Nitrification in Dutch heathland soils

Troelstra, S. R.; Wagenaar, R.; Boer, Wietse de

doi:10.1007/bf00014424

Cited by 43 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 57 publications

(81 reference statements)

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“…In fact, adapted populations of autotrophic nitrifiers and heterotrophic nitrifiers are still able to produce NO 3 − at low pHs (3-5) (Walker and Wickramasinghe 1979;Robertson 1982a, b;Troelstra et al 1990;De Boer et al 1992;Pennington and Ellis 1993), although at lower rates than neutrophilus autotrophic nitrifiers (De Boer and Kowalchuk 2001). On the other hand, Northup et al (1995) evidenced that in acidic poor soils under Pinus muricata, nitrification was reduced because the production of phenol rich litter slowed down the mineralization process.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Inhibition of net nitrification activity in a Mediterranean woodland: possible role of chemicals produced by Arbutus unedo

et al. 2008

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Nitrification is a key biological process for the control of soil NO 3 − availability and N losses from terrestrial ecosystems. The study investigates the causes for the absence of net nitrification activity in the soil of a Mediterranean monospecific woodland of Arbutus unedo, focusing in particular on the possible role of chemicals produced by this plant. The mineral N pool, net rates of mineralization and nitrification were measured in the soil top 10 cm over 18 months. Raw extracts of leaves and roots of Arbutus unedo and soil underneath Arbutus plant canopy were purified using chromatographic techniques and the structure of chemicals was defined using spectroscopic and spectrometric methods. Leaf extracts (raw, aqueousand organic fractions) were tested for their toxicity on net nitrification, using a test soil. Field and laboratory incubations showed soil NO 3 − concentration below the detection limit over the whole study period, despite the significant NH 4 + availability. Toxicity tests indicated that more than 400 μg of extract g −1 dry soil were needed to have more than 50% reduction of net NO 3 − production. Gallocatechin and catechin were among the most abundant chemicals in the extracts of leaves, roots and soil. Their soil concentration was significantly higher than the annual calculated input via leaf litter, and it was in the range of toxic concentrations, as deduced from the doseresponse curve of the toxicity test. Data support the hypothesis that plant produced chemicals might be involved in the limited net nitrate production in this Mediterranean woodland.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Inhibition of net nitrification activity in a Mediterranean woodland: possible role of chemicals produced by Arbutus unedo

et al. 2008

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“…Generally, plants from circumneutral, alkaline, and aerobic soils prefer NO 3 − as their N source, while those from acid and anaerobic soils often prefer NH 4 + (Gigon and Rorison 1972;de Graaf et al 1998;van den Berg et al 2005a). Other authors indicate that plant species of acidic soils where NH 4 + is usually the predominant form of inorganic N (Troelstra et al 1990) may be less negatively affected by increased NH 4 + concentrations, but that they do not perform better on either NH 4 + or NO 3 − as their sole N source (Gigon and Rorison 1972;Falkengren-Grerup 1995).This is probably caused by differential effects of both N species on plant functioning, e.g., through soil pH or microbial competition and preference (Kaye and Hart 1997;Britto and Kronzucker 2002;Paulissen et al 2004;van den Berg et al 2005a;Guo et al 2007 addition on deciduous tree species is very limited. Both the increase in biomass and changes in green and yellow leaf stoichiometry or N concentration may influence the decomposition process and, finally, soil C storage.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nitrogen enrichment lowers Betula pendula green and yellow leaf stoichiometry irrespective of effects of elevated carbon dioxide

Esmeijer-Liu

Aerts²,

Kürschner

et al. 2008

Plant Soil

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Elevated carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and increased nitrogen (N) availability generally increase deciduous tree biomass and alter green and yellow leaf stoichiometry. This paper investigates whether this also applies to Betula pendula (Birch). The effects of elevated atmospheric CO 2 (600 ppmv) and increased N availability (50 and 100 kg N hamonium, nitrate and ammonium nitrate) on net primary production (NPP) and green/yellow leaf C:N of Betula pendula saplings were studied for 3 years. The combination of both factors raised NPP, but elevated CO 2 alone did not. In green leaves, increased N availability raised N concentrations, outweighing decreases caused by elevated CO 2 . After senescence, increased N concentrations were found at 100 kg N ha, also leading to a lower C:N ratio. Although a lower C:N ratio may increase the decomposition rate during early decomposition, it may have the opposite effect during later decomposition stages. This, in combination with increased biomass production and possibly lower soil pH values, might increase soil C storage. However, due to the complexity of soil C formation and related processes this remains unsure.

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“…, Troelstra et al. ). In many heathlands, the heather cover is threatened by the invasion of Pteridium aquilinum (Mitchell et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…French Atlantic heathlands are dominated by ericaceous dwarf shrubs (heathers) such as Erica cinerea (bell heather; Gallet and Roze 2001). They are characterized by NO 3 À -poor soils (De Boer et al 1990, Troelstra et al 1990). In many heathlands, the heather cover is threatened by the invasion of Pteridium aquilinum (Mitchell et al 1999, Pakeman et al 2002, DeLuca et al 2013.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As soil pH is a major factor that drives NO 3 À production in heathland (Troelstra et al 1990), we explored the control strategy of N cycle processes that drive NO 3 À availability in P. aquilinum and E. cinerea stands in Atlantic heathland sites along a soil pH gradient. We hypothesized that both species could influence nitrification and denitrification, but that P. aquilinum would have a more efficient strategy than E. cinerea to increase soil NO 3 À availability particularly at lower pH.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Control of soil N cycle processes by Pteridium aquilinum and Erica cinerea in heathlands along a pH gradient

et al. 2018

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Nitrate is a limiting resource in heathland acid soils. Nitrate levels increase in heathland soils after Pteridium aquilinum invasions, and this species is assumed to biologically control nitrogen cycle processes, thus increasing nitrate availability. We compared how P. aquilinum (bracken) and Erica cinerea (bell heather) modify processes driving nitrate availability along a soil pH gradient in a Natura 2000 reserve facing bracken invasion. Soil nitrate and ammonium concentrations, substrate‐induced respiration (SIR), denitrification and nitrification enzyme activities (DEA and NEA, respectively), root procyanidin concentrations, and denitrification inhibition by procyanidins were measured on five sites under P. aquilinum and E. cinerea stands. NEA and nitrate levels were higher, and ammonium levels and SIR lower, for P. aquilinum in the most acid soils. Procyanidins from both species induced the same level of denitrification inhibition, soil nitrate being correlated with root procyanidin concentration for both species. Soil nitrate correlated with NEA only for P. aquilinum. Our results show that both species increased procyanidin production in the most acid soils, thereby reducing denitrification and decreasing nitrate loss, this process being more efficient for E. cinerea. However, P. aquilinum additionally increased nitrification, and this double control on nitrification and denitrification was very efficient to increase soil nitrate availability in the most acid soils. This may participate to the success of P. aquilinum invasions in heathlands. This shows that approaches for bracken control in heathlands should better account for belowground processes and, more generally, that biological denitrification inhibition by plants may be a widespread phenomenon influencing soil N dynamics in N‐poor environments.

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Nitrification in Dutch heathland soils

Cited by 43 publications

References 57 publications

Inhibition of net nitrification activity in a Mediterranean woodland: possible role of chemicals produced by Arbutus unedo

Inhibition of net nitrification activity in a Mediterranean woodland: possible role of chemicals produced by Arbutus unedo

Nitrogen enrichment lowers Betula pendula green and yellow leaf stoichiometry irrespective of effects of elevated carbon dioxide

Control of soil N cycle processes by Pteridium aquilinum and Erica cinerea in heathlands along a pH gradient

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