomass C-N ratio of RP10 and RP43 were 0.48 and 0.50 times of that of FL, 0.66 and 0.70 times of NRV. The average contribution rates of soil microbial biomass C to soil organic carbon in FL, NRV, RP10 and RP43 were 1.88%,2.00%,1.54% and 1.24% in 0-20 cm soil layer, respectively, and the contribution rates of soil microbial biomass N to soil total nitrogen were 1.21%, 5.44%, 3.55% and 2.26%. A significantly positive correlation was found between soil microbial biomass C and N, and they were also significantly positively correlated with soil content of total N, organic matter and available potassium. In addition, soil microbial biomass C was also significantly positively correlated with soil ammonium-N content. Microbial biomass in soil, especially microbial biomass N, could be enhanced with increasing forest age of R. pseudoacacia to significantly elevate the soil biological fertility. Based on the comparison of soil microbial biomass C and N content and its contribution to soil N pools among the different lands, we can conclude that the naturally restored vegetation was more conducive to the recovery of soil microbial structure and function and could improve the biological activity of soil.

Key words: rocky mountain of northern China, converting farmland to forest, Robinia pseudoacacia, naturally restored vegetation, microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen

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