Microbial Residue Distribution in Microaggregates Decreases with Stand Age in Subtropical Plantations

Soil microbial residues contribute to the majority of stable soil organic carbon (SOC) pools, and their distribution among aggregate fractions determines long-term soil carbon (C) stability and, consequently, soil productivity. However, how microbial residue accumulation and distribution respond to...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Forests 2022-07, Vol.13 (7), p.1145
Main Authors: Jing, Yanli, Zhao, Xuechao, Liu, Shengen, Tian, Peng, Sun, Zhaolin, Chen, Longchi, Wang, Qingkui
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Age composition
Aggregates
amino sugars
Biomarkers
Biomass
Carbon
Cunninghamia lanceolata
Microorganisms
Organic carbon
Organic soils
Plantations
Potassium
Residues
soil aggregates
Soil stability
Soils
stand age
Subsoils
subtropical plantation
Topsoil
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Summary:Soil microbial residues contribute to the majority of stable soil organic carbon (SOC) pools, and their distribution among aggregate fractions determines long-term soil carbon (C) stability and, consequently, soil productivity. However, how microbial residue accumulation and distribution respond to stand age remains unexplored. To fill this knowledge gap, we investigated microbial residues in bulk soil and soil aggregate fractions under a chronosequence of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata [Lamb.] Hook) plantations with stands aged 3, 17, 27, and 36 years. The results showed that microbial residues in topsoil did not change across the different stand ages, but the residues in the subsoil increased from 3 to 17 years of age and then remained constant. Moreover, microbial residue distribution in microaggregates decreased with stand age, and the residue distribution in small macroaggregates was lower at age 17 years than at other stand ages. The effect of stand age on microbial residue distribution was due to the fact of their effect on aggregate distribution but not microbial residue concentrations in aggregate fractions. Collectively, our results indicate that microbial residue stability decreased with stand age, which has significant implications for the management of SOC in subtropical plantations.
ISSN:1999-4907
1999-4907
DOI:10.3390/f13071145