Farmyard manure applications stimulate soil carbon and nitrogen cycling by boosting microbial biomass rather than changing its community composition. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ma, Qingxu; Wen, Yuan; Wang, Deying; Sun, Xiaodan; Hill, Paul W.; Macdonald, Andy; Chadwick, David R.; Wu, Lianghuan; Jones, Davey L.
• Is Part Of: Soil biology and biochemistry. Volume 144(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Animal waste -- Livestock manure -- Long-term experiment -- Nutrient cycling -- Rothamsted; Soil biochemistry -- Periodicals; Soil biology -- Periodicals; Sols -- Biochimie -- Périodiques; Sols -- Biologie -- Périodiques; Sols -- Microbiologie -- Périodiques; Bodembiologie; Biochemie; 631.46
• DOI: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2020.107760
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-0717

Abstract

Abstract: Land application of farmyard manure (FYM) is a widespread agronomic practice used to enhance soil fertility, but its long-term effects on soil microbial carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling have not been investigated in detail. Topsoils (0–23 cm) and subsoils (23–38 cm) were collected from a field trial on a sandy-textured soil where FYM had been applied at high (50–25 t ha −1 yr −1, 28 yr) and low rates (10 t ha −1 yr −1, 16 yr), and compared to soil treated only with synthetic NPK fertilisers. The turnover rate of key components of soil organic matter (SOM; proteins, peptides, amino acids, cellulose, and glucose) were evaluated by 14 C labelling and measuring cellobiohydrolase, β-glucosidase, β-1, 4-N-acetylglucosaminidase, L-leucine aminopeptidase, protease, and deaminase activities, whereas gross NH4 + and NO3 − production and consumption were determined by 15 N-isotope pool dilution. Microbial communities were determined using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiling. Our results indicate that long-term FYM addition significantly enhanced the accumulation of soil C and N, soil organic N (SON) turnover, exoenzyme activity, and gross NO3 − production and assimilation. Rates of protein, peptide, and amino acid processing rate were 169–248, 87–147, and 85–305 mg N kgDWsoil −1 d −1, respectively, gross NH4 + and NO3 − production and consumption were 1.8–5.8 mg N kgDWsoil −1 d −1, and the highest rates were shown under the high FYM treatment in topsoil and subsoil. The half-life of cellulose and glucose decomposition under the high FYM treatment were 16.4% and 31.0% lower than them in the synthetic NPK fertiliser treatment, respectively, indicating higher rates of C cycling under high manure application as also evidenced by the higher rate of CO2 production. This was ascribed to an increase in microbial biomass rather than a change in microbial community structure. Based on the high pool sizes and high turnover rate, this suggests that peptides may represent one of the dominant forms of N taken up by soil microorganisms. We conclude that long-term FYM application builds SOM reserves and induces faster rates of nutrient cycling by boosting microbial biomass rather than by changing its community composition. Highlights: The influence of manure application on soil C/N cycling was evaluated. 14 C labeling and 15 N-pool dilution techniques were used. Manure application significantly affects C/N cycling in soil by boosting microbial biomass. Peptides may be important for terrestrial cycling and supply of N.