Abstract:
Objective Atmospheric nitrogen deposition has an important effect on forest rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil nutrients. North China is one of the regions with high nitrogen deposition in China. However, the threshold value of nitrogen deposition on forest soil nutrients in this region and whether it causes other nutrient limitations are still unclear.
Method Based on Larix principis-rupprechtii plantation in a state-owned forest in Mulan Forestry, Hebei Province, China, the differential effects of nitrogen addition on rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils in terms of total nutrients, fast-acting nutrients and their ecological stoichiometry were analyzed through a multi-gradient nitrogen addition experiment.
Result The results showed that: 1) The contents of organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N) and available nitrogen (AN) in rhizosphere soil increased with the nitrogen addition level. The highest value was reached when the nitrogen addition was 80 kg N·ha-1·yr-1, which increased by 39.55%, 36.27%, 56.69% and 44.02% compared with the control group. 2) In non-rhizosphere soil, NO3−-N reached its maximum when nitrogen addition was 160 kg N·ha−1·yr−1, which showed a significant difference from the control group. There were no significant differences in SOC, TN, TP contents under different nitrogen addition levels. 3) With the increase of nitrogen addition level, C∶P and N∶P in rhizosphere soil showed an increasing trend, while C∶P and N∶P in non-rhizosphere soil showed a decreasing trend. 4) Compared with the control group, the rhizosphere effects of SOC, TN, NO3−-N, AN, AP, C∶P, N∶P showed an increasing trend after nitrogen addition.
Conclusion This study shows that nitrogen addition can enhance the rhizosphere effect and increase the contents of SOC, TN, NO3−-N and AN in rhizosphere soil of Larix principis-rupprechtii plantation and the threshold values are all at 80 kg N·ha−1·yr−1. In addition, nitrogen addition will change the soil phosphorus element balance, and the growth of Larix principis-rupprechtii plantation may face soil phosphorus restriction in the future. This study can provide theoretical and scientific basis for nutrient regulation of Larix principis-rupprechtii plantation under atmospheric nitrogen deposition or fertilization measures.