title: Decreasing Nitrogen Fertilizer Input Had Little Effect on Microbial Communities in Three Types of Soils.
abstract: In this study, we examined the influence of different nitrogen (N) application rates (0, 168, 240, 270 and 312 kg N ha(-1)) on soil properties, maize (Zea mays L.) yields and microbial communities of three types of soils (clay, alluvial and sandy soils). Phospholipid fatty acid analysis was used to characterize soil microbial communities. Results indicated that N fertilization significantly decreased microbial biomass in both clay and sandy soils regardless of application rate. These decreases were more likely a result of soil pH decreases induced by N fertilization, especially in the sandy soils. This is supported by structural equation modeling and redundancy analysis results. Nitrogen fertilization also led to significant changes in soil microbial community composition. However, the change differences were gradually dismissed with increase in N application rate. We also observed that N fertilization increased maize yields to the same level regardless of application rate. This suggests that farmers could apply N fertilizers at a lower rate (i.e. 168 kg N ha(-1)), which could achieve high maize yield on one hand while maintain soil microbial functions on the other hand.
authors.affiliation: College of Resources and Environment, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
authors.forename: Hailing
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: College of Resources and Environment, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: College of Resources and Environment, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
authors.forename: Zeqiang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.affiliation: College of Resources and Environment, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
authors.forename: Anning
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ying
authors.affiliation: College of Resources and Environment, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
authors.forename: Yuyang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: College of Resources and Environment, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
authors.forename: Jingwei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: College of Resources and Environment, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.affiliation: College of Land and Environment, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods; D018533:Biomass; D005308:Fertilizers / Q000032:analysis*; D064307:Microbiota / Q000187:drug effects*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D003313:Zea mays / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D005308:Fertilizers; D012987:Soil; D009584:Nitrogen