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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2023, Vol. 59 ›› Issue (11): 1-11.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.LYKX20230114

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Effects of Biochar and Manure on Wood Decomposition and Soil Enzyme Activities Related Soil Nutrient Cycling in a triploid Populus tomentosa Plantation

Ruirui Zhao,Yong Liu*(),Kai Wang   

  1. College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University Beijing 100083
  • Received:2023-03-23 Online:2023-11-25 Published:2023-12-08
  • Contact: Yong Liu E-mail:lyong@bjfu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Objective: This study aims to explore the effects of biochar and organic fertilizer on soil quality in a poplar (triploid Populus tomentosa) plantation by using the decomposition of standardized wood stakes from different tree species, together with changes in soil enzyme activity related to soil nutrient cycling. Method: In a split-plot experiment, manure (M: 0, 3, 9 t·hm?2) and biochar (B: 0, 2.5, 10 t·hm?2) were respectively used as whole plot and split-plot to treat the sandy loam soil of triploid P. tomentosa plantation (a total of 9 soil treatments, M0B0, M0B2.5, M0B10, M3B0, M3B2.5, M3B10, M9B0, M9B2.5, and M9B10). Wood stakes of three tree species (poplar, P. tomentosa; aspen, Populus tremuloides; pine, Pinus taeda) were installed by both horizontally placing on the soil surface (surface stakes) and vertically inserting into 20 cm of mineral soil (mineral stakes) to serve as decomposition substrates. After two years of soil treatments, acid phosphatase, cellulase, α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosidase, and aryl sulfatase activities in 0?20 cm soil layer were measured; and in 2.5 years after wood stake installation, the decomposition (density loss) and water content of the wood stakes were measured. Result: The M9B10 treatment significantly increased soil water content, especially during the rainy season. As for enzymes, the 9 t·hm?2 manure significantly increased soil acid phosphatase activity. Compared to the un-treated M0B0, M3B10, M9B0, and M9B2.5 treatments significantly increased soil α-glucosidase activity, M0B10, M3B2.5, and M9B2.5 treatments significantly increased soil β-glucosidase activity, M3B2.5, M9B0, M9B2.5, and M9B10 treatments significantly increased soil N-acetyl-β-D-glucosidase activity, and all soil treatments significantly increased soil aryl sulfatase activity by 62.84%–248.14%. Wood stakes decomposition rates varied dependent on the placement positions (mineral > surface) and tree species (the two Populus > pine). On the soil surface, M3B0 and M9B2.5 treatments significantly increased the decomposition of wood stakes of three species, while M0B10, M3B2.5, and M3B10 treatments accelerated the degradation of the two Populus wood stakes as compared to the M0B0. In the mineral soil, as compared to the un-treated M0B0, M3B0 increased poplar stake decomposition, while all soil treatments except M3B2.5, M3B10, and M9B10 accelerated the decomposition of loblolly pine stakes. Conclusion: Soil biochar and manure amendments increase soil water content and enzyme activities as well as accelerate wood stake decomposition both on the soil surface and in the 20 cm mineral soil layer. They can be used to enhance soil quality in plantations. However, more field studies are necessary to make appropriate soil management policies based on soil conditions and climates.

Key words: biochar, organic fertilizer, poplar plantation, wood decomposition, soil enzymes

CLC Number: