Plant and Soil最新文献

{"title":"Effect of fulvic acid on aggregate characteristics and humus composition in saline-alkali soil","authors":"Rui Cai, Yaru Guo, Yanjie Li, Ling Li, Susu Xu, Ping Gong, Pengfei Li, Hongguang Liu","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07443-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07443-1","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background and Aims</h3><p>Organic amendments rich in fulvic acid (FA) offer a way to improve the water and salt distribution in saline-alkali soils and enhance soil quality. As soil humus promotes the formation of soil aggregates and improves soil quality, exploring the effects of FA on saline-alkali soil aggregates and humification is significant to understand the potential of fulvic acid in improving soil quality.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>This study examines severely saline-alkali cotton fields in Xinjiang through a two-year field experiment (2021–2022) using five FA application rates (0, 150, 300, 450, and 600 kg·ha⁻¹) and evaluates their effects on soil structure and humus fractions through structural equation modeling (SEM).</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>FA application increased soil moisture by 6.16–18.64% and decreased salt content and pH by 4.07–20.87% and 0.57–1.90%, respectively, compared to standard fertilization. The application of FA improved soil aggregate stability, with optimization positively correlated to the amount applied. The soil humus components rose by 5.24–60.49%, and humification improved by 6.97–20.08%. Among them, the 600 kg·ha⁻¹ application rate yielded the most significant effects Additionally, SEM revealed that soil physical and chemical properties (path coefficient = 0.436, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) and humus components (path coefficient = 0.442, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) in saline-alkali cotton fields had a direct positive impact on soil humification. Additionally, soil aggregates indirectly enhanced humification by influencing humus content and soil properties.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>FA-mediated stabilization of soil aggregates, along with salt inhibition and improved soil moisture retention, enhances saline-alkali soil structure and accelerates humification. Therefore, the results provide technical and theoretical support for reducing nutrient loss and promoting sustainable management of saline-alkali soils.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"140 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143909962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Total aluminum reduced but aluminum hydroxide increased in red soil of southern China after long-term swine manure amendment","authors":"Haihua Qiu, Shilin Wen, Lu Zhang, Minggang Xu, Zejiang Cai","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07492-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07492-6","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Aims</h3><p>Swine manure as an alternative amendment has proven to effectively alleviate red soil acidification, but the mechanisms are not fully understood.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>A 32-year field experiment was selected to investigate the effectiveness of swine manure amendment on red soil aluminum species, and their contribution to acidification and maize yields. The treatments included no fertilization (control), chemical nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK), NPK with straw return (NPKS), NPK combined with swine manure (NPKM), and swine manure only (M).</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>As compared to control, soil total aluminum (Al_t) decreased by 10.12 and 21.15 g kg⁻¹ under NPKM and M, respectively, while mineral aluminum (Al_min) and iron oxide-bound aluminum (Al_DCB) decreased by 5.36—20.12 g kg⁻¹ and 674.77—772.98 mg kg⁻¹ under NPKS, NPKM and M treatments. Aluminum hydroxide (Al_oh) increased by 158.02 and 330.16 mg kg⁻¹ under NPKM and M treatments, but decreased 101.00 mg kg⁻¹ under NPK treatment. Exchangeable aluminum (Al_ex) increased by 702.71 and 624.95 mg kg⁻¹ under NPK and NPKS treatments, respectively. The correlation analysis showed that maize yields were positively affected by soil pH and Al_oh, but negatively correlated with Al_ex (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.01). Furthermore, Al_ex was negatively correlated with soil pH, exchangeable calcium (Ex.Ca²⁺) and Al_oh. The Al_oh was positively correlated with soil pH, Ex.Ca²⁺, soil organic matter fractions, dissolved organic matter component 1 and component 2.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>This research indicates that long-term swine manure amendment reduced total aluminum but increased aluminum hydroxide in surface soil, which played an important role in preventing red soil acidification and sustaining maize yields.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"18 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143909963","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biological soil crusts enhance nutrient availability and potential soil functions in waste dump soils","authors":"Yueheng Lu, Yazhou Gu, Qi Cheng, Yixin Zhao, Xinwei Hao, Pengfei Zhang, Shengzhi Guo, Yao Wang, Xingyu Liu, Xihui Shen","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07512-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07512-5","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background</h3><p>Open-pit coal mine waste dumps are typical degraded soil ecosystems caused by human activities. Biological soil crusts (BSCs) are crucial surface covers that promote plant growth and restore ecological balance, particularly in extreme or nutrient-poor environments. However, the functional roles of BSCs and their associated microbial communities in soil restoration remain poorly understood.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>To address this gap, we investigated the Heidaigou open-pit coal mine waste dump, using amplicon sequencing and quantitative microbial element cycling (QMEC) to analyze six developmental stages of native waste dump soil and BSCs.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>BSCs improved soil pH and promoted microbial diversity and richness. Key microbial taxa, dominated by <i>Aridibacter</i>, <i>Microvirga</i>, and others, were closely linked to the ecological functions of BSCs. BSC development modulated functional genes in biogeochemical cycles, with genes involved in carbon fixation being more abundant than those associated with carbon degradation, while genes mediating organic phosphorus mineralization were more abundant than those related to inorganic phosphorus solubilization. Null model analysis showed that bacterial communities shifted progressively from deterministic to stochastic assembly processes during succession, while fungal communities were predominantly governed by stochastic processes.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>BSCs enhanced the availability of soil nutrients more significantly than the total nutrient content, simultaneously improving the soil functional potential. We identified key microbial taxa associated with the functional roles of BSCs. This study advances our understanding of primary succession in degraded ecosystems and provides valuable insights for developing and optimizing ecological restoration strategies in waste dumps and similar environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"66 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143903127","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hydrogel capsules as carriers for PGPB consortia enhance compost efficacy and nutrient uptake in Oat (Avena sativa) fertilization","authors":"Mauricio Cruz-Barrera, Martha Chaparro, Jonathan Mendoza, Daniel Torres-Cuesta, Martha Gómez, German A. Estrada-Bonilla","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07454-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07454-y","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Aims</h3><p>The incorporation of Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) into compost is a promising strategy to enhance the potential of organic fertilizers. This study investigates in a pot experiment the potential of hydrogel capsules containing a PGPB consortium to improve compost efficiency, promote crop growth, and increase nutrient uptake.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>Three PGPB strains (<i>Rhizobium leguminosarum</i> T88, <i>Herbaspirillum frisingense</i> AP21, and <i>Azospirillum brasilense</i> D7) were encapsulated in hydrogel capsules made from amidated pectin via ionic gelation. Additives like skim milk, whey protein, and Gelita® EC were included. The capsules were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), moisture content analysis, and particle size measurement. Greenhouse experiments in pots assessed the impact of PGPB-enriched compost on oat growth (<i>Avena sativa</i> var. Altoandina), nutrient uptake, and photosynthetic pigments.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Encapsulated PGPB prototypes P1, P2, and P3 significantly increased shoot and root biomass, compared to the organic fertilization (O.F.) + 50% mineral fertilization (M.F.) treatment with P1 improving root biomass by 74%. In contrast, non-encapsulated treatments showed no significant effects. Encapsulated P1 and P2 enhanced root biomass by 48% and 39% compared to free-living cultures. Nutrient uptake, particularly of N, Ca, and Mg, improved with PGPB encapsulation, with P3 showing the highest increases, N by 81%, Ca by 66%, Mg by 77%. Photosynthetic pigments also rose, with chlorophyll-a increasing by 21% in P3, and chlorophyll-b by 58% in P2.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>Encapsulated PGPB significantly enhances compost efficiency, boosting oat biomass, nutrient uptake, and photosynthetic pigment production, supporting sustainable agriculture.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"72 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143901233","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"No-tillage enhances soil organic carbon and methane-oxidizing bacteria to mitigate methane emissions in an oilseed rape-rice system","authors":"Mingkun Ma, Zepeng Yang, Shanghong Chen, Dinghui Liu, Shenghua Zheng, Honglin Chen","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07491-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07491-7","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background and aims</h3><p>Differences in farming practices play a crucial role in shaping farmland sustainability, soil quality, and global warming potential (GWP). While no-tillage (NT) practices have been extensively studied in widely adopted cropping systems such as wheat-corn and rice monoculture, the effects of no-tillage on oilseed rape-rice rotation systems remain underexplored. In particular, the microbial-driven mechanisms involved remain poorly understood.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>The study was conducted over a 2-year cycle of an oilseed rape-rice rotation system. Soil greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration under NT and CT management practices were measured and compared. Additionally, high-throughput sequencing of soil methanogens and methane-oxidizing bacteria was performed.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Compared with CT, NT significantly reduced CH₄ and CO₂ emissions by 20.3% and 16.6%, respectively. Although N₂O emissions increased by 24.0%, the overall GWP decreased by 9.9%. NT also increased the carbon efficiency ratio (CER, the ratio of grain yield (carbon content) to carbon equivalent emissions) by 26.6% and increased soil organic carbon by 8.6% over the 2-year period. High-throughput sequencing revealed that NT significantly enhanced the diversity and abundance of methane-oxidizing microorganisms (methanotrophs, which mitigate methane by converting it to CO₂ under aerobic conditions) and altered the relative abundance of dominant genera compared to CT.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>NT is an effective strategy to reduce CH₄ emissions, enhance soil and crop carbon fixation, and increase the diversity of soil methane-oxidizing bacteria in oilseed rape-rice rotation. This practice offers substantial environmental benefits, contributing to sustainable farmland development and mitigating global warming potential.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"34 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143901184","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Growth of beach-adapted plants in recycled glass sand compared to natural beach sand","authors":"Paul Richardson, Peyton Goings, Bek Markel, Jacob Dixon, Shehbaz Ahmad, Julie Albert, Leah Michaeloff, Keith Clay","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07479-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07479-3","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Aims</h3><p>The goal of this study was to explore the suitability of recycled glass sand for the growth of beach-adapted plant species given the potential environmental benefits of utilizing glass sand for beach and dune restoration in the face of dwindling natural sand resources.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>We grew three species native to US Gulf of Mexico beaches (<i>Ipomoea imperati</i> (Vahl) Griseb., <i>I. pes-caprae</i> (L.) R.Br., and <i>Uniola paniculata</i> (L.)) in three greenhouse experiments in glass sand, beach sand, or mixtures. First, we investigated nutrient and microbial effects by growing each species in pure glass sand, beach sand, and 80%/20% mixtures of glass sand/beach sand. Second, we compared <i>U. paniculata</i> growth in glass sand mixed with 100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, or 0% beach sand. These experiments included fertilizer and microbial sterilization treatments. Third, we investigated soil permeability effects by comparing growth of all species using different grain sizes of glass sand.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Overall, plants produced significantly more biomass in beach sand than in glass sand, and the effect was more pronounced with the fertilizer treatment. There were significant effects of substrate mixtures and interactions with fertilizer treatments on <i>Uniola</i> biomass. Further, when glass sand grain sizes were manipulated, plant biomass was equal or higher in the coarsest glass sand compared to beach sand.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>Our results demonstrate that beach-adapted plants can grow in glass sand and suggest that recycled glass sand is a potential resource for ecological restoration with incorporation of soil amendments such as fertilizer and utilization of selected grain sizes.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"112 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143901229","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Long-term field trials assess temporal trends and growing season weather on soybean seed yield, nutrient composition and nitrogen dynamics","authors":"Yi Hu, Raju Y. Soolanayakanahally, Robert D. Guy, Xuyang Lu, Salim N. Silim, Elroy R. Cober, Malcolm J. Morrison","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07499-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07499-z","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background and aims</h3><p>Soybean is vital for global food security, necessitating understanding its response to environmental changes. We examined how growing season weather and rising atmospheric CO₂ affect seed traits of historical short-season soybean cultivars in Eastern Canada, with particular focus on water-use efficiency and nitrogen fixation dynamics.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>Field trials data from 1993 to 2016 were analyzed for 14 cultivars spanning seven decades (1932–1992). Impacts of precipitation, mean maximum temperature (MTemp), mean maximum vapor pressure deficit (MVPD), and historical atmospheric CO₂ (which increased by 47 ppm during the study period) on seed yield, protein and oil percentages, carbon isotope discrimination (Δ¹³C), and nitrogen isotopic composition (δ¹⁵N) were assessed using linear mixed-effect models and hierarchical partitioning analysis.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Seed yield and Δ¹³C showed positive correlations with precipitation but negative correlations with MTemp and MVPD. Seed carbon percentage and Δ¹³C increased with atmospheric CO₂, while seed protein and oil percentages, and δ¹⁵N decreased. Hierarchical partitioning highlighted yield vulnerability during early reproductive stages (R1-R3, July) and protein yield sensitivity during pod-formation and seed-filling (R4-R6, August). Historical cultivar selection favored seed and oil yields, but not protein yield, Δ¹³C, and δ¹⁵N. MVPD emerged as a better predictor of seed traits than temperature.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>Correlations between Δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, and seed yield suggest selecting for higher yield may indirectly reduce water-use efficiency (indicated by higher Δ¹³C) and enhance biological nitrogen fixation (reflected by lower δ¹⁵N). These findings highlight the need to consider both seasonal weather variability and rising CO₂ in soybean breeding programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"49 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143898297","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Haloalkalitolerant plants drive alkaline mineral weathering and dealkalization of seawater-treated bauxite residue","authors":"Chenglong Lu, Songlin Wu, Long Ma, Fang You, Narottam Saha, Hao Bu, Joseph Fernando, David Parry, Lars Thomsen, Ting-Shan Chan, Longbin Huang","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07501-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07501-8","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background</h3><p>Ecological engineering of tailings into soil-like growth media (i.e., technosol) has emerged as a nature-based solution for soilless rehabilitation of alkaline bauxite residue. However, field applications often result in spatial heterogeneity, where uneven amendment leaves behind highly alkaline and saline BR pockets that limit sustainable rehabilitation. It is hypothesized that haloalkalitolerant plants with roots partially grown in the improved niches render their strong tolerance of BR matrix to form extensive roots-mineral interfaces, generate physical and biochemical modification, and irreversibly neutralize the extremely alkaline pH in BR niches.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>In this study, seawater-treated BR was used to simulate these residual alkaline matrices. Four plant species, including two halophytes, one haloalkalitolerant native acacia and one glycophytic sorghum grass were cultured in a sand-BR compartment system to simulate field heterogeneity.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Massive roots-BR interfaces were formed. Root activities at the interfaces accelerated the weathering of alkaline minerals and neutralized alkaline pH to circumneutral. Halophytes (Atriplex nummularia and Chloris gayana) were found to be the most effective in weathering and neutralizing BR, due to their higher capacity to exude low-molecular-weight organic acids rich in carboxyl groups in roots-BR interfaces. The LMWOAs facilitated Na⁺-H⁺ exchange with sodalite and disrupted its structure.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>These interactions stimulated the formation of nanosized amorphous Al-Si-Fe minerals on root surfaces. Plant uptake of liberated Na led to Na depletion in the rhizosphere. Therefore, halophytic species should be included in the field application to eliminate substrate heterogeneity of eco-engineering soil formation for soilless BR rehabilitation.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Graphical Abstract</h3><p>The root activities of pioneer plants effectively weather alkaline minerals and neutralize alkaline pH in bauxite residue.</p>\u0000","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143898302","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Calibration is required for use of electromagnetic soil moisture sensors to accurately measure the water content of tree stems and sawdust","authors":"Jiaming Wang, Neil C. Turner, Hailong He","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07475-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07475-7","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Aims</h3><p>Electromagnetic sensors are widely used to measure the water content of soil. The aim of the study was to determine whether soil moisture sensors can be used to reliably measure the water content of tree stems and sawdust with the factory-supplied soil calibration equations or require specific calibration.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>Nine commercially-available soil sensors were calibrated to measure the water content of sawdust of three tree species packed to three bulk densities in the laboratory. Five of the soil moisture sensors were calibrated to measure the water content of stem segments of five tree species.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>The calibration equations for sensors measuring water content of the stem segments and sawdust differed significantly from the factory-supplied soil calibration equations. While one sensor (TLO) gave approximate sawdust water contents and one sensor (TEROS 10) approximate water contents of tree stems with their factory-supplied calibration equations, all sensors required calibration in both sawdust and tree stems to accurately measure their water content; the calibrations derived are reported along with their accuracy. The combined equation for the relationship between measured and estimated water content gave acceptable estimates of the water content for all five species of tree stems and three species of sawdust.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>Factory-supplied soil calibrations of soil moisture sensors are not sufficiently accurate for measuring the water content in tree stems and sawdust. The equations derived in this study provide a more accurate estimate of tree stem and sawdust water contents. The combined equations for the water content of tree stems and of sawdust provide a way to use the soil sensors for the measurement of the water content of tree stems and sawdust without calibration for each tree species.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"25 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143893500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Decomposition of Leymus chinensis root residues in restored grasslands increased soil faunal abundance","authors":"Zhiwei Gu, Cheng Wang, Luxin Li, Long Yan, Tianyue Yang, Hongyu Zhao, Mengqi Jiang, Xiaoqiang Li, Weihua Dong","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07485-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07485-5","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background and aims</h3><p>In the context of ecological restoration, the decomposition of plant residues is an important process for the return of soil nutrients in grasslands, with soil fauna playing a crucial role in this process. However, little is known about how different grassland types affect the decomposition of <i>Leymus chinensis</i> plant residues and changes in soil faunal communities.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>We conducted a study in the Songnen grassland of Northeast China and selected <i>Medicago sativa</i> communities of restored grasslands and <i>L. chinensis</i> and <i>Phragmites australis</i> communities of natural grasslands. Using litterbags with 4-mm mesh, we examined the decomposition of <i>L. chinensis</i> plant residues and soil faunal community changes across grassland types from June to September 2023.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>We observed that the overall average decomposition rate of <i>L. chinensis</i> root residues reached 41.51%, which was significantly faster than the decomposition rate of <i>L. chinensis</i> leaf litter. The decomposition rate in the restored grassland was 46.05%, which was significantly higher than that in the natural grasslands. In restored grasslands, the decomposition of <i>L. chinensis</i> root residues was associated with a high diversity of soil fauna, particularly in terms of individual numbers. Moreover, we found that grassland type was the primary factor affecting soil faunal community differences. Our findings indicate the decomposition of <i>L. chinensis</i> litter in restored grasslands increased soil faunal abundance, with soil moisture, soil organic carbon, and available nitrogen being key factors promoting soil faunal activity.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>Our findings highlight that the chemical properties of litter (e.g., C:N ratio) serve as pivotal drivers of <i>L. chinensis</i> root residue decomposition, with soil fauna playing a critical mediating role in this process. Under restored grassland conditions, the decomposition of <i>L. chinensis</i> litter enhanced soil faunal abundance through favorable soil organic carbon content, available nitrogen levels, and optimal moisture regimes. Therefore, grassland restoration plays a critical role in nutrient retention and biodiversity enhancement.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"66 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143889595","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}