ISSN:
1573-5036
Keywords:
grassland
;
Mediterranean
;
microbial biomass
;
nitrogen
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract Seasonal changes in soil water and nitrogen availability were related to the phenology and growth of plants in California annual grassland. Plant accumulation of nitrogen was mainly confined to two short periods of the year: fall and early spring. At these times, plants were in the vegetative growth phase, roots were growing rapidly and soil moisture was high. During these periods, soil nitrate was low or depleted. High flux of nitrogen in this ecosystem, however, is indicated by the rapid disappearance of the previous year's detrital material, high microbial biomass, and high mineralizable nitrogen and nitrification potential. At the end of the summer drought, significant amounts of the previous year's detrital material had disappeared, chloroform-labile N (expressed as microbial biomass N) was at its seasonal maximum, and soil inorganic nitrogen pools were high. This suggests inorganic nitrogen flux during the drought period. The ‘drought escaper’ life history characteristics of annual grasses in California annual grassland, however, may prevent plants from utilizing available nitrogen during a large part of the year.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02143533
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