Seasonal Variation in Nitrogen Availability and Utilization in an Acidic and Calcareous Soil

Taylor, A. A.; DeFelice, John; Havill, D. C.

doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.1982.tb03370.x

Cited by 56 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…2). The quantity of NH,-N almost invariably exceeded that of NO,-N in these calcareous soils, a phenomenon observed also by Davy and Taylor (1974) and Taylor et al (1982) for chalk soils. Although low in comparison with the normal range in fertile agricultural soils of 2 to 20 mM (Mengel and Kirkby, 1987), soil solution NO, concentrations (calculated as lOOal14b mM NO,, where a = ppm NO,-N and b = % moisture, both on a dry weight basis) were clearly higher at subsite 3 with >0.3 mM, compared to subsites 1 and 2 with <0.3 mM.…”

Section: Inventory Surveysupporting

confidence: 61%

“…2), relatively low levels were observed in June, most likely due to increased growth rates and nutrient absorption by plants as reported by many workers (Davy and Taylor, 1974;Gupta and Rorison, 1975;McGarity and Myers, 1973;Peterson and Rolfe, 1985;Taylor et al, 1982;Vaughn et al, 1986;Williams, 1969). Later in the season, during the fall-off in the growth of plants, rates of mineralization apparently exceeded rates of uptake, resulting in concentrations of mineral N increasing again at these subsites (Fig.…”

Section: Inventory Surveymentioning

confidence: 75%

“…Each study at the level of plant populations will, therefore, require an investigation of the spatial and temporal patterns of environmental factors. However, information on soil variability and its possible ecological or evolutionary implications is rather limited (Davy and Taylor, 1974;Gupta and Rorison, 1975;Snaydon, 1970;Taylor et al, 1982;Veresoglou and Fitter, 1984). Moreover, the smaller the scale of interest, the more difficult it is to infer useful common generalizations from reported case studies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Temporal and spatial variability in soil nutrient status of a former beach plain

Troelstra¹,

Lotz²,

Wagenaar³

et al. 1990

Plant Soil

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As part of a research project on the variation in life-history characteristics within a population of Plantago major L. ssp. pleiosperma, seasonal and spatial variability in the availability of macronutrients (N, P, and K) were examined on a small scale in the 0-25 cm soil depth at a primary beach plain site, embanked since 1966. On the basis of distinct differences, among other things, in plant biomass, an a priori division into three different types of microhabitat occurring in a mosaic distribution pattern was made: an overall low-lying area (subsite 1) with slightly elevated patches of 0.5 to 1.5 m in diameter (subsite 2) and rather large patches, 20 to 40 m in diameter, of sea buckthorn shrubs, with small and relatively open spots (subsite 3) in the transitional zone from lower area into scrub. All three subsite types were studied within a total area of approximately 2000 m 2.Three methods of analysis were applied: an inventory survey (sampling once at the start of the growing season), an analysis of the seasonal variation (sampling at approximately monthly intervals during the period April-November), and an assessment of nitrogen mineralization potentials in the laboratory (sampling once at the beginning of the growing season). All three procedures clearly demonstrated the occurrence of differences in the availability of nutrients over very short distances, i.e. a pronounced spatial variability among subsites. Particularly the availability of N and P appeared to have increased at the subsites 2 and 3, when compared to subsite 1. This small-scale differentiation in soil properties has occurred in an essentially homogeneous parent material (e.g. in texture and carbonate content) over a period of about 20 years.Besides a spatial variability, statistically significant temporal fluctuations were observed in the availability of N, P, and K. Relative fluctuations of mineral N (as indicated by the range/mean ratio) were especially large at the subsites 2 and 3.

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Section: Inventory Surveysupporting

confidence: 61%

Section: Inventory Surveymentioning

confidence: 75%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Temporal and spatial variability in soil nutrient status of a former beach plain

Troelstra¹,

Lotz²,

Wagenaar³

et al. 1990

Plant Soil

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“…In this experiment it was possible to demonstrate a superior ability of F. ovina to exploit nutrient pulses when the root systems were perturbed by widely fluctuating nutrient supplies yet other environmental factors were conducive to growth. It is important to boar in mind that many of the nutrient flushes which occur in infertile soils may be preceded by extremes of temperature and moisture supply and coincide with conditions which are not conducive to rapid root growth (Davidson, 1964;Gupta & Rorison, 1975;Taylor et al, 1982). The above models suggest that the root systems of plants from nutrient-poor habitats are likely to be more resistant to these additional perturbations and to selective predation and are less dependent on the development of new growth for nutrient uptake than plants from nutrient-rich habitats.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comparative study of plant responsiveness to the duration of episodes of mineral nutrient enrichment

1989

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SL'M M AR^•Growth, dry matter p;irtitit>ninK anci nitrogen capture were compared in two grasses of contrasted ecology, subjected to treatments in\olving pulses of nutrient enrichment of various durations supplied every 6 d o\ er a period of 6 weeks. The potentially fast-growing Arrhenatheriiin elatius ssp. bulhosuiii (Willd.) Sclnihler and Martens was superior in rates of nitrogen capture and dry matter production when exposed to long (> 10 h) nutrient pulses whereas the slow-growing species Festuca of ma L. enjoyed an advantage in treatments providing nutrient pulses of between 0-1 and 10 h duration. 'These results are consistent with differences in mechanisms of resource foraging predicted by the C-S-R model of plant strategies and related models. It is concluded that the lower rates of turnover of tissues and the capacity of roots to remain viable under chronic nutrient stress are important components of the ability of Festuca oriita to exploit brief pulses of mineral nutrient enrichment. The range in duration ofthe pulses advantageous to F. r«7«fl corresponds to that which might be expected to arise from the death and recovery of microbial populations in infertile soils.

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“…** FAX no corresponding author: +31 8306 23227 encountered in 'natural' terrestrial ecosystems. Thus, on the one hand, ammonium may reach relatively high concentrations in calcareous soils despite high nitrifying capacities (Davy and Taylor, 1974;Taylor et al, 1982;Troelstra et al, 1990b). On the other extreme, it is also known that the production of nitrate in acidic environments is rather widespread (Davy and Taylor, 1974;De Boer et al, 1990;Gerlach, 1973;Havill et al, 1974;Lee and Stewart,1978;Runge, 1983;Taylor et a1.,1982;Troelstra et al, 1990a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil nitrogen transformations and nitrate utilization by Deschampsia flexuosa (L.) Trin. at two contrasting heathland sites

et al. 1995

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Two Dutch heathland sites Hoorneboeg (HB) and Ede, dominated by Deschampsiaflexuosa and differing in nitrate production, were sampled for an entire growing season. A large number of soil and plant parameters were monitored in an attempt to assess the contribution of nitrate in the N supply and its assimilation by Deschampsia.Average NO~-and NH + concentrations (mg kg-l) in the top 10-cm depth were 0.03 and 2.2, respectively, for HB, and 2.1 and 6.7, respectively, for Ede. Laboratory incubations of intact cores and experiments with FH-layer suspensions showed significantly higher mineralization and nitrification rates for the Ede site during most of the season. Nitrification was largely controlled by the rate of net N-mineralization, which in turn was highly affected by soil moisture. Nitrate production was virtually zero at HB and accounted for 25% of the net N-mineralization at Ede.Shoot chemical composition showed no essential differences for the two sites, but mean in vivo (current) foliar NRA was almost 2-fold higher at Ede than at HB, indicating some utilization of nitrate at the former location. At the HB site with essentially no nitrate production, however, enzyme activities were clearly higher than 'basal' constitutive levels in NH + -fed plants. Apparently, shoot NRA at the HB site became positively affected by factors other than nitrate availability and/or showed disproportional increases in response to atmospheric nitrate inputs. Root NRA displayed the same low basal level at the two sites. Nitrate fertilization (100 kg N ha -l ) yielded maximally induced foliar NRAs similar to levels found in hydroponic nitrate plants. Although no accumulation of free NO~ was observed in shoots from fertilized plots, increases in foliar concentrations of both organic N and carboxylates clearly indicated nitrate assimilation. Root NRA showed no response to nitrate addition.It is concluded that current NRA measurements in Deschampsia at heathland sites are of limited value only, especially when interpreted 'in isolation'. A combined approach, using concurrently conducted soil and plant analyses, will allow the extent of nitrate utilization in the field to be best characterized.

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Seasonal Variation in Nitrogen Availability and Utilization in an Acidic and Calcareous Soil

Cited by 56 publications

References 29 publications

Temporal and spatial variability in soil nutrient status of a former beach plain

Temporal and spatial variability in soil nutrient status of a former beach plain

A comparative study of plant responsiveness to the duration of episodes of mineral nutrient enrichment

Soil nitrogen transformations and nitrate utilization by Deschampsia flexuosa (L.) Trin. at two contrasting heathland sites

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