Scholarlink

Purpose <p>Adopting innovative and efficient fertilization approaches is critical to meet future environmental and food security goals. Previous studies have mainly emphasized the effect of reactive nitrogen (N) on soil organic carbon (SOC), but the impact of different N fertilization methods on the fate of SOC and the underlying mechanisms have not yet carefully examined.</p> Methods <p>A two-year field study was conducted to explore the biogeochemical impacts of one-time root-zone targeted fertilization (RTF) versus conventional N application methods i.e., split surface broadcast (SSB) and band fertilization (BF), on maize yield, N-use efficiency, SOC dynamics, and carbon cycling enzymes in black soils of northeast China. Lab incubation studies were conducted to assess the cumulative SOC mineralization (C<sub>min</sub>), and redistribution of soil base cations under different N fertilization methods.</p> Results and discussion <p>One-time RTF significantly enhanced grain yield by 12.3–24.6% than SSB, and by 6.8–17.5% than BF. Moreover, RTF achieved the highest apparent N recovery efficiency (64.6–67.2%), agronomic efficiency (31.1–33.4&#xa0;kg kg<sup>− 1</sup>), and partial factor productivity (71.6–74.3&#xa0;kg kg<sup>− 1</sup>) among the methods under same N input. SSB remarkably declined available Ca<sup>2+</sup> in bulk soil, while other methods had negligible impact. Urea mixing in soil caused pronounced base cation redistribution, whereas RTF induced stratified cation movement through NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> driven pH modulation. Though N application methods did not significantly alter SOC, SSB enhanced particulate organic carbon, while RTF promoted microbial biomass carbon and mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC). SSB preferentially enhanced soil β-glucosidase and peroxidase activities, but RTF elevated cellobiohydrolase and polyphenol oxidase activities. A low microbial metabolic quotient under RTF indicated more efficient microbial carbon utilization and reduced C<sub>min</sub>. Structural equation modeling revealed that SOC was directly influenced by soil pH and base cations, and indirectly by enzyme activities and C<sub>min</sub>. An inverse correlation between MAOC and C<sub>min</sub> suggested that higher MAOC reduced carbon loss via mineralization, thereby promoting SOC accrual and stability.</p> Conclusion <p>One-time RTF proved an efficient and environmentally sustainable method for maize cultivation in northeast China. It enhanced yield, N-use efficiency, and promoted SOC stability, making it a promising approach for modern agricultural practices in the region.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Root-zone targeted nitrogen fertilization enhances maize productivity and soil organic carbon stability by regulating carbon fractions and mineralization rate in black soil

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月10日

查看全文
  • Muhammad Irfan,
  • Yiliu Wang,
  • Solomon Yokamo,
  • Bin Wang,
  • Dianjun Lu,
  • Xiaoqin Chen,
  • Zhuxiu Liu,
  • Huoyan Wang

摘要

Purpose

Adopting innovative and efficient fertilization approaches is critical to meet future environmental and food security goals. Previous studies have mainly emphasized the effect of reactive nitrogen (N) on soil organic carbon (SOC), but the impact of different N fertilization methods on the fate of SOC and the underlying mechanisms have not yet carefully examined.

Methods

A two-year field study was conducted to explore the biogeochemical impacts of one-time root-zone targeted fertilization (RTF) versus conventional N application methods i.e., split surface broadcast (SSB) and band fertilization (BF), on maize yield, N-use efficiency, SOC dynamics, and carbon cycling enzymes in black soils of northeast China. Lab incubation studies were conducted to assess the cumulative SOC mineralization (Cmin), and redistribution of soil base cations under different N fertilization methods.

Results and discussion

One-time RTF significantly enhanced grain yield by 12.3–24.6% than SSB, and by 6.8–17.5% than BF. Moreover, RTF achieved the highest apparent N recovery efficiency (64.6–67.2%), agronomic efficiency (31.1–33.4 kg kg− 1), and partial factor productivity (71.6–74.3 kg kg− 1) among the methods under same N input. SSB remarkably declined available Ca2+ in bulk soil, while other methods had negligible impact. Urea mixing in soil caused pronounced base cation redistribution, whereas RTF induced stratified cation movement through NH4+ driven pH modulation. Though N application methods did not significantly alter SOC, SSB enhanced particulate organic carbon, while RTF promoted microbial biomass carbon and mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC). SSB preferentially enhanced soil β-glucosidase and peroxidase activities, but RTF elevated cellobiohydrolase and polyphenol oxidase activities. A low microbial metabolic quotient under RTF indicated more efficient microbial carbon utilization and reduced Cmin. Structural equation modeling revealed that SOC was directly influenced by soil pH and base cations, and indirectly by enzyme activities and Cmin. An inverse correlation between MAOC and Cmin suggested that higher MAOC reduced carbon loss via mineralization, thereby promoting SOC accrual and stability.

Conclusion

One-time RTF proved an efficient and environmentally sustainable method for maize cultivation in northeast China. It enhanced yield, N-use efficiency, and promoted SOC stability, making it a promising approach for modern agricultural practices in the region.