Journal article
Long-term impacts of different tillage intensities on the C and N dynamics of a Haplic Luvisol
Publication Details
Authors: | Maqsood, S.; Geisseler, D.; Rauber, R.; Ludwig, B. |
Publisher: | TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD |
Publication year: | 2013 |
Journal: | European Journal of Soil Science |
Pages range : | 1517-1528 |
Volume number: | 59 |
Issue number: | 11 |
Start page: | 1517 |
End page: | 1528 |
Number of pages: | 12 |
ISSN: | 1351-0754 |
DOI-Link der Erstveröffentlichung: |
Abstract
The objectives of the study were to quantify the effects of 40 years of conventional tillage (CT) and reduced tillage (RT, maximum tillage depth of 8 cm) on C and N dynamics in the surface (0-5 cm) and subsurface (5-25, 25-40 cm) soils of a silty Luvisol in a long-term trial at Garte Sud, Germany (temperate climate). Stocks of C and N and contents of microbial biomass C and N were significantly higher in the surface soil of the RT treatment than in the CT treatment. However, over the entire profile (0-40 cm), C and N stocks did not differ significantly. Cumulative net N mineralization (determined in a laboratory incubation at 13.7 degrees C and 60% water holding capacity) was significantly higher in the surface soil of RT (58.6 mg kg(-1)) than that of CT (26.7 mg kg(-1)), whereas in the subsurface soil depths, cumulative N mineralization was higher in the CT treatment. By contrast, gross N mineralization rates did not generally differ significantly between the treatments. Overall, different tillage intensities affected C and N dynamics only slightly in the entire profile because increases in C and N stocks and N mineralization rates in the surface soil of RT were counterbalanced at greater depths.
The objectives of the study were to quantify the effects of 40 years of conventional tillage (CT) and reduced tillage (RT, maximum tillage depth of 8 cm) on C and N dynamics in the surface (0-5 cm) and subsurface (5-25, 25-40 cm) soils of a silty Luvisol in a long-term trial at Garte Sud, Germany (temperate climate). Stocks of C and N and contents of microbial biomass C and N were significantly higher in the surface soil of the RT treatment than in the CT treatment. However, over the entire profile (0-40 cm), C and N stocks did not differ significantly. Cumulative net N mineralization (determined in a laboratory incubation at 13.7 degrees C and 60% water holding capacity) was significantly higher in the surface soil of RT (58.6 mg kg(-1)) than that of CT (26.7 mg kg(-1)), whereas in the subsurface soil depths, cumulative N mineralization was higher in the CT treatment. By contrast, gross N mineralization rates did not generally differ significantly between the treatments. Overall, different tillage intensities affected C and N dynamics only slightly in the entire profile because increases in C and N stocks and N mineralization rates in the surface soil of RT were counterbalanced at greater depths.
Keywords
Incubation, N-15 pool dilution, N mineralization, organic matter, passive pool, tillage
