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17 pages, 7616 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparing Current and Future Land Suitability for Growing Rainfed Corn (Zea mays) in Georgia, USA

by Ruth Kerry, Ben Ingram and Connor S. Golden

Plants 2024, 13(17), 2486; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13172486 - 5 Sep 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1144

Abstract

Land suitability (LS) classifications are essential for efficient and sustainable agricultural land use. With climate change, future LS classifications are necessary to ensure that crop growth remains sustainable and prevents land degradation. This study develops a current LS classification for rainfed corn ( [...] Read more.

Land suitability (LS) classifications are essential for efficient and sustainable agricultural land use. With climate change, future LS classifications are necessary to ensure that crop growth remains sustainable and prevents land degradation. This study develops a current LS classification for rainfed corn (Zea mays) growth in the state of Georgia, USA, which is validated using historical census data on yield, acres planted, and corn crop lost. Significant (p < 0.05) differences were found between yield, acres planted, and crop loss percentage across LS classes for many years. Soil factors (Ph and soil texture) showed significant differences in fewer years compared to climate and topography factors, as soil factors can be altered by management practices such as liming and irrigation. Future LS classes determined by climate factors indicated a shift to the northwest of 150–300 km by the year 2100 based on the RCP4.5 or RCP8.5 emissions scenarios. The northwards shift in more suitable land due to rising maximum temperatures is expected to limit rainfed corn growth in Georgia in the future. As urban areas become more suitable for corn growth, farmers may need to plant crops earlier, irrigate, or switch to different crops. These results have important implications for agricultural planning and policy in the state of Georgia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Soil Interaction Response to Global Change)

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12 pages, 1165 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bacterial Volatile Organic Compounds as a Strategy to Increase Drought Tolerance in Maize (Zea mays L.): Influence on Plant Biochemistry

by Tiago Lopes, Pedro Costa, Paulo Cardoso and Etelvina Figueira

Plants 2024, 13(17), 2456; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13172456 - 2 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1585

Abstract

Maize is highly susceptible to drought, which affects growth and yield. This study investigated how bacterial volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) affect maize drought tolerance. Drought reduced shoot size but increased root length, an adaptation for accessing deeper soil moisture. BVOCs from strain D12 [...] Read more.

Maize is highly susceptible to drought, which affects growth and yield. This study investigated how bacterial volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) affect maize drought tolerance. Drought reduced shoot size but increased root length, an adaptation for accessing deeper soil moisture. BVOCs from strain D12 significantly increased root length and shoot growth under drought conditions. Drought also altered root biochemistry, decreasing enzyme activity, and increased osmolyte levels. BVOCs from strains F11 and FS4-14 further increased osmolyte levels but did not protect membranes from oxidative damage, while BVOCs from strains D12 and D7 strains reduced osmolyte levels and cell damage. In shoots, drought increased the levels of osmolytes and oxidative stress markers. BVOCs from FS4-14 had minimal effects on shoot biochemistry. BVOCs from D12 and F11 partially restored metabolic activity but did not reduce cell damage. BVOCs from D7 reduced metabolic activity and cell damage. These results suggest that BVOCs can modulate the biochemical response of maize to drought, with some strains evidencing the potential to enhance drought tolerance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Soil Interaction Response to Global Change)

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15 pages, 4969 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Plant Community Diversity on Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Riparian Zones

by Guanlin Li, Jiacong Xu, Yi Tang, Yanjiao Wang, Jiabao Lou, Sixuan Xu, Babar Iqbal, Yingnan Li and Daolin Du

Plants 2024, 13(17), 2412; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13172412 - 29 Aug 2024

Viewed by 1549

Abstract

Plant community succession can impact greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the soil by altering the soil carbon and nitrogen cycles. However, the effects of community landscape diversity on soil GHG emissions have rarely been fully understood. Therefore, this study investigated how plant landscape [...] Read more.

Plant community succession can impact greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the soil by altering the soil carbon and nitrogen cycles. However, the effects of community landscape diversity on soil GHG emissions have rarely been fully understood. Therefore, this study investigated how plant landscape diversity, structure type, and species composition, affect soil GHG emissions in a riparian zone. Soil GHG emissions were assessed by measuring the air samples collected from four study sites, which have different plant community structure types and species compositions (natural sites with complex plants, landscaped sites with fruit trees and grasses, untended sites with ruderals, and farmland sites), using the static chamber method. Significant differences were observed in soil carbon dioxide (CO₂; p < 0.001), nitrous oxide (N₂O; p < 0.001), and methane (CH₄; p = 0.005) emissions. The untended site with ruderals exhibited the highest CO₂ emissions, while N₂O emissions increased as plant community diversity decreased. All sites acted as sinks for CH₄ emissions, with decreased CH₄ uptake efficiency in more diverse plant communities. The Mantel test and variance partitioning analysis revealed soil microbial biomass as an indirect influencer of GHG emissions. This study could help predict soil GHG emissions and their global warming potential under future changes in the island riparian zones. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Soil Interaction Response to Global Change)

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15 pages, 3759 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soil Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Carbon Sequestration with Implementation of Alley Cropping in a Mediterranean Citrus Orchard

by Jose A. Acosta, Alberto Imbernón-Mulero, Belén Gallego-Elvira, Jose F. Maestre-Valero, Silvia Martínez-Martínez and Victoriano Martínez-Álvarez

Plants 2024, 13(17), 2399; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13172399 - 28 Aug 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1409

Abstract

Agroecological ecosystems produce significant carbon dioxide fluxes; however, the equilibrium of their carbon sequestration, as well as emission rates, faces considerable uncertainties. Therefore, sustainable cropping practices represent a unique opportunity for carbon sequestration, compensating greenhouse gas emissions. In this research, we evaluated the [...] Read more.

Agroecological ecosystems produce significant carbon dioxide fluxes; however, the equilibrium of their carbon sequestration, as well as emission rates, faces considerable uncertainties. Therefore, sustainable cropping practices represent a unique opportunity for carbon sequestration, compensating greenhouse gas emissions. In this research, we evaluated the short-term effect of different management practices in alleys (tillage, no tillage, alley cropping with Rosmarinus officinalis and Thymus hyemalis on soil properties, carbon sequestration, and CO₂ emissions in a grapefruit orchard under semiarid climate). For two years every four months, soil sampling campaigns were performed, soil CO₂ emissions were measured, and rhizosphere soils were sampled at the end of the experimental period. The results show that alley cropping with Thymus and Rosmarinus contributed to improve soil fertility, increasing soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity, and nutrients. The CO₂ emission rates followed the soil temperature/moisture pattern. Tillage did not contribute to higher overall CO₂ emissions, and there were no decreased SOC contents. In contrast, alley crops increased CO₂ emission rates, especially Rosmarinus; however, the bigger root system and biomass of Rosmarinus contributed to soil carbon sequestration at a greater rate than Thymus. Therefore, Rosmarinus is positioned as a better option than Thymus to be used as an alley crop, although long-term monitoring is required to evaluate if the reported short-term benefits are maintained over time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Soil Interaction Response to Global Change)

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18 pages, 3505 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Tamarix chinensis Forest Characteristics, Salt Ion Distribution, and Non-Structural Carbohydrate Levels in the Yellow River Delta: A Spatial Study Based on Proximity to the Shoreline

by Peili Mao, Qingzhi Lin, Banghua Cao, Jiabao Qiao, Kexin Wang, Xin Han, Yuanxiang Pang, Xiaonan Cao, Bo Jia and Qingshan Yang

Plants 2024, 13(17), 2372; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13172372 - 26 Aug 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1011

Abstract

The distribution of vegetation in coastal wetlands is significantly influenced by soil properties. However, the mechanisms of how soil characteristics impact the physiological processes of Tamarix chinensis forests remain underexplored. This study examined changes in the soil physicochemical properties and structural attributes of [...] Read more.

The distribution of vegetation in coastal wetlands is significantly influenced by soil properties. However, the mechanisms of how soil characteristics impact the physiological processes of Tamarix chinensis forests remain underexplored. This study examined changes in the soil physicochemical properties and structural attributes of natural T. chinensis forests in the Yellow River Delta with increasing distance from the shoreline. T. chinensis trees were classified into healthy, intermediate, and dying categories based on growth potential, and dynamic changes in salt ions and non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) were investigated. Results indicated that increasing distance from the shoreline corresponded to decreased soil salinity and pH, and increased soil moisture. T. chinensis mortality rate decreased, while tree height and ground diameter increased with distance. Soil salt content was positively correlated with T. chinensis mortality, but negatively correlated with tree height and ground diameter. Trees with lower growth potential had higher Na⁺ but lower K⁺ and K⁺/Na⁺ ratio. Soil salt content was positively correlated with root and stem Na⁺, while soil moisture was positively correlated with leaf NSCs. These findings suggest that soil salt content and moisture significantly influence T. chinensis ion absorption and NSC accumulation, with sodium toxicity being a key factor in the spatial distribution of T. chinensis forests. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Soil Interaction Response to Global Change)

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16 pages, 3196 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Root Influences Rhizosphere Hydraulic Properties through Soil Organic Carbon and Microbial Activity

by Aline Martineli Batista, Thaís Nascimento Pessoa, Fernando Ferrari Putti, Fernando Dini Andreote and Paulo Leonel Libardi

Plants 2024, 13(14), 1981; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13141981 - 19 Jul 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2338

Abstract

Processes of water retention and movement and the hydraulic conductivity are altered in the rhizosphere. The aim of this study was to investigate the physical-hydric properties of soil aggregates in the rhizosphere of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) cropped in a Kandiudalfic [...] Read more.

Processes of water retention and movement and the hydraulic conductivity are altered in the rhizosphere. The aim of this study was to investigate the physical-hydric properties of soil aggregates in the rhizosphere of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) cropped in a Kandiudalfic Eutrudox, taking into account aspects related to soil aggregate stability. Soil aggregates from rhizosphere soil (RZS) and soil between plant rows (SBP) were used to determine soil water retention curves (SWRCs) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_sat). In addition, properties related to soil aggregate stability, such as water-dispersible clay, soil organic carbon (SOC), and microbial activity, were also assessed. The higher microbial activity observed in the RZS was facilitated by increased SOC and microbial activity, resulting in improved soil aggregation (less water-dispersible clay). For nearly all measured matric potentials, RZS had a higher water content than SBP. This was attributed to the stability of aggregates, increase in SOC content, and the root exudates, which improved soil water retention. The increase in total porosity in RZS was associated with improved soil aggregation, which prevents deterioration of the soil pore space and results in higher K_sat and hydraulic conductivity as a function of the effective relative saturation in RZS compared to SBP. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Soil Interaction Response to Global Change)

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10 pages, 4320 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Associative Bacteria and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus Increase Drought Tolerance in Maize (Zea mays L.) through Morphoanatomical, Physiological, and Biochemical Changes

by Angélica Nunes Tiepo, Mateus Henrique Fávaro, Talita Silveira Amador, Leonardo Fernandes Tavares, Mariana Fernandes Hertel, Anderson Kikuchi Calzavara, André Luiz Martinez de Oliveira, Halley Caixeta Oliveira, Jaqueline Dias-Pereira, Hugo Humberto de Araújo, Edmilson Bianchini, José Antonio Pimenta and Renata Stolf-Moreira

Plants 2024, 13(12), 1667; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13121667 - 16 Jun 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1952

Abstract

Water deficiency has been recognized as a major abiotic stress that causes losses in maize crops around the world. The maize crop is very important due to the range of products that are derived from this plant. A potential way to reduce the [...] Read more.

Water deficiency has been recognized as a major abiotic stress that causes losses in maize crops around the world. The maize crop is very important due to the range of products that are derived from this plant. A potential way to reduce the damages caused by water deficiency in maize crops is through the association with plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). To define the mechanisms developed by associative PGPB and AMF in maize that are involved in protection against moderate drought (MD), this study evaluated the biometrical, anatomical, biochemical, and physiological parameters of maize grown under MD and inoculated with different PGPB (Azospirillum brasilense strain Ab-V5 and Bacillus sp. strain ZK) and with AMF. The relative water content did not change in the treatments. The association with ZK increased the shoot:total ratio, total dry weight, maximum quantum yield of photosystem II, vascular cylinder thickness, and vascular cylinder area. The Ab-V5 inoculation led to an increment in root dry weight, the area of metaxylem vessel elements, and nitrate reductase activity. The AMF association did not lead to changes in the measured parameters. The results indicate that the association with PGPB is a relevant alternative to contribute to reducing losses in maize crops under drought. However, AMF is not indicated for this crop under drought. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Soil Interaction Response to Global Change)

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16 pages, 2391 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Variation in Responses of Plant Spring Phenology to Climate Warming in Grasslands of Inner Mongolia: Drivers and Application

by Guang Lu, Mengchao Fang and Shuping Zhang

Plants 2024, 13(4), 520; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13040520 - 14 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1382

Abstract

Plant spring phenology in grasslands distributed in the Northern Hemisphere is highly responsive to climate warming. The growth of plants is intricately influenced by not only air temperature but also precipitation and soil factors, both of which exhibit spatial variation. Given the critical [...] Read more.

Plant spring phenology in grasslands distributed in the Northern Hemisphere is highly responsive to climate warming. The growth of plants is intricately influenced by not only air temperature but also precipitation and soil factors, both of which exhibit spatial variation. Given the critical impact of the plant growth season on the livelihood of husbandry communities in grasslands, it becomes imperative to comprehend regional-scale spatial variation in the response of plant spring phenology to climate warming and the effects of precipitation and soil factors on such variation. This understanding is beneficial for region-specific phenology predictions in husbandry communities. In this study, we analyzed the spatial pattern of the correlation coefficient between the start date of the plant growth season (SOS) and the average winter–spring air temperature (WST) of Inner Mongolia grassland from 2003 to 2019. Subsequently, we analyzed the importance of 13 precipitation and soil factors for the correlation between SOS and average WST using a random forest model and analyzed the interactive effect of the important factors on the SOS using linear mixing models (LMMs). Based on these, we established SOS models using data from pastoral areas within different types of grassland. The percentage of areas with a negative correlation between SOS and average WST in meadow and typical grasslands was higher than that in desert grasslands. Results from the random forest model highlighted the significance of snow cover days (SCD), soil organic carbon (SOC), and soil nitrogen content (SNC) as influential factors affecting the correlation between SOS and average WST. Meadow grasslands exhibited significantly higher levels of SCD, SOC, and SNC compared to typical and desert grasslands. The LMMs indicated that the interaction of grassland type and the average WST and SCD can effectively explain the variation in SOS. The multiple linear models that incorporated both average WST and SCD proved to be better than models utilizing WST or SCD alone in predicting SOS. These findings indicate that the spatial patterns of precipitation and soil factors are closely associated with the spatial variation in the response of SOS to climate warming in Inner Mongolia grassland. Moreover, the average WST and SCD, when considered jointly, can be used to predict plant spring phenology in husbandry communities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Soil Interaction Response to Global Change)

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20 pages, 9285 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Receptor Plants Alleviated Allelopathic Stress from Invasive Chenopodium ambrosioides L. by Upregulating the Production and Autophagy of Their Root Border Cells

by Qiang Wang, Xijie Zhou, Shengli He, Wenguo Wang, Danwei Ma, Yu Wang and Hong Zhang

Plants 2023, 12(22), 3810; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12223810 - 9 Nov 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1638

Abstract

Chenopodium ambrosioides L. is an invasive plant native to the Neotropics that has seriously threatened the ecological security of China, and allelopathy is one of the mechanisms underlying its successful invasion. Maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), [...] Read more.

Chenopodium ambrosioides L. is an invasive plant native to the Neotropics that has seriously threatened the ecological security of China, and allelopathy is one of the mechanisms underlying its successful invasion. Maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), as the main food crops, are usually affected by C. ambrosioides in their planting areas. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ultrastructure, autophagy, and release-related gene expression of receptor plant root border cells (RBCs) after exposure to volatile oil from C. ambrosioides and its main component α-terpene, which were studied using maize and soybean as receptor plants. The volatiles inhibited root growth and promoted a brief increase in the number of RBCs. As the volatile concentration increased, the organelles in RBCs were gradually destroyed, and intracellular autophagosomes were produced and continuously increased in number. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that genes involved in the synthesis of the plasma membrane and cell wall components in receptor root cells were significantly up-regulated, particularly those related to cell wall polysaccharide synthesis. Meanwhile, polygalacturonase and pectin methylesterases (PME) exhibited up-regulated expression, and PME activity also increased. The contribution of α-terpene to this allelopathic effect of C. ambrosioides volatile oil exceeded 70%. Based on these results, receptor plant root tips may increase the synthesis of cell wall substances while degrading the intercellular layer, accelerating the generation and release of RBCs. Meanwhile, their cells survived through autophagy of RBCs, indicating the key role of RBCs in alleviating allelopathic stress from C. ambrosioides volatiles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Soil Interaction Response to Global Change)

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13 pages, 2414 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Plant and Soil Microbial Diversity Co-Regulate Ecosystem Multifunctionality during Desertification in a Temperate Grassland

by Yeming Zhang, Xiuli Gao, Ye Yuan, Lei Hou, Zhenhua Dang and Linna Ma

Plants 2023, 12(21), 3743; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12213743 - 31 Oct 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2499

Abstract

Biodiversity plays a crucial role in driving multiple ecosystem functions in temperate grasslands. However, our understanding of how biodiversity regulates the impacts of desertification processes on ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) remains limited. In this study, we investigate plant diversity, soil microbial diversity (fungal, bacterial, [...] Read more.

Biodiversity plays a crucial role in driving multiple ecosystem functions in temperate grasslands. However, our understanding of how biodiversity regulates the impacts of desertification processes on ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) remains limited. In this study, we investigate plant diversity, soil microbial diversity (fungal, bacterial, archaeal, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) diversity), soil properties (soil water content, pH, and soil clay content), and multiple ecosystem functions (soil N mineralization, soil phosphatase activity, AMF infection rate, microbial biomass, plant biomass, and soil C and nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Fe, Na, Cu, Mg, and Mn)) at six different grassland desertification intensities. The random forest model was conducted to assess the importance of soil properties, plant diversity, and soil microbial diversity in driving EMF. Furthermore, a structural equation model (SEM) was employed to analyze the indirect and direct impacts of these predictors on EMF. Our study showed that plant, soil bacterial, fungal, and archaeal diversity gradually decreased with increasing desertification intensity. However, only AMF diversity was found to be less sensitive to desertification. Similarly, EMF also showed a significant decline with increasing desertification. Importantly, both plant and soil microbial diversity were positively associated with EMF during desertification processes. The random forest model and SEM revealed that both plant and soil microbial diversity were identified as important and direct predictors of EMF during desertification processes. This highlights the primary influence of above- and below-ground biodiversity in co-regulating the response of EMF to grassland desertification. These findings have important implications for planned ecosystem restoration and sustainable grassland management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Soil Interaction Response to Global Change)

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15 pages, 2368 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Assessment of Relations between Vegetation Green FPAR and Vegetation Indices through a Radiative Transfer Model

by Shouzhen Liang, Wandong Ma, Xueyan Sui, Meng Wang and Hongzhong Li

Plants 2023, 12(10), 1927; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12101927 - 9 May 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3248

Abstract

The fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (FPAR) is widely used in remote sensing-based production models to estimate gross or net primary production. The forest canopy is composed primarily of photosynthetically active vegetation (PAV, green leaves) and non-photosynthetic vegetation (NPV e.g., branches), which [...] Read more.

The fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (FPAR) is widely used in remote sensing-based production models to estimate gross or net primary production. The forest canopy is composed primarily of photosynthetically active vegetation (PAV, green leaves) and non-photosynthetic vegetation (NPV e.g., branches), which absorb PAR but only the PAR absorbed by PAV is used for photosynthesis. Green FPAR (the fraction of PAR absorbed by PAV) is essential for the accurate estimation of GPP. In this study, the scattering by arbitrary inclined leaves (SAIL) model was reconfigured to partition the PAR absorbed by forest canopies. The characteristics of green FPAR and its relationships with spectral vegetation indices (NDVI, EVI, EVI2, and SAVI) were analyzed. The results showed that green FPAR varied with the canopy structure. In the forests with high coverage, the green FPAR was close to the total FPAR, while in the open forests, the green FPAR was far smaller than the total FPAR. Plant area index had more important impacts on the green FPAR than the proportion of PAV and optical properties of PAV. The significant relationships were found between spectral vegetation indices and the green FPAR, but EVI was more suitable to describe the variation of canopy green FPAR. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Soil Interaction Response to Global Change)

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15 pages, 2992 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Glomalin-Related Soil Protein Driven by Root on Forest Soil Aggregate Stability and Carbon Sequestration during Urbanization in Nanchang, China

by Changyongming Cai, Fei Huang, Yaying Yang, Suqin Yu, Sujia Wang, Yulu Fan, Qiong Wang and Wei Liu

Plants 2023, 12(9), 1847; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12091847 - 30 Apr 2023

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2431

Abstract

Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) is a hydrophobic protein released by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. It is an important component of the soil carbon pool, and it improves the soil aggregate structure; however, it remains unclear whether GRSP can enhance soil carbon sequestration and improve [...] Read more.

Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) is a hydrophobic protein released by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. It is an important component of the soil carbon pool, and it improves the soil aggregate structure; however, it remains unclear whether GRSP can enhance soil carbon sequestration and improve soil quality during rapid urbanization. The built-up area in Nanchang, China was the study area, and the proportion of impervious surface area was the parameter of urbanization intensity. A total of 184 plots (400 m²) were set up to collect soil samples (0–20 cm) for analysis. Aggregates of five particle sizes were sieved, and the percentage amounts of soil organic carbon (SOC) and GRSP for them were determined. The results showed that the easily extractable GRSP (EE-GRSP) and total GRSP (T-GRSP) contents of the four aggregates of <2 mm were 22–46% higher in low urbanization areas than those in high urbanization areas (p < 0.05), indicating that the higher urbanization intensity was associated with the lower GRSP content of different aggregates. The GRSP was significantly positively correlated with SOC (p < 0.05). Moreover, the contribution of GRSP to the SOC pool in the <0.25 mm aggregate was significantly higher than that in other aggregates. In addition, the EE-GRSP content was significantly positively correlated with mean weight diameter (MWD) and geometric mean diameter (GMD) in the four aggregates of <2 mm, whereas it was negatively correlated with fractal dimension (D) in the >2 mm, 1–2 mm and <0.053 mm aggregates. The T-GRSP content showed significant correlations only with MWD, GMD, and D in the 1–2 mm aggregate. This study revealed that increasing urbanization intensity can significantly reduce the GRSP content of different sized aggregates. Moreover, the GRSP content significantly promoted SOC sequestration, and the EE-GRSP content more significantly promoted soil aggregate stability than that of the T-GRSP. These findings provide new ideas for exploring the improvement of soil quality during the process of urbanization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Soil Interaction Response to Global Change)

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13 pages, 1120 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Higher N Addition and Mowing Interactively Improved Net Primary Productivity by Stimulating Gross Nitrification in a Temperate Steppe of Northern China

by Jianqiang Yang, Huajie Diao, Guoliang Li, Rui Wang, Huili Jia and Changhui Wang

Plants 2023, 12(7), 1481; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12071481 - 28 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2229

Abstract

Anthropogenic disturbance, such as nitrogen (N) fertilization and mowing, is constantly changing the function and structure of grassland ecosystems during past years and will continue to affect the sustainability of arid and semiarid grassland in the future. However, how and whether the different [...] Read more.

Anthropogenic disturbance, such as nitrogen (N) fertilization and mowing, is constantly changing the function and structure of grassland ecosystems during past years and will continue to affect the sustainability of arid and semiarid grassland in the future. However, how and whether the different N addition levels and the frequency of N addition, as well as the occurrence of mowing, affect the key processes of N cycling is still unclear. We designed a field experiment with five levels of N addition (0, 2, 10, 20, and 50 g N m⁻² yr⁻¹), two types of N addition frequencies (twice a year added in June/November and monthly addition), and mowing treatment in a typical grassland of northern China. The results showed that higher N addition and mowing interactively improved net primary productivity (NPP), including aboveground and belowground biomass, while different N addition frequency had no significant effects on NPP. Different N addition levels significantly improved gross ammonification (GA) and nitrification (GN) rates, which positively correlated to aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP). However, the effect of N addition frequency was differentiated with N addition levels, the highest N addition level (50 g N m⁻² yr⁻¹) with lower frequency (twice a year) significantly increased GA and GN rates. Mowing significantly increased the GA rate but decreased the GN rate both under the highest N addition level (50 g N m⁻² yr⁻¹) and lower N addition frequency (twice a year), which could improve N turnover by stimulating plant and microbial activity. However, a long-term study of the effects of N enrichment and mowing on N turnover will be needed for understanding the mechanisms by which nutrient cycling occurs in typical grassland ecosystems under global change scenarios. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Soil Interaction Response to Global Change)

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20 pages, 13676 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gene Profiling of the Ascorbate Oxidase Family Genes under Osmotic and Cold Stress Reveals the Role of AnAO5 in Cold Adaptation in Ammopiptanthus nanus

by Ming Zhu, Qi Liu, Fuyu Liu, Lamei Zheng, Jie Bing, Yijun Zhou and Fei Gao

Plants 2023, 12(3), 677; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030677 - 3 Feb 2023

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2538

Abstract

The uplift of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau has led to a drastic change in the climate in Central Asia, from warm and rainy, to dry and less rainfall. Ammopiptanthus nanus, a rare evergreen broad-leaved shrub distributed in the temperate desert region of [...] Read more.

The uplift of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau has led to a drastic change in the climate in Central Asia, from warm and rainy, to dry and less rainfall. Ammopiptanthus nanus, a rare evergreen broad-leaved shrub distributed in the temperate desert region of Central Asia, has survived the drastic climate change in Central Asia caused by the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Ascorbate oxidase (AO) regulates the redox status of the apoplast by catalyzing the oxidation of ascorbate acid to dehydroascorbic acid, and plays a key role in the adaptation of plants to environmental changes. Analyzing the evolution, environmental response, and biological functions of the AO family of A. nanus is helpful for understanding how plant genome evolution responds to climate change in Central Asia. A total of 16 AOs were identified in A. nanus, all of which contained the ascorbate oxidase domain, most of which contained transmembrane domain, and many were predicted to be localized in the apoplast. Segmental duplication and tandem duplication are the main factors driving the gene amplification of the AO gene family in A. nanus. Gene expression analysis based on transcriptome data and fluorescence quantitative PCR, as well as enzyme activity measurements, showed that the expression levels of AO genes and total enzyme activity decreased under short-term osmotic stress and low-temperature stress, but the expression of some AO genes (AnAO5, AnAO13, and AnAO16) and total enzyme activity increased under 7 days of cold stress. AnAO5 and AnAO11 are targeted by miR4415. Further functional studies on AnAO5 showed that AnAO5 protein was localized in the apoplast. The expression of AnAO5 in yeast cells and the transient expression in tobacco enhanced the tolerance of yeast and tobacco to low-temperature stress, and the overexpression of AnAO5 enhanced the tolerance of Arabidopsis seedlings to cold stress. Our research provides important data for understanding the role of AOs in plant adaptation to environmental change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Soil Interaction Response to Global Change)

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Review

Jump to: Research

12 pages, 508 KiB

Open AccessReview

Root Exudates Mediate the Processes of Soil Organic Carbon Input and Efflux

by Xue Lei, Yuting Shen, Jianing Zhao, Jiajia Huang, Hui Wang, Yang Yu and Chunwang Xiao

Plants 2023, 12(3), 630; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030630 - 31 Jan 2023

Cited by 67 | Viewed by 10623

Abstract

Root exudates, as an important form of material input from plants to the soil, regulate the carbon input and efflux of plant rhizosphere soil and play an important role in maintaining the carbon and nutrient balance of the whole ecosystem. Root exudates are [...] Read more.

Root exudates, as an important form of material input from plants to the soil, regulate the carbon input and efflux of plant rhizosphere soil and play an important role in maintaining the carbon and nutrient balance of the whole ecosystem. Root exudates are notoriously difficult to collect due to their underlying characteristics (e.g., low concentration and fast turnover rate) and the associated methodological challenges of accurately measuring root exudates in native soils. As a result, up until now, it has been difficult to accurately quantify the soil organic carbon input from root exudates to the soil in most studies. In recent years, the contribution and ecological effects of root exudates to soil organic carbon input and efflux have been paid more and more attention. However, the ecological mechanism of soil organic carbon input and efflux mediated by root exudates are rarely analyzed comprehensively. In this review, the main processes and influencing factors of soil organic carbon input and efflux mediated by root exudates are demonstrated. Soil minerals and soil microbes play key roles in the processes. The carbon allocation from plants to soil is influenced by the relationship between root exudates and root functional traits. Compared with the quantity of root exudates, the response of root exudate quality to environmental changes affects soil carbon function more. In the future, the contribution of root exudates in different plants to soil carbon turnover and their relationship with soil nutrient availability will be accurately quantified, which will be helpful to understand the mechanism of soil organic carbon sequestration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Soil Interaction Response to Global Change)

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