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Journal article
Effects of in situ freezing on soil net nitrogen mineralization and net nitrification in fertilized grassland of northern China
Grass and Forage Science, Vol.66, pp.391-401
66
2011
Web of Science ID: WOS:000293512000009
Abstract
Effects of soil freezing on nitrogen (N) mineralization have been the subject of increased attention in the ecological literature, though fewer studies have examined N mineralization responses to successive mild freezing, severe freezing and cyclic freeze–thaw events. Even less is known about relationships of responses to soil N status. This study measured soil N mineralization and nitrification in the field along an experimental N gradient in a grassland of northern China during the dormant season (October 2005–April 2006), a period in which freezing naturally occurs. Net N mineralization exhibited great temporal variability, with nitrification being the predominant N transformation process. Soil microbial biomass C and N and extractable NH₄⁺ pools declined by 40, 52, and 56%, respectively, in April 2006, compared with their initial concentrations in October 2005; soil NO₃⁻ pools increased by 84%. Temporal patterns of N mineralization were correlated with soil microbial biomass C and N. N mineralization and nitrification increased linearly with added N. Microbial biomass C in treated soils increased by 10% relative to controls, whereas microbial N declined by 9%. Results further suggest that freezing events greatly alter soil N dynamics in the dormant season at this site, with considerable available N accumulating during this period.
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Details
- Title
- Effects of in situ freezing on soil net nitrogen mineralization and net nitrification in fertilized grassland of northern China
- Publication Details
- Grass and Forage Science, Vol.66, pp.391-401
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.; United Kingdom
- Series
- 66
- Copyright
- ©2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd
- Identifiers
- WOS:000293512000009; 99380090871006600
- Academic Unit
- Biology; Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering
- Language
- English