Improvement in the biochemical and chemical properties of badland soils by thorny bamboo

Abstract

Badland soils—which have high silt and clay contents, bulk density, and soil electric conductivity— cover a large area of Southern Taiwan. This study evaluated the amelioration of these poor soils by thorny bamboo, one of the few plant species that grows in badland soils. Soil physiochemical and biological parameters were measured from three thorny bamboo plantations and nearby bare lands. Results show that bamboo increased microbial C and N, soil acid-hydrolysable C, recalcitrant C, and soluble organic C of badland soils. High microbial biomass C to total organic C ratio indicates that soil organic matter was used more efficiently by microbes colonizing bamboo plantations than in bare land soils. High microbial respiration to biomass C ratio in bare land soils confirmed environmentally induced stress. Soil microbes in bare land soils also faced soil organic matter with the high ratio of recalcitrant C to total organic C. The high soil acid-hydrolysable C to total organic C ratio at bamboo plantations supported the hypothesis that decomposition of bamboo litter increased soil C in labile fractions. Overall, thorny bamboo improved soil quality, thus, this study demonstrates that planting thorny bamboo is a successful practice for the amelioration of badland soils.

The influences of thorny bamboo growth on the bacterial community in badland soils of southwestern Taiwan

“… Note . pH, soil moisture, EC, organic C and total N contents were from Shiau et al (). Results are means ( SD ) of three replicates.…”

“…They are also low in organic matter. The study of Shiau et al () indicated that the thorny bamboo plantation in the same badland regions helped to improve soil physicochemical properties (e.g., increased organic C and water holding capacity and decreased in soil bulk density). Bamboo plantation also resulted in increasing microbial C and N and soluble organic C. The microbial biomass C to total organic C ratio was higher in bamboo plantations than bare land soils, suggesting that microbes utilize soil organic matter more efficiently in bamboo soils (Shiau et al, ).…”

“…The study of Shiau et al () indicated that the thorny bamboo plantation in the same badland regions helped to improve soil physicochemical properties (e.g., increased organic C and water holding capacity and decreased in soil bulk density). Bamboo plantation also resulted in increasing microbial C and N and soluble organic C. The microbial biomass C to total organic C ratio was higher in bamboo plantations than bare land soils, suggesting that microbes utilize soil organic matter more efficiently in bamboo soils (Shiau et al, ). Moreover, the soil respiration to microbial biomass C ratio was higher in bare soils, indicating that microbes use energy less efficiently there (Anderson, ) and therefore may be under higher stress in bare soils than in bamboo soils (Shiau et al, ).…”

Nitrogen input by bamboos in neotropical forest: a new perspective

“…Bamboo is important in the recovery of soil physiochemical properties (Christanty, Kimmins & Mailly, 1997; Embaye et al, 2005; Shiau et al, 2017), soil redevelopment (Singh & Singh, 1999) and soil nutrients, especially N (Fukuzawa et al, 2006; Watanabe & Fukuzawa, 2013; Shiau et al, 2017; Borisade & Odiwe, 2018). Its rapid growth and abundance (Yang et al, 2014) may contribute to nutrient pumping, whereby nutrients leached deep into the soil are deposited at the surface as bamboo litterfall (Christanty, Kimmins & Mailly, 1997).…”

“…Bamboo density effects the dynamics and structure of forests (Tabarelli & Mantovani, 2000; Griscom & Ashton, 2003; Giordano, Sánchez & Austin, 2009; Rother, Rodrigues & Pizo, 2009; Lima et al, 2012), serving as a resource for different animals (Reid et al, 2004; Areta, Bodrati & Cockle, 2009; Hilário & Ferrari, 2010; Cestari & Bernardi, 2011). Although it is unclear whether they influence ecosystem function, studies in this regard have increased and demonstrate the role of bamboo in recovering soil fertility (Christanty, Kimmins & Mailly, 1997), especially nitrogen (Singh & Singh, 1999; Embaye et al, 2005; Fukuzawa et al, 2006; Watanabe & Fukuzawa, 2013; Shiau et al, 2017; Borisade & Odiwe, 2018). …”