Abstract:
【Objective】 The aim of the study is to reveal soil C, N and P stoichiometry of agricultural salinization ecosystem in arid oasis in northern China, which may be helpful for effective rehabilitation of salinized desertification.
【Methods】 By using the method of replacing time with space, the soil stoichiometry (0~40 cm) in alfalfa and barley growing fields in different salinized stages, including the native (CK), lightly, moderately, heavily, severely salinized field was studied.
【Results】 (1) In alfalfa grown field, soil organic C (SOC), total N concentrations (TN) increased firstly and then decreased with an increase in salinity, while total phosphorus concentration (TP) decreased.SOC, TN, and TP concentrations decreased in barley growing field.It was found that SOC, TN, and TP concentrations in two farmlands accumulated in the surface of soil layers among the five stages.(2) With an increase in salinity,
C/N in alfalfa growing field presented a “V” change trend and the moderately salinized field
C/N was the lowest, but
C/P and
N/P increased firstly and then decreased.The
C/N increased in barley growing field, but
C/P and
N/P decreased.Analysis showed that
C/N in the depth of 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm and 20-40 cm was not significantly different in alfalfa growing field among different salinized stages.In the two farmlands,
C/N,
C/P and
N/P was not significantly different among different soil depths in each salinized stage.(3) Analysis showed that TN, TP,
C/P and
N/P had significant positive correlation with SOC in two farmlands.A significant negative correlation was found between TN, and
C/N (
P<0.05), but
C/P and
N/P had very significant positive correlation with TN (
P<0.01).And
C/N had very significant negative correlation with
N/P, but a very significant positive correlation was found between
C/P and
N/P (
P<0.01).
C/N,
C/P,
N/P had no significant correlation with TP in two farmlands.(4) Analysis showed that soil water content, soil
ECP, fine particle content had significant correlation with the soil stoichiometry at alfalfa growing field (
P<0.05).The soil stoichiometry had significant correlation with soil water content, soil
ECP, soil bulk density and soil temperature at barley growing field.
【Conclusion】 Soil SOC and TN are major factors which affect soil stoichiometry, but TP is not the factor.