Long‐term influence of manure and mineral nitrogen applications on plant and soil ¹⁵N and ¹³C values from the Broadbalk Wheat Experiment

Abstract

The Broadbalk Wheat Experiment at Rothamsted Research in the UK provides a unique opportunity to investigate the long-term impacts of environmental change and agronomic practices on plants and soils. We examined the influence of manure and mineral fertiliser applications on temporal trends in the stable N ( 15 N) and C ( 13 C) isotopes of wheat collected during 1968-1979 and 1996-2005, and (1968)(1969)(1970)(1971)(1972)(1973)(1974)(1975)(1976)(1977)(1978)(1979). We conclude that, in addition to fertiliser type and application rates, water stress and, importantly, plant variety influenced plant d 13 C and d 15 N values. Hence, water stress and differential variety response should be considered in plant studies using plant d 13 C and d 15 N trends to delineate past or recent environmental or agronomic changes.

A calf for all seasons? The potential of stable isotope analysis to investigate prehistoric husbandry practices

“… 13 C values of C 3 plants can be highly variable both between and within species, and also according to environmental conditions (Leavitt and Long, 1982;Senbayram et al, 2008;Winkler et al, 1978). For a single plant species, several different environmental factors can alter the  13 C values, such as recycled CO 2 at ground level in dense woodland (the canopy effect), sunlight levels, water availability, temperature, salinity and altitude (Heaton, 1999).…”

Medieval Farming Practices in Deserted Villages Can be Determined Based on the Nitrogen Isotopic Signature in Recent Forest Soils

“…The question as to whether and how much organic fertilizers were used on medieval agricultural land in Central Europe has never been adequately answered. To identify the application of organic fertilizers, an analysis of stable nitrogen (N) isotopes in the soil organic matter can be used (Bakels 1997;Bol et al 2005;Senbayram et al 2008). In Central Europe, organic fertilizers which could have been used during the Middle Ages include feces of animals, urine, farm yard manure, dung water and slurry.…”

“…This is due to the enrichment of δ 15 N up the food chain, with the plants having distinctly lower values than the herbivores which consume them. In addition, lighter 14 N leaks more easily during an ammonia volatilization from feces than 15 N (Bol et al 2005;Bogaard et al 2007;Senbayram et al 2008). An increased δ 15 N can be detected in soil organic matter or in the biomass of recent plant species a number of years after the last organic fertilizer application (Koerner et al 1999;Commisso, Nelson 2007;Sah, Ilvesniemi 2007;Fraser et al 2011).…”

The influence of manuring on stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) in Celtic bean (Vicia faba L.): archaeobotanical and palaeodietary implications

“…The relationship between plant δ 13 C values and manuring is not clearly understood with both positive Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12520-015-0243-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. and negative shifts observed in δ 13 C (Kanstrup et al 2011;Senbayram et al 2008;Szpak et al 2012b;Wallace et al 2013).…”

“…The relationship between plant δ 13 C values and manuring is complex with both positive and negative relationships observed (Kanstrup et al 2011;Senbayram et al 2008;Szpak et al 2012b;Wallace et al 2013). At present, there is no published data which specifically focuses on the impact of manuring on δ…”