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Soil Enzyme Activities and Microbial Carbon Pump Promote Carbon Storage by Influencing Bacterial Communities Under Nitrogen-Rich Conditions in Tea Plantation

Author

Listed:
  • Qi Shu

    (Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China)

  • Shenghua Gao

    (Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China)

  • Xinmiao Liu

    (Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China)

  • Zengwang Yao

    (College of Forestry, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China)

  • Hailong Wu

    (Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China)

  • Lianghua Qi

    (Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration/Beijing for Bamboo & Rattan Science and Technology, International Center for Bamboo and Rattan, Beijing 100102, China)

  • Xudong Zhang

    (Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China)

Abstract

Carbon–nitrogen (C-N) coupling is a fundamental concept in ecosystem ecology. Long-term excessive fertilization in tea plantations has caused soil C-N imbalance, leading to ecological issues. Understanding soil C-N coupling under nitrogen loading is essential for sustainable management, yet the mechanisms remain unclear. This study examined C-N coupling in tea plantation soils under five fertilization regimes: no fertilization, chemical fertilizer, chemical + organic cake fertilizer, chemical + microbial fertilizer, and chemical + biochar. Fertilization mainly increased particulate organic carbon (POC) and inorganic nitrogen, driven by changes in bacterial community composition and function. Mixed fertilization treatments enhanced the association between bacterial communities and soil properties, increasing ecological complexity without altering overall trends. Fungal communities had a minor influence on soil C-N dynamics. Microbial necromass carbon (MNC) and microbial carbon pump (MCP) efficacy, representing long-term carbon storage potential, showed minimal responses to short-term fertilization. However, the microbial necromass accumulation coefficient (NAC) was nitrogen-sensitive, indicating short-term responses. PLS-PM analysis revealed consistent C-N coupling across the treatments, where soil nitrogen influenced carbon through enzyme activity and MCP, while bacterial communities directly affected carbon storage. These findings provide insights for precise soil C-N management and sustainable tea plantation practices under climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Qi Shu & Shenghua Gao & Xinmiao Liu & Zengwang Yao & Hailong Wu & Lianghua Qi & Xudong Zhang, 2025. "Soil Enzyme Activities and Microbial Carbon Pump Promote Carbon Storage by Influencing Bacterial Communities Under Nitrogen-Rich Conditions in Tea Plantation," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-22, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:3:p:238-:d:1573890
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Johannes Lehmann & Markus Kleber, 2015. "The contentious nature of soil organic matter," Nature, Nature, vol. 528(7580), pages 60-68, December.
    2. Sébastien Fontaine & Sébastien Barot & Pierre Barré & Nadia Bdioui & Bruno Mary & Cornelia Rumpel, 2007. "Stability of organic carbon in deep soil layers controlled by fresh carbon supply," Nature, Nature, vol. 450(7167), pages 277-280, November.
    3. Giannitsopoulos, Michail L. & Burgess, Paul J. & Sakrabani, Ruben & Holden, Ann & Saini, Helen & Kirui, Charles, 2023. "Modelling the effects of soil organic content and pH on the yield responses of tea to nitrogen fertilizer," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
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