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Chemistry of decomposing mulching materials and the effect on soil carbon dynamics under a Phyllostachys praecox bamboo stand

  • SOILS, SEC 1 • SOIL ORGANIC MATTER DYNAMICS AND NUTRIENT CYCLING • RESEARCH ARTICLE
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Abstract

Purpose

Heavy winter mulch treatments are commonly practiced in Phyllostachys praecox bamboo forests to increase bamboo shoot production in early spring in subtropical China. The aim of this study was to quantify the chemical behaviour of the mulching materials and the immediate response of soil carbon (C) to the heavy winter mulch treatments.

Material and methods

In the field study, in situ decomposition rates of the mulching materials, including bamboo leaves and rice straw, and soil respiration rates were determined. The chemical behaviour of the mulching materials and the impacts of the mulches on soil C dynamics were evaluated using solid state 13C NMR spectroscopy.

Results and discussion

During the 12-month experimental period, bamboo leaves (C/N ratio, 20) lost 79 % of their mass, whereas rice straw (C/N, 49) lost 67 %. Mulch treatment enhanced soil respiration rate. The residual materials had a significantly higher alkyl C to O-alkyl C ratio, but lower aromaticity than those in the original materials. The soil beneath the mulches rapidly built up organic C, which was dominated by O-alkyl C with reduced aromaticity.

Conclusions

Application of heavy mulch in a Phyllostachys praecox bamboo plantation can enhance sequestration of soil C; however, the relatively low aromatic C character would indicate that it is likely to be labile.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the funding support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (number 30771715), Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation (grant number y3100578), Key Program of the Science and Technology Department of Zhejiang Province (2011C12019), Zhejiang Province Key Science and Technology Innovation Team (number 2010R50030), Research and Development Fund of Zhejiang A & F University (2010FR097), and the Type B Creative Group Grant of Zhejiang A & F University. Dr. Carol Rolando provided constructive comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Carbon Cycling in Forest Ecosystems and Carbon Sequestration, Zhejiang A & F University, Lin’an, Zhejiang, 311300, China

    Yan Zhang, Peikun Jiang, Yongfu Li, Jiasen Wu, Kaiping Xu & Hailong Wang

  2. Joint Laboratory of Forestry Soil and the Environment between Zhejiang A & F University and the Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, School of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang A & F University, Lin’an, Zhejiang, 311300, China

    Peikun Jiang & Yongfu Li

  3. Scion, Private Bag 3020, Rotorua, 3046, New Zealand

    Stefan Hill & Hailong Wang

Authors
  1. Yan Zhang
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  2. Peikun Jiang
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  3. Yongfu Li
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  4. Jiasen Wu
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  5. Kaiping Xu
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  6. Stefan Hill
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  7. Hailong Wang
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Correspondence to Peikun Jiang or Hailong Wang.

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Responsible editor: Nicole Mathers

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Zhang, Y., Jiang, P., Li, Y. et al. Chemistry of decomposing mulching materials and the effect on soil carbon dynamics under a Phyllostachys praecox bamboo stand. J Soils Sediments 13, 24–33 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-012-0592-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-012-0592-z

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