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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2025, Vol. 61 ›› Issue (2): 74-84.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.LYKX20240186

• Research papers • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Smooth-Vetch Cover Promotes the Net Accumulation of Soil Particulate Organic Carbon of Citrus Orchards

Jiajia Zhang1(),Wenfa Xiao1,2,3,Lei Lei1,2,3,Xin Yang1,Jianwen Hu1,Hongbing Yang1,Yiling Liao1,Lixiong Zeng1,2,3,*()   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment of National Forestry and Grassland Administration Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Nature Conservation,CAF Beijing 100091
    2. Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University Nanjing 210037
    3. Three Gorges Reservoir National Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station Zigui 443600
  • Received:2024-04-10 Online:2025-02-25 Published:2025-03-03
  • Contact: Lixiong Zeng E-mail:zhangjiajia@caf.ac.cn;zenglx@caf.ac.cn

Abstract:

Objective: This study aims to clarify the changes in soil organic carbon components and the main influencing factors in both the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils of citrus trees during the growth and natural decomposition seasons of green manure. The goal is to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms by which green manure cover affects soil carbon components in orchards, providing scientific evidence to support the promotion of green manure practices in orchard management. Method: Citrus orchards with and without smooth vetch cover (clean tillage treatment) were selected to measure the distribution of the particulate organic carbon, including free particulate organic carbon and occluded particulate organic carbon, as well as mineral-associated organic carbon in the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils during the growth and decomposition seasons of the vetch. And the relationship between soil organic carbon components and plant characteristics (including the carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus content of citrus fine roots, as well as annual carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus input by vetch aboveground and fine root) and edaphic variables (free particulate organic nitrogen, occluded particulate organic nitrogen, mineral-associated organic nitrogen, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, clay content, and extracellular enzyme activity) were also analyzed. Result: Compared to clear tillage, vetch cover significantly increased (P<0.05) the occluded particulate organic carbon content in both rhizosphere (34.13% and 56.01%, respectively) and non-rhizosphere soils (33.02% and 64.23%, respectively) during the vetch growth and decomposition seasons. However, vetch cover also significantly decreased (P<0.05) mineral-associated organic carbon content in both rhizosphere (?12.56% and ?19.72%, respectively) and non-rhizosphere soils (?13.10% and ?20.67%, respectively) during the both seasons. During vetch growth season, free particulate organic carbon content was significantly increased (P<0.05) in non-rhizosphere soils (78.77%) but decreased in rhizosphere soil (?8.48%). Conversely, during vetch decomposition seasons, free particulate organic carbon content was decreased in non-rhizosphere soil (?18.66%, P<0.05) and increased (18.62%, P<0.05) in rhizosphere soil. Redundancy analysis showed that in citrus orchard with vetch cover, the content of free particulate organic carbon and occluded particulate organic carbon in the soil was significantly (P<0.05) positively correlated with the annual carbon and nitrogen inputs from vetch fine roots, as well as with the soil’s occluded particulate organic nitrogen, total nitrogen, and clay content. Additionally, soil mineral-associated organic nitrogen content was significantly (P<0.05) positively correlated with mineral-associated organic carbon content. Variance partitioning analysis indicated that vetch cover increased the joint effect of plants and soil factors on soil organic carbon components (from 18.3% to 33.9%). Hierarchical partitioning further identified that soil mineral-associated organic nitrogen was the primary factor responsible for the reduction of mineral-associated organic carbon, while occluded particulate organic nitrogen, the annual carbon and nitrogen input from vetch fine roots, and soil clay content were the main factors effect on the accumulation of soil free particulate organic carbon and occluded particulate organic carbon. Conclusion: Vetch cover promotes the accumulation of soil particulate organic carbon by carbon and nitrogen released by its fine roots, as well as the regulation of soil mineral-associated organic nitrogen content. This process offsets the loss of soil mineral-associated organic carbon, ultimately resulting in a net increase in soil organic carbon of citrus orchards. This study highlights the ecological benefits brought by green manure cover and provides a scientific basis for promoting green manure practices in fruit orchards.The ecological benefits brought by green manure cover make it one of the management practices for enhancing the carbon potential of orchards.

Key words: Three Gorges Reservoir Area, smooth vetch cover, growth season, naturally decomposition season, soil organic carbon components

CLC Number: