☆ 4.6 Article

Impact of living mulch on soil C:N:P stoichiometry in orchards across China: A meta-analysis examining climatic, edaphic, and biotic dependency

PEDOSPHERE (2020)

Journal

PEDOSPHERE

Volume 30, Issue 2, Pages 181-189

Publisher

SCIENCE PRESS

DOI: 10.1016/S1002-0160(20)60003-0

Keywords

elemental balance; grass species; interaction; management practices; N fixation; stoichiometric ratio

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China [41803008, 41807091, 41563007]
Forestry Science and Research Program of Guizhou Province, China [GZFSTC [2015], 6]
Special Foundation for Excellent Young Scientist of Guizhou Province, China [[2015] 21]

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Abstract

The use of living mulch in orchards is a widely accepted management strategy for improving soil quality and enhancing tree productivity. Although the effects of living mulch on soil organic carbon (C) and nutrients have been previously investigated, changes in the stoichiometric ratios of C, soil total nitrogen (N), and soil total phosphorous (P) under different climatic, edaphic, and biotic conditions are currently unknown. These factors are important indicators of elemental balance associated with ecological interactions. In order to examine the effects of living mulch in orchards on soil C:N:P stoichiometry under different conditions, a meta-analysis was undertaken. The results showed that in general, living mulch significantly (P < 0.05) increased C:P and N:P ratio, while the impact on C:N ratio was not significant, a result that was related to the coupled increase of C and N. Phosphorous limitation occurred shortly after the addition of living mulch; after four years this effect receded. In contrast, an increase in C occurred simultaneously with N increase at all stages. Specifically, the treatment effect was context-dependent. The living mulch did not change soil stoichiometry in orchards with old trees (> 10 years), an occurrence which may be related to changes in the amount of fungi. Grass life history also had a significant influence on the treatment effect on soil stoichiometry, while N-fixing characteristics did not. The treatment effect was significant in areas with moderate mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation, which might be related to the litter ratio of grass and trees. Effects on stoichiometric ratios were significant in the top soil layer (0-20 cm), in contrast to the deep soil layers. Therefore, grass species and management practices, such as fertilization, should be selected according to the specific soil and climatic conditions of the management area.

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Stoichiometric homeostasis of N:P ratio drives species-specific symbiotic N fixation inhibition under N addition

Qiang Li, Joshua Philp, Matthew D. D. Denton, Yingxin Huang, Jian Wei, Huijuan Sun, Yang Li, Qian Zhao

Summary: This study investigated the mechanisms by which soil nitrogen and phosphorus supply influence the symbiotic nitrogen fixation of eight legume species. It was found that nitrogen addition can stimulate rhizosphere phosphorus mobilization, but results in a decrease in root biomass and carbohydrate concentrations, leading to a reduction in symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legumes. However, some legume species can better adapt to nitrogen addition by maintaining the stoichiometric homeostasis of plant nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratios.

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