Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Soil organic carbon dynamics in a dryland cereal cropping system of the Loess Plateau under long-term nitrogen fertilizer applications

  • Regular Article
  • Published:
Plant and Soil Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Aims

Concerns over food security and global climate change require an improved understanding of how to achieve optimal crop yields whilst minimizing net greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. In the semi-arid Loess Plateau region of China, as elsewhere, fertilizer nitrogen (N) inputs are necessary to increase yields and improve local food security.

Methods

In a dryland annual cropping system, we evaluated the effects of N fertilizers on crop yield, its long-term impact on soil organic carbon (SOC) concentrations and stock sizes, and the distribution of carbon (C) within various aggregate-size fractions. A current version (RothC) of the Rothamsted model for the turnover of organic C in soil was used to simulate changes in SOC. Five N application rates [0 (N0), 45 (N45), 90 (N90), 135 (N135), and 180 (N180) kg N ha−1] were applied to plots for 25 years (1984–2009) on a loam soil (Cumulic Haplustoll) at the Changwu State Key Agro-Ecological Experimental Station, Shaanxi, China.

Results

Crop yield varied with year, but increased over time in the fertilized plots. Average annual grain yields were 1.15, 2.46, 3.11, 3.49, and 3.55 Mg ha−1 with the increasing N application rates, respectively. Long-term N fertilizer application increased significantly (P = 0.041) SOC concentrations and stocks in the 0–20 cm horizon. Each kilogram of fertilizer N applied increased SOC by 0.51 kg in the top soil from 1984 to 2009. Using RothC, the calculated annual inputs of plant C (in roots, stubble, root exudates, etc.) to the soil were 0.61, 0.74, 0.78, 0.86, and 0.97 Mg C ha−1 year−1 in N0, N45, N90, N135 and N180 treatments, respectively. The modeled turnover time of SOC (excluding inert organic C) in the continuous wheat cropping system was 26 years. The SOC accumulation rate was calculated to be 40.0, 48.0, 68.0, and 100.0 kg C ha−1 year−1 for the N45, N90, N135 and N180 treatments over 25 years, respectively. As aboveground biomass was removed, the increases in SOC stocks with higher N application are attributed to increased inputs of root biomass and root exudates. Increasing N application rates significantly improved C concentrations in the macroaggregate fractions (>1 mm).

Conclusions

Applying N fertilizer is a sustainable practice, especially in carbon sequestration and crop productivity, for the semiarid Loess Plateau region.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barton L, Kiese R, Gatter D, Butterbach-Bahl K, Buck R, Hinz C, Murphy DV (2008) Nitrous oxide emissions from a cropped soil in a semi-arid climate. Glob Change Biol 14:177–192

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowman RA, Halvorson AD (1998) Soil chemical changes after nine years of differential N fertilization in a no-till dryland wheat-corn-fallow rotation. Soil Sci 163:241–247

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brentrup F, Pallière C (2008) GHG emissions and energy efficiency in European nitrogen fertiliser production and use. In: Proceedings 639, The International Fertilizer Society, York, pp 1–26

  • Castaldi S, Ermice A, Strumia S (2006) Fluxes of N2O and CH4 from soils of savannas and seasonally-dry ecosystems. J Biogeogr 33:401–415

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chan K, Heenan D, Oates A (2002) Soil carbon fractions and relationship to soil quality under different tillage and stubble management. Soil Till Res 63:133–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coleman K, Jenkinson DS (1996) RothC-26.3:a model for the turnover of carbon in soil. In: Powlson DS, Smith P, Smith PJU (eds) Evaluation of soil organic matter models using existing long-term data sets. NATO ASISeries I, vol 38. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 237–246

  • Darusman LR, Stone DA, Janssen KA, Long JH (1991) Soil properties after twenty years of fertilization with different nitrogen sources. Soil Sci Soc Am J 55:1097–1100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dick RP (1992) A review: long-term effects of agricultural systems on soil biochemical and microbial parameters. Agric Ecosystems Environ 40:25–36

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Falloon PD, Smith P, Coleman K, Marshall S (1998) Estimating the size of the inert organic matter pool for use in the Rothamsted carbon model. Soil Biol Biochem 30:1207–1211

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fan TL, Song SY (2000) Grain production and yield-increasing technologies of Loess Highland in North China. In: Proceedings of the Regional Agriculture Development Symposium in China. Gansu Science and Technology Press, Lanzhou

  • Fan TL, Stewart BA, Payne WA, Yong W, Luo JJ, Gao YF (2005a) Long-term fertilizer and water availability effects on cereal yield and soil chemical properties in Northwest China. Soil Sci Soc Am J 69:842–855

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fan TL, Stewart BA, Yong W, Luo JJ, Zhou GY (2005b) Long-term fertilization effects on grain yield, water-use efficiency and soil fertility in the dryland of Loess Plateau in China. Agric Ecosyst Environ 106:313–329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fonte SJ, Yeboah E, Ofori P, Quansah GW, Vanlauwe B, Six J (2009) Fertilizer and residue quality effects on organic matter stabilization in soil aggregates. Soil Sci Soc Am J 73:961–966

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Glendining MJ, Powlson DS (1995) The effects of long-continued applications of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer on soil organic nitrogen—a review. In: Lal R, Stewart BA (eds) Soil management: experimental basis for sustainability and environmental quality. Lewis, Boca Raton, pp 385–446

    Google Scholar 

  • Halvorson AD, Reule CA, Follett RF (1999) Nitrogen fertilization effects on soil carbon and nitrogen in a dryland cropping system. Soil Sci Soc Am J 63:912–917

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hati KM, Swarup A, Mishra B, Manna MC, Waniari RH, Mandal KG, Misra AK (2008) Impact of long-term application of fertilizer, manure and lime under intensive cropping on physical properties and organic carbon content of an Alfisol. Geoderma 148:173–179

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Havlin JL, Kissel DE, Maddux LD, Claassen MM, Long JH (1990) Crop-rotation and tillage effects on soil organic-carbon and nitrogen. Soil Sci Soc Am J 54:448–452

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haynes RJ, Naidu R (1998) Influence of lime, fertilizer and manure applications on soil organic matter content and soil physical conditions: a review. Nutr Cycl Agroecosys 51:123–137

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herrick JE, Wander MM (1998) Relationships between soil organic carbon and soil quality in cropped and rangeland soils: the importance of distribution, composition and soil biological activity. In: Lal R, Kimble J, Follett R, Stewart BA (eds) Advances in soil science: soil processes and the carbon cycle. CRC, Boca Raton, pp 405–425

  • Holst J, Liu CY, Bruggemann N, Butterbach-Bahl K, Zheng XH, Wang YS, Han SH, Yao ZS, Yue J, Han XG (2007) Microbial N turnover and N-oxide (N2O/NO/NO2) fluxes in semi-arid grassland of Inner Mongolia. Ecosystems 10:623–634

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang MB, Dang TH, Gallichand J, Goulet M (2003a) Effect of increased fertilizer applications to wheat crop on soil-water depletion in the Loess Plateau, China. Agric Water Manage 58:267–278

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang MB, Shao MG, Zhang L, Li YS (2003b) Water use efficiency and sustainability of different long-term crop rotation systems in the Loess Plateau of China. Soil Till Res 72:95–104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang MB, Gallichand J, Zhong LP (2004) Water-yield relationships and optimal water management for winter wheat in the Loess Plateau of China. Irrig Sci 23:47–54

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jagadamma S, Lal R, Hoeft RG, Nafziger ED, Adee EA (2007) Nitrogen fertilization and cropping systems effects on soil organic carbon and total nitrogen pools under chisel-plow tillage in Illinois. Soil Till Res 95:348–356

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jenkinson DS (1966) The turnover of organic matter in soil. In: The use of isotopes in soil organic matter studies. Report FAO/IAEA Technical Meeting, Brunsuick, Volkenrode, 1963, Pergamon. pp 187–197

  • Jenkinson DS, Harkness DD, Vance ED, Adams DE, Harrison AF (1992) Calculating net primary production and annual input of organic matter to soil from radiocarbon measurements. Soil Biol Biochem 24:295–308

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khan SA, Mulvaney RL, Ellsworth TR, Boast CW (2007) The myth of nitrogen fertilization for soil carbon sequestration. J Environ Qual 36:1821–1832

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Klemedtsson L, Simkins S, Svensson BH, Johnsson H, Rosswall T (1991) Soil denitrification in 3 cropping systems characterized by differences in nitrogen and carbon supply. 2. water and NO3 effects on the denitrification process. Plant Soil 138:273–286

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lal R (2004) Soil carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change. Geoderma 123:1–22

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lal R, Kimble J, Follet R, Cole C (1998) The potential of US cropland to sequester carbon and mitigate the greenhouse effect. Ann Arbor, Chelsea

    Google Scholar 

  • Liebig MA, Varvel GE, Doran JW, Wienhold BJ (2002) Crop sequence and nitrogen fertilization effects on soil properties in the Western Corn Belt. Soil Sci Soc Am J 66:596–601

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu G (1999) Soil conservation and sustainable agriculture on the Loess Plateau: challenges and prospects. Ambio 28:663–668

    Google Scholar 

  • Lugato E, Berti A, Giardini L (2006) Soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics with and without residue incorporation in relation to different nitrogen fertilisation rates. Geoderma 135:315–321

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nimmo JR, Perkins KS (2002) Aggregate stability and size distribution. In: Dane JH, Topp GC (eds) Methods of soil analysis. Part 4, physical methods. Soil Science Society of America, Madison, pp 317–328

  • Nelson DW, Sommers LE (1982) Total carbon, organic carbon, and organic matter. In: Page AL et al (eds) Methods of soil analysis. Part 2, 2nd edn. Agronomy Monographs 9. ASA and SSSA, Madison, WI, pp 539–579

  • Omay AB, Rice CW, Maddux LD, Gordon WB (1997) Changes in soil microbial and chemical properties under long-term crop rotation and fertilization. Soil Sci Soc Am J 61:1672–1678

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pagliai M, Vignozzi N, Pellegrini S (2004) Soil structure and the effect of management practices. Soil Till Res 79:131–143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paustian K, Collins H, Paul E (1997) Management controls on soil carbon. Soil organic matter in temperate agroecosystems. Long-term experiments in North America. CRC, Boca Raton, pp 15–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Paustian K, Six J, Elliott E, Hunt H (2000) Management options for reducing CO2 emissions from agricultural soils. Biogeochemistry 48:147–163

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pihlatie M, Syvasalo E, Simojoki A, Esala M, Regina K (2004) Contribution of nitrification and denitrification to N2O production in peat, clay and loamy sand soils under different soil moisture conditions. Nutr Cycl Agroecosys 70:135–141

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pikul JL, Osborne S, Ellsbury M, Riedell W (2007) Particulate organic matter and water-stable aggregation of soil under contrasting management. Soil Sci Soc Am J 71:766–776

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Powlson DS, Jenkinson DS, Johnston AE, Poulton PR, Glendining MJ, Goulding KWT (2010) Comments on 'Synthetic nitrogen fertilizers deplete soil nitrogen: a global dilemma for sustainable cereal production', by RL Mulvaney, SA Khan and TR Ellsworth in J Environ Qual 2009, 38, 2295–2314. J Environ Qual 39:749–752

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Powlson DS, Whitmore AP, Goulding KWT (2011) Soil carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change: a critical re-examination to identify the true and the false. Eur J Soil Sci 62:42–55

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ramos MC, Nacci S, Pla I (2003) Effect of raindrop impact and its relationship with aggregate stability to different disaggregation forces. Catena 53:365–376

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raun W, Johnson G, Phillips S, Westerman R (1998) Effect of long-term N fertilization on soil organic C and total N in continuous wheat under conventional tillage in Oklahoma. Soil Till Res 47:323–330

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Russell AE, Laird DA, Parkin TB, Mallarino AP (2005) Impact of nitrogen fertilization and cropping system on carbon sequestration in Midwestern Mollisols. Soil Sci Soc Am J 69:413–422

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • SAS Release (6.12) (1998) SAS Institute, Cary, NC

  • Schlesinger WH (2010) On fertilizer-induced soil carbon sequestration in China’s croplands. Glob Change Biol 16:849–850

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Six J, Guggenberger G, Paustian K, Haumaier L, Elliott ET, Zech W (2001) Sources and composition of soil organic matter fractions between and within soil aggregates. Eur J Soil Sci 52:607–618

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Six J, Bossuyt H, Degryze S, Denef K (2004) A history of research on the link between (micro)aggregates, soil biota, and soil organic matter dynamics. Soil Till Res 79:7–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith P (2004) Carbon sequestration in croplands: the potential in Europe and the global context. Eur J Agron 20:229–236

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith P, Smith JU, Powlson DS, Arah JRM, Chertov OG, Coleman K, Franko U, Frolking S, Gunnewick HK, Jenkinson DS, Jensen LS, Kelly RH, Komarov AS, Li C, Molina JAE, Mueller T, Parton WJ, Thornley JHM, Whitmore AP (1997) A comparison of the performance of nine soil organic matter models using datasets from seven long-term experiments. Geoderma 81:153–225

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Studdert GA, Echeverria HE (2000) Crop rotations and nitrogen fertilization to manage soil organic carbon dynamics. Soil Sci Soc Am J 64:1496–1503

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Varvel G (1994) Rotation and nitrogen fertilization effects on changes in soil carbon and nitrogen. Agron J 86:319–325

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu XA (1989) Soil and agriculture in the Loess Plateau. Agriculture Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu XA, Li YS, Peng XA, Zhang SG (1983) Soils of the loess region in China. Geoderma 29:237–255

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau (No.10502-Z11), the "Strategic Priority Research Program—Climate Change: Carbon Budget and Related Issues" of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. XDA05050504) and Rothamsted International Fellowship Award. Rothamsted research is an institute of the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. We thank the two anonymous reviewers for their valuable suggestions to improve the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jinshui Wu.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Elizabeth M. Baggs.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Guo, S., Wu, J., Coleman, K. et al. Soil organic carbon dynamics in a dryland cereal cropping system of the Loess Plateau under long-term nitrogen fertilizer applications. Plant Soil 353, 321–332 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-011-1034-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-011-1034-1

Keywords

Navigation