Interactive effects of plant litter chemistry and organic/inorganic forms of nitrogen addition on Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) soil respiration.

Zhuo, Shoujia; Fang, Yunying; Chen, Youchao; Vancov, Tony; Du, Huaqiang; Li, Yongfu; Yu, Bing; Chang, Scott X.; Cai, Yanjiang

The impact of plant litter on soil carbon (C) cycling is influenced by external nitrogen (N) deposition and plant litter chemistry. While previous research has mainly focused on inorganic N deposition and its effect on plant litter decomposition and soil C cycling, the influence of organic N remains poorly understood. In this study, we conducted a 180-day incubation experiment to investigate how different N forms (NH4NO3, Urea 50% + Glycine 50%) and litter chemistry (varying lignin/N ratios) affect CO2 emissions from an acidic Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) forest soil. Our findings indicate that litter addition increased soil CO2 emissions and the proportion of CO2-C to Total C (considering added litter-C as a part of total C). Specifically, Moso bamboo leaf litter with a lower lignin/N ratio led to higher soil CO2 emissions and CO2-C/Total C ratios. The combined addition of litter and N exhibited an antagonistic effect on soil CO2 emissions, with inorganic N having a more pronounced effect compared to organic N. This antagonistic effect was attributed to the N addition-induced soil acidification, thereby inhibiting microbial activities and reducing soil respiration promoted by litter input. This effect was confirmed by random forest analysis and partial least squares path modeling, which further identified soil dissolved organic C and pH as critical factors positively influencing soil CO2 emissions. Overall, our study suggests that atmospheric N deposition can mitigate litter-induced soil CO2 emissions, particularly under inorganic N forms and when leaf litters with high lignin/N ratios are introduced.

ENVIRONMENTAL soil science; PLANT litter decomposition; SOIL science; FOREST soils; SOIL acidification

Biology & Fertility of Soils, 2025, Vol 61, Issue 1, p109

0178-2762

Academic Journal

10.1007/s00374-024-01875-0