Scholarlink

<p>Nitrogen (N) fertilization influences soil organic carbon (SOC) formation by regulating plant inputs and microbial activity; however, the relative contributions of plant- versus microbial-derived carbon (C) to SOC accumulation remain unclear, largely due to site-specific variations in soil properties and the complex transformation pathways governing C stabilization. Here, we used amino sugars and lignin phenols as molecular tracers to quantify microbial necromass- and lignin-derived C contributions to SOC under N fertilization across four long-term maize field experiments in Quzhou and Changwu (alkaline, low-fertility soils) and Lishu and Yaan (acidic, high-fertility soils). Although N fertilization increased SOC across all sites, the dominant pathways for C accumulation differed in contrasting soils. In alkaline, low-fertility soils, SOC accumulation was primarily associated with greater lignin-derived C, regulated by soil geochemical properties and aggregate protection rather than increased plant inputs. In acidic, high-fertility soils, microbial necromass contributed more to SOC accumulation and was associated with greater lignin oxidation, reduced oxidase activity, and elevated oxalate-extractable Fe/Al oxides. These divergent mechanisms explain variability in SOC responses to N fertilization and emphasize the need for soil-specific nutrient management strategies to maximize C retention in croplands.</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

Nitrogen fertilization increases soil organic carbon through distinct pathways in contrasting cropland soils

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月29日

查看全文
  • Ranran Zhou,
  • Yanfang Xue,
  • Amit Kumar,
  • Jing Ma,
  • Jun Ling,
  • Iain P. Hartley,
  • Yakov Kuzyakov,
  • Wushuai Zhang,
  • Shanchao Yue,
  • Qiang Gao,
  • Yuanxue Chen,
  • Meng Wang,
  • Hang Liu,
  • Zhenling Cui,
  • Xinping Chen,
  • Fusuo Zhang,
  • Jing Tian

摘要

Nitrogen (N) fertilization influences soil organic carbon (SOC) formation by regulating plant inputs and microbial activity; however, the relative contributions of plant- versus microbial-derived carbon (C) to SOC accumulation remain unclear, largely due to site-specific variations in soil properties and the complex transformation pathways governing C stabilization. Here, we used amino sugars and lignin phenols as molecular tracers to quantify microbial necromass- and lignin-derived C contributions to SOC under N fertilization across four long-term maize field experiments in Quzhou and Changwu (alkaline, low-fertility soils) and Lishu and Yaan (acidic, high-fertility soils). Although N fertilization increased SOC across all sites, the dominant pathways for C accumulation differed in contrasting soils. In alkaline, low-fertility soils, SOC accumulation was primarily associated with greater lignin-derived C, regulated by soil geochemical properties and aggregate protection rather than increased plant inputs. In acidic, high-fertility soils, microbial necromass contributed more to SOC accumulation and was associated with greater lignin oxidation, reduced oxidase activity, and elevated oxalate-extractable Fe/Al oxides. These divergent mechanisms explain variability in SOC responses to N fertilization and emphasize the need for soil-specific nutrient management strategies to maximize C retention in croplands.