Elevated CO 2 alters the rhizosphere effect on crop residue decomposition

Abstract

Background and aims

Elevated atmospheric CO₂ (eCO₂) can affect microbial decomposition of native soil organic carbon (SOC) via enhanced root exudation and rhizosphere activity. Few studies have examined the effect of eCO₂ on the decomposition of newly-added crop residues, which are important to understand below-ground C changes. A soil microcosm experiment was conducted to examine whether eCO₂ would enhance the rhizosphere effects on the decomposition of crop residues.

Methods

White lupin (Lupinus albus L. cv. Kiev) was grown for 34 or 62 days under ambient CO₂ (aCO₂, 400 μmol mol⁻¹) or eCO₂ (800 μmol mol⁻¹) in a low-C (2.0 mg g⁻¹) soil which was amended with or without dual ¹³C and ¹⁵N labelled wheat, field pea or canola crop residues. An isotopic tracing technique was adopted to partition residue-derived CO₂ from total below-ground CO₂ efflux. Two independent groups of data were analysed statistically at either Day 34 or 62.

Results

The presence of white lupin increased the decomposition of all residues at Day 34. This positive rhizosphere effect on residue decomposition decreased and was even reversed at Day 62, probably due to depletion of labile C, or microbial N limitation, or rhizosphere acidification. The eCO₂-induced decomposition depended on residue type at Day 34. Specifically, when compared to aCO₂, eCO₂ did not affect the decomposition of canola residue, increased that of field pea residue by 13.5% but decreased wheat straw decomposition by 7.4%. However, residue decomposition was, on average, 13% higher under eCO₂ at Day 62, which was correlated positively with the increase in rhizosphere extractable C (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Elevated CO₂ generally increased residue decomposition in the rhizosphere, but this effect was mediated by residue type at Day 34. Enhanced residue decomposition under legumes at eCO₂ may favour C turnover and the release of residue N.

from Energy Ecology Environment Ambio via Terpsi Hori on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2QVWvZY