MICROBIAL NECROMASS WITHIN AGGREGATES STABILIZES PHYSICALLY-PROTECTED C RESPONSE TO CROPLAND MANAGEMENT

doi:10.15302/J-FASE-2023498

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Ranran ZHOU, Jing TIAN(

), Zhengling CUI, Fusuo ZHANG

College of Resources and Environmental Sciences; National Academy of Agriculture Green Development; Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions (Ministry of Education), China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China

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Abstract

● The contribution of fungal necromass C to SOC increased with aggregate sizes.

● Bacterial necromass had a higher proportion to SOC in silt and clay.

● Cropland management increased microbial necromass in macro- and microaggregates.

● Greater fungal necromass increases were found in macroaggregates under manure input and no or reduced tillage.

● Cover crops increased bacterial necromass in small macroaggregates.

The interactions of soil microorganisms and structure regulate the degradation and stabilization processes of soil organic carbon (SOC). Microbial necromass is a persistent component of SOC, and its magnitude of accumulation dependent on management and aggregate sizes. A meta-analysis of 121 paired measurements was conducted to evaluate the management effects on contributions of microbial necromass to SOC depending on aggregate fractions. Results showed that the contribution of fungal necromass to SOC increased with aggregate sizes, while bacterial necromass had a higher proportion in silt and clay. Cropland management increased total and fungal necromass in large macroaggregates (47.1% and 45.6%), small macroaggregates (44.0% and 44.2%), and microaggregates (38.9% and 37.6%). Cropland management increased bacterial necromass independent of aggregate fraction sizes. Greater fungal necromass was increased in macroaggregates in response to manure (26.6% to 28.5%) and no or reduced tillage (68.0% to 73.5%). Cover crops increased bacterial necromass by 25.1% in small macroaggregates. Stimulation of microbial necromass was proportional to the increases of SOC within soil aggregates, and the correlation was higher in macroaggregates. Increasing microbial necromass accumulation in macroaggregates can, therefore, be considered as a central component of management strategies that aim to accelerate C sequestration in agricultural soils.

Keywords cropland management microbial necromass soil aggregates soil carbon sequestration soil organic matter

Corresponding Author(s): Jing TIAN

Just Accepted Date: 19 April 2023 Online First Date: 12 May 2023

Cite this article:

Ranran ZHOU,Jing TIAN,Zhengling CUI, et al. MICROBIAL NECROMASS WITHIN AGGREGATES STABILIZES PHYSICALLY-PROTECTED C RESPONSE TO CROPLAND MANAGEMENT[J]. Front. Agr. Sci. Eng. , 12 May 2023. [Epub ahead of print] doi: 10.15302/J-FASE-2023498.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fase/EN/10.15302/J-FASE-2023498
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fase/EN/Y/V/I/0

Fig.1 Proportions of microbial necromass C in soil organic C within soil large macroaggregate (a), small macroaggregate (b), microaggregate (c), and silt and clay (d) in cropland.

Tab.1 Between-group heterogeneity (Q_M) and the probability (P) showing statistical differences of microbial necromass responses to management between different levels of the aggregate sizes

Fig.2 The overall response of microbial necromass C (a–c), ratio of fungal-derived to bacterial-derived necromass (d) and necromass contribution to soil organic C (e–g) within soil aggregate fractions to management in cropland. TNC, total necromass C; BNC, bacterial necromass C; FNC, fungal necromass C; SOC, soil organic carbon; and FNC/BNC, the ratio of fungal-derived to bacterial-derived necromass C. The number of observations are shown in parentheses. Closed symbols indicate significant effects.

Fig.3 Percent changes in microbial necromass C (a–c), ratio of fungal-derived to bacterial-derived necromass (d) and necromass contribution to soil organic C (e–g) within soil aggregate fractions dependent on cropland management. TNC, total necromass C; BNC, bacterial necromass C; FNC, fungal necromass C; SOC, soil organic carbon; FNC/BNC, the ratio of fungal-derived to bacterial-derived necromass C; NT/RT, no or reduced tillage; LM, large macroaggregates; SM, small macroaggregates; MA, microaggregates; and SC, silt and clay. The number of observations are shown in parentheses. Closed symbols indicate significant effects.

Fig.4 Correlations between environmental variables and microbial necromass within soil large macroaggregate (a), small macroaggregate (b), microaggregate (c), and silt and clay (d). All microbial necromass C data within soil aggregate fractions were obtained from samples collected after the application of management practice. TNC, total necromass C; BNC, bacterial necromass C; FNC, fungal necromass C; MAT, mean annual temperature; MAP, mean annual precipitation; pH, soil pH; SOC, soil organic carbon; TN, total nitrogen; C/N, ratio of soil carbon to nitrogen; and Clay, soil clay content. ^*** P < 0.001, ^** P < 0.01, and ^* P < 0.5.

Fig.5 Relationship between the response ratios (RRs) of total microbial necromass C (a), bacterial necromass C (b), fungal necromass C (c) and the response ratios of SOC within soil aggregate fractions. TNC, total necromass C; BNC, bacterial necromass C; FNC, fungal necromass C; SOC, soil organic carbon; LM, large macroaggregates; SM, small macroaggregates; MA, microaggregates; and SC, silt and clay. Shaded areas represent the 95% confidence band of the regression models. ^*** P < 0.001, ^** P < 0.01, and ^* P < 0.5.

Fig.6 Concept and meta-analysis results of the responses of necromass C within soil aggregate fractions to cropland management. NT/RT, no or reduced tillage; LM, large macroaggregates; SM, small macroaggregates; MA, microaggregates; and SC, silt and clay.

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[1]	Rattan LAL. Managing soil quality for humanity and the planet[J]. Front. Agr. Sci. Eng. , 2020, 7(3): 251-253.
[2]	Yakov KUZYAKOV, Anna GUNINA, Kazem ZAMANIAN, Jing TIAN, Yu LUO, Xingliang XU, Anna YUDINA, Humberto APONTE, Hattan ALHARBI, Lilit OVSEPYAN, Irina KURGANOVA, Tida GE, Thomas GUILLAUME. New approaches for evaluation of soil health, sensitivity and resistance to degradation[J]. Front. Agr. Sci. Eng. , 2020, 7(3): 282-288.

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