Microbial necromass in cropland soils: A global meta-analysis of management effects

Zhou, Ranran; Liu, Yuan; Dungait, Jennifer J.; Kumar, Amit; Wang, Jinsong; Tiemann, Lisa K.; Zhang, Fusuo; Kuzyakov, Yakov; Tian, Jing

doi:10.1111/gcb.16613

Microbial necromass in cropland soils: A global meta-analysis of management effects

Journal Article · Mon Feb 06 23:00:00 EST 2023 · Global Change Biology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16613· OSTI ID:2420322

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China Agricultural University, Beijing (China); OSTI
Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI (United States)
Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Edinburgh (United Kingdom); Univ. of Exeter (United Kingdom)
United Arab Emirates Univ., Al Ain (United Arab Emirates)
Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing (China)
China Agricultural University, Beijing (China)
Gottingen Univ. (Germany)

Microbial necromass is a large and persistent component of soil organic carbon (SOC), especially under croplands. The effects of cropland management on microbial necromass accumulation and its contribution to SOC have been measured in individual studies but have not yet been summarized on the global scale. For this study, we conducted a meta-analysis of 481-paired measurements from cropland soils to examine the management effects on microbial necromass and identify the optimal conditions for its accumulation. Nitrogen fertilization increased total microbial necromass C by 12%, cover crops by 14%, no or reduced tillage (NT/RT) by 20%, manure by 21%, and straw amendment by 21%. Microbial necromass accumulation was independent of biochar addition. NT/RT and straw amendment increased fungal necromass and its contribution to SOC more than bacterial necromass. Manure increased bacterial necromass higher than fungal, leading to decreased ratio of fungal-to-bacterial necromass. Greater microbial necromass increases after straw amendments were common under semi-arid and in cool climates in soils with pH <8, and were proportional to the amount of straw input. In contrast, NT/RT increased microbial necromass mainly under warm and humid climates. Manure application increased microbial necromass irrespective of soil properties and climate. Management effects were especially strong when applied during medium (3–10 years) to long (10+ years) periods to soils with larger initial SOC contents, but were absent in sandy soils. Close positive links between microbial biomass, necromass and SOC indicate the important role of stabilized microbial products for C accrual. Microbial necromass contribution to SOC increment (accumulation efficiency) under NT/RT, cover crops, manure and straw amendment ranged from 45% to 52%, which was 9%–16% larger than under N fertilization. In summary, long-term cropland management increases SOC by enhancing microbial necromass accumulation, and optimizing microbial necromass accumulation and its contribution to SOC sequestration requires site-specific management.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0014108

OSTI ID:: 2420322

Journal Information:: Global Change Biology, Journal Name: Global Change Biology Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 29; ISSN 1354-1013

Publisher:: WileyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
amino sugars
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land use
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soil carbon sequestration
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Microbial necromass in cropland soils: A global meta-analysis of management effects

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