不同秸秆覆盖量对黄土高原苹果园土壤有机碳的影响

王佳璇1,杨庆利2,李 鹏1,江 炯1,宋珍珍1,李俊超1*

1陕西农业发展集团有限公司延安分公司,陕西延安 716000;2延安市劳山国有林管理局府村国有生态实验林场,陕西延安 716100)

摘 要:【目的】明确不同秸秆覆盖量对苹果园土壤有机碳(SOC)的影响,确定提升黄土高原地区苹果园SOC储量的最佳秸秆覆盖量。【方法】设置秸秆覆盖量为0、100、200、300、400 g·m-2的苹果园小区,连续3年进行秸秆覆盖处理后,采集各小区0~20 cm土壤样品,测定并分析不同秸秆覆盖量对SOC及其组分的影响。【结果】秸秆覆盖处理显著提高了SOC、颗粒态有机碳(POC)和矿物结合态有机碳(MAOC)的储量,且随着覆盖量的增加其提升效果不断增强。当覆盖量为300 g·m-2时,SOC、POC和MAOC储量均达到峰值,分别为22.1、8.1和14.0 g·m-2;继续增加覆盖量至400 g·m-2,三者的储量则无显著提升。秸秆覆盖处理主要通过提高POC储量促进SOC积累,其贡献率为55.2%~58.6%,β-1,4葡萄糖苷酶是影响SOC的关键因子。【结论】300 g·m-2是旱作苹果园提升SOC储量的最佳秸秆覆盖量,可在实现土壤碳汇最大化收益的同时避免资源浪费。

关键词:苹果园;秸秆覆盖;土壤有机碳;颗粒态有机碳;矿物结合态有机碳

土壤有机碳(SOC)是衡量土壤健康的核心指标,在改善土壤结构、增强水土保持、提高作物产量以及缓解气候变化等方面发挥着至关重要的作用[1]。然而,多种人为干扰活动,如土地利用变化、森林管理活动、放牧以及一些农业生产活动等对SOC产生显著影响[2-4]。明确SOC对这些人为干扰的响应特征及其动态变化机制,对制定科学合理的管理措施以提高SOC含量具有重要意义。

秸秆覆盖是一种常见的农业管理措施,鉴于其能够有效改善土壤环境并提升作物产量,已广泛应用于各种作物系统中[3,5]。然而,与大田作物系统相比,果园生态系统具有独特性:果树为多年生深根植物,生态系统相对稳定,但其行间土壤长期暴露,易受风蚀和水蚀,导致SOC流失[6-7]。因此,探讨果园系统的秸秆覆盖措施具有重要意义。近年来,诸多对果园的研究表明,秸秆覆盖通过调节土壤的温度与湿度,为土壤微生物提供更适宜的生存环境,促进秸秆分解,释放有机质等养分,提高土壤肥力,进一步促进果树的生长和SOC的固定[5-6,8]。苹果是全球最重要的经济水果之一,种植面积广泛,其土壤中储存着大量SOC[9]。苹果园的有效管理措施能够显著增加SOC含量并提高苹果产量,而秸秆覆盖被认为是改良苹果园、提升SOC含量的优先措施之一[7,10]。然而,不同秸秆覆盖量对SOC含量的影响尚不明确,尤其是SOC提升效益最佳的覆盖率仍不清楚。

将SOC划分为颗粒态有机碳(POC)和矿物结合态有机碳(MAOC)是探索其动态变化机制的有效方法[11-12]。POC主要由植物源的大部分未分解的碎片组成,通常不受保护或封闭在大团聚体中;而MAOC主要由微生物残留物和代谢物组成,通常吸附在矿物表面并以微团聚体的形式封闭[11]。二者在形成途径、持久性和功能上存在显著差异。因此,将SOC划分为POC和MAOC,有助于更全面地解析秸秆覆盖下SOC的动态变化机制。

在黄土高原地区,苹果是主要的经济作物之一,其种植面积约133.33万hm2,产量超2300万t,占全球苹果产量25%以上[9]。然而,黄土高原生态环境脆弱,其果园土壤有机碳含量总体处于中低水平,0~20 cm果园耕层的SOC含量(w,后同)普遍为3.0~7.0 g·kg-1,远低于我国肥沃土壤的SOC水平[7]。通过科学合理的管理措施改善土壤环境提升SOC含量,能够有效改善土壤生态环境,这对提升苹果园产量和减缓气候变化具有重要意义[7,10]。因此,揭示不同秸秆覆盖量下苹果园SOC的动态变化及其机制,对制定合理的管理措施具有一定的指导意义。

1 材料和方法

1.1 研究区概况

试验地位于延安市宝塔区(36°10′ ~37°2′ N,109°14′ ~110°50′)的一个苹果园中。该区域属于中温带大陆性半干旱季风气候,四季分明,年平均气温为9.1 ℃,年均降水量约 500 mm,降水主要集中在7—9月。根据延安市宝塔区气象局资料,3个试验年度的降水差异显著:气温持续偏暖,年平均气温分别为10.8 ℃(2021年)、11.2 ℃(2022年)和10.3 ℃(2023年)。其中,2022年为显著暖年。降水波动剧烈,2021年降水量为472.3 mm,略低于常年平均水平;2022年遭遇严重干旱,年降水量仅为387.6 mm,其中生长季(4—9月)仅为325.1 mm,果树生长受到抑制;2023年降水则较为充沛,年降水量回升至535.8 mm。此外,各年度≥10 ℃的活动积温(3458、3521、3350 ℃)与无霜期(175、182、171 d)均高于或接近常年平均水平,有效保障了苹果树的正常物候进程。试验地地形地貌复杂多样,平均海拔1 371.9 m,最高海拔1 731.1 m,最低海拔1 012.0 m,果园所在位置海拔1 270.0 m;土壤类型主要为黄绵土,发育于深厚的黄土母质,土壤肥力相对较低,但土层深厚,通透性良好。

1.2 试验设计与样品收集

2021年7月,在株行距为4 m×3 m,以八棱海棠为基砧、M7为中间砧,半矮化嫁接的15年生红富士苹果园中(树高约385 cm,胸径约16.4 cm)开展试验。采用分区设计,共设置5个处理:秸秆覆盖量分别为0、100、200、300、400 g·m-2,覆盖秸秆为小麦秸秆。每个处理包含8株树,秸秆覆盖处理持续3 a(年),并于每年苹果采收后重新施加秸秆。所有处理的传统化肥施用量一致:每株苹果树施用尿素2.6 kg,磷酸二铵1.4 kg,硫酸钾2.6 kg。秋季施基肥时,施入全部磷酸二铵和40%的尿素(约1.0 kg)以及60%的硫酸钾(约1.6 kg);剩余尿素于萌芽期(30%,约0.8 kg)和幼果膨大期(30%,约0.8 kg)作为追肥施入,剩余硫酸钾(40%,约1.0 kg)于幼果膨大期作为追肥施入。在划分区域时,确保每个分区的土壤性质和树木生长状况相似,以保证后续变化由秸秆覆盖量差异引起。2024年10月,使用不锈钢土钻在每个处理小区中采集0~20 cm土层土壤样品。每个小区沿对角线选取3个点采集土壤芯样,混合成一个样本。每个处理设置5次重复。去除秸秆残渣后,将样本分成两份,分别于4 ℃和20 ℃下保存,以备后续对土壤物理、化学和生物性质的分析。苹果园的基本信息见表1。

表1 苹果园信息
Table 1 Information of apple orchards

秸秆覆盖量Straw mulch amount/(g·m-2)0 100 200 300 400秸秆剩余量Remaining amount of straw/(g·m-2)0 12.5±2.3 c 16.8±3.5 c 85.4±9.2 b 320.6±22.5 a海拔Altitude/m 1273 1269 1268 1271 1271坡度Slope/(°)5~7 7~8 6~7 5~8 6~7秸秆盖度Straw coverage/%0 46.2±5.3 c 76.5±8.2 b 96.4±3.2 a 97.2±1.2 a

注:秸秆盖度为秸秆对裸露地表的盖度,秸秆剩余量为收集土壤样品时地表剩余的秸秆量。不同小写字母表示在P<0.05水平差异显著。下同。

Note:Straw cover refers to the extent to which straw covers the bare ground surface, while straw residue refers to the amount of straw remaining on the ground surface at the time of soil sample collection.Different small letters indicate significant difference at P<0.05. The same below.

1.3 测定方法

SOC含量采用重铬酸钾氧化法测定[13];土壤全氮含量采用凯式定氮法测定[14];土壤样品经5 g·L-1六偏磷酸钠溶液处理并过0.053 mm筛,>0.053 mm的部分为POC,<0.053 mm的部分为MAOC,其含量均采用重铬酸钾氧化法测定[11];土壤容重和水分含量采用环刀法测定;土壤温度使用热电偶温度计测定,在秸秆覆盖的第3年苹果成熟期,选取3个无雨天代表日,于08:00、14:00、20:00分别测定5、10、20 cm土壤温度,取3日的平均值[15];氨态氮和硝态氮含量采用1 mol·L-1氯化钾溶液浸提,随后使用流动分析仪测定[16];溶解性有机碳含量通过蒸馏水提取,经0.45 μm微孔滤膜过滤,使用总有机碳分析仪测定;土壤速效磷含量通过H2SO4-HClO4消煮后,采用钼蓝比色法测定[17];土壤pH使用pH计在土水比为1∶2.5的悬浮液中测定[3];微生物量碳含量采用氯仿熏蒸法测定[18]β-1,4葡萄糖苷酶和纤维素水解酶活性使用多功能酶标仪测定[[19]

1.4 统计分析

利用单因素方差分析比较不同秸秆覆盖量下SOC、POC、MAOC以及其他土壤性质的显著差异,采用最小显著差异分析进行多重比较(P<0.05)。采用皮尔逊相关分析探索SOC、POC、MAOC储量与其他土壤理化性质间的相关性,采用逐步回归分析明确影响SOC、POC和MAOC储量的主要因子。所有统计分析均使用SPSS 25.0 和Origin 2021软件完成。

2 结果与分析

2.1 不同秸秆覆盖量下土壤有机碳及其组分变化特征

秸秆覆盖处理显著提高了SOC、POC、MAOC的含量与储量,同时提升了POC对SOC的贡献,降低了MAOC对SOC的贡献(图1)。各项指标均在秸秆覆盖量为300 g·m-2时达到峰值;SOC、POC和MAOC含量分别为9.8 g·kg-1、3.6 g·kg-1、6.3 g·kg-1;储量分别为22.1 g·m-2、8.1 g·m-2、14.0 g·m-2;POC和MAOC对SOC的贡献分别为36.5%和63.5%,覆盖量继续增至400 g·m-2则无显著变化(图1)。

图1 不同秸秆覆盖量下的SOC及其组分的含量与储量,以及POC与MAOC对SOC的贡献
Fig. 1 The content and stocks of SOC and its fractions under different straw mulch amounts, and the contribution of POC and MAOC to SOC

秸秆覆盖处理下,SOC、POC和MAOC储量的增量随覆盖量增加而上升,但在覆盖量达到300 g·m-2后增长趋于平衡,覆盖量400 g·m-2处理与300 g·m-2处理间无显著差异。POC对SOC储量增加的贡献率始终高于MAOC,且两者的贡献比例在不同处理间保持稳定(表2)。

表2 不同秸秆覆盖量下的SOC及其组分的增量,以及POC和MAOC对SOC增量的贡献率
Table 2 The increments in SOC and its fractions under different straw mulch amounts, and the contributions of POC and MAOC to SOC increment

注:各处理的碳储量增量均相对于对照处理(秸秆覆盖量 0 g·m-2)的碳储量计算得出。
Note:Increments in carbon stocks under each treatment were calculated relative to the carbon stocks of the control treatment (straw mulch amount:0 g·m-2).

项目Items SOC增量 Increment in SOC/(g·m-2)POC增量 Increment in POC/(g·m-2)MAOC增量 Increment in MAOC/(g·m-2)POC增量对SOC增量的贡献率 Contribution of POC to SOC/%MAOC增量对SOC增量的贡献率Contribution of MAOC to SOC/%秸秆覆盖量Straw mulch amount/(g·m-2)100 4.7±0.6 b 2.6±0.3 b 2.1±0.3 b 55.2±3.8 a 44.8±3.8 a 400 8.4±0.7 a 4.7±0.3 a 3.7±0.4 a 56.3±2.0 a 43.7±2.0 a 200 6.0±0.5 b 3.5±0.3 b 2.05±0.2 ab 57.7±1.9 a 42.3±1.9 a 300 8.4±0.9 a 4.9±0.6 a 3.5±0.5 a 58.6±3.7a 41.4±3.7 a

2.2 不同秸秆覆盖量下的土壤物理性质变化特征

秸秆覆盖处理显著降低了土壤容重与土壤温度,同时提高了土壤含水量(图2)。在秸秆覆盖量为0~300 g·m-2范围内,上述效应随覆盖量增加而增强,当覆盖率达300 g·m-2时,土壤容重(1.13 g·cm-3)与温度(19.6 ℃)降至最低,土壤水分升至最高(17.5%),当覆盖量进一步增至400 g·m-2时,三者均无显著变化(图2)。

图2 不同秸秆覆盖量下的土壤物理性质
Fig. 2 Soil physical properties under different straw mulch amounts

2.3 不同秸秆覆盖量下的土壤化学性质变化特征

秸秆覆盖处理显著降低了土壤pH,并提高了溶解性有机碳、全氮、氨态氮、硝态氮和速效磷含量(图3)。在秸秆覆盖量为0~300 g·m-2范围内,上述效应随秸秆覆盖量增加逐渐增强,而在覆盖量达到300 g·m-2后趋于稳定。此时,土壤pH以及溶解性有机碳、全氮、氨态氮、硝态氮和速效磷含量分别为8.26、164 mg·kg-1、0.86 g·kg-1、3.6 mg·kg-1、7.2 mg·kg-1、6.1 mg·kg-1;进一步增加覆盖量无显著变化(图3)。

图3 不同秸秆覆盖量下的土壤化学性质
Fig. 3 Soil chemical properties under different straw mulch amounts

2.4 不同秸秆覆盖量下的土壤生物性质变化特征

秸秆覆盖处理显著增加了土壤微生物生物量碳含量以及β-1,4-葡萄糖苷酶和纤维素水解酶活性(图4)。三者均随覆盖量增加而提高,当覆盖量为300 g·m-2时达到峰值,此时三者分别为189.8 mg·kg-1、142.6 μmol·g-1·h-1、71.4μmol·g-1·h-1,覆盖量进一步增至400 g·m-2时,各项指标均无显著变化。

图4 不同秸秆覆盖量下的土壤生物性质
Fig. 4 Soil biological properties under different straw mulch amount

2.5 不同秸秆覆盖量下SOC及其组分与土壤因子的关系

相关性分析结果表明,SOC、POC和MAOC储量均与土壤容重、土壤温度和土壤pH呈显著负相关,与土壤水分、溶解性有机碳、全氮、氨态氮、硝态氮、速效磷、微生物量碳含量以及β-葡萄糖苷酶和纤维素水解酶活性呈显著正相关(表3)。秸秆覆盖处理后SOC和MAOC储量主要受β-1,4-葡萄糖苷酶活性影响,其决定系数分别为0.68和0.54,而POC储量则主要受速效磷含量影响,其决定系数为0.78(表4)。

表3 SOC及其组分与土壤性质的皮尔逊相关性分析
Table 3 Pearson correlation analysis of SOC and its components with soil properties

注:**表示在0.01水平极显著相关,n=25。
Note:** indicates extremely significant correlation at the 0.01 level, n=25.

指标Index土壤容重 Soil bulk density土壤含水量 Soil water content土壤温度 Soil temperature溶解性有机碳含量 Dissolved organic carbon content土壤pH Soil pH全氮含量 Total nitrogen content氨态氮含量 Ammonium nitrogen content硝态氮含量 Nitrate nitrogen content速效磷含量 Available phosphorus content微生物量碳含量 Microbial biomass carbon content β-1,4-葡萄糖苷酶活性 β-1,4-glucosidase activity纤维素水解酶活性 Cellobiohydrolase activity MAOC储量MAOC stocks-0.565**0.573**-0.619**0.678**-0.695**0.652**0.713**0.683**0.687**0.714**0.732**0.642**SOC储量SOC stocks-0.677**0.688**-0.739**0.785**-0.797**0.765**0.821**0.790**0.809**0.821**0.824**0.757**POC储量POC stocks-0.747**0.760**-0.814**0.845**-0.852**0.832**0.881**0.850**0.883**0.879**0.869**0.827**

表4 土壤碳储量与土壤性质的多元线性逐步回归分析
Table 4 Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis of soil carbon storage and soil properties

注:a. β-1,4-葡萄糖苷酶活性;b. 速效磷含量。
Note:a. β-1,4-glucosidase activity; b. Available phosphorus content.

碳储量Carbon stocks SOC储量 SOC stocks POC储量 POC stocks MAOC储量 MAOC stocks方程式Equations Y=0.09 a+10.52 Y=1.19 b+0.98 Y=0.04 a+9.09 R2 P n 25 25 25 0.68 0.78 0.54<0.01<0.01<0.01

3 讨 论

3.1 不同秸秆覆盖量对土壤物理性质的影响

在本研究中,秸秆覆盖处理显著降低了土壤容重和温度,提高了土壤含水量,这与已有研究结果一致[7,20]。例如,一项研究表明,相较于传统耕作和油菜间作,在苹果园实施秸秆覆盖能显著降低土壤容重并提高水分含量[20],秸秆覆盖后土壤容重降低主要基于以下两方面。一是,腐解后的秸秆碎屑会进入土壤与土粒混合,以“轻组分”形式取代等量矿质颗粒,直接降低整体容重;二是,秸秆层能消减雨滴和机械冲击,避免团聚体遭受破坏,使原有孔隙得以保留,间接抑制容重增加[5,20]

秸秆覆盖后土壤含水量增加主要基于以下两方面:一是秸秆覆盖会增加地表粗糙度,能够有效地抑制地表径流形成,增加降雨入渗,从而促进土壤水分积累[5,20];二是秸秆覆盖可避免阳光直射,减少土壤水分蒸发,促进土壤水分的积累[20]。土壤温度降低则主要是由于秸秆覆盖在土壤表面形成了隔热层,阻挡了大部分太阳辐射直接到达土壤表面,从而降低了土壤温度[5,20]。此外,秸秆覆盖增加的土壤水分能够吸收更多热量,进一步降低了土壤温度[3,20]

然而,秸秆覆盖量对土壤容重、水分和温度的影响存在阈值。研究发现,秸秆覆盖对土壤容重、水分及温度的影响随覆盖量的增加呈现“先增强后稳定”的规律,300 g·m-2为效应临界值:在覆盖量达到300 g·m-2之前,秸秆地表覆盖度随覆盖量增加持续提升,且大部分秸秆可分解进入土壤参与土壤改良,秸秆覆盖对土壤理化性质的改善效应逐步增强。当覆盖量增至400 g·m-2时,秸秆对地表的覆盖度不再升高,过量秸秆难以分解并融入土壤,导致进一步增加覆盖量无法对土壤容重、水分和温度产生显著的改善作用。

3.2 不同秸秆覆盖量对土壤化学性质的影响

秸秆覆盖后,土壤中溶解性有机碳、全氮、硝态氮、氨态氮和速效磷含量显著增加,但土壤pH显著降低。秸秆富含有机质及氮、磷等营养元素,经微生物分解后会释放到土壤中,直接提升土壤的总养分和速效养分含量[3,5]。此外,秸秆分解为微生物提供了丰富的碳源,促进微生物生长与繁殖;而微生物在分解秸秆的过程中会释放出多种酶类,加速土壤有机质和矿物质的分解,进一步提高了土壤养分含量[5,7,10]

秸秆覆盖后土壤pH显著降低,主要原因是秸秆在微生物分解过程中会释放出多种有机酸,如草酸、琥珀酸和柠檬酸等,中和土壤中的碱性成分,从而降低土壤pH[21-22]。此外,秸秆分解释放的氨态氮和硝态氮也会影响土壤pH。氨态氮被植物和微生物吸收利用时会释放氢离子;同时,氨态氮在硝化细菌的作用下转化为硝态氮的过程中也会释放氢离子,进一步导致土壤酸化[23]。因此,秸秆覆盖会引起碱性土壤pH显著下降。

与土壤含水量变化趋势一致,土壤养分含量随着秸秆覆盖量增加而增加,但当秸秆覆盖量达到300 g·m-2时,进一步增加秸秆覆盖量则无显著影响。这主要是因为当秸秆覆盖量低于300 g·m-2时,绝大部分秸秆能够被分解并释放养分进入土壤,以增加土壤养分含量。然而,当覆盖量达到400 g·m-2时,过量的秸秆难以被完全分解,无法增加土壤养分含量。因此,当秸秆覆盖量超过300 g·m-2后,继续增加秸秆覆盖量对土壤养分含量和pH均无显著影响。

3.3 不同秸秆覆盖量对土壤生物性质的影响

秸秆覆盖处理显著提高了微生物生物量及其活性。首先,秸秆覆盖通过降低土壤容重并提高土壤含水量,为微生物提供了一个适宜的生长环境,促进了微生物的生长和繁殖[5,20]。其次,研究区属于半干旱区域,年均降水仅约500 mm,土壤水分的增加能够有效促进微生物生物量的积累和酶活性的提升[24-25]。此外,秸秆覆盖增加了土壤中溶解性有机碳和速效养分含量,并改善了土壤酸碱性。溶解性有机碳作为微生物生长的底物,其含量增加能够直接促进微生物的生长与繁殖[26];速效养分是微生物代谢所必需的,其补充能够缓解微生物因氮或磷限制而受到的活性抑制[27]。在碱性土壤中,秸秆覆盖导致土壤pH降低会使土壤酸碱性更适于微生物的生存,从而进一步促进微生物的生长和繁殖[26,28]。因此,秸秆覆盖通过改善土壤环境、增加微生物底物以及速效养分含量等,共同促进了微生物生物量的积累和酶活性的提升。

与土壤水分以及速效养分含量变化趋势一致,土壤微生物生物量和酶活性随秸秆覆盖量的增加而提高,并在秸秆覆盖量达到300 g·m-2时达到峰值,继续增加秸秆覆盖量均无显著提升。这主要是因为,当秸秆覆盖量达到300 g·m-2时,土壤容重、水分和温度以及底物和速效养分含量均达到峰值,秸秆覆盖量的增加不再对其产生影响,从而限制了微生物生物量和酶活性的进一步提升。

3.4 不同秸秆覆盖量对土壤有机碳及其组分的影响

秸秆覆盖提高SOC含量的关键在于同步促进了POC和MAOC的积累。POC主要由植物中的未分解碎片组成,通常不受保护或封闭在大团聚体中,秸秆分解后形成的碎屑进入土壤后会直接提高POC含量[11]。MAOC主要由微生物残体和代谢产物组成,通常吸附在矿物表面,并被包裹在微团聚体中[11,29]。秸秆分解过程中产生的溶解性有机碳可与矿物直接结合形成MAOC[11]。此外,微生物利用碳源进行代谢时产生的残体和代谢产物,也可与矿物结合,形成MAOC并促进其积累[11,30]。在本研究中,秸秆覆盖通过改善土壤环境(容重、水分、温度和pH),提高微生物底物DOC和速效养分含量,从而提升了微生物生物量和酶活性。微生物生物量的增加意味着更多微生物参与秸秆分解,而β-1,4葡萄糖苷酶和纤维素水解酶等碳降解酶活性的提升也反映了微生物代谢活性的增强[31]。因此,微生物生物量和酶活性的提升不仅通过加速秸秆分解促进POC的积累,还通过增加微生物残体和代谢产物的积累促进了MAOC形成,共同促进了SOC的积累[5,30]。此外,POC也可作为碳源被微生物利用加工后,其产物能够与矿物结合形成MAOC[14,32]。因此,秸秆覆盖通过直接输入秸秆碎片、改善土壤结构以及提高微生物生物量与酶活性等,显著提高了土壤中POC和MAOC储量,进而增加了SOC总储量。

随着秸秆覆盖量增加,POC和MAOC储量逐渐上升,当覆盖量达到300 g·m-2后,继续增加秸秆覆盖量,二者均无显著变化。这主要是因为,当秸秆覆盖量低于300 g·m-2时,绝大部分秸秆能够被分解,释放有机质和养分进入土壤以提高土壤养分含量。然而,当秸秆覆盖量超过300 g·m-2时,过量秸秆未能被完全分解,导致部分碳源难以进入土壤增加SOC储量。此外,秸秆覆盖量达到300 g·m-2时,其对土壤环境、养分条件及微生物群落的改善效应达到最佳,驱动POC和MAOC储量同步达到峰值,秸秆覆盖对SOC储量的提升作用也随之实现最大化。因此,当秸秆覆盖量低于300 g·m-2时,随着秸秆覆盖量的增加,POC和MAOC含量逐渐增加;而当秸秆覆盖量超过300 g·m-2时,POC和MAOC含量均未显著增加。尽管秸秆覆盖显著增加了POC和MAOC储量,但POC增量更高,其对SOC储量增加的贡献率为55.2%~58.6%,而MAOC仅为41.4%~44.8%。因此,秸秆覆盖主要通过提高POC储量来增加SOC储量。

4 结 论

秸秆覆盖处理显著提高了POC、MAOC和SOC的储量,且提升效果随覆盖量的增加持续增强。当覆盖量为300 g·m-2时,SOC、POC和MAOC储量均达到峰值,分别为22.1、8.1、14.0 g·m-2;继续增加覆盖量至400 g·m-2,各碳组分储量均无显著变化。秸秆覆盖主要通过提高POC储量来增加SOC储量,其贡献率为55.2%~58.6%,β-1,4-葡萄糖苷酶是驱动SOC积累的关键因子。综上所述,秸秆覆盖处理可有效提高SOC储量,其中300 g·m-2为提升SOC水平的最优覆盖量。

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Effects of different straw mulching amounts on soil organic carbon in ap‐ple orchards of the Loess Plateau

WANG Jiaxuan1, YANG Qingli2, LI Peng1, JIANG Jiong1, SONG Zhenzhen1, LI Junchao1*

(1Yɑnɑn Brɑnch, Shɑɑnxi Agriculturɑl Development Group Co., Ltd., Yɑnɑn 716000, Shɑɑnxi, Chinɑ; 2Fucun Stɑte-owned Ecologicɑl Experimentɑl Forest Fɑrm, Lɑoshɑn Stɑte-owned Forest Administrɑtion Bureɑu of Yɑnɑn City, Yɑnɑn 716100, Shɑɑnxi, Chinɑ)

Abstract:【Objective】 Apple, a globally popular and economically valuable fruit crop, is cultivated across many regions. Apple orchard soils store significant amounts of soil organic carbon (SOC), which is crucial for maintaining soil fertility and plays an important role in the global carbon cycle. Growing concerns about soil health and climate change have turned the enhancement of SOC in apple orchards into a prominent research focus. Straw mulching, an environmentally friendly soil management practice, is widely recognized for its potential to improve apple orchard soils and raise SOC content. However, how different straw mulch amounts affect SOC remains unclear, and the key question of what level of straw mulch can achieve the most significant SOC enhancement remains unanswered. Given this, the present study focuses on apple orchards in the Loess Plateau region to investigate how different straw mulch amounts affect SOC and its fractions, and to identify the optimal straw mulch amount for SOC enhancement. The findings will provide a basis for effective soil management practices, improving orchard soil fertility and productivity while contributing to climate change mitigation. 【Methods】 This study was conducted in an experimental plot established in a “Red Fuji” apple orchard in Baota District, Yan’an City, in July 2021. The apple trees in this orchard were 15 years old, with a planting density of 4 m×3 m and a tree height of approximately 385 cm. The diameter at breast height of the trees was about 16.4 cm. Five plots with different straw mulch amounts (0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 g·m-2) were set up in the orchard. These plots were subjected to wheat straw mulching treatments each year after apple harvest for the following three years. In October 2024, soil samples were collected from the 0-20 cm depth in each plot to determine SOC, particulate organic carbon (POC), mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC), and other soil physicochemical properties. To evaluate the effects of different straw mulch amounts on SOC fractions and other physicochemical properties, one-way analysis of variance was used to determine the significant differences in SOC, POC, MAOC, and other soil physicochemical properties among the different straw mulch amounts. Subsequently, Pearson correlation analysis was employed to explore the correlations between soil properties and SOC, POC, and MAOC. Finally, stepwise regression analysis was used to identify the key factors driving the dynamics of SOC, POC, and MAOC under straw mulch conditions. The application of this series of analytical methods aimed to gain a deep understanding of the mechanisms by which straw mulch affected soil carbon cycling in apple orchards. 【Results】 The results showed that straw mulching significantly increased the stocks of SOC,POC, and MAOC (P<0.05). As the amount of straw mulch increased, the stock levels of these carbon fractions rose gradually, peaking at a mulch amount of 300 g·m-2, with values of 22.1 g·m-2 for SOC,8.1 g·m-2 for POC, and 14.0 g·m-2 for MAOC. Beyond this amount, further increases in straw mulch did not significantly affect these stock levels. Additionally, straw mulching also significantly improved the physicochemical and biological properties of the soil (P<0.05). The enhancement of these properties was most pronounced at a straw mulch amount of 300 g·m-2. At this level, the soil water content increased to 17.5%, the dissolved organic carbon content reached 164.4 mg·kg-1, the total nitrogen content was 0.86 g·kg-1, the ammonium nitrogen content was 3.6 mg·kg-1, the nitrate nitrogen content was 7.2 mg·kg-1, the available phosphorus content was 6.1 mg·kg-1, the microbial biomass carbon reached 189.8 mg·kg-1, the β-1,4-glucosidase activity was 142.6 μmol g-1 h-1 , and the cellulose hydrolase activity was 72.34 μmol g-1 h-1. Meanwhile, the soil bulk density decreased to 1.13 g cm-³, the soil temperature decreased to 19.6 ℃, and the soil pH value decreased to 8.26. Correlation analysis showed that SOC,POC, and MAOC were significantly and negatively correlated with soil bulk density, temperature, and pH, while they were significantly and positively correlated with soil moisture, dissolved organic carbon,total nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, available phosphorus, microbial biomass carbon, β-1,4-glucosidase, and cellulose hydrolase activity (P<0.05). Further analysis indicated that straw mulching mainly increased SOC stocks by increasing POC stocks, with a contribution rate ranging from 55%to 58%. Stepwise regression analysis showed that β-1,4-glucosidase was the key factor affecting SOC and MAOC stocks, while available phosphorus was the key factor affecting POC stocks. 【Conclusion】Overall, straw mulching significantly increases SOC, POC, and MAOC stocks, and the enhancement effect increases with the amount of mulch. Once the mulch amount exceeds 300 g·m-2, additional mulch does not significantly raise SOC, POC, and MAOC. Thus, 300 g·m-2 is the optimal mulch amount for increasing SOC in apple orchards on the Loess Plateau. This measure maximizes the carbon sequestration benefits of straw mulch while it effectively avoids resource waste, providing a scientific basis for the sustainable development of apple orchards.

Key words:Apple orchard; Straw mulch; Soil organic carbon; Particulate organic carbon; Mineral-associated organic carbon

中图分类号:S661.1

文献标志码:A

文章编号:1009-9980(2026)03-0559-10

DOI:10.13925/j.cnki.gsxb.20250435

收稿日期:2025-08-04

接受日期:2025-10-08

基金项目:陕西省土地工程建设集团内部科研项目(DJNY2024-11)

作者简介:王佳璇,男,工程师,硕士,研究方向为土壤碳循环。E-mail:jiaxuanwang100475@163.com

*通信作者 Author for correspondence. E-mail:lijunchao1212@126.com