Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2025
09:04
Assessment of Labile Organic Carbon in Soil Using Sequential Fumigation Incubation Procedures
Published on: October 29, 2016
11.5K
Soil aggregate-driven changes in nutrient redistribution and microbial communities after 10-year organic
Hu Cui1, Hui Zhu1, Brian Shutes2
1Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China; State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China.
Journal of Environmental Management
|October 15, 2023
Summary
Organic manure application alters soil structure and nutrient levels, boosting microbial communities in micro-aggregates. Nitrogen fertilizer may be key for optimizing soil productivity and microbial diversity in Northeast China.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Soil Science
- Microbiology
Background:
- Limited understanding of nutrient stoichiometry and microbial succession in soil aggregates under organic fertilization.
- Organic manure application impacts soil nutrient content and microbial communities, but aggregate-level interactions are understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of cow manure application on soil aggregate properties, nutrient distribution, and microbial community succession.
- To elucidate the multi-interaction mechanisms between nutrient stoichiometry and microbial dynamics within soil aggregates.
Main Methods:
- A 10-year field experiment using cow manure (1.5 t/ha).
- Analysis of soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) in different soil aggregate fractions.
- Assessment of bacterial and fungal community composition and changes in the carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio.
Main Results:
- Cow manure application promoted macro-aggregate fragmentation and micro-aggregate formation, increasing medium-sized aggregates.
- SOC, TN, and TP significantly increased in all aggregate fractions, particularly in micro-aggregates.
- Microbial abundance (bacteria and fungi) increased in micro-aggregates due to elevated nutrient levels, with fungal communities sensitive to C:N ratio variations.
Conclusions:
- Organic fertilization enhances soil organic carbon sequestration in Northeast China's cultivated land.
- Nitrogen is a potential limiting factor for soil productivity, suggesting combined organic and nitrogen fertilization could improve microbial diversity and crop yields.
- Soil aggregate dynamics and nutrient stoichiometry play crucial roles in microbial community structure and function under long-term organic amendment.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:23The Soil Ecosystem
20.2K
Plants obtain inorganic minerals and water from the soil, which acts as a natural medium for land plants. The composition and quality of soil depend not only on the chemical constituents but also on the presence of living organisms. In general, soils contain three major components:
20.2K
02:11The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition
35.8K
Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.
35.8K
01:27Microorganisms in Agriculture and Food industry
45
Microorganisms play a crucial role in agriculture and the food industry, contributing to soil fertility, crop protection, and food production. Their functions range from nitrogen fixation and biopesticide production to fermentation and food preservation, making them indispensable to sustainable farming and food safety.Role in AgricultureNitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium (symbiotic) and Azotobacter (free-living), convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia through biological nitrogen...
45
01:30Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
32
Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
32
01:20Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism
8.1K
Nitrogen is a very important element for life because it is a major constituent of proteins and nucleic acids. It is a macronutrient, and in nature, it is recycled from organic compounds and stored in the form of ammonia, ammonium ions, nitrate, nitrite, or nitrogen gas by many metabolic processes. Many of these metabolic processes are carried out only by prokaryotes.
The largest pool of nitrogen available in the terrestrial ecosystem is gaseous nitrogen (N2) from the air, but this...
The largest pool of nitrogen available in the terrestrial ecosystem is gaseous nitrogen (N2) from the air, but this...
8.1K
01:15Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs
21
Chemolithotrophs are microorganisms that obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic molecules such as hydrogen gas (H₂), ammonia (NH₃), reduced sulfur compounds (H₂S, S²⁻), and ferrous iron (Fe²⁺). Unlike heterotrophic organisms that rely on organic carbon, chemolithotrophs transfer electrons from these inorganic donors to the electron transport chain (ETC), generating a proton motive force (PMF) that drives ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation.
21