Invasion of the tropical earthwormPontoscolex corethrurus(Rhinodrilidae, Oligochaeta) in temperate grasslands

The tropical earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus presents a broad distribution (56 countries from four continents) with climates that resemble the one in its native area of distribution. In invasive earthworms, it is generally assumed that temperature appears to limit the success of tropical exotic species in temperate climates. With the global climate change, the edge of the distribution range of this species could advance towards higher elevations (with lower temperatures) where no tropical species currently occur. The aim of this study was to evaluate the soil and climatic variables that could be closely associated with the distribution of P. corethrurus in four sites along an altitudinal gradient in central Veracruz, Mexico. We tested the hypothesis that the global migration of P. corethrurus appears to be limited only by temperature. Five sampling points (monoliths) were established at each of four sites along an altitudinal gradient: Laguna Verde (LV), Ingenio La Concepción (IC), Naolinco (NA) and Acatlán (AC) at 20, 982, 1542 y 1751 masl, respectively. Our results showed that the climate along the altitudinal gradient ranged from tropical to temperate. Ten earthworm species were found along the gradient, belonging to three families (Rhinodrilidae, Megascolecide and Lumbricidae). Soil properties are associated with the abundance of the earthworm community along the altitudinal gradient. P. corethrurus was recorded at three sites (LV, IC and NA) along the altitudinal gradient. Our results reveal that the premise that low temperature limits the distribution of P. corethrurus in not supported; that is, this species may survive and reproduce at the site NA with an average annual temperature of 17 ºC. These results suggested that P. corethrurus might be colonizing temperate environments.

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Invasion of the tropical earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus (Rhinodrilidae, Oligochaeta) in temperate grasslands

10.7287/peerj.preprints.1789v1 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Diana Ortiz-Gamino ◽

Paulino Pérez-Rodríguez ◽

Angel I. Ortiz-Ceballos

Keyword(s):

Altitudinal Gradient ◽

Global Climate ◽

Tropical Species ◽

Temperate Grasslands ◽

Global Migration ◽

Pontoscolex Corethrurus ◽

Invasive Earthworms ◽

Average Annual Temperature ◽

Laguna Verde ◽

The One

The tropical earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus presents a broad distribution (56 countries from four continents) with climates that resemble the one in its native area of distribution. In invasive earthworms, it is generally assumed that temperature appears to limit the success of tropical exotic species in temperate climates. With the global climate change, the edge of the distribution range of this species could advance towards higher elevations (with lower temperatures) where no tropical species currently occur. The aim of this study was to evaluate the soil and climatic variables that could be closely associated with the distribution of P. corethrurus in four sites along an altitudinal gradient in central Veracruz, Mexico. We tested the hypothesis that the global migration of P. corethrurus appears to be limited only by temperature. Five sampling points (monoliths) were established at each of four sites along an altitudinal gradient: Laguna Verde (LV), Ingenio La Concepción (IC), Naolinco (NA) and Acatlán (AC) at 20, 982, 1542 y 1751 masl, respectively. Our results showed that the climate along the altitudinal gradient ranged from tropical to temperate. Ten earthworm species were found along the gradient, belonging to three families (Rhinodrilidae, Megascolecide and Lumbricidae). Soil properties are associated with the abundance of the earthworm community along the altitudinal gradient. P. corethrurus was recorded at three sites (LV, IC and NA) along the altitudinal gradient. Our results reveal that the premise that low temperature limits the distribution of P. corethrurus in not supported; that is, this species may survive and reproduce at the site NA with an average annual temperature of 17 ºC. These results suggested that P. corethrurus might be colonizing temperate environments.

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Regime and dynamics of soil moisture in forest ecosystems of Záhorská lowland

Journal of Forest Science ◽

10.17221/4492-jfs ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 52 (No. 3) ◽

pp. 108-117

Author(s):

L. Tužinský

Keyword(s):

Soil Moisture ◽

Moisture Content ◽

Forest Ecosystems ◽

Soil Moisture Content ◽

Atmospheric Precipitation ◽

Sandy Soils ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

The Town ◽

Water Holding ◽

Wilting Point

The paper describes the regime and dynamics of the soil moisture content of sandy soils in Záhorská lowland during different growing seasons. Research plots are situated near Kamenný mlyn, approximately 3 km from Plavecký &Scaron;tvrtok and 8 km southward from the town of Malacky. Changes in the soil moisture content are described by soil moisture constants (MCC, PDA, WP) and its relation to atmospheric precipitation and to the character of undergrowth is shown. The low water-holding capacity of sandy soils and their high drainage together with dense root system do not allow the sufficient saturation of soil during the growing season. The low wilting point value (2%) leads to the consumption of all available water in the soil. The most frequent is the semiarid interval of soil moisture (PDA –WP) with reduced availability of water to plants (> pF 3.1). The arid interval (< WP) occurrence on hot summer days results in a decrease in transpiration and assimilation intensity of plants, their physiological weakening and premature fall of assimilation organs.

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Denitrification in soil. II. Factors affecting denitrification

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600032779 ◽

1958 ◽

Vol 51 (1) ◽

pp. 40-52 ◽

Cited By ~ 188

Author(s):

J. M. Bremner ◽

K. Shaw

Keyword(s):

Water Saturation ◽

Low Ph ◽

Moisture Level ◽

Optimum Temperature ◽

Total N ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Nitrate N ◽

Profound Influence ◽

Critical Moisture ◽

Water Holding

1. The factors affecting denitrification in soil have been studied by determining loss of nitrogen from soil under various conditions by total-N analysis.2. It was found that the rate of denitrification of nitrate in soil was dependent upon various factors such as the pH, temperature and water content of the soil and that, under conditions conducive to denitrification, 80–86% of nitrate-N added to Rothamsted soils was lost by denitrification in 5 days.3. The rate of denitrification was greatly affected by the pH of the soil. It was very slow at low pH (below 4·8), increased with rise in soil pH and was very rapid at pH 8·0–8·6.4. The rate of denitrification increased rapidly with rise in temperature from 2° to 25° C. The optimum temperature for denitrification was about 60° C.5. The degree of water saturation of the soil had a profound influence on the rate of denitrification. Below a certain moisture level practically no denitrification occurred; above this level denitrification increased rapidly with increase in moisture content. The critical moisture level was about 60% of the water-holding capacity of the soil.

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Effect of phosphorus, farmyard manure and nitrogen on some soil properties in a soya bean-maize sequence

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600069719 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 107 (3) ◽

pp. 555-559

Author(s):

P. M. Nimje ◽

Jagdish Seth

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Bulk Density ◽

Farmyard Manure ◽

Soya Bean ◽

Water Holding Capacity ◽

Available P ◽

Total N ◽

Organic C ◽

Phosphorus Application ◽

Water Holding

SUMMARYThe effects of applying phosphorus, farmyard manure (FYM) and nitrogen on some soil properties were studied at the end of 2 years of field experimentation at New Delhi, India. Each year a crop of soya bean sown in the rainy season received phosphorus and farmyard manure and maize sown in winter received nitrogen fertilizer. Phosphorus was applied to soya bean at 0, 40 and 80 kg P2O5/ha, farmyard manure at 0 and 15 t/ha and nitrogen to maize at 0, 60 and 120 kg N/ha. Phosphorus application increased organic C, total N and available P status of the soil. It also improved bulk density and water-holding capacity of the soil. Farmyard manure increased organic C, total N, available P and K and pH of the soil, but decreased EC and bulk density of the soil. Water-holding capacity of the soil was increased by FYM. N fertilizer increased organic C and total N only.

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Effect of supplementing flaxseed oil on growth and carcass traits of Friesian bulls

Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society ◽

10.12681/jhvms.28509 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 72 (3) ◽

pp. 3151

Author(s):

MA ABU EL-HAMD ◽

S MAHMOUD ◽

MF ALI ◽

MM HEGAZY ◽

HM HAMADA ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Average Daily Gain ◽

Carcass Traits ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Flaxseed Oil ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Eye Muscle ◽

Total N ◽

Cooked Meat ◽

Water Holding ◽

Total Pufa

This study aimed to evaluate effects of supplementing flaxseed oil (FSO) on growth and carcass traits, as well as meat chemical composition, quality, and fatty acids (FA) profile in Friesian bulls. The bulls (n = 30) were randomly divided into 3 groups (G1-G3, n = 10/group). In G1 (control), animals fed basal diet, while in G2 and G3, they were supplemented with 2% and 4% FSO, respectively, for ~ 7 months. The obtained results revealed that bulls fed diet supplemented with 2% (G2) and 4% (G3) FSO had significantly higher TDN intake (P ˂ 0.01) and average daily gain (P ˂ 0.05) than G1. Additionally, G3 showed significantly higher hot carcass weight (P<0.001), dressing % (P<0.05), fat weight (P<0.05), boneless meat weight (P<0.001), 9-11th ribs cut weights (P<0.05), DM (P<0.01), CP (P<0.05), and CF (P<0.05) in eye muscle, and general cooked meat quality (P<0.05) than G1. However, meat of G3 had significantly (P<0.05) lower water-holding capacity than G1. Meat contents of C20:0 and C22:0 SFAs were significantly higher in G3 (P<0.05) than G1, while C14:0, C15:0, and C17:0 were significantly (P<0.05) lower in G3 and G2 than G1. C16:1 trans-9 MUFA was significantly higher in G3 (P<0.01) and G2 (P<0.05) than G1, while C18:1 cis-9 +trans-13-14 and C20:1 cis-11 were significantly lower in G3 (P<0.001) and G2 (P<0.05) than G1. Among the 2 treated groups, only G3 had significantly higher C17:1 cis-9 (P<0.05), C18:1 cis-11+trans15 (P<0.01), and C18:1 cis-15+trans-16 (P<0.01) and significantly lower C16:1 cis-7 (P<0.05) and C18:1 trans-12 (P<0.01) than G1. Meat contents of C18:3 n-3 (ALA), C22:5 n-3 (EPA) and C22:6 n-3 (DHA) was significantly higher in G3 (P<0.0001) and G2 (P<0.05) than G1. The total n-3 FAs content in meat was significantly (P<0.0001) higher in G3 and G2 than G1, while only G3 showed significantly higher total PUFA (P<0.05) than G1. The n-6:n-3 ratio was significantly (P<0.0001) lower in G3 and G2 than G1. With these results, we could conclude that flaxseed oil supplementation in bull diets could improve growth performance, and carcass quality and increase omega-3 FA in animal meat.

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Testing a thermometer of the past: abiotic and biotic drivers of the brGDGT-based temperature proxy along a subarctic elevation gradient.

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-4542 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Cindy De Jonge ◽

Robin Halffman ◽

Jonas Lembrechts ◽

Ivan Nijs

Keyword(s):

Bacterial Community ◽

Soil Temperature ◽

Soil Ph ◽

Altitudinal Gradient ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Chemical Parameters ◽

Total N ◽

High Ph ◽

Soil Chemical Parameters

BrGDGTs are used in a variety of paleoclimate archives to reconstruct changes in temperature and pH. However, the temperature dependency, currently determined on a global scale, can be confounded on smaller spatial scales. To determine the unique effect of temperature on the brGDGT distribution in northern Scandinavia, 37 soils have been collected along a Swedish and Norwegian altitude gradient (14 to 1200 m asl). At this site, we measured in-situ soil temperature (1 year), as well as soil chemical parameters (pH, Ca, K, Mg, Mn, Fe, Mn, Al, total P, total N). Furthermore, we reconstructed the composition of the bacterial community in the same soils, using 16S rDNA, to allow direct comparison with the brGDGT lipid signatures.Although we sampled over a limited range in pH values (3.3-5.4), large changes in brGDGT concentration are observed over the pH gradient. In low pH soils (>4.0), total brGDGT concentration (normalized per g soil) is increased, caused by an increase in the concentration of brGDGT Ia. This results in increased MBT&#8217;5ME values (0.53-0.7) in these soils. In high pH soils (pH>5.0) an increased concentration in 6-methyl brGDGTs is observed. These soils are characterized by a lower MBT&#8217;5ME values, driven by a decrease in the fractional abundance of brGDGT Ia. Along the altitudinal gradient, pH (and soil calcium) is the main driver of the MBT&#8217;5ME proxy (r= -0.60, p<0.01).Along the Swedish and Norwegian altitudinal gradient, where a substantial change in temperature (-4.7 to 2.7 &#176;C MAAT) was crossed, the MBT&#8217;5ME only shows a poor correlation with atmospheric MAAT values (r= 0.47, p<0.01). When comparing the MBT&#8217;5ME with in-situ measured soil temperatures (-2.5 to 4.3), that reflect the growth conditions of the soil bacteria better, the correlation is not improved (mean annual soil temperature: r= 0.32, p=0.05). A correlation with seasonal temperatures (Growing Degree Days [GDD]) results in a better dependency between the MBT&#8217;5ME and soil temperature (r= 0.44, p<0.01), which can reflect that brGDGT are generally produced in non-frozen soil conditions.However, at the Swedish and Norwegian altitudinal gradient, there is a significant correlation observed between the temperature (GDD) and soil chemical parameters. In general, soil pH is increased at lower temperatures (r=-0.32, p=0.04, n=37). Considering all soil chemical parameters, the total concentration of K decreases closely with an increase in soil temperature (GDD: r= -0.63, p<0.01, n=37). The mechanism behind this is probably an interplay between local geology, and a temperature dependent extent of chemical and biological weathering. Because of this correlation, it is not clear whether MBT&#8217;5ME varies exclusively in response to soil chemistry, with an indirect response to temperature changes.Although the environmental driver determining the brGDGT signal can not be determined unequivocally, the bacterial community composition is clearly determined by soil pH. In those high pH soils (pH> 4.9) where increased concentrations of 6-methyl brGDGTs are produced, several Acidobacterial OTUs (specifically Acidobacteria subgroup 6) are increased. This indicates that the mechanism behind the changed fractional abundances is a pH-modulated bacterial community shift.

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Recycled Paper as a Growth Substrate for Container Spirea Production

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.35.7.1253 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 35 (7) ◽

pp. 1253-1257 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Paulette B. Craig ◽

Janet C. Cole

Keyword(s):

Dry Weight ◽

Plant Size ◽

Water Holding Capacity ◽

N Leaching ◽

Fertilizer Treatment ◽

Recycled Paper ◽

Total N ◽

N Concentration ◽

Leaching Fraction ◽

Water Holding

Spiraea japonica L. f. `Froebelii' were grown in 3.8-L containers filled with substrates consisting of recycled paper (RP) and pine bark at rates of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% (by volume) RP. Fertilizer treatments included 100% of the recommended rate of N as controlled release (CRF) or liquid fertilizer (LF) or both. The same amounts of N (as NO3--N and NH4+-N), P and K were supplied with each fertilizer treatment. Plants were irrigated in Fall 1996 based on substrate water-holding capacity and to achieve a 25% to 50% leaching fraction. In Spring 1997 regardless of substrate water holding capacity, plants were irrigated weekly initially, then twice weekly later in the study when plants were larger. Fertilizer treatment did not affect plant size, but plant diameter and shoot and root dry weight decreased as substrate RP concentration increased in Fall 1996. All plant size parameters measured decreased as substrate RP concentration increased regardless of fertilizer treatment in Spring 1997. In Fall 1996, shoot and root N concentration increased as CRF decreased (and LF increased), but substrate RP concentration did not affect shoot or root N concentration. In Spring 1997, shoot and root N concentration generally decreased as substrate RP concentration increased with 50% CRF, 50% LF, or 100% LF. Leachate NO3--N, NH4+-N and total N generally increased as CRF decreased but decreased as substrate RP concentration increased in both years. Substrate volume and percentage of air space decreased, but bulk density increased, as RP concentration increased. Although N leaching decreased as substrate RP concentration increased in both years, reasonable plant growth occurred only in those substrates containing ≤50% RP.

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Impacts of Cover Crops on Soil Physical Properties: Field Capacity, Permanent Wilting Point, Soil-Water Holding Capacity, Bulk Density, Hydraulic Conductivity, and Infiltration

Transactions of the ASABE ◽

10.13031/trans.12700 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 61 (4) ◽

pp. 1307-1321 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Suat Irmak ◽

Vasudha Sharma ◽

Ali T. Mohammed ◽

Koffi Djaman

Keyword(s):

Hydraulic Conductivity ◽

Physical Properties ◽

Bulk Density ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Field Capacity ◽

Soil Physical Properties ◽

Permanent Wilting Point ◽

Soil Water Holding Capacity ◽

Water Holding ◽

Wilting Point

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Climatic, Edaphic and Biotic Controls over Soil δ13C and δ15N in Temperate Grasslands

Forests ◽

10.3390/f11040433 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 433

Author(s):

Xing Zhao ◽

Xingliang Xu ◽

Fang Wang ◽

Isabel Greenberg ◽

Min Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Large Scale ◽

Microbial Biomass C ◽

Microbial Biomass N ◽

Temperate Grasslands ◽

Total N ◽

Δ13c And Δ15n ◽

Biomass N ◽

Soil Δ15n ◽

Total P

Soils δ13C and δ15N are now regarded as useful indicators of nitrogen (N) status and dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC). Numerous studies have explored the effects of various factors on soils δ13C and δ15N in terrestrial ecosystems on different scales, but it remains unclear how co-varying climatic, edaphic and biotic factors independently contribute to the variation in soil δ13C and δ15N in temperate grasslands on a large scale. To answer the above question, a large-scale soil collection was carried out along a vegetation transect across the temperate grasslands of Inner Mongolia. We found that mean annual precipitation (MAP) and mean annual temperature (MAT) do not correlate with soil δ15N along the transect, while soil δ13C linearly decreased with MAP and MAT. Soil δ15N logarithmically increased with concentrations of SOC, total N and total P. By comparison, soil δ13C linearly decreased with SOC, total N and total P. Soil δ15N logarithmically increased with microbial biomass C and microbial biomass N, while soil δ13C linearly decreased with microbial biomass C and microbial biomass N. Plant belowground biomass linearly increased with soil δ15N but decreased with soil δ13C. Soil δ15N decreased with soil δ13C along the transect. Multiple linear regressions showed that biotic and edaphic factors such as microbial biomass C and total N exert more effect on soil δ15N, whereas climatic and edaphic factors such as MAT and total P have more impact on soil δ13C. These findings show that soil C and N cycles in temperate grasslands are, to some extent, decoupled and dominantly controlled by different factors. Further investigations should focus on those ecological processes leading to decoupling of C and N cycles in temperate grassland soils.

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