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Direct and indirect effects of nitrogen additions on fine root decomposition in a subtropical bamboo forest

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Abstract

Aims

As an important contributor to carbon (C) flux in the global C cycle, fine root litter in forests has the potential to be affected by the elevated nitrogen (N) deposition observed globally. However, the direct effects (on current fine root decomposition) and indirect effects (on root quality and subsequent decomposition) of N deposition on fine root decomposition are poorly understood.

Methods

We conducted a 5-year field experiment in a Pleioblastus amarus bamboo forest in southwestern China. In the first 3 years of the experiment, N-treated sites (0, 50, 150, and 300 kg N ha−1 year−1, respectively) and fine roots under two N regimes (0 and 150 kg N ha−1 year−1; 0 N-Root/+N-Root, respectively) were prepared. Next, these two fine root treatments were applied to a 2-year decomposition experiment in the N-treated sites under continuous N treatment.

Results

Nitrogen additions increased fine root density, concentrations of N, P, and lignin in fine roots, and concentrations of TOC, TN, NH4 +-N and NO3 −-N in the soil, and decreased the soil pH. The decomposition constant k decreased under N addition treatments, and the decomposition rate of + N-Root was lower than that of 0 N-Root, suggesting that both the direct and indirect effects of N additions on fine root decomposition rates were negative. Both N addition and root substrate changes led to an increase in the residual lignin content during decomposition. Nitrogen additions significantly decreased the loss of C, N, P, K, Ca and Mg during decomposition.

Conclusions

The changes in the soil environment and increased root lignin concentration as a result of N additions may be the mechanism underlying the negative direct and indirect effects observed. Elevated fine root biomass input and slower degradation rates may be a potential mechanism explaining the increase in soil TOC and TN under N treatment.

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Acknowledgments

This project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 31300522), the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China (No. 20125103120018) and the Scientific Research Fund of Sichuan Provincial Education Department of China (No. 12ZA118).

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  1. College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’an, 625014, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China

    Li-hua Tu, Yong Peng, Gang Chen, Hong-ling Hu, Yin-long Xiao & Ting-xing Hu

  2. Personnel Department, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’an, 625014, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China

    Li Liu

  3. College of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’an, 625014, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China

    Yi Tang

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Correspondence to Li-hua Tu.

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Tu, Lh., Peng, Y., Chen, G. et al. Direct and indirect effects of nitrogen additions on fine root decomposition in a subtropical bamboo forest. Plant Soil 389, 273–288 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-014-2353-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-014-2353-9

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