Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 3, 2026

Single-throughput Complementary High-resolution Analytical Techniques for Characterizing Complex Natural Organic Matter Mixtures
Published on: January 7, 2019
Litter cellulose modulates dissolved organic carbon to drive co-denitrification contribution and nitrous oxide
Zhe Xu1, Ziheng Zou2, Emily Cooledge3
1Sanya Institute of Nanjing Agricultural University, Sanya, China; Key Laboratory of Low-carbon and Green Agriculture in Southeastern China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Low Carbon Agriculture and GHGs Mitigation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
Abstract:
Plant litter constitutes a primary source of soil organic carbon (C) and nutrients in terrestrial ecosystems. Litter chemical composition critically regulates the formation and bioavailability of soil organic C fractions to microorganisms, thereby governing nitrogen (N) transformation processes and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. Nevertheless, the C-N coupling process driven by litter chemistry and its impacts on N2O emissions have received relatively little attention. Here, we collected litter samples from five >30-year-old tea tree varieties and examined the effects of their litter chemistry on soil organic C fractions, N transformations, and N2O emission pathways using 15N isotope tracing. Results revealed significant inter-varietal differences in the lignin and cellulose content of their leaf litter. Litter cellulose content positively regulated soil labile C contents, particularly dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Elevated DOC concentrations enhanced nirK + nirS gene abundance and gross NO3- consumption rates, amplifying co-denitrification contributions to enhanced N2O emissions. Soil C-acquiring enzymes involved in cellulose degradation (β-glucosidase and cellobiohydrolase) further stimulated co-denitrification-derived N2O emissions. Overall, soil DOC emerged as the central driver linking soil C dynamics and N2O emission pathways. These mechanistic insights significantly advance the predictive modeling of terrestrial N2O fluxes based on litter chemistry parameters. Furthermore, they enable optimization of N2O mitigation through precision management of pruning residues in tea plantations.
More Related Videos
07:22Author Spotlight: Unraveling the Role of Earthworms in Enhancing Mineral Weathering for CO2 Removal
Published on: November 10, 2023
10:16Design and Operation of a Continuous 13C and 15N Labeling Chamber for Uniform or Differential, Metabolic and Structural, Plant Isotope Labeling
Published on: January 16, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism
The largest pool of nitrogen available in the terrestrial ecosystem is gaseous nitrogen (N2) from the air, but this...
Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation
Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs
Bioremediation
Carbon-dioxide Fixation
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms