Responses of Soil Organic Carbon Decomposition and Temperature Sensitivity to N and P Fertilization in Different Soil Aggregates in a Subtropical Forest

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Dear authors,

Thank you for the opportunity to review this Manuscript (Responses of soil organic carbon decomposition and temperature sensitivity to N and P fertilization in different soil aggre-3 gates in a subtropical forest). There is some aspect that should be reviewed by authors.

ABSTRACT

- The abstract is confused about the influence of micro and macroporous on C decomposition. First, the authors explain that “Results showed that aggregate size affected SOC decomposition 19 and its Q10, showing averaged SOC decomposition across fertilization was 49.2% and 26.0% higher in MiA than in MeA and MaA, respectively”. After, explain that “N fertilization significantly increased SOC decomposition by 39.4% in MaA and 23.7% in MiA. Sole P fertilization had less impact on SOC decomposition but increased Q10 by 46.7% in MeA and 46.6% in MaA”. I suggest a clear response to the readers.

The conclusion is good “Overall, our findings suggested that differences in SOC decomposition and Q10 among aggregates were regulated by N and P fertilization in forests.”. But there is no information of the influence on porous.

INTRODUCTION

- The authors must explore the quality of vegetal material that also influence on SOC decomposition.

- The objective is no clear. Please, edit it and remove the citations in the objective.

- Explain, why the C decomposition was higher in microporous. Generally, microporos protect the Carbon in soil.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Add chemical soil characterization before the fertilization

Add information of CEC of soil. How were the P contents in soil before soil fertilization?

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The quality of Table 1 is poor. It is no easy to follow the data. Please, check it.

The authors could calculate the C balance before and after the study. I suggest it because the CO2 emission was higher in Microporous, but the C stocks were lower. How can explain it. If the authors calculate the balance, it can be explained.

The treatments are no clear. The authors teste different temperature? However, there is no data (Figures and Tables) with the different temperatures. Please, check it because it is not clear.

Attention, line 2 278: The authors describe “Differences in SOC decomposition at 18 °C between aggregate fractions were ob-279 served, showing that MiA had a higher SOC decomposition rate than MeA and MaA (Fig-280 ure 1), which was in agreement with some previous observation [14,15].” Where is it this data?

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript presents good results and can contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between organic matter decomposition and soil structure.

On the other hand, there is a need to include important information, such as soil texture.

Also, it would be helpful if the authors had presented data on microbial biomass C and N in addition to enzymes.

In the Conclusion item, the authors only summarize the results with generalized statements.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

The manuscript can be published.