Premium
Rhizosphere priming effects on soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics among tree species with and without intraspecific competition
Author(s) -
Yin Liming,
Dijkstra Feike A.,
Wang Peng,
Zhu Biao,
Cheng Weixin
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.15074
Subject(s) - intraspecific competition , mineralization (soil science) , rhizosphere , biology , nitrogen cycle , competition (biology) , ecology , agronomy , botany , nitrogen , soil water , chemistry , genetics , organic chemistry , bacteria
Summary Rhizosphere priming effects (RPEs) play a central role in modifying soil organic matter mineralization. However, effects of tree species and intraspecific competition on RPEs are poorly understood. We investigated RPEs of three tree species (larch, ash and Chinese fir) and the impact of intraspecific competition of these species on the RPE by growing them at two planting densities for 140 d. We determined the RPE on soil organic carbon (C) decomposition, gross and net nitrogen (N) mineralization and net plant N acquisition. Differences in the RPE among species were associated with differences in plant biomass. Gross N mineralization and net plant N acquisition increased, but net N mineralization decreased, as the RPE on soil organic C decomposition increased. Intraspecific competition reduced the RPE on soil organic C decomposition, gross and net N mineralization, and net plant N acquisition, especially for ash and Chinese fir. Microbial N mining may explain the overall positive RPEs across species, whereas intensified plant–microbe competition for N may have reduced the RPE with intraspecific competition. Overall, the species‐specific effects of tree species play an important role in modulating the magnitude and mechanisms of RPEs and the intraspecific competition on soil C and N dynamics.